"At last, a book about the strike that gives an honest overview of what happened to miners, their families and communities. We entrusted Gildea with our memories, and he has, in return, told our story with dignity and a historian's eye."–Siân James, former MP for Swansea East
"Gildea has dug deep and struck the richest of seams. By inviting us to listen carefully to the men and women on the strike's frontline, he's created history that is revelatory, gripping, and–best of all–infused with humanity. In short,
Backbone of the Nation is a masterpiece."–David Hendy, author of
The BBC: A People's History "I've been waiting for the definitive oral history of the Miners' Strike. This is it: the voices of people I spent a year fighting alongside condensed and preserved with rigour and accuracy."–Paul Mason, author of
Live Working or Die Fighting