This journal issue focuses on a variety of Appalachian occupations, particularly but not exclusively, coal mining. The lead article is an interview with John Sayles about his movie, "Matewan." Sayles sees the Matewan massacre as a great movie theme, "like a classic American Western...but with a difference--the violence was…

This journal theme issue focuses on Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty in Appalachia, launched in 1964. Articles discuss the War on Poverty, the people involved, how it succeeded, and how it ultimately failed. One article examines the role of the Council of the Southern Mountains, established in 1913. Federal officials used the council's reputation…

This journal issue focuses on Appalachian veterans and on the premise that Appalachians and Americans in general are still fighting the battles and dealing with the psychic aftermath of the Civil War and all wars fought since then. One article notes that Appalachian soldiers were 20 to 25% more likely to be killed in Vietnam than other soldiers.…

This journal issue focuses on insiders and outsiders in Appalachia, the mixing of cultures, and the diversity of the region. The lead article mixes memoir with analysis of the importance of home and homeplace to people from the Appalachians, many of whom are forced to leave permanently in search of work. A second article considers the strange…