Black Gold, Jeremy Paxman

 

There’s a classic image in people’s minds about London, its double decker buses in thick smog, of course the last time this happened was over 60 years ago. 

Coal was the source of power in Britain for hundreds of years it powered the Industrial Revolution, the railways and the ships that made it’s empire grow and stretch around the globe. 

Getting it from the ground was hot, dirty, dangerous and under paid. Around the pit head community’s grew and thrived when there was an accident or disaster in the mine they came together. 

Jeremy Paxman has written a brilliant book the looks at all facets of coal and the British economy from its early beginnings and greedy land owners to the industrial decline after the miners strike in 1984. It takes you to the heart of community’s as they rally after a underground disaster and to the political meetings as legislators change the laws to make the industry progressively safer and less vulnerable to exploitation of the poor and vulnerable. 

If you’re family were ever involved in coal mining then this book is a must read as you can get a glimpse into the life they lead and the struggles they faced. It also covers the beginning of green energy and the demise of trade unions that had held the country to ransom for years. 

A good read

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Have fun stay safe 👍🏼