With the Devil's Help: A True Story of Poverty, Mental Illness, and Murder

by Neal Wooten

In the tradition of The Glass Castle, Educated, and Heartland, Neal Wootentraces five decades of his dirt-poor, Alabama mountain family as the years and secrets coalesce.

Neal Wooten grew up in a tiny community atop Sand Mountain, Alabama, where everyone was white and everyone was poor. Prohibition was still embraced. If you wanted alcohol, you had to drive to Georgia or ask the bootlegger sitting next to you in church. Tent revivals, snake handlers, and sacred harp music were the norm, and everyone was welcome as long as you weren’t Black, brown, gay, atheist, Muslim, a damn Yankee, or a Tennessee Vol fan.

The Wooten's lived a secret existence in a shack in the woods with no running water, no insulation, and almost no electricity. Even the school bus and mail carrier wouldn’t go there. Neal’s family could hide where they were, but not what they were. They were poor white trash. Cops could see it. Teachers could see it. Everyone could see it.

Growing up, Neal was weaned on folklore legends of his grandfather—his quick wit, quick feet, and quick temper. He discovers how this volatile disposition led to a murder, a conviction, and ultimately to a daring prison escape and a closely guarded family secret.

Being followed by a black car with men in black suits was as normal to Neal as using an outhouse, carrying drinking water from a stream, and doing homework by the light of a kerosene lamp. And Neal’s father, having inherited the very same traits of his father, made sure the frigid mountain winters weren’t the most brutal thing his family faced.

Told from two perspectives, this story alternates between Neal’s life and his grandfather’s, culminating in a shocking revelation. Take a journey to the Deep South and learn what it’s like to be born on the wrong side of the tracks, the wrong side of the law, and the wrong side of a violent mental illness.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, True Crime, Audiobook, Crime, Biography Memoir, Biography

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 6, 2022

About the author

Neal Wooten grew up on a pig farm on Sand Mountain in the northeast corner of Alabama before being dragged kicking and screaming to the snow-infested plains of the American Midwest. He now resides in Milwaukee with his wife and three dogs.

He is a columnist for The Mountain Valley News, an author, artist, and a standup comedian. His work has appeared in several anthologies and magazines.

He is the author of Reternity, a sci-fi novel based on the Bible, which has won eight national awards and named to Kirkus Reviews Best of 2011. His new book, The Balance, a gay-themed sci-fi novel, will be released by Bold Strokes Books in April 2014.

Reviews

[Elyse Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overdrive - Library Audiobook….
read by the author Neal Wooten
…..9 hours and 48 minutes

This is the authors eighteenth book that he’s written—my first time reading him.

Once I started listening to this book—(planned on it being a library ‘tester’—and would probably send it back),
I kept saying to myself —
“okay…just a little more…I have other books I want to get to”….
But I got hooked —stayed hooked — and it became great company and interesting as I went about my day….

A true crime story > is the ‘smallest’ part of this story —

The author is terrific in reading it - and by the time I got to the end — a wonderful
epilogue — I realized Neal Wooten not only had an important story to tell — but that he is a damn good writer.
The book was sooo much more engaging to listen to than I had expected ‘at all’.

A few gut wrenching scenes? Yes!!
….. but the writing and telling was real, raw, occasionally funny, and completely absorbing

I have one thing to say to Neal: (in his 50’s now):
“I hope that your mother continues baking you your traditional orange cake, with orange frosting, and orange sherbet on your birthday for many more years to come!!!”

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I didn't know what I didn't know when it came to Wooten and his story. This is a wildly entertaining family drama that reads like fiction. I just can't believe I hadn't heard all of this.

The author's witty personality and writing was the icing on top.. and this is coming from a Tennessee Vol, so that's saying a lot!

[Valerity (Val) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read, but can’t help but feel that either I or my Kindle missed part of it. I was still confused at the end, so I may have to try a re-read to get the full story this time

[Spiritedbookishbabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book!! It had me interested from the start. I honestly didn’t want to put it down!! I finished it in just 5 hours. I was disappointed when i finished it because I wanted to keep reading this book.

