Colorado Mining Stories Author:Caroline Arlen "My father once told me, 'Son, mining is a wonderful, honest way to make a living, but in the end, you'll either get silicosis or you'll get maimed or you'll get killed.'" Throughout the stories that Caroline Arlen collected for this fascinating book, you will hear the same type of contradictions. Most of the men and the few women who worked ... more »the mines talk about how much they love mining and in their next breath they tell about the horrific accidents that happened almost daily at the workplace. Every time they entered the mine for their shift, they faced the very real possibility that they might not return home. These miners put their lives on the line, hoping they would not be the next one to die or be maimed as a result of a cave-in: PRemature explosion or a falling slab. But mining was their way of life, and one that paid well and created a close community where folks found it necessary and important to look after each other. These wonderful stories give a good depiction of the hardships, the heroics, and the special brand of humor that is unique to hardrock mining.« less