This is one of those historical events that is kind of overlooked for various reasons perhaps because most of it occurred in a "backwater" of sorts. Yet, this is what makes it most interesting -- it is not in most people's lists of "top tens." There are also political and cultural factors which have made the story and the topic kind of something that has been ignored. Mr. Savage's account of the Massacre and the related events is engaging, compelling, and concise. I loaned my copy of the book to a friend and, when it was returned, I found myself thumbing through the pages again even though I know the story. The only disappointment I have with the book is the fact that the account of the actual gunfight or battle at Matewan (btw: I have it on good authority that this is pronounced "may-twan") occupies only a short chunk of the book. However, the event was not something in which anyone would have loudly admitted participation for fear of retaliation, etc. The bad blood created during this period lasted for a long time -- another aspect which makes this a compelling read.