"Taylor Brown is one of the few [authors] who can write this well about noble men and women in such violent and difficult circumstances. . . [A]n important treatment of a lost war on American soil, an undervalued historical moment when the forces of labor rose up against their ruthless capitalist overlords. . . Every student of American history should read this book." - Matt Bondurant, author of Oleander City and The Wettest Country in the World
"Just like its namesake,
Rednecks is dressed in grit, moxie, and charm. The West Virginia Mine Wars' secret history turns urgently prescient in Taylor Brown's steady hands. Every single page sings with writing that is lyrical, agile, and bold. A matchless novel."
--Amy Jo Burns, author of
Mercury "A story of working class people and politics, brotherhood and bloodshed,
Rednecks thrives at the line with poetry deep and deliberate. Taylor Brown's language is the lantern in the mine shaft. Somehow he has rendered history kinetic."
--David Joy, author of
Those We Thought We Knew "[A]n absolute stick of dynamite. . . [
Rednecks is] a muddy, sinewy, utterly human story, told in short, fiery chapters that jump between characters at an exciting pace." - Shaun Slifer, Creative Director of the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum
"A sweeping tale of ruthless violence, corruption and injustice, Taylor Brown's
Rednecks is so action-packed you might think it was pure invention--if it weren't true bloody history brought to life.
Rednecks celebrates the courage and persistence of hardworking Americans-- evicted and gunned-down, starved and bombed--in a stratified world where the bosses don't give "one ounce of goddamn." Rich in historical detail and peopled with vivid characters, this novel of West Virginia's 1921 Battle of Blair Mountain is inspiring fiction for our times."
--Kate Manning, author of
Gilded Mountain "Brown skillfully examines workers' frustrations with large corporations and the politicians they pay off. This one hits hard."
--Publishers Weekly "Brown dexterously illustrates the eternal dichotomy between capitalism and labor in this immersive novel about a united multiethnic group of miners who tied red bandanas around their necks as a symbol of solidarity." --
Booklist "A superb historical drama. . . [Taylor Brown] delivers impeccable prose. . . [T]his action-packed, character-driven novel feel[s] extremely contemporary." --
NPR "This tumultuous time period is brought to vibrant, palpable life in Rednecks, Savannah author Taylor Brown's propulsive work of historical fiction that vividly re-imagines this stormy slice of history." --
Atlanta Journal-Constitution "Meticulously researched and crafted, Rednecks is a no-holds-barred creative retelling of the Battle of Blair Mountain." --
Plateau Magazine "Riveting...This story is a wow." --
Bitter Southerner "Taylor Brown's propulsive work of historical fiction. . .vividly re-imagines this stormy slice of history. . . Brown creates a compelling environment in which miners are forced to decide how much humanity they're willing to relinquish to keep fighting for their rights." --
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
