WV Reads 150 discussion

Hellraiser — Mother Jones: An Historical Novel

Best synopsis from my favorite book reviewer:

“Hellraiser” is the most important and dangerous book of our time because it dares to unmask the horrifying truth of some of the darkest days of our nation's history that is currently in the process of repeating itself. If you read one book this year, let it be this one. And then raise hell. — Calamity Jane

www.jerryash.com

In "Hellraiser", MOJO tells her story from jail in West Virginia but from there you follow her life coast to coast. But no place, in her mind, is like West Virginia. Here's a clip:

"And so it is that I wrap my few possessions into the black shawl I use as a knapsack and head back to the Mountain State. My span of work here is now approaching twenty-five years.

"I know West Virginia. I know the people. I’ve been in these hills, on and off, for decades. And I belong here.

"West Virginia miners and their wives are good people of good stock. Strong and proud, unafraid of hard work or hardship. They are accustomed to both because they are the products of generations of pioneering spirits in a land that is not the romantic Wild West of literature, but the challenging Wild West of American history when the West lay east of the Mississippi River, before the West of later history was acquired and settled.

"The land is beautiful but unforgiving. Before becoming coal miners, the men of these hills were gatherers and hunters in the tradition of the native Americans who came before them. These mountaineers carry guns for hunting and for protecting their families. They are fearless, self- assured, confident in their responsibilities.

"They have hacked their way through endless forests with giant virgin timber growing so close together that the huge trunks sometimes do not let a man pass.
With not an acre of flat land available, the typical West Virginia family has cleared out enough space for a cabin, a vegetable garden and a few chickens.

"They are accustomed to winters that are bitter cold and summers that are insect infested. They are one with the land. They know how to eke out a living and they thank their Lord above for His grace and for their independence.

"Montani Semper Liberi. “Mountaineers are always free.” The state’s motto since its founding in 1863 amidst the civil war when many, but not all, refused to join the Confederacy.

"The great Abe Lincoln admired these people and took steps to make the western side of Virginia the independent state of West Virginia."

Then she goes on to tell how they gave up their independence 20 years later when they became victims of capitalism during the American Industrial Revolution. From the beauty of those hills they found themselves deep in the blackness of coal mines, economic slaves to the company store.

Hellraiser — Mother Jones: An Historical Novel has been accepted by jury to be sold at Tamarack. But why wait?

Goodreads Giveaway (10 copies) open until September 20. Book goes on sale September 22. Do either through the author's website: http//www.jerryash.com

Book bloggers are giving this book five-star reviews.

Synopsis:

"If history repeats itself, and the unexpected always happens, how incapable must man be of learning from experience." — George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright and co-founder of the London School of Economics.

Hellraiser —Mother Jones: An Historical Novel brings Irish American Mother Jones back to renew the lessons of her history, to understand and compare the economic injustices of her time with the economic inequalities of contemporary life and to enable Mother Jones to once again call her people to action.

In history, Mary Harris Jones faces threats and jail terms, bullets and bombs to defend the American worker, the underclass — men, women and children — against the greed of robber barons like Ford, Rockefeller, Carnegie, Morgan and Vanderbilt.

In the end, the spirit of Mother Jones returns to find an America where economic servitude has shifted from the coal mines and sweatshops of her day to the fast food chains, big box retailers and even the hight tech industries of ours. Where capitalism has robbed the people of the promises of justice, equality, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in what was supposed to be a democratic society. Just as she warned 100 years ago.

HAPPY REBIRTH-WEEK!
Hellraiser — Mother Jones: An Historical Novel

Mother, I am happy to report that people were busy buying your new book on launch day, Sunday, and it continues through Launch WEEK, September 22-29.

We received some great new reviews on Goodreads and in newspapers around the country. I’m especially pleased with the one in the Charleston (W.Va.) Sunday Daily Mail and another new one on Amazon.com by “Calamity Jane”. I have become acquainted with “Calamity”, which is her pen name, and what’s significant is that she’s been a long time fan of yours. So she knew what she was writing about when she did her review.

http://www.amazon.com/Hellraiser-Moth...

Launch WEEK for “Hellraiser — Mother Jones: An Historical Novel” continues through September 29. It’s critical we do well this first week in order to get the attention of the Amazon.com algorithm which will boost the exposure of the book to more readers.

Mother, your people need to learn the lessons of your history. You wouldn’t believe the condition the country is in today. Everything you fought against has become so extreme today. We need an army of Mother Joneses now.

I have retold your story in a new and more meaningful way.
I’ve given you a new home base: the Facebook Hellraiser Club page.

https://www.facebook.com/HellraiserClub

I have networked with 100 groups on Facebook and Goodreads and the list is growing. I'm talking a lot about you and contemporary issues. Tens of thousands are learning of the lessons of your history and the significance of your rebirth.

Mother, please thank these people and their group leaders when you visit their dreams. Just like 100 years ago, they are calling on you to help them RAISE HELL.

You called your followers in the coal mines “your boys”.

I am your main “boy” now, Mother.
Jerry Ash, your faithful son.

Goal for Mother Jones

I don't expect "Hellraiser" to become a best seller. I don't expect to become rich and famous. But I celebrate every time the book is opened and the lessons of Mother Jones' history fly out . It is needed today by the champions of the working poor who fight like hell for the living and honor the sacrifices made by the champions of the past.
http://www.jerryash.com/bookstore.html

Goal for Mother Jones

I don't expect "Hellraiser" to become a best seller. I don't expect to become rich and famous. But I celebrate every time the book is opened and the lessons of Mother Jones' history fly out . It is needed today by the champions of the working poor who fight like hell for the living and honor the sacrifices made by the champions of the past.
http://www.jerryash.com/bookstore.html