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Trapped

The 1909 Cherry Mine Disaster

LIST PRICE $19.95

About The Book

A gripping account of the worst coal mine fire in US history—the 1909 Cherry Mine Disaster that claimed the lives of 259 men. "Drawing on diaries, letters, written accounts of survivors and testimony from the coroner's inquest...Tintori's engaging prose keeps readers on the edge" (Publishers Weekly).

Inspired by a refrain of her girlhood—"Your grandfather survived the Cherry Mine disaster"—Karen Tintori began a search for her family's role in the harrowing tragedy of 1909. She uncovered the stories of victims, survivors, widows, orphans, townspeople, firefighters, reporters, and mine owners, and wove them together to pen Trapped, a riveting account of the tragic day that would inspire America's first worker's compensation laws and hasten much-needed child labor reform.

On a Saturday morning in November of 1909, four hundred and eighty men went down into the mines as they had countless times before. But a fire erupted in the mineshaft that day and soon burned out of control. By nightfall, more than half the men would either be dead or trapped as officials sealed the mine in an attempt to contain the blaze. Miraculously, twenty men would emerge one week later, but not before the Cherry Mine disaster went down in history as the worst ever coal mine fire in the US—and not before all the treachery and heroism of mankind were revealed.

About The Author

Karen Tintori worked in journalism and public relations before becoming a full-time writer. She lives in Michigan with her family.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Atria Books (September 17, 2003)
  • Length: 288 pages
  • ISBN13: 9780743421959

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Raves and Reviews

John N. Maclean Author of Fire on the Mountain: The True Story of the South Canyon Fire A riveting generational story and a terrific reporting job -- altogether, a worthy memorial to those who have gone down the coal mines never to return.

Publishers Weekly Drawing on diaries, letters, written accounts of survivors and testimony from the coroner's inquest...Tintori's engagingprose keeps readers on the edge.

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