[Lucas Wooten · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You can take the boy from the mountain, but you can’t take the mountain from the boy.”

That line summed up how much I enjoyed Neal Wooten’s memoir “With The Devil’s Help” as I finished it last night. I no longer live on Sand Mountain, but to read this book made me feel as if I still did. Being from Sylvania, Alabama myself I understood all the southern sayings, know the towns and places mentioned, what it’s like to go up Sylvania Gap Road, and the cool feeling of what it was like to go to class upstairs at Sylvania High School once you reached the 7th grade. All that and more made it nostalgic for me.

This was such an emotional and engaging account of Neal’s harsh upbringing and family events and adventures. I loved the dual timeline format. The way all the aspects of the story finally tie together is great, but the epilogue was my favorite part. Probably going to listen to the audiobook as well.

5 stars from this fellow Sylvania boy. Well done sir!

[Dianne Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely read a book more than once, but I'm reading With the Devil's Help again, just in case I missed something - or maybe just to feel the feels one more time. Wooten's story explains beautifully the importance of familial love. It's not always easy. It's not always comfortable. Sometimes it's chaotic. Sometimes it's crazy. Sometimes it's broken. But it's always important. It's always the foundation for how we see ourselves and how we find our place in the world.
With the Devil's Help was hard to read at times. I hurt for these people, but I laughed with them, too. My feelings ran the gamut from compassion to anger to love. And isn't that what we want a book to do? Pull us in and make us feel something?
I sure hope there's a movie. There should definitely be a movie. This is a story the world needs to hear. If there is a movie, bring the tissues.

[Elizabeth Ritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this memoir. I was hooked from the beginning. He is an excellent storyteller. I am originally from Fort Payne, Alabama so this took place in my “neck of the woods”. The story has dark and even violent parts, which are balanced well by humor. It kept me turning the pages until the very end. Highly recommend!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

"And when people ask me how I'm doing, I still say 'Fair to middlin'."

[Star Gater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Pegagus Crime for accepting my request to read and review With the Devil's Help.

Published: 09/06/22

With this being an Adult book, genre is debatable -- biography, memoir, and/or true crime. As a nonfiction book a star rating seems impertinent; therefore, I am giving my standard three stars. I implore the reader contemplating this to carefully look at the synopsis. There is a lot packed into this book. It is in no way a novel or to be taken lightly. This is a book, not a story: a book with generational familial multiplayer and types of pain.

At the conclusion, I was left once again wondering why the average human being proudly says -- we will not let history repeat itself, we have to learn, while aiding in repeating history and doing nothing proactively to prevent abuse.

In my opinion, this was written for the author.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author of this book tells the story of his grandfather, Pete Wooten, who shot his son in law over potatoes and then escaped prison. He also tells the story of his life on Sand Mountain in Alabama, living in poverty and extreme abuse by his father. There are so many things about his family that reminded me of some of my own family. My grandmother grew up very much like Neil. She had a mentally ill and abusive mother, with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder running in the family. Her family were in the Holiness cult. They also were extremely poor. This book was interesting and also terribly tragic.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

bangers only

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book I've read by Neal Wooten. And I was hooked from the beginning. His writing style and sense of taking something traumatic and violent and making it more lighthearted without being flippant is well done. The alternating timelines tied in well together.

[Jimmy Chaillot · Rating 2 out of 5]

I came into this story with no knowledge of what this book was about. Sometimes I surprise myself with good stories and sometimes like this I come away wanting wanting more.

I know it’s his story but it was more about Child abuse than about the murder on the cover. It was horrific and there was some anger/mental health issues going on. But do I recommend it? Unfortunately not.

[Connor Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it takes a lot to tell your life story— family secrets, drama, and all. I’m certain this is only a glimpse into Neal Wooten’s life, and wow am I so glad I read this!

