Night Comes To The Cumberlands Summary

Harry Caudhill’s Night Comes to the Cumberlands is an important representation of American history of people who took a stand for an issue. In his book, Caudhill writes about his views on the strip mining industries’ effects on mid 20th century Appalachia. Caudhill’s book tells the story of modern Appalachia, specifically the coal mining areas of West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky. Caudhill was a lawyer who had stern opinions about the coal industry whose book stood as a voice for the people of Appalachia. Caudhill describes the coal industry as an industry that destroys the Appalachian hills. Night Comes to the Cumberlands consisted of issues that people may have not necessarily been able to voice themselves. The response of the American people …show more content…
Night Comes to the Cumberlands discusses how outside corporations often took advantage of miners in Kentucky. A news article highlights the war against outside corporations: “The other major perspective depicts Appalachia as a victim of outside corporations and paternalistic missionaries; the region’s poor should therefore mobilize, confront those entrenched in power, and gain control of their own destinies” (Glen). This is significant because it demonstrates the influence of outside corporations and people of power. The people of Kentucky, most of whom were impoverished, were being taken advantage of, and it was time for them to make a stand. Caudhill allowed the impoverished to have a voice, and he exposed these outside corporations for wrongdoing the people of Kentucky. In addition to drawing attention to the negative influence of outside corporations, Caudhill also addressed the lack of help from the government. People began to write to Caudhill because they believed he was one of the only few of higher power who would listen to their concerns. For example, a letter written to Harry Caudhill from Allen Fazerbaker