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The Bone Feud
At the height of the American Wild West, two friends and scientific colleagues went to war. Each scrambled to out-wit and out-discover the other in a race to unearth the skeletal remains of dozens of previously undiscovered species of dinosaurs. What began with spying, bribery, and theft, quickly exploded into a bitter feud involving hired gunfighters, secret deals, and sticks of dynamite. Scientist-adventurers Edward Cope and O.C. Marsh inadvertently unleashed “dinosaur fever" across the globe, and their amazing discoveries became the subject of bidding wars by universities, museums, and even the great showman P.T. Barnum. Their story has never been told, until now.
ebook
First published October 19, 2014
23 people are currently reading
353 people want to read
About the author
Wynne McLaughlin
1 book30 followersWynne McLaughlin was born in Salem, Massachusetts and currently resides in Stewartstown, Pennsylvania with his wife Cathy, their crazy pups Chula and Sammich, and their ginger tabby, Queso. Wynne is a narrative designer for video games, screenwriter, television writer, and novelist. He is a member of the Writer’s Guild of America, west, the International Game Developers Association, and the Independent Book Publisher's Association. The Bone Feud, the 2015 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Silver Award Winner for "The Bill Fisher Award for Best First Book: Fiction," is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 9, 2019
What a fun story! It's got everything you'd want in a western -- bar brawls, shoot-em-ups, even the assistant who's secretly a sharp-shooter -- and mashes it up with a chase to unearth dinosaur bones across the American west. It's even a bit educational, as the story is inspired by the real lives of paleontologists Cope and Marsh. Lines like "I reckon' they've gone extinct" capture the fun vibe and little bit of camp this story's got going on. The narrator is a ringer for a western, with deep, drawly voices -- an excellent choice.
November 12, 2014
Fun adventure story with a mix of the old West and dinosaur bones - a great combination! The story gave me pause several times where I said, "hmmm, I didn't know that," which made me appreciate the backdrop even more.
July 2, 2017
Before we dive in, I would like to thank Wynne McLaughlin again for both responding to one of my tweets about Dragon Teeth to let me know about this book, and for sending me a wonderful paperback copy! I am so thrilled to put a copy of this book on my shelves!
My thoughts:
I knew that I was going to love this book right from this page that appears before the prologue:
The following is based on real historical events.
Mostly.
I really love the set up for this book!
The very first paragraph of the prologue is written in a way that addresses the readers, as the narrator asks for us to forgive him for any inaccuracies due to the methods of how he gathered information for this story. This narrator was a reporter named William H. Ballou.
William walks into a saloon in Tin Cup, Nebraska to try to find James Garvey, a man that worked as a guide for paleontologist, Professor Edward Cope. William approaches Garvey and asks to hear his story. Garvey is thrilled to oblige. In chapter one, we dive right into the story that Garvey told to William.
As the book goes on, it is written as if we were experiencing the action first hand, but there are also random breaks where the story was interrupted. Sometimes this is because William had a question, or because something happened in the saloon that interrupted them. Other times, Garvey needed to back track or give William more information to make sure the rest of the story flows well. I thought that this format was absolutely incredible. It kept me totally engaged with the storyline, and I couldn't wait to read more!
Of course, all of the characters were lovely, even if they were quite rough around the edges.
The writing style was lovely. So easy to read because of the upbeat tone and great organization. All of the dialogue was very realistic, and many times I found myself laughing out loud at some of the passages.
My favorite passages:
It's my belief that all of the greatest tales ever told have been told in saloons.
I think history is just an interpretation of events, intended to justify the deeds of the people in power.
Edward Drinker Cope was in his mid-thirties, tall and angular, with a pleasant, vaguely handsome face that burned with passion and excitement as he spoke.
"Good judgment comes form experience, Mr. Garvey. And most experience comes as a result of bad judgement. A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor."
"This here preacher... well, there's no doubt he was narrow-minded enough to see through a keyhole with both eyes."
Knowledge is weightless. It's a treasure you an always carry with you.
I admire your loyalty, but I think you're crazy as popcorn on a hot skillet.
Cope and Sternberg followed the riverbank through the dark woods as best they could on horseback.
Cope squinted into the shadows ahead. "I can' see a damnable thi―"
He was cut short by a low-hanging brach that cold cocked him and knocked him from his saddle. This spooked his horse, and it galloped off into the brush.
"Professor Cope!" shouted Sternberg. "Have you injured yourself, sir?"
