Review: The Deep Dark: Disaster and Redemption in America's Richest Silver Mine

The Deep Dark: Disaster and Redemption in America's Richest Silver Mine by Gregg Olsen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On May 2, 1972, 174 miners went to work, as usual, in Kellogg, Idaho, at the Sunshine Mine. Though mineral mining is a risky job, no one expected a major fire in a hard rock mine such as this. Because of the pattern of smoke, and the slow response of mining company personnel, many of the miners who became trapped and lost their lives were caught off guard. There were questions about a lack of functioning rescue equipment and lack of proper training in its use. Some miners made it out before the toxic smoke got too bad. Many did not. Two remained alive and trapped for several days on one of the deep dark lower levels of the mine. This book tells the story of the disaster and the people who survived and those who did not.

I found this book terribly sad, yet fascinating. I came away with a better understanding of the risks many workers take each day as they go about earning a living. It also gave me a greater appreciation for first responders who also put their lives on the line for others. This was an interesting and informative read.

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