I very much enjoyed this book. I did listen on Audible and Traber was the perfect reader for it, imo. His voice is so soothing and easy to listen to.
To me, It reads similarly to a fiction book. The stories he tells you can clearly imagine. Some of the stories will have you laughing out loud, while others will absolutely bring tears to your eyes.
I understand how this book might not touch your heart in quite the same ways it would someone who grew up in the South, if you didn’t. I grew up In Marshall County Alabama, but have family all over Sand Mountain— I grew up listening to stories about family members I never got to meet that had upbringings and childhood memories like these. What a special story this family has!! And as Neal said, sometimes being different is the best thing to be. The Epilogue was my favorite part. 🫶🏻

I think this is a must read, especially for anyone who has ties to the area or the people written about in this book.

[Shon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking, infuriating, and inspirational.

[Amanda ~lilacsandliterature · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really likes this. What a unique memoir in that it was written like true crime or a historical fiction thriller…but the entire story was true. I loved the timelines and the stories told. The audio was great too!

[Katie Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story was truly gut wrenching. I don’t think I can put into words how terrible I feel for the author with this upbringing. As a teacher, reading stories of abuse hits me in such a deep place. I felt a lot of emotions while reading, nausea, sadness, disgust, brief spurts of joy when the writer experienced true care and love by others for short blips. When I got to the end I can’t say I was happily surprised, I still felt angry at the grandfather and angry he was able to live out the rest of his life comfortably. I think this story is important, but the important part for me is that even if there is a mental illness people are held accountable for their actions. Thank you to the author for sharing your story, something so important for others to hear despite how incredibly uncomfortable it may be to listen.

[Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was suggested to me when I asked reddit for nonfiction that reads like fiction. This definitely fits the bill.

Strong 3.5 rounded up only because the child abuse stuff was a LOT. Like I preferred the Pete chapters to the Neal chapters only because every Neal chapter had me wound up with so much anxiety. Anytime this poor kid was excited about something, or tried to do a simple task, I knew *something* was coming. In that sense, it’s definitely effective at conveying what it might be like to live in that sort of reality.

The twist about a certain character was great, I’m mad at myself for not realizing it sooner, but it made the reveal even better.

Wooten’s hypothesis that these men could have led calmer lives if they were born into a time that properly addressed mental illness is certainly correct. But even without the mental illness it sounds like they were real assholes.

I’d like to know more about Van and Della. If they really liked Elsie, they should have warned her family about her son. They should have protected her better. I get Pete was scary, but there were more of them than of him. When he stabbed her, and the family went on as normal, I felt a deep sense of betrayal for this young woman I don’t even know. If he had served some time then, maybe he wouldn’t have hurt so many other people.

This story captivated me more than I expected. I actually teared up hearing two words towards the end: “I’m sorry”. I can’t imagine the closure and catharsis that brought the author.

[Joey R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 stars— “With the Devil’s Help” is a very personal, first person account of growing up in abject poverty in northeast Alabama by Neal Wooten. However, this book is so much more than a history lesson of growing up poor. The author intermingles his life story with the life stories of both his father and grandfather who grew up in similar conditions. To say that the life stories of these three men were fascinating would be as big an understatement as has ever been written. The very personal accounts given by Neal Wooten of growing up in a physically abusive home were riveting. Neal Wooten has an unbelievable gift of describing what was happening and what he was feeling at the time in a way that made me feel I was experiencing it myself. You almost have to read this book to truly appreciate the gift Mr. Wooten has of telling a story. The underlying story connecting the three generations of Wootens is also fascinating. I don’t want to spoil the surprises in the story so I will just say that a murder and the lifelong ramifications from that murder play an important part in the story that has to be read to be believed. Based on his previous books, I doubt I ever read another book by Mr Wooten, but his family’s life story is one that will stay with me forever and is one of the best autobiographical accounts I’ve ever read.

[Shawn Schuster