13 Ways to Die in a Coal Mine

By CM Kelly

"13 Ways to Die in a Coal Mine" was written in a different manner than the coal mining books you will find online or in libraries. It does not focus on any specific mining disaster nor try to tug at your heart with a tale of poverty in a coal "Patch Town", nor does it focus on the socialistic struggle between the workers and the company. Rather, this book describes the experiences of a young man in the 1970s and 80s pursuing the American Dream. Working to pay his way through college, landing a good job, working hard, getting married, raising a family, climbing the corporate ladder, and earning the respect of his peers. All in an effort to make a difference. Thirteen of the chapters are distinct stories about how I avoided death, either by astute observations, luck, or some divine hand stepping in. Like my second book, there are sections in each chapter that lend themselves to educating the reader as it dives into the details of coal mining. This is my attempt to document the efforts and skills that it takes to mine "The Black Seam". The Prelude is a one-off; it lacks a near-death experience, but it will help explain why I love working with a shovel in my hand. It may also explain a few of my personality quirks. This book is not intended to make light of the deaths and the dangers related to coal mining. It is simply one person's unique perspective. The names and exact sequences have faded over the years, and I may have embellished the stories a bit to fill in a gap or two, but every story is based on a true event. I hope you enjoy them.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0F543S6ML
• ISBN13: 9798319499677
• Release Date: April 2025
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 246 Pages
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.6" x 6.0"