Compiled by the Peoples Appalachian Research Collective, this social science reader on Appalachia was designed to enable students, teachers, workers, and all people to understand the Appalachian region. The document consists of selected readings classified under the following major headings: An Introduction to the Appalachian region (why Appalachia should be studied, what Appalachia is, cultural considerations, testimony from the people, and a self test), Appalachia and Social Science, The Appalachian Culture, Human Needs and Services (income and employment, education, health, and housing), The Political Economy (a mining economy, Appalachia in the international economy, profits and taxes, local and state government, the Federal system, and planning and development), and Resources (directory of resources, films, general research and information, youth, community, black Appalachians, women, ecology and environmental resources, labor, draft, other professions, religious organizations, health, legal services, and music). Included within this compilation of writings are 10 maps, 18 tables, 2 paradigms, and lists of references. (MJB)