"Only my pride, I think. But it's had so many lumps recently, I'm sure it will persevere." He began to stand, then fell back, shouting in pain. "My ankle, it would seem, has a different opinion."
Captain Beckwith. Do you have a moment, sir?"
"Well now. That's something you can never be sure of. I try to live my life like I might not."
My final thoughts:
I highly recommend giving this book a read! I know I will be re-reading it again very soon and I cannot wait!
My thoughts:
I knew that I was going to love this book right from this page that appears before the prologue:
The following is based on real historical events.
Mostly.
I really love the set up for this book!
The very first paragraph of the prologue is written in a way that addresses the readers, as the narrator asks for us to forgive him for any inaccuracies due to the methods of how he gathered information for this story. This narrator was a reporter named William H. Ballou.
William walks into a saloon in Tin Cup, Nebraska to try to find James Garvey, a man that worked as a guide for paleontologist, Professor Edward Cope. William approaches Garvey and asks to hear his story. Garvey is thrilled to oblige. In chapter one, we dive right into the story that Garvey told to William.
As the book goes on, it is written as if we were experiencing the action first hand, but there are also random breaks where the story was interrupted. Sometimes this is because William had a question, or because something happened in the saloon that interrupted them. Other times, Garvey needed to back track or give William more information to make sure the rest of the story flows well. I thought that this format was absolutely incredible. It kept me totally engaged with the storyline, and I couldn't wait to read more!
Of course, all of the characters were lovely, even if they were quite rough around the edges.
The writing style was lovely. So easy to read because of the upbeat tone and great organization. All of the dialogue was very realistic, and many times I found myself laughing out loud at some of the passages.
My favorite passages:
It's my belief that all of the greatest tales ever told have been told in saloons.
I think history is just an interpretation of events, intended to justify the deeds of the people in power.
Edward Drinker Cope was in his mid-thirties, tall and angular, with a pleasant, vaguely handsome face that burned with passion and excitement as he spoke.
"Good judgment comes form experience, Mr. Garvey. And most experience comes as a result of bad judgement. A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor."
"This here preacher... well, there's no doubt he was narrow-minded enough to see through a keyhole with both eyes."
Knowledge is weightless. It's a treasure you an always carry with you.
I admire your loyalty, but I think you're crazy as popcorn on a hot skillet.
Cope and Sternberg followed the riverbank through the dark woods as best they could on horseback.
Cope squinted into the shadows ahead. "I can' see a damnable thi―"
He was cut short by a low-hanging brach that cold cocked him and knocked him from his saddle. This spooked his horse, and it galloped off into the brush.
"Professor Cope!" shouted Sternberg. "Have you injured yourself, sir?"
"Only my pride, I think. But it's had so many lumps recently, I'm sure it will persevere." He began to stand, then fell back, shouting in pain. "My ankle, it would seem, has a different opinion."
Captain Beckwith. Do you have a moment, sir?"
"Well now. That's something you can never be sure of. I try to live my life like I might not."
My final thoughts:
I highly recommend giving this book a read! I know I will be re-reading it again very soon and I cannot wait!
April 27, 2015
Historic Fiction comes in all types of styles, genres and themes. The Bone Feud is a story of two "Professors" that are in a race to find the most dinosaur bones and get them identified so they can name them. The true story is fictionalized by adding wonderful characters to the tale and making one of the participants the bartender and storyteller.
I was captured from the beginning of my #fridayread. From P.T. Barnum to Wild Bill Hickok, the authors ability to bring other characters of interest into the story was great fun. His writing style is clear and the story flowed nicely. However, I missed hearing from the storyteller himself in the middle of the tale. He got lost, and so did I, in the middle. Thankfully, he was found and once again took charge at the end.
For a fun #fridayread, it's great and is well deserving of 4*'s.
I was captured from the beginning of my #fridayread. From P.T. Barnum to Wild Bill Hickok, the authors ability to bring other characters of interest into the story was great fun. His writing style is clear and the story flowed nicely. However, I missed hearing from the storyteller himself in the middle of the tale. He got lost, and so did I, in the middle. Thankfully, he was found and once again took charge at the end.
For a fun #fridayread, it's great and is well deserving of 4*'s.
January 26, 2015
A lot can happen when science goes West. The Wild West, that is. This is an amazing story of outlaws, ego and paleontology, things you wouldn't normally see together. But here they are because it all really happened. A great read.
