I agree with Cas that Alexander Cordell's books Rape of the Fair Country, The Hosts of Rebecca and Song of the Earth (The Mortymer Trilogy) are excellent reading and give a wonderful insight into the life of mining families in the South Wales area. I live about 25 miles from the areas where the books are set and the area is now a World Heritage Site because of its industrial past.
I would advise anyone visiting this area who is interested in coal-mining history in South Wales to visit The Big Pit at Blaenavon where there are wonderful exhibitions about the living and working conditions of people in those days. You can also go down the mine (complete with all the miners' gear such as helmet, light etc) which certainly adds to your understanding of conditions. And what's more, it is all free as The Big Pit is part of the National Museum of Wales.
