A Silent Fury

By Yuri Herrera, Lisa Dillman (translator),

Book cover of A Silent Fury: The El Bordo Mine Fire

Book description

On March 10, 1920, in Pachuca, Mexico, the Compania de Santa Gertrudis - the largest employer in the region, and a subsidiary of the United States Smelting, Refining and Mining Company - may have committed murder.

The alert was first raised at six in the morning: a fire was tearing…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked A Silent Fury as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I was simultaneously horrified and riveted by this painstaking, searing account of a mine fire that took place in the Mexican mining center of Pachuca in 1920 and the subsequent coverup by the government and media.

The underground fire that burns even as those on the surface go about their business is both historical fast and a metaphor for the “silent fury” of many Mexicans over the inhumanity of corporations operating in their country, and over the conditions of impunity created by legal and political institutions.

This fury continues to burn in the 2020s, Herrera suggests, just as it did…

From Elizabeth's list on about mining's effects on communities.

Want books like A Silent Fury?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like A Silent Fury.

Browse books like A Silent Fury

Book cover of Germinal
Book cover of How Green Was My Valley
Book cover of Stones for Ibarra

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,176

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Mexico, New Mexico, and the Mexican Revolution?

Mexico 232 books
New Mexico 61 books