Rednecks

by Taylor Brown

Winner of the Southern Book Prize for Fiction

A historical drama based on the Battle of Blair Mountain, pitting a multi-ethnic army of 10,000 coal miners against mine owners, state militia, and the United States government in the largest labor uprising in American history.

Rednecks is a tour de force, big canvas historical novel that dramatizes the 1920 to 1921 events of the West Virginia Mine Wars—from the Matewan Massacre through the Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest armed conflict on American soil since the Civil War, when some one million rounds were fired, bombs were dropped on Appalachia, and the term “redneck” would come to have an unexpected origin story.

Brimming with the high stakes drama of America’s buried history, Rednecks tells a powerful story of rebellion against oppression. In a land where the coal companies use violence and intimidation to keep miners from organizing, “Doc Moo" Muhanna, a Lebanese-American doctor (inspired by the author’s own great-grandfather), toils amid the blood and injustice of the mining camps. When Frank Hugham, a Black World War One veteran and coal miner, takes dramatic steps to lead a miners' revolt with a band of fellow veterans, Doc Moo risks his life and career to treat sick and wounded miners, while Frank's grandmother, Beulah, fights her own battle to save her home and grandson.

Real-life historical figures burn bright among the hills: the fiery Mother Jones, an Irish-born labor organizer once known as "The Most Dangerous Woman in America," struggles to maintain the ear of the miners ("her boys") amid the tide of rebellion, while the sharp-shooting police chief "Smilin" Sid Hatfield dares to stand up to the "gun thugs" of the coal companies, becoming a folk hero of the mine wars.

Award-winning novelist Taylor Brown brings to life one of the most compelling events in 20th century American history, reminding us of the hard-won origins of today's unions. Rednecks is a propulsive, character-driven tale that’s both a century old and blisteringly contemporary: a story of unexpected friendship, heroism in the face of injustice, and the power of love and community against all odds.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

Published September 23, 2025

About the author

Taylor Brown is the award-winning author of the novels Fallen Land (2016), The River of Kings (2017), Gods of Howl Mountain (2018), Pride of Eden (2020), Wingwalkers (2022), and Rednecks (2024), as well as a short story collection, In the Season of Blood and Gold (2014). He's a recipient of the Montana Prize in Fiction and his first three novels were all finalists for the Southern Book Prize. He lives in Savannah, Georgia, where he is the founder and editor-in-chief of BikeBound, one of the world's leading custom motorcycle publications. His website is taylorbrownfiction.com. You can follow him on Twitter (@taybrown), Instagram (@taylorbrown82) and Facebook (@Taylor.Brown.Fiction).

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

First I received this as a Goodreads giveaway. It was a good story but I found the beginning to be a bit slow and disjointed. There was what I guess would be development of characters that seemed to distract from the story itself and slow the read. There were characters that were the type you could root for and others that just seemed to almost be fillers. The bad guys were easy to dislike, and the story as a whole makes me want to do some research on the coal wars with the unions. The second half of the book was fast and action packed and the type of book you don't want to put down. There were several characters that I found attached to, particularly Doc and his son.

[Shelby · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only storyline I felt was truly compelling was the Dr, most of the characters felt underdeveloped. The frequent perspective shifts left much to be desired. The ending wasn’t super satisfying and left a lot of loose ends. But I enjoyed the historical aspects and finished the book to hear how the Drs story ended.

[Roxanna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rednecks masterfully brings the West Virginia Mine Wars to life, blending history, heroism, and human resilience. Taylor Brown’s storytelling is rich, immersive, and deeply emotional, making the struggles and triumphs of miners and their communities vividly real. A powerful novel that resonates far beyond its historical setting.

[Alyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just not sure this book was for me. I listened to it and found myself disoriented sometimes because of the constant perspective shifting. I typically like short punchy chapters, but this felt a little like whiplash. Learned a lot about 1920s Appalachia, though. Had no idea tensions were that high.

[Marie Zahnle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping vivid account of West Virginia Mine Wars.Stories of raw courage, unrelenting cruelty, and dedicated resilience.

[Richard Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heavy emotional novel based on events that sometimes one wonders how this could happen in America. Indeed, history is filled with could be's and what if's. Strong novel as always from Taylor Brown.