To the Bright and Shining Sun

Summary

For generations, Perry James’family has lived under the shadow of the Cumberland range and worked in thecoal mines. Staunch union supporters, Perry's grandfather and father have knownhard times and after Perry helps to sabotage the mine to keep the 'scabs' out,things look bleaker than ever.

To escape from the cycle ofpoverty, Perry signs up with the Jobs Corps, where they begin to teach him howto read and write, as well as train him in a skilled trade. But Perry is tornbetween family honor and the lure of seedy beer joints where he can drink andescape the dark and atavistic heritage of the Cumberland Mountains.

Burke brings his brilliant feelfor time and place to a stunning story of Appalachia in the early 1960s.