The Days of the Hercules
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Plot Summary of The Days of the Hercules

"This book is about the history of the Coeur d'Alene Mining District in the Idaho Panhandle. The Hercules mine was one of the largest mines there and is featured in the book. It was operated by the Day family, making a double meaning to the title of the book. The Day family were the controlling partners, but many others shared ownership in the Hercules. The book details the hardships that were faced in starting a mine, the economic depression that affected mining, mining profits, and demand for metals. It discusses how many railroad and smelting fees could make or break mining companies. It discusses how many mine owners diversified and bought other businesses that helped the district grow and prosper, such as mills, ranches, hardware stores, and hotels. There is information on how labor unions, particularly the Western Federation of Miners and the International Workers of the World impacted the mining district. It discusses the efforts by politicians to raise corporate taxes on the mines and lower tariffs on foreign metals, both of which affected the mining district. Silver, lead, and zinc production from the Idaho Panhandle contributed to the development of Spokane, Washington, now one of Washington's largest cities. The mining district rose and fell as a whole and the Hercules was at the center of it. This is an interesting history of an industry and how it made men wealthy. It also shows the mining district's impact on the local economy and the Pacific Northwest in general."
BethG, Resident Scholar

Review Analysis of The Days of the Hercules

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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Kind Of History
Time of history: - 20th century - 19th century
Nationality? - American--West
Economic History? Yes
Industry - Big Business

Subjects of this Historical Account
Religion? (if plays a major part) - Catholics!
Ethnicity (if plays a major part) - European/White
Is the portrayal sympathetic? - Neutral
From a certain profession/group? - businessmen
Intelligence of subject of history: - Smart

Main Adversary
From a certain profession/group? - business executives
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
Nationality? - American
Is the portrayal sympathetic? - Neutral

Setting
United States Yes
The US: - Pacific NW
Small town? Yes
Small town people: - nice, like Andy/Opie/Aunt Bee

Style
How much gore? - 1 ()
How fast-paced is the book? - 3 ()
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
Book makes you feel... - challenged
How much focus on stories of individuals? - Focuses on brief history of a lot of players
How much romance? - 1 ()
Minor characters feature lots of: - miners
Is this a kid's book? - Ages 16-Adult
Pictures/Illustrations? - A significant amount
Maps necessary? - Not enough maps
Length of book - 300-350 pages
How much emphasis on small details? - 5 ()

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Barren Lands: An Epic Search for Diamonds in the North American Arctic by Kevin Krajick
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The Days of the Hercules John Fahey Book Review

The Days of the Hercules
John Fahey Book Review