Published in 1917, <b>King Coal</b> is a fictionalized account of the coal mining industry in the United States. The book explores the dangerous working conditions, low wages, and oppressive practices faced by coal miners during that time.&nbsp;The book is based on the 1913-1914 Colorado coal strikes and written just after the Ludlow massacre.<br /><br /><b>Upton Sinclair</b>&nbsp;(1878-1968) was an American writer and social reformer who gained prominence in the early 20th century. He is best known for his novel &quot;The Jungle,&quot; which exposed the harsh conditions and exploitation of workers in the meatpacking industry. However, Upton Sinclair also wrote extensively on various other social and political issues.