To Save the Land and People

“A valuable contribution to the history of the region . . . raises interesting questions about what happened, about the role of the local, state, and national environmental groups, and about the effects of class differences among membership in these groups.” — Journal of Appalachian Studies

“Montrie’s study not only provides us with an excellent understanding of the history of America’s strip-mining debate but offers guidance for dealing with it in the future.” — Journal of American History

“An admirable study of real importance to historians of the environment and Appalachia.” — Journal of Southern History

“Montrie’s study of the resistance by the farmers and people directly affected by surface strip mining is an important study for environmental activism. Using a wealth of sources such as manuscript collections, oral histories, government documents, and other primary sources, he provides a thorough examination of the efforts to control surface coal mining in Appalachia by a coalition of forces.” — Enterprise & Society

“Montrie’s book will no doubt find a welcome spot on the shelf of many an Appalachian scholar. Anyone with broad interests in twentieth-century American environmentalism, mining history, and environmental justice also will find it a compelling read. Meticulously researched and highly readable, To Save the Land and People tells a story that needs to be heard.” — Environmental History

“[Montrie] has produced a first-rate history of the campaign to abolish strip mining. . . . Well written and carefully researched, the book captures the ebb and flow of reform coalition building, and is a welcome addition to the growing literature on business and the environment.” — Business History

“What a long overdue addition to the body of books about Appalachia, and how fabulous that someone of Chad Montrie’s sensibilities stepped forward to take on the challenge.” — Appalachian Heritage

“To Save the Land and People makes a clear and concise contribution to our understanding of environmental activism and adds yet another chapter to the (in)famous story of coal mining in America.” — Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography

“This book tells the untold story of some of the heroic activists who attempted to abolish or restrict surface mining in Appalachia. It contains many worthwhile lessons for those who continue the ongoing struggle to halt the utter destruction of this fragile and beautiful region through unsustainable resource extraction practices.” — Albert J. Fritsch, Director of Appalachia — Science in the Public Interest

“With uncommon eloquence, Chad Montrie tells the important and moving story of the efforts of the farmers and working people of Appalachia to put a halt to the strip mining that was despoiling their land and their livelihoods. This struggle necessarily moved beyond the usual tactics of lobbying and petitioning that were easily ignored to civil disobedience and strategic violence. This is a movement that reminds us of the great historical struggles of ordinary people.” — Frances Fox Piven, City University of New York