What were the issues at stake in the great miners' strike of 1984-85? This book challenges images, looks at the impact of the strike on participants, and reflects on ongoing controversies and community pride. It is organised into three parts. In early chapters participants look back. Political controversies are examined: Was the strike the result of careful planning (on the part of the Thatcher government, and/or the National Union of Mineworkers)? Why were miners determined not to be 'balloted out of their jobs'? Why did miners in Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and elsewhere support, or oppose, the strike? How did the BBC and ITV misrepresent police action and show miners as 'out of control'? This is an especially timely book written by former miners and radical academic research activists the majority of whom were participants during the 1984-85 miners' strike in Britain. It is particularly welcome today as calls intensify for a public enquiry into the policing of picketing at Orgreave.