Bringing Down the Mountains

Bringing Down the Mountains examines the impact of mountaintop removal coal mining in southern West Virginia from the 1970s through the early 2000s. This historical study documents how this mining practice affected local communities, the environment, and the coal industry itself. Through interviews with residents, coal workers, and activists, Burns traces the transformation of the Coal River Valley region. The text presents both industry perspectives and community responses while exploring the economic and regulatory factors that enabled the rise of mountaintop removal mining. The book analyzes the complex relationship between coal companies, local economies, and multigenerational mining families in Appalachia. Burns, who grew up in a coal mining family in West Virginia, incorporates personal knowledge of the region with academic research and investigation. This work contributes to the broader discussion of environmental justice, corporate responsibility, and the true costs of energy production in America. The narrative raises questions about the balance between economic development and environmental preservation in resource-rich communities.

Readers describe the book as a detailed documentation of mountaintop removal mining's impact on West Virginia communities. Many note its thorough research and first-hand accounts from residents affected by mining operations. Liked: - Clear explanation of complex mining processes - Personal stories and oral histories - Historical context and timeline - Photos and maps that illustrate the scale - Focus on social and cultural impacts beyond environmental effects Disliked: - Academic writing style can be dense - Some sections repeat information - Limited coverage of potential solutions - Focus mainly on West Virginia rather than broader Appalachia Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (42 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (15 reviews) Reader quote: "Burns gives voice to families who watched their communities transform from tight-knit towns to uninhabitable spaces." - Goodreads reviewer Common feedback notes the book serves as a reference text for understanding coal mining's community impacts rather than casual reading.

Moving Mountains by Penny Loeb Documents the impact of mountaintop removal mining on West Virginia communities through first-hand accounts of residents who fought against coal companies.

Coal River by Michael Shnayerson Chronicles the legal battles between coal companies and Appalachian residents over mountaintop removal mining practices in West Virginia.

Something's Rising: Appalachians Fighting Mountaintop Removal by Silas House and Jason Howard Presents oral histories from activists, artists, and community members who oppose mountaintop removal mining in Appalachia.

Lost Mountain by Erik Reece Tracks the destruction of a single mountain in eastern Kentucky over one year of mountaintop removal operations and its effects on the surrounding ecosystem.

Thunder on the Mountain by Peter A. Galuszka Examines the Massey Energy company's mining practices and the events leading to the Upper Big Branch mine disaster in West Virginia.

🌲 Author Shirley Stewart Burns grew up in Wyoming County, West Virginia, in a coal mining family, giving her firsthand experience with the book's subject matter. ⛰️ The book was the first comprehensive academic study focused specifically on mountaintop removal coal mining in central Appalachia. 💼 The research details how coal companies systematically bought mineral rights from local residents in the early 1900s for as little as 25-50 cents per acre. 🏗️ A single mountaintop removal operation can utilize explosives equivalent to the power of one Hiroshima bomb every week for multiple years. 🌿 The book documents how by 2009, mountaintop removal had already destroyed more than 500 mountains and buried over 2,000 miles of headwater streams in Appalachia.