Plundering Appalachia - The Book, Is Here!

After three years of work, the coffee-table book Plundering Appalachia is now available. OVEC is thrilled to have been, according to editor Tom Butler, "invaluable" in production of the book.

OVECs Vivian Stockman has the cover photo and 20 or so other photos in the book. She networked the editors with assorted photographers and essayists whose work appears in the book.

In the tradition of earlier books from the Foundation for Deep Ecology (Clearcut, Fatal Harvest, Thrillcraft) that used powerful imagery, compelling writing, and a large-format design to illuminate various ecological outrages, Plundering Appalachia considers the devastating assault on natural and human communities being waged by the coal industry as it commits mountaintop removal.

Contributing writers include heroic coalfield activists like Judy Bonds, Maria Gunnoe, and Teri Blanton and prominent writers such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Wendell Berry and Richard Heinberg who draw the larger connections between surface coal mining and a failed energy economy.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ross Gelbspan draws the coalclimate connection, calling the coal and power industry interests who sought to delay action on global warming "criminals against humanity."

Pulling no punches, Plundering Appalachia asks the reader to become informed, and then to become engaged, to join the growing number of Americans who are working both to end radical surface mining in Appalachia and transition toward an energy economy that works for nature and people.

OVEC, WV Highlands Conservancy and Coal River Mountain Watch are working together to distribute the books in West Virginia.

For starters, we will deliver or send a copy to every library in the state. Other member groups of the Alliance for Appalachia are distributing the books in other states, and DC.

See www.plunderingappalachia.org and be sure to check out the video!