Two Sides to Everything: The Cultural Construction of Class Consciousness in Harlan County, Kentucky

by Shaunna L. Scott

Shaunna L. Scott is Assistant Professor of Sociology and an Associate of The Appalachian Center at the University of Kentucky.

259 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1995

Reviews

[Comely]

The book explores several avenues of Harlan County and the concept of Class Consciousness. It dives deep into religion, pro and anti union events and how the people of Harlan County lived and operated in daily life. However, portions of the book felt like a drag or too anecdotal for my tastes which mostly were in the latter chapters of the book. I don't think that it weakens the narrative of the book, but sometimes it felt lost or confused. I believe the biggest flaw of the book which is mentioned in the Afterword was the lack of race and its associated commentary. Harlan County wasn't a purely White community and race plays a significant role in Class Consciousness. I wish the author during her time explored people's opinions of race, their biases and their unconscious or conscious racial issues and tendencies. I think this book at the end of the day informs the reader about Harlan County's history and is a good starting point learning about American Appalachia, the concepts of pro and anti union sentiments and again, Class Consciousness.

[Danielle]

I adore this book. Granted -- I know Shaunna, so I may be a tad bit biased -- however, it's concise and easy to read. I used this book in my Master's thesis, Doctoral qualifying exams, and Doctoral dissertation, and I will most likely be using it in an Appalachian Studies course I'm teaching in the spring.

[Trent Thomas]

Interesting look into the labor struggles of the Appalachian coal miners.