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Song for a Hard-Hit People: A Memoir of Antiracist Solidarity from a Coal Miner's Daughter
Not yet published
Expected 11 May 27A story of struggle and perseverance from an Eastern Kentucky woman who answered Florence Reese's timeless question, "Which side are you on?" with love and solidarity.
Activist and organizer Beth Howard invites readers to join her journey from the hardships of life in Appalachia to the street protests of the Black Lives Matter movement and the resistance to Donald Trump and MAGA racists.
Howard reminds us of the rich traditions of working-class organization and resistance in Appalachia, like the 10,000 interracial miners of the so-called Red Neck Army (known by the red bandanas worn around their necks), which in 1921 refused to be segregated and waged the largest working-class insurrection since the Civil War.
Beth's story is particular, but not unique. Too many of us face the same struggle for the basic necessities of life: somewhere decent to live, good food to eat, health care that doesn't break the bank, jobs that don't kill us. As she reminds us, we haven’t got a chance—unless we organize. In the best of storytelling traditions, her prose is at once heart-breaking and inspiring, always insightful and provocative, and filled to the brim with courageous humanity.
Activist and organizer Beth Howard invites readers to join her journey from the hardships of life in Appalachia to the street protests of the Black Lives Matter movement and the resistance to Donald Trump and MAGA racists.
Howard reminds us of the rich traditions of working-class organization and resistance in Appalachia, like the 10,000 interracial miners of the so-called Red Neck Army (known by the red bandanas worn around their necks), which in 1921 refused to be segregated and waged the largest working-class insurrection since the Civil War.
Beth's story is particular, but not unique. Too many of us face the same struggle for the basic necessities of life: somewhere decent to live, good food to eat, health care that doesn't break the bank, jobs that don't kill us. As she reminds us, we haven’t got a chance—unless we organize. In the best of storytelling traditions, her prose is at once heart-breaking and inspiring, always insightful and provocative, and filled to the brim with courageous humanity.
512 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 11, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 29, 2026
A beautiful, hopeful book written by my friend and comrade. I think anyone can find a piece of themselves in her writing, and in a moment when shit feels so hard - stories of struggle, of action and of solidarity can keep us going. Highly recommend ❤️
Review of advance copy
An engaging memoir about growing up deep in Appalachia (eastern Kentucky) and becoming an activist and organizer, engaging working people across race, ethnicity, and other differences to make changes that address the real challenges facing the majority of Americans. Like a liveable wage, access to healthcare, safe affordable housing, and good public education. The author breaks stereotypes about Appalachian people and lifts up the region's long, successful, courageous history of union organizing and standing up in solidarity for the dignity or all people.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The people of Appalachia have become the most readily vilified scapegoat for our current political climate. They've "gotten what they deserved" because they're just "stupid hillbilly rednecks who voted for Trump." It's a tired story, but one that's somehow been revamped and invigorated by people who, quite frankly, know nothing of the region.
Howard takes this notion -- a notion more ignorant than hillbillies could ever be -- and obliterates it. She writes of life in her beloved Kentucky as it was and is, with equal parts empathy and rage on behalf of her people. The plight of rural Appalachians is more like the plight of Black and brown folks in this country than most people realize, and that's 100% on purpose. Howard delves into this in an accessible and fascinating way, without her writing ever becoming an academic slough.
Song for a Hard-Hit People is half life story, as she recalls her abusive father's alcoholism (then subsequently her own), her experience of living in a caring community that's constantly misunderstood and demonized, her mental health struggles, and trying to make ends meet once she discovers her calling as an organizer. But the other half is a call to action for every reader. A much-needed reminder (or revelation to some) that when it seems like the world is crumbling, we really do only have each other.
I myself am only one generation removed from decades of my family living and dying in the mountains of Southwest Virginia, simply because my Papaw needed to find work in Richmond after the local carbide plant shut down. *So much* of what Howard talks about is my family's story, too. Her heartfelt description of her grandparents made me cry, mirroring my own Granny and Papaw. So while it was a comforting, familiar read, it was also inspiring, informative, and never shied away from how complicated and necessary the work is.
I think this would make a great companion piece to the documentary Hillbilly. And, if you're still somehow tempted to read Hillbilly Elegy, read this instead and immediately. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Howard takes this notion -- a notion more ignorant than hillbillies could ever be -- and obliterates it. She writes of life in her beloved Kentucky as it was and is, with equal parts empathy and rage on behalf of her people. The plight of rural Appalachians is more like the plight of Black and brown folks in this country than most people realize, and that's 100% on purpose. Howard delves into this in an accessible and fascinating way, without her writing ever becoming an academic slough.
