Simon Heffer

The coal mining conundrum: why did the NUM fight so hard for its members’ right to suffer underground?

Jeremy Paxman emphasises the terrible ordeals suffered by miners, but fails to address the key paradox in the recent history of the industry

Arthur Scargill, leader of the NUM. [Alamy]
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  • Black Gold: The History of HowCoal Made Britain

    Jeremy Paxman

    William Collins, pp. 320, £25

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