Blown to Bits in the Mine charts the evolution of the use of explosives for mining and quarrying in North America from the Industrial Revolution into the twentieth century. The art of blasting was of prime importance to mining because explosives enabled miners to move through solid rock as no other technology could. This book presents a detailed look at the whole process of using explosives, from drilling blast-holes to setting off the charges, with an emphasis on technology, material culture, and the impacts to the mine as a work environment. Everyone with a penchant for mining history will enjoy this book.Eric Twitty became interested in mining history at the early age of seven, and during the following several decades made extensive trips to mining districts throughout the West in search of physical evidence and fact to compare against the numerous related books he read. Eric completed a MA degree in 1999 in American History emphasizing mining in the West and started a consulting business. Eric is currently researching, recording, analyzing, and evaluating the remains of historic mines in Colorado, where he resides.