This book is about the last generations of miners in Britain. Although it’s a history book, it has a personal touch, as the author interviewed former miners and visited locations of interest. It’s well-written and engaging, although she uses the word ‘hypermasculine’ three times which for some reason I don’t like. There are well-chosen photos, including strikes, banners and memorials. The book is intended as a tribute to this once essential profession, allowing us to remember the struggles, dangers, camaraderie and politics of the pit. As it focuses on particular areas, towns and people, it might not please everyone connected in some way with mining, especially if their places are not included in the book. Chapters are tied into themes, such as the disease caused by coal dust, fathers and sons at opposite sides of the picket, the dedicated rescue teams, and pit ponies. It feels like a very important book which helps us to understand the legacy of miners, with an emphasis that they must be remembered.

Published by Chatto & Windus, 2025.

Related posts: book reviews of Black Gold by Jeremy Paxman and How Green Was My Valley by Richard Llewellyn.