In Moon’s Black Gold, R.H. Peake crafts a gripping tale of ambition, betrayal, and survival set against the coal boom of the late 1960s and early 1970s. The story follows Everett “Moon” Lunamin, a Vietnam veteran determined to gain wealth and social standing by mining coal. As Moon navigates fierce competition and ethical dilemmas, his success comes at a high personal cost.
After marrying his high school sweetheart, Moon finds that wealth can’t buy happiness, as his strained marriage and neglect of his son push him toward destructive paths. When he returns from a trip abroad to discover his wife murdered, Moon must contend with the IRS, a zealous prosecutor, and envious relatives who threaten not only his business but also his life.
Drawing from decades of firsthand experience in the coalfields of Southwest Virginia, Emeritus Professor R.H. Peake weaves a richly detailed and emotionally charged narrative. His deep understanding of the coal industry and its impact on Appalachian communities brings authenticity and nuance to this compelling story.
Moon’s Black Gold is a powerful exploration of ambition, greed, and the consequences of choices in a region shaped by coal’s promise and peril.
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