2009-2010 Common Book: Storming Heaven 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Online video chat by Ustream

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

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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".

Storming Heaven,  the Pellissippi Campus Common Book is available on Reserve in the Library and at Satellite Campus ERCs for reading while on-campus.

Storming Heaven - Events Calendar

Storming Heaven - Movies Calendar