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The Hatfields and the McCoys
The Hatfield-McCoy feud has long been the most famous vendetta of the southern Appalachians. Over the years it has become encrusted with myth and error. Scores of writers have produced accounts of it, but few have made any real effort to separate fact from fiction. Novelists, motion picture producers, television script writers, and others have sensationalized events that needed no embellishment.
Using court records, public documents, official correspondence, and other documentary evident, Otis K. Rice presents an account that frees, as much as possible, fact from fiction, event from legend. He weighs the evidence carefully, avoiding the partisanship and the attitude of condescension and condemnation that have characterized many of the writings concerning the feud.
He sets the feud in the social, political, economic, and cultural context of eastern Kentucky and southwestern West Virginia in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. By examining the legacy of the Civil War, the weakness of institutions such as the church and education system, the exaggerated importance of family, the impotence of the law, and the isolation of the mountain folk, Rice gives new meaning to the origins and progress of the feud. These conditions help explain why the Hatfield and McCoy families, which have produced so many fine citizens, could engage in such a bitter and prolonged vendetta
Using court records, public documents, official correspondence, and other documentary evident, Otis K. Rice presents an account that frees, as much as possible, fact from fiction, event from legend. He weighs the evidence carefully, avoiding the partisanship and the attitude of condescension and condemnation that have characterized many of the writings concerning the feud.
He sets the feud in the social, political, economic, and cultural context of eastern Kentucky and southwestern West Virginia in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. By examining the legacy of the Civil War, the weakness of institutions such as the church and education system, the exaggerated importance of family, the impotence of the law, and the isolation of the mountain folk, Rice gives new meaning to the origins and progress of the feud. These conditions help explain why the Hatfield and McCoy families, which have produced so many fine citizens, could engage in such a bitter and prolonged vendetta
160 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 1982
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
November 8, 2015
I suppose that this book might get a higher rating from others. My wife grew up in West Virginia and was half McCoy and Half Hatfield. I grew up in a more Southern part of the Appalachian Mountains and am a McCoy on my father's side...at least 3 generations back. The stories are many and the disagreements constant. Why did the Feud start? What was Rose Ann's part? on and on.
The McCoy/Hatfield Feud is a part of American history and undoubtedly of interest. This is one take on a story that stretches over many years, across 2 at least 2 states, and involves two extended families who were (and are) probably related to most other families anywhere near the home ground of the conflict. It's the story of a conflict that almost brought two states to call out their State Militias and go to war with each other.
This is a fairly good telling of the story and even if there are some inadequacies it's an attempt at remembering a part of our history that should not be lost.
********update*******
By the way something you may find of interest. The photo on the cover of this book of the Hatfield family??? It was posed. They did not pose with their "shootin' irons". It's probably the best known photo of the family (to the public I mean) and the photographer seht them back ti get their guns.
After all the picture of "backward hillbillies with their guns" was the image they wanted to portray.
The McCoy/Hatfield Feud is a part of American history and undoubtedly of interest. This is one take on a story that stretches over many years, across 2 at least 2 states, and involves two extended families who were (and are) probably related to most other families anywhere near the home ground of the conflict. It's the story of a conflict that almost brought two states to call out their State Militias and go to war with each other.
This is a fairly good telling of the story and even if there are some inadequacies it's an attempt at remembering a part of our history that should not be lost.
********update*******
By the way something you may find of interest. The photo on the cover of this book of the Hatfield family??? It was posed. They did not pose with their "shootin' irons". It's probably the best known photo of the family (to the public I mean) and the photographer seht them back ti get their guns.
After all the picture of "backward hillbillies with their guns" was the image they wanted to portray.
September 2, 2017
“The Hatfields & The McCoys” -- There are no heroes in this book.
Moreover, this is not “Romeo & Juliet.” Efforts to portray these families as part of a story with a romantic theme are plain stupid. There is no romance or soul in this story or in this book. What occurred between these two families between the 1860s and the beginning of the 1890s is a story of brutality, intimidation, murder, deceit and levels of ugliness almost impossible to describe or consider. Further, there are not even any likable or admirable characters in the Hatfield-McCoy history.
The beauty of “The Hatfields & The McCoys” is you have a high level of confidence in the author’s research and narrative, giving an accounting of the feud and dismissing the rumors and myths that have been created over time. The challenge of the book is to keep straight all the various Hatfields, McCoys, cousins (close, distant and otherwise), in-laws, hangers-on, assorted law enforcement and involved politicians. It’s no small challenge and is reminiscent of keeping track of the characters in Russian novels.
Author Otis K. Rice recounts the long history of the vendetta between the two families and whether it started over a lost/stolen pig or was the result of split loyalties as a result of the American Civil War, it doesn’t matter. The Hatfields of West Virginia and the McCoys of Kentucky killed on purpose and killed on whim. Professor Rice pays passing attention to the involvement of alcohol in the killings but it played a role in many of the fatal events.
