{"product_id":"coal-town-stories-paperback","title":"Coal Town Stories - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eLeon Swarts\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWriting stories about poverty has become my passion. \u003cem\u003eCoal Town Stories \u003c\/em\u003eis the third book I've authored. Two previous books, \u003cem\u003eFollow Me \u003c\/em\u003eand \u003cem\u003eTogether Again, \u003c\/em\u003ewere\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003ewritten from two different perspectives. The main character in \u003cem\u003eFollow Me \u003c\/em\u003estruggles with situational poverty for a short period, eventually overcomes its effects, and ends up with a successful career helping others who experience poverty. The main character in \u003cem\u003eTogether Again \u003c\/em\u003ehas a successful life and helps his lost brother survive poverty. Both books identify poverty as a source of alarming problems in America, like homelessness, addiction, alcoholism, and suicide.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCoal Town Stories \u003c\/em\u003eadds a select geographic location in America to the plight of the poor. Poverty rates in coal-mining areas are generally higher than in non-mining areas of Appalachia and the nation. Poverty rates in Appalachia, Kentucky were 183 percent of the national average between 2012 and 2020, and the poverty rate in Kentucky's coal-producing counties is nearly double the national rate. Poverty rates have declined in recent years but remain higher than the rest of the nation. Areas with higher levels of mining activity have the lowest incomes and highest unemployment (\u003cem\u003eAppalachian Regional Commission, \u003c\/em\u003eFourth Quarter, 2020).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA common thread exposed in all three books is the role of local, state, and federal government. Each book speaks to the government's need to identify policies and programs that will help reduce poverty in the long run. It is my hope that the books I write will expose the gravity of poverty in America and support long-term policies and programs that will offer hope for millions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 238\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.5 x 9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e August 01, 2024\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42736694886463,"sku":"9798822958128","price":20.71,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0105\/8226\/1823\/files\/c01ddde758fa631d202ac2581ef03374.webp?v=1765147537","url":"https:\/\/dhlswag.com\/products\/coal-town-stories-paperback","provider":"BBB","version":"1.0","type":"link"}