King Coal

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

King Coal

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Upton Sinclair's 1917 novel exposes the brutal exploitation of coal miners in the early 20th century. Through the eyes of a young investigator, the story reveals dangerous working conditions, corporate corruption, and the desperate struggle for justice among immigrant laborers. A powerful indictment of industrial capitalism.

Summary up to 500 words

Set against the brutal backdrop of the Rocky Mountain coal camps, Upton Sinclair's *King Coal* exposes the systemic exploitation inherent in the industrial age. The narrative follows Hal, a young college student who disguises himself as a miner to investigate the harsh realities of the industry. Upon entering the Pine Creek camp, he discovers a dystopian system controlled by the ruthless Peter Harrigan and his General Fuel Company. The workforce consists largely of European immigrants who, unable to unite due to language barriers, are easily manipulated by the company's thugs, ex-convicts, and corrupt officials. Sinclair meticulously details the company's criminal practices, including the deliberate falsification of death records to avoid paying for injured or deceased workers. The novel reaches a harrowing climax when the company refuses to start ventilation fans following a mine fire, knowingly allowing hundreds of trapped miners to suffocate. This act of corporate negligence is juxtaposed with the company's manipulation of local politics; they create 'closed precincts' to rig elections, ensuring that only loyalists hold office while suppressing any dissent. As Hal gathers evidence of these crimes, he faces intimidation from company marshals and the sheriff. However, the narrative builds toward a miners' revolt where the workers demand the right to choose their own deputies, control over their food supplies, and safety measures like regular sprinkling of the mines. Through Hal's journey from an idealistic observer to a committed activist, Sinclair argues that true liberty cannot exist while thousands slave in the dark for the profit of a few. The novel serves as a searing indictment of 'private ownership' of mines, asserting that such a system is built on the blood of the unfortunates toiling in the earth's bowels. Ultimately, Sinclair calls for the abolition of production for profit and the establishment of a government truly of, by, and for the people.

LLM editorial rating

4.5/5

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https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/upton-sinclair_king-coal.epub

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data/epubs/url-e0edd2a41234a0d3.epub

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2026-06-30 21:59 UTC

Categories

• Fiction
• American Literature