Perhaps the most surprising elements of the book concern what law enforcement, the courts and the political arms of the two states did and did not do to stop the violence. Just about every official branch of government of the two states hid behind legalisms to avoid confronting the families.
“The Hatfields & The McCoys” is an easy read (despite the challenges of keeping track of everyone) if you like this sort of early American feud history. It’s not likely that it will add much to your party conversation.
Moreover, this is not “Romeo & Juliet.” Efforts to portray these families as part of a story with a romantic theme are plain stupid. There is no romance or soul in this story or in this book. What occurred between these two families between the 1860s and the beginning of the 1890s is a story of brutality, intimidation, murder, deceit and levels of ugliness almost impossible to describe or consider. Further, there are not even any likable or admirable characters in the Hatfield-McCoy history.
The beauty of “The Hatfields & The McCoys” is you have a high level of confidence in the author’s research and narrative, giving an accounting of the feud and dismissing the rumors and myths that have been created over time. The challenge of the book is to keep straight all the various Hatfields, McCoys, cousins (close, distant and otherwise), in-laws, hangers-on, assorted law enforcement and involved politicians. It’s no small challenge and is reminiscent of keeping track of the characters in Russian novels.
Author Otis K. Rice recounts the long history of the vendetta between the two families and whether it started over a lost/stolen pig or was the result of split loyalties as a result of the American Civil War, it doesn’t matter. The Hatfields of West Virginia and the McCoys of Kentucky killed on purpose and killed on whim. Professor Rice pays passing attention to the involvement of alcohol in the killings but it played a role in many of the fatal events.
Perhaps the most surprising elements of the book concern what law enforcement, the courts and the political arms of the two states did and did not do to stop the violence. Just about every official branch of government of the two states hid behind legalisms to avoid confronting the families.
“The Hatfields & The McCoys” is an easy read (despite the challenges of keeping track of everyone) if you like this sort of early American feud history. It’s not likely that it will add much to your party conversation.
January 15, 2022
Well researched and probably the most factually written account you'll find, but man this was a slog to read. The author's target audience is clearly historians rather than lay-folk like myself who just want a good story. I would recommend watching the Kevin Costner mini-series before reading this book so that you have a basic understanding of the events, prior to reading this book.
January 20, 2015
After watching on TV the special featuring Kevin Coster as Anse "Devil" Hatfield and Bill Paxton as Randall McCoy, I decided to go after some historic vision regarding this famous feud. I was quite surprised to find out the show was very respectful to the history and presented the events in a very realistic view.
It may become kind of hard to keep track of all the relatives of both sides tangled in the conflict as well as all innocent blood that has been shed in the 28 years war between the families, however, it is possible to have an idea of the harshness of those times through this book.
It may become kind of hard to keep track of all the relatives of both sides tangled in the conflict as well as all innocent blood that has been shed in the 28 years war between the families, however, it is possible to have an idea of the harshness of those times through this book.
July 30, 2021
I appreciate the care with which the author works to dispell myth and provide an accurate picture of this feud. Heartbreaking. While Mr. Rice is fair to both sides, it is difficult to remain completely unattached to the families when reading about their losses.
The great patriarch of the Hatfields did not always do the right thing. Still, at the end of the day, I find myself impressed with the character of Devil Anse.
I sometimes got a little lost in the dates and events at the end of the audiobook and had to relisten to part of it. Very engaging, though, and well worth the time.
The great patriarch of the Hatfields did not always do the right thing. Still, at the end of the day, I find myself impressed with the character of Devil Anse.
I sometimes got a little lost in the dates and events at the end of the audiobook and had to relisten to part of it. Very engaging, though, and well worth the time.
July 7, 2012
This retelling of the events of the feud casts less light on the social and economical setting of the feud than the book by Waller. It is also a much more engaging read, relying more on characterizations of the participants and lending half an ear to some of the mythologies that had grown up around the feud.
October 1, 2015
This book was interesting, but an extremely dry read. It was pretty short and was able to give an accurate account of the Hatfield and McCoy feud. I found the topic itself but fascinating, but the writing itself was pretty tedious. It seemed a bit like reading a textbook.
June 21, 2012
Excellent!! I read this book right after watching the new Kevin Costner movie. Loved it!
August 15, 2012
"Very short, very dry. After watching the series on the History Channel, I thought there would be more to the book but it was a "just the facts, ma'am" kind of book. Don't bother."