April 16, 2015
I needed an easy read...and this was it! I'd heard about the dinosaur bone wars between Cope and Marsh...and I think the author took LOTS of liberties. If I remember correctly, Marsh never went out in the field. Oh well, it was a fun read!
April 18, 2015
Delightful
A quick, easy, interesting read. Well constructed and thoughtfully embellished to pull together a story that has all the elements to hold your attention and be worth your time.
A quick, easy, interesting read. Well constructed and thoughtfully embellished to pull together a story that has all the elements to hold your attention and be worth your time.
January 14, 2015
Excellent book. It chronicles the early history and struggles of paleontology.
May 11, 2020
This wasn't quite what I expected from this book. It was a very easy read, large print, and seemed like it may have been for a younger audience. It was good and entertaining, but I found myself getting mixed up between the gangs of competing paleontologists as the leaders of each seemed like the same person to me. Neither was likable, both were dishonest, and I didn't care who came out on top.
I did come away with a new expression to hint at someone's low intelligence though: "You couldn't pour water out of a boot if the instructions were on the heel." Ha!
I did come away with a new expression to hint at someone's low intelligence though: "You couldn't pour water out of a boot if the instructions were on the heel." Ha!
October 16, 2025
A fictionalized Wikipedia article, don't waste your time and money.
No character to identify with, confusing narrative and some things just didn't happen (like Cope meeting Marsh while doing field work).
If you're interested in a YA rendition of the Bone Wars check out the book "Every Hidden Thing" by Kenneth Oppel, worlds better.
No character to identify with, confusing narrative and some things just didn't happen (like Cope meeting Marsh while doing field work).
If you're interested in a YA rendition of the Bone Wars check out the book "Every Hidden Thing" by Kenneth Oppel, worlds better.
July 30, 2020
I liked this book so so so much more than I thought I would. I couldn’t put it down and finished it within hours. Though some of the plot points seemed a bit contrived, it was overall a fun and adventurous read with real facts and history interspersed within. Sign me up for more books like this!
January 23, 2024
I had high hopes for a book about paleontology and the Wild West (!!) but didn’t like it. It seems simple and childish to me and slightly incoherent. DNF but it gets an extra star for the excellent choice of subject matter.
May 29, 2019
Loved it. This book is quick read and quite funny. Perfect light reading to while away a hot afternoon.
May 23, 2016
A Review of the Audibook
Read by Charles Hinckley
Duration: 4 hours, 15 minutes
Unabridged
A lot of people don't know that the end of the classic Cowboy era was the beginning of a dinosaur rush. Paleontologists went out West and found all sorts of skeletons and shipped them back East to be installed in museums. Reputations were made based on who could find the biggest and most exotic fossils.
Two scientists, Edward Cope and O.C. Marsh tried their best to outdo one another as their teams explore the American West. Sometimes they just compete, sometimes they actually try to hurt the other guy's operations.
The book is told from the point of view of...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2016/...
Read by Charles Hinckley
Duration: 4 hours, 15 minutes
Unabridged
A lot of people don't know that the end of the classic Cowboy era was the beginning of a dinosaur rush. Paleontologists went out West and found all sorts of skeletons and shipped them back East to be installed in museums. Reputations were made based on who could find the biggest and most exotic fossils.
Two scientists, Edward Cope and O.C. Marsh tried their best to outdo one another as their teams explore the American West. Sometimes they just compete, sometimes they actually try to hurt the other guy's operations.
The book is told from the point of view of...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2016/...
August 2, 2016
Hunting for dinosaur bones in the wild west was hard work, dangerous, and rewarding in many ways. This is the tale of two bone hunters striving to out do and thwart each other. Told by a member of one of the bone hunter's party years after the events. The story moves briskly and maintains one's interest through all the twists and turns.
January 6, 2017
Entertaining fictionalisation of the rivalry between 20th century palaeontologists Othniel Marsh and Edward Cope. Interesting to read, having recently read Kenneth Oppel's middle-grade book 'Every Hidden Thing', in which the two fathers are based on these real-life characters.
June 28, 2016
Enjoyable
I found this story easy to read and entertaining. Not bad for the Author's first book. A good book for mid graders on up.
I found this story easy to read and entertaining. Not bad for the Author's first book. A good book for mid graders on up.
November 5, 2016
Fun read. Characters come alive in a great time in our western history.
December 10, 2016
Can't even remember what made me pick up this book, but it was great!
March 8, 2017
Review coming soon to Audiobook Reviewer
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews