The Gallup 14

by Gary L. Stuart

When seven people are wounded in a riot in Gallup, New Mexico, and three more left for dead, among them the local sheriff, justice must be served. The authorities lose no time in rounding up the usual Mexican immigrants and striking coal miners, the �Gallup 14,� whose conviction and execution seem inevitable. Based on a notorious case of political coercion in the 1930s, when fear of Communism led to the scapegoating of foreigners and union activists, this novel uses court documents and newspaper reports to tell the story of the Gallup 14 through the eyes of lawyer Billy Wade and his schoolteacher girlfriend, Mary Ann Shaughnessy. Mass arrests, lineups, and brutal political pressure from local authorities form the backdrop to this powerful story of racism, exploitation, labor politics, and the legal system that is charged with meting out justice. �The Gallup 14 is written with verve, and has an amazing control of complex details. The courtroom drama had me on the edge of my seat; I couldn't stop turning pages.��John Nichols �In the dark days at the rock bottom of the Great American Depression, something very dangerous, and very important, happened in the coal fields of Gallup, New Mexico. It involved rioting and murder, and culminated in a tense court drama, but no one knows about it. Gary Stuart has finally filled that gap in our history with The Gallup 14.� �Tony Hillerman

Hardcover

First published June 1, 2000

Reviews

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

So interesting to read a book where the main action is literally blocks from your home.

More of a courtroom drama than I'd expected. Found it hard to get into at first but got hooked and had to finish.