August 23, 2022
3/30/2019 used an AudioBook credit and have an audio version. Dr. Rice is listed in the University of Charleston Alumni Directory 1992 like this, "RICE, Dr. Otis K.; '43 BS, '44 BA; Prof. Emeritus, Human Studies Dean; West Virginia Inst. of Technology, Montomery, WV 26316;..." along with my mother also '43 BS, one of my aunts and one of my uncles. I became aware of Dr. Rice by purchasing a copy of his book "A History of Greenbrier County (1986)" which I have used for reference many times and intend to read it cover to cover making notes as I go. So I was surprised to find that he wrote a book about the Hatfields and McCoys so enjoyed reading this very thorough book.
October 13, 2017
What a fascinating story! This feud is one of those things you hear a lot about, but there's so much more to it. Th author gives the background of both families, and he includes a lot of detail about various incidents between the families and their allies. What a crazy mess! I found it hard to keep track of all the connections between the families, but overall I really enjoyed this book.
December 14, 2020
I feel bad saying this was or wasn't good. I tried listening it to it during work one day since I listen to podcasts at work and thought it wouldn't be much different. Maybe it was just written dryly or maybe this just isn't something I can do, but it kept losing me. I have another book on this topic to listen to so I'll see how that goes and maybe someday come back to this one.
August 28, 2020
Interesting history
Quite a bit of legal wrangling in case that I had previously thought was fairly straightforward. I did not know about the conflict between the state's relating to the feud. A very informative book, highly recommended for history buffs.
Quite a bit of legal wrangling in case that I had previously thought was fairly straightforward. I did not know about the conflict between the state's relating to the feud. A very informative book, highly recommended for history buffs.
September 22, 2023
Native son
I was born in Pike County and the mention of Pikeville, Willianson, Matewan and other locations brings back childhood memotiess. I was not related to any of the participants, but the actions described have the ring of truth for this child of the mountains.
I was born in Pike County and the mention of Pikeville, Willianson, Matewan and other locations brings back childhood memotiess. I was not related to any of the participants, but the actions described have the ring of truth for this child of the mountains.
January 17, 2019
This book was useful in geneological research. It helped me to verify names, dates and locations.
April 11, 2019
Dry but very interesting. I felt like I got the whole story.
May 3, 2019
Pretty good. Needed a couple of family trees & maps tho!
September 23, 2022
A bit dry but appears to be well-researched.
It was a McCoy pig, obviously.
It was a McCoy pig, obviously.
April 17, 2024
Great historical record of this fascinating piece of history
February 25, 2013
I just finished listening on audiobook "The Hatfields and the McCoys" by Otis Rice, and enjoyed it, although it was at times hard to follow all the characters in the story. The main thing I took away from it is that the Hatfield-McCoy feud in the southern Appalachians in the late 19th century proves how a community devolves quickly into vendettas and criminal behavior when there is no strong legal system in operation. It's another real-world case against the anarchist libertarians who say that private armies can solve disputes. Only when the state police and the court systems of Kentucky and West Virginia got involved were they able to resolve the conflict -- primarily by issuing heavy sentences, including the death penalty.
Of course, there are two extremes: no state police or court system at all (anarchy) and excessive/abusive state police and court system (totalitarianism). I don't advocate either. I'm for the pragmatic Aristotelian golden mean of just the right amount of legal authority and enforcement of property rights that encourages economic growth and freedom to do business and pursue one's self-interest. By the way, Otis Rice's book on the Hatfields and the McCoys also notes that major mining companies and manufacturers saw opportunity in the Appalachian mountains but refused to set up business there due to the lawlessness in the region. Only when the state police and courts took action against the Hatfields/McCoys (long sentences, even capital punishment) did the mining companies enter the territory....and only then did the region boom economically.
Best, AEIOU,
Mark Skousen
Of course, there are two extremes: no state police or court system at all (anarchy) and excessive/abusive state police and court system (totalitarianism). I don't advocate either. I'm for the pragmatic Aristotelian golden mean of just the right amount of legal authority and enforcement of property rights that encourages economic growth and freedom to do business and pursue one's self-interest. By the way, Otis Rice's book on the Hatfields and the McCoys also notes that major mining companies and manufacturers saw opportunity in the Appalachian mountains but refused to set up business there due to the lawlessness in the region. Only when the state police and courts took action against the Hatfields/McCoys (long sentences, even capital punishment) did the mining companies enter the territory....and only then did the region boom economically.
Best, AEIOU,
Mark Skousen
July 7, 2012
Fascinating look at the family feud to end all feuds! This is a history, written and published by an academic publisher so it is well researched and tries very hard to show all sides of the issues.
No side is given a pass, both families are shown to have a lot of blame for engaging in the battle. Rice read a lot of books, newspapers, transcripts and court records to try and separate the truth from all the fantasy that surrounds the whole lore of "The Feud".
I had a bit of a tough time getting through the whole explanation of the various trials and keeping track of the familial relationships would have been impossible without the two family trees on the end piece.
