The Dynamics of a Coalfield looks at the decision making process in land use and resource exploitation during the nineteenth century. The coalfield in question lay in a part of West Yorkshire where wool textiles was the dominant industrial activity. This meant that despite being a vital industry coal had to fight for its place. Due to the landownership pattern decision making was concentrated in relatively few hands. The landowners were required to reconcile the requirements of an extractive industry with wool textiles and the needs of an expanding population. To explain what was going on the author utilises Game Theory to consider the various strategic choices available to landowners.

William Hartley has published a number of articles on the coal industry of the nineteenth century. In particular he has sought to highlight the role played by primitive mining operations in supporting industrial development.