In this love story set in rural Appalachia during the Vietnam War, a young couple is torn apart by both global conflict and their families' archaic enmity

The West Virginia holler where June Branham grew up is darkening as a traditional way of life is threatened by change. Strip mining is being mechanized, costing jobs and making those few jobs left more dangerous, even as new extractive practices threaten to obliterate the abundant beauty of this natural world.

June has fallen in love with Ellis, son of Solomon, who is her stepfather's mortal enemy, two vengeful old men poised to do any hateful thing to bring harm to his rival's family. June's brother Tom enlists, followed by Ellis, leaving her pregnant at 16, home with a mother who's unable to protect her daughter and granddaughter from the wrath of Isom.

In the Fields of the Fatherless Children is a powerful story, masterfully told by a writer of exquisite care who knows the rural people of this time and place with a heartfelt love born of intimacy.