S
ome people chase money, but in the coal fields of Appalachia, the stakes are higher. “Moon’s Black Gold” by R.H. Peake dives deep into the world of mining, where fortunes are won and lost in the dirt. This is a story about ambition, about the hunger for wealth, and about the cost of progress. It follows men who are willing to dig deep—sometimes too deep—to carve out their piece of the American dream. But what happens when the land fights back? When do the choices they make come with consequences they never saw coming? Peake brings us into a world where every decision has weight, every dollar has a price, and no one gets out clean.
“The Lord put that coal there for a purpose. Man’s lot is to toil for his bread. So I guess toiling to take the coal out of the ground is the Lord’s will as long as you do it honestly, put the land back right, and don’t forget the needy.”
— an excerpt from Moon’s Black Gold
Coal mining has always been a complicated game. On one side, there’s money—real money—for those willing to dig deep and take risks. On the other hand, there’s the undeniable damage left behind: striped mountains, poisoned rivers, and entire communities at the mercy of industries that never quite give back what they take.
The novel captures the internal conflict of those who see opportunity in mining. For some, it’s a chance to escape poverty and claim a better future. For others, it’s a betrayal of the land they call home. The book explores how some miners rush to exploit resources without thinking twice, while others try to do things the “right” way—though even that is up for debate. Is it really possible to get rich from mining and still keep your conscience clean?
Peake also dives into the deep-rooted tensions between miners and environmentalists. While one group fights for financial security, the other fights for the future of the land. The novel doesn’t take sides; instead, it lays out the raw truth—both groups believe they’re right, and neither is entirely wrong.
The book also sheds light on the power struggles that happen outside the mines. Politics, backroom deals, and corruption all play a role in who gets to profit and who gets left behind. Those at the top make the rules, while those in the dirt have to decide whether to follow them or carve their own path.
Beyond the physical and political battles, “Moon’s Black Gold” digs deep into personal relationships—families torn apart by differing beliefs, friendships evaluated by ambition, and love caught in the crossfire of industry. The people in this story aren’t just names on a page; they’re living, breathing characters who feel the weight of every choice they make. Some strive to build a future, while others are simply trying to survive the present.
And then there’s the land itself—more than just a setting, it’s a character in its own right. The mountains hold history, secrets, and a quiet resistance against those who look to exploit them. Every tree cut, every stream poisoned, and every hill flattened comes at a cost, and Peake ensures that cost is never ignored.
This novel doesn’t just tell a story; it paints a picture of an era, a place, and a struggle that’s still ongoing. The echoes of this tale can be felt in real-life towns across America, where similar battles rage between progress and preservation, wealth and well-being.
At its heart, “Moon’s Black Gold” is a story about choices. About how ambition can blind people to the consequences of their actions. About how a person can be both a hero and a villain depending on who’s telling the story. And most of all, about the legacy we leave behind—whether in riches or in ruin.
If this sounds like your kind of read, you’re in luck. “Moon’s Black Gold” by R.H. Peake is available now at the Kravitz and Sons Bookstore. Don’t miss out—grab your copy today!
Moon’s Black Gold
Everett “Moon” Lunamin returns from battles in Vietnam determined to gain wealth and social status mining coal during the coal boom of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Moon struggles with his cousin George Landsetter, a reclamation officer, and surface mining competitors whose greed exceeds their ethics. He succeeds and marries his high school sweetheart, whose family accepts him because he is now wealthy. Moon becomes unhappy that his wife Susan enjoys his money but is unhappy with his efforts to obtain it. They both neglect their son and seek companionship outside their marriage, but Susan refuses divorce to keep…