Song for a Hard-Hit People is half life story, as she recalls her abusive father's alcoholism (then subsequently her own), her experience of living in a caring community that's constantly misunderstood and demonized, her mental health struggles, and trying to make ends meet once she discovers her calling as an organizer. But the other half is a call to action for every reader. A much-needed reminder (or revelation to some) that when it seems like the world is crumbling, we really do only have each other.
I myself am only one generation removed from decades of my family living and dying in the mountains of Southwest Virginia, simply because my Papaw needed to find work in Richmond after the local carbide plant shut down. *So much* of what Howard talks about is my family's story, too. Her heartfelt description of her grandparents made me cry, mirroring my own Granny and Papaw. So while it was a comforting, familiar read, it was also inspiring, informative, and never shied away from how complicated and necessary the work is.
I think this would make a great companion piece to the documentary Hillbilly. And, if you're still somehow tempted to read Hillbilly Elegy, read this instead and immediately. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In a world that has become increasingly divided, Howard's voice brings a sense of nuance and hope for those of us who have often been frustrated with the paradox of rural American politics.
This memoir alternates between accounts of the author doing what she does best--organizing and talking to people--and the author doing her best as she combats her own trauma and struggles with addiction, which both inspired her to help others and gave her a sense of empathy for the rural Americans she was trying to help.
There's a part where the author talks about trying to write an article for rural Americans about racism, and how her best approach was ultimately to write from the heart and keep the message simple. That approach describes what she did here, and it made for a compelling read over a few days.
Most importantly, this book gave me some hope for our country, even in its current state, if there are people like Beth out there rallying communities to fight.
This memoir alternates between accounts of the author doing what she does best--organizing and talking to people--and the author doing her best as she combats her own trauma and struggles with addiction, which both inspired her to help others and gave her a sense of empathy for the rural Americans she was trying to help.
There's a part where the author talks about trying to write an article for rural Americans about racism, and how her best approach was ultimately to write from the heart and keep the message simple. That approach describes what she did here, and it made for a compelling read over a few days.
Most importantly, this book gave me some hope for our country, even in its current state, if there are people like Beth out there rallying communities to fight.
Review of advance copy
I don’t know if my library just got this early or what, but I was able to get this through Libby!
I really enjoyed this informative look at a very critical population - Appalachia. Often looked down on around the country as hillbillies who aren’t very intelligent, stories like this assist with fighting the dehumanization of people who are critical to improving our government systems. I admire this author’s struggle and everything she has overcome and her tireless work to try to make life better for her people. Growth takes all of us and generational trauma is so difficult to overcome.
I really enjoyed this informative look at a very critical population - Appalachia. Often looked down on around the country as hillbillies who aren’t very intelligent, stories like this assist with fighting the dehumanization of people who are critical to improving our government systems. I admire this author’s struggle and everything she has overcome and her tireless work to try to make life better for her people. Growth takes all of us and generational trauma is so difficult to overcome.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Song for a Hard-Hit People is a gorgeous, inspiring memoir and work of history. It holds so many strands, but I think I most treasure the book an as account of the intellectual, political, and personal development of an important thinker and leader in our moment. (The listed publication date of May 2027 is wrong. The book is out now.)
Review of advance copy received from Author
It really is a love song- to Appalachian and working class people in general, but she’s an organizer so it rightly sets a vision for change in the region and steps to get there. Vulnerable, dark, full of evocative vignettes that build the case for how we bring in more working class Southerners to social movements. A sharp organizing manual in the form of a powerful story!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A voice from the heart. The sense of community and commonality amongst us all is empowering and Howard weaves this throughout her story. We can all reflect, listen, learn from her story and hopefully we take these lessons forward.
Review of advance copy
Beth Howard really is an organizer because upon finishing Song for a Hard-Hit People, I would join any call to action she invited me into for the rest of my life. This book inspired and existentially fed me on top of being unputdownable. You will not regret bumping this to the top of your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A revolutionary love letter from the heart of working class Appalachia
May 23, 2026
Great read for building solidarity. Even though it was more memoir than I expected still got a lot of historical notes down for future lessons.
June 3, 2026
I think everyone should read this book. It helps answer the question: Why do we keep doing this work to make a better nation?
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews