The Life of a Miner (Life in the Old West) - Softcover

Kalman, Bobbie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0778701093 ISBN 13: 9780778701095

Publisher: Crabtree Classics, 1999

Synopsis

Describes the hard rock mining industry that developed in the American west following the gold rush, including the operations of a mine and the lives of the miners and their families

About this title

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

Taken from Chapter 5: At Work in the Mines In the early days of mining, miners known as blasters made explosives by filling paper tubes with explosive black powder and inserting a fuse. The blaster then put a tube into a hole in the rock and lit the fuse. He yelled, "Fire in the hole!" to warn other miners of the coming explosion and ran as fast as he could from the burning fuse. Each explosion extended the tunnel by three feet after the rubble was shoveled away.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 3-6-Both of these well-researched titles take a thorough look at a particular aspect of living in the Wild West. Miner explains how the mining industry developed, beginning in the mid-1800s. Diagrams and photos take readers underground to find out how miners spent their time, and the dangers they faced daily are aptly discussed. The rise of labor unions is also touched upon. Women discusses the tribulations pioneer and Native American women faced. Each text is well illustrated with cartoon-style drawings and authentic period photographs. Brandon Miller's Buffalo Gals (Lerner, 1995) delves further into the lives of these rugged women. Suzanne Hilton's Miners, Merchants, and Maids (21st Century, 1995) covers more ground, but is much drier with fewer illustrations than Kalman's books, both of which offer realistic views of life in the old West, hardships and all. Good for report writers and casual readers.
Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Crabtree Classics
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0778701093
• ISBN 13: 9780778701095
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32