N J SchrockN.J. Schrock, Ph.D., grew up in Virden, Illinois, where her father and grandfather worked in the Virden North Mine. Drawing on family history, research, and local archives, she reconstructs the pivotal 1898 labor battle that strengthened the United Mne Workers of America. A retired corporate researcher, she holds degrees in chemistry and English, has published across genres-including the novel Incense Rising-and now teaches online chemistry. She lives in New Mexico with her husband and two dogs. Read More Read Less