 |
 |
I know this is a somewhat more general inquiry than the kind normally circulated on your interesting list, but here goes... I'm working on a short monograph about coal mining in Nova Scotia (Canada)-- more particularly, a study of one rural coalfield (Joggins-Chignecto) dominated by thin (approx. 4-foot-thick) seams of rather marginal quality. I'm exploring the connection between nature (the configuration of the seams and the quality of the coal) and social history (the distinctive patterns of settlement, class formmation and trade unionism found in an area where people can farm and mine at the same time, smale-scale employers come and go, and many of the mines employed fewer than 50 people). Do any list members have recommendations for readings that explore similar topics in Britain? Are others working on the interface of environmental and labour history in related or contrasting ways? Are there British coalfields that I ought to think about for purposes of comparison? Thanks for any help.