An illustrated history of Britain’s coal mines and the lives of the miners who worked in them. Coal heated the homes, fuelled the furnaces and powered the engines of the Industrial Revolution. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the coalfields – distinct landscapes of colliery winding frames, slag heaps and mining villages – made up Britain’s industrial heartlands. Coal was known as ‘black gold’ but it was only brought to the surface with skill and at considerable risk, with flooding, rock falls and gas explosions a constant danger. Coal miners became a recognised force in British political life, forming a vociferous and often militant lobby for better working conditions and a decent standard of living. This beautifully illustrated guide to Britain’s industrial heritage covers not just the mines, but the lives of the workers away from the pits, with a focus on the cultural and religious life of mining communities.An illustrated history of Britain’s coal mines and the lives of the miners who worked in them, which will appeal to those interested in the Industrial Revolution and social history.About the AuthorRichard Hayman is an architectural historian who has for many years been involved with the listing of historic buildings in Wales and England. He is the author of the Shire books Wrought Iron, The Green Man, The Tudor Reformation and The Iron Industry.ReviewsA glossy publication with plenty of full-colour photos and other illustrations. At GBP7.99, this is great value for illuminating the lives of your coal-mining kin. * Who Do You Think You Are Magazine *Book InformationISBN 9781784421205Author Richard HaymanFormat PaperbackPage Count 64Imprint Shire PublicationsPublisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLCWeight(grams) 152gDimensions(mm) 210mm * 149mm * 6mm