If you like history and don't know a lot about the famous family feud, give this a try. It isn't terribly long and show sympathy for both sides and the various members of the families who died.
No side is given a pass, both families are shown to have a lot of blame for engaging in the battle. Rice read a lot of books, newspapers, transcripts and court records to try and separate the truth from all the fantasy that surrounds the whole lore of "The Feud".
I had a bit of a tough time getting through the whole explanation of the various trials and keeping track of the familial relationships would have been impossible without the two family trees on the end piece.
If you like history and don't know a lot about the famous family feud, give this a try. It isn't terribly long and show sympathy for both sides and the various members of the families who died.
July 30, 2011
The straight scoop on the most notorious feud in Appalachian history. Rice delivers what has long since mutated into a hideously deformed folk-myth from the blinding fog of "Hollyweird" glamour, and subjects it to the light of day. His scholarship is especially noteworthy in that he admits the contradictory nature of his source material. Although he draws conclusions (the feud eventually ran its course, both parties were reconciled; and the death toll, in the popular imagination, beggared reality), he eschews passing judgment.
A most excellent, most informative little book -- and best read in conjunction with George MacDonald Fraser's The Steel Bonnets and David Hackett Fischer's Albion's Seed.
A most excellent, most informative little book -- and best read in conjunction with George MacDonald Fraser's The Steel Bonnets and David Hackett Fischer's Albion's Seed.
March 4, 2013
B; I was interested in reading a book about the famous feuding families after watching the TV series this winter. This was the only audio version I could find at the library. It was somewhat of a boring read, since it just went through the fact connections (names and relations) and glossed over what was proven as happening and what was rumored. Very similar to the TV movies so I was able to visualize a bit more of the story. Not sure I could have kept with the book if I hadn't just seen the movies. It kind of reminded me of those chapters in the bible that go 'XXX begat XXX, YYY begat YYYY" and so on.
April 28, 2016
When a master historian researches and separates the legend and lore of one of America's most famous feuds, you find pleasure. Since I was an undergraduate in Dr. Rice's history classes (taking all the classes he taught and every special topics class he would create for me) until the last time I saw him (when he because the first Historian Laureate for the State of WV), I read anything I could find. This book, which I recently re-read, did not fail to disappoint me.
It is history, thus non-fiction. It separates the legend from what actually happens. It's a must for any student of Appalachian history to read.
It is history, thus non-fiction. It separates the legend from what actually happens. It's a must for any student of Appalachian history to read.
August 12, 2009
While this book is rich in raw data it is poor on drama. When will we find a book about the Hatfields and McCOys that is dramatized? I am not looking for historical fiction here (though that would have been cool too) just some skill in setting up details in such a way that leaves me jonesing to find out what happens. Think about "Not without my daughter" a true tale, told in first person that leaves you wondering how it's all going to turn out. I hope I find a book on these two families that is like that someday.
March 6, 2015
Talk about hot heads and ruthlessness! That was some vendetta. This story is not for the squeamish. I wish I had a bulletin board with all the names and relationships to keep score. There were too many for me to keep track of.
I wonder how the townspeople lived among all that killing and lawlessness. To think it involved two states and no amount of law enforcement could handle them. At least they kept their killing to themselves.
As painful as it was to read.....I'd recommend this to those interested in American history.
I wonder how the townspeople lived among all that killing and lawlessness. To think it involved two states and no amount of law enforcement could handle them. At least they kept their killing to themselves.
As painful as it was to read.....I'd recommend this to those interested in American history.
July 30, 2012
Fairly impartial telling of the story of the Hatfield's and McCoys. Quick and easy to read with a few pictures. I wish the their had been more pictures, adding faces to the names. Many of the family members shared names, and it would have easier to distinguish who as who with pictorial evidence. An addition of family trees would have proven helpful as weep, showing the intermarriage between the two clans.
April 17, 2013
This was an interesting book,in as far as attempting to separate fact from fiction. My main problem was keeping track of all the people mentioned. The only one who really stuck out for me was Devil Anse, the leader of the Hatfield clan. Both families were no better than any mafia gang, except not quite as cunning. The other surprising thing was the amount of hillbilly cliches that seem to have their basis in fact, eg. moonshine, intermarriage, etc.
February 23, 2014
This wasn't the most gripping book I've ever listened to but it was definitely interesting. It went on a bit long describing the law suits that followed all the violence, but I really understand more about this strange time and place in American history. Feuds were not at all uncommon at the time, but this is the one that caught the imagination of the nation. I'm glad I watched the mini-series last year because it helped me keep the characters straight.
June 3, 2012
I read this because of the series on the History Channel. A nice, concise telling of some of the real facts surrounding the famous feud. Rice also talks about society and culture at the time, which adds an interesting facet to the feud and its impact on Appalachain politics. A good read and fast too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews