The novel entitled Storming Heaven by Denise Giardina is an enlightening historical novel set in Annadel, West Virginia, a town that relies on coal to make a living, but also outlining the events leading up to the Battle of Blair Mountain. Things begin to change when a ruthless coal company arrives to steal land from innocent individuals and oppress the hard-working people who dedicate their time to the mines. Storming Heaven accurately shows the hardships that rural Appalachian residents faced just to feed themselves and their families after this coal company took over through four people, a mayor, a union activist, a nurse, and an immigrant who lost four of his children to coal mining. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The story begins with the railroad agents trying to forcibly evict CJ Marcum's grandfather from his property, but, failing to do so, the agents in turn end up brutally killing Marcum's grandfather. Later, a sheriff tries to convince Marcum that his grandfather accepted the agent's demands and signed away the property, but Marcum knows better. Even though Marcum knew that his grandfather was illiterate and it was impossible for him to sign his name, he and his family were forced to abandon the property. Although some are forced to abandon their properties and their homes are taken and destroyed like Marcum's due to the arrival of these coal companies, Carrie Bishop's family, who runs a farm called Homeplace, is fortunate to have the his land and farm intact. from ruthless companies. As the company begins to establish itself, it begins to hire more and more people in the city, building camps for its workers to live in. Rondal Lloyd, who grows up in one of the coal camps, describes the brutal working conditions and poverty faced by those living in the coal camps. Workers are constantly in debt to pay for food in the coal camps, plus prices in all company stores where they are required to buy things are inflated. Meanwhile, workers are forced to work long hours and hard, and the camp is constantly covered in black coal dust. Lloyd, beginning to realize that workers are being treated badly, joins a union and runs the risk of being treated even more brutally. Meanwhile, Marcum becomes mayor of Annadel and tries to defend the rights of the citizens who work in the mines. Later, the reader is introduced to Sicilian immigrant Rose Angelelli, an elderly woman determined to never see anyone again. men die from coal mining, due to her losing all four of her children. As the terrible conditions in the coal mines continue, many workers reach breaking point and join unions. As they do so, they face oppression and violence from the company which brings in the military to evict, torture and even kill some who are just trying to fight for their rights. This only makes workers more determined to change the behavior of the ruthless coal companies. As the brutal violence continues, the Battle of Blair Mountain begins, and will not end until the military steps in to end the battle. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay Although the workers fought and.