About Book
2009 - 10 Common Book
Pellissippi State has a common reading experience for new students. Each year a new book is selected for this program. The intention is to stimulate a year-long discussion of issues related to the book, by encouraging exploration in classes, on and off campus, and with co-curricular programming. This common reading experience involves incoming first-year students, and many faculty and staff.
Definition
Common Book (n) - An innovative approach to orient new students to college. The Common Book gives students a reading experience to share with their peers at Pellissippi State.
Common Book Blog

Loading RSS Feed...
Common Book Featured Event

Acclaimed producer David Sutherland returns to rural America to tell an epic tale of two boys coming of age in Kentucky's Appalachian hills, documenting their struggles to overcome hardship and poverty and find meaning in their lives. It begins in the autumn of 1999, when Chris and Cody begin attending the David School, an alternative high school for troubled teens in David, Kentucky. Cody finds a new sense of belonging, not only in his home life with former step-grandmother, but through his heavy metal band, his faith in God, and his relationship with his girlfriend, whose parents become a second family for him. For Chris Johnson, the struggle to find his sense of purpose proves more intense and difficult. Chris is torn between his devotion to his family, his family responsibilities, and his desire to get an education despite his learning difficulties. Shown in two parts: Part 1 - Thursday, March 18, 3pm & 6pm / Part 2 - Thursday March 25, 3pm & 6pm.
See other events scheduled at right on Events Calendar, or by clicking on the Events tab, above.
Events Presentations - Appalachian Coal Families
Missed the Appalachian Coal Families or another Common Book Event? Watch it at Pellissippi's UStream Channel here. Click on the title of the Event at right to start the session.
Storming Heaven - Common Book
Book Description:
Four strong, entirely different voices evoke the passion and the pain of unionizing the coal mines of Kentucky and West Virginia in the early 20th century. The canvas is broad, the action complex but even minor characters quicken to life in this memorable, beautifully written novel. The inhabitants of the hills of Appalachia see their beloved land stolen by the coal companies; forced to work in the mines, they are cheated out of their pay. Families starve, die of malaria and dysentery and slowly, almost against their will, begin the fearsome job of fighting back. In 1921, an army of 10,000 workers marches on a single town. The coal companies, the police and finally the federal government close in; hundreds are killed and the man who masterminded the attack is shot. As fast paced and compulsively readable as a thriller, this novel never overlooks the gentler pleasure of living on the land, falling in love, raising a family. Stunning sensory images sear scenes on the mind's eye. Giardina (Good King Harry has written one of those rare books that portrays a small world with impeccable clarity while telling an exciting story in vigorous, elegant prose.
From Publishers Weekly
________________________________________________________________________
Background:
During the Battle of Blair Mountain, which lasted three days and nights, President Warren G. Harding sent federal troops to Logan County, West Virginia, to put down a cohort of miners who were struggling against the coal companies to gain back control of their lives and land. The forces opposing the workers actually used machine guns and aerial bombs to put down the uprising. Some 200 men, women, and children died. It was the first time federal troops were deployed against United States citizens. Watch the video (below), to find out more about this chilling episode in American history. Also, listen to singer/songwriter David Rovics sing "The Battle of Blair Mountain".
Battle of Blair Mountain Video
Borrow book
Storming Heaven, the Pellissippi Campus Common Book is available on Reserve in the Library and at Satellite Campus ERCs for reading while on-campus.
Events Calendar
Storming Heaven - Events Calendar
- Thu, Sep 10th, 2009: President's Convocation
11:50 Clayton Performing Arts Center:
Denise Giardina, the author of this year’s common book, Storming Heaven, will be with us to discuss “Language, Power, and Our Appalachian Region.” - Wed, Sep 23rd, 2009: In Response to Industrialism
10:50 - 11:50 Goins Auditorium (Rm 136)
David Key: In Response to Industrialism. - Mon, Oct 12th, 2009: Something's Rising
10:45 - 11:45 Goins Auditorium (Rm 136)
Silas House & Jason Power: Something's Rising - Wed, Oct 21st, 2009: The Afrilachian Experience
Noon Magnolia Campus
Jesse Williams: The Afrilachian Experience. - Thu, Oct 22nd, 2009: Appalachian Coal Families
12:50 - 1:50. Goins Auditorium (Rm 136)
Roundtable Discussion - Tue, Oct 27th, 2009: Appalachian Stereotypes in Literature
2:30 - 3:30, Blount County Campus.
Eddy Francisco: Appalachian Stereotypes in Literature, Film and Popular Culture. - Tue, Nov 03rd, 2009: Appalachian Stereotypes in Literature
2:30 - 3:30, Division St. Campus
Eddy Francisco: Appalachian Stereotypes in Literature, Film and Popular Culture - Mon, Mar 22nd, 2010: Coal Mining Families
11:50 - 12:45 Goins Auditorium
Panel discussion on personal experiences featuring faculty and staff. - Thu, Mar 25th, 2010: Appalachian Heritage: literature, politics and social change
12:15 - 1:45 Goins Auditorium
George Brosi -- Speaker -- editor of Appalachian Heritage, speaking on its role in literature, politics and social change in the region - Wed, Mar 31st, 2010: Loletta Clouse: Research & Writing historical novels
Blount Campus, Room B104
Loletta Clouse, a local author, speaking about researching and writing her historical novels. - Thu, Apr 01st, 2010: In Response to Industrialism
11:00am - 12:00noon. Goins Auditorium
David Key, PSCC History Professor presents a lecture on "In Response to Industrialism". Using themes from Storming Heaven as a backdrop, Professor Key highlights the evolution of American Industry a
Events Movies
Storming Heaven - Movies Calendar
- Thu, Mar 04th, 2010: To Render a Life
3:30 pm & 6:30 pm Goins Auditorium (Rm 136)
A film made about James Agee's book: Let Us Now Praise Famous Men. - Thu, Mar 18th, 2010: Country Boys (1)
3:30 pm & 6:30 pm Goins Auditorium (Rm 136) - Thu, Mar 25th, 2010: Country Boys (2)
3:30 pm & 6:30 pm Goins Auditorium (Rm 136) - Thu, Apr 08th, 2010: Harlan County, USA
3:30 pm & 6:30 pm Goins Auditorium (Rm 136)
Description
Loading content... please wait







Loading content... please wait