‘Trenchmouth Taggart’ is this year’s One Book, One Harper
Former Harper College Assistant Professor Glenn Taylor set his debut novel, “The Ballad of Trenchmouth Taggart,” in his home state of West Virginia, weaving an outlaw tale that touches on a host of social issues, union and trade relations chief among them.
The college will take up those topics this month with a free discussion and film screenings focused on strikes, unions and the coal mining community — the latest One Book, One Harper event centered on Taylor’s award-winning read.
Screenings of “Matewan,” a 1987 film illustrating the events of a deadly 1920s coal miners’ strike and unionizing attempt in that small West Virginia town, are at noon Monday, Feb. 6 in Room A243, Building A and at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8 in Room A238, Building A.
A discussion, “Strikes, Unions and the Coal-Mining Community,” with Illinois author Carl Oblinger and history professor Steve Rosswurm will be 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9 in the Building J Theatre, Room J143 on the main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road.
Oblinger, an assistant professor at Benedictine University in Springfield, wrote, “Divided Kingdom: Work, Community and the Mining Wars in the Central Illinois Coal Fields During the Great Depression,” which comprises oral histories of miners’ struggles.
Rosswurm teaches at Lake Forest College, and is the editor of the book, “The CIO’s Left-Led Unions.”
“We chose ‘Trenchmouth’ as our inaugural One Book, One Harper novel in large part because of its wide range of themes, which makes it applicable to so many subjects beyond English literature, and relatable to so many people,” said Amy Kammerman, an instructor heading up the program.
“This event also will touch on a variety of issues surrounding trade relations, giving participants a good all-around look at unions and their role historically and today,” she added.
One Book, One Harper project will wrap up this spring with an April 27 concert featuring an Appalachian string band and a blues band; the college also is offering a related noncredit course on Appalachian music beginning in April.
For information on One Book, One Harper events, visit harpercollege.edu. For information on the noncredit course, call (847) 925-6300 or visit harpercollege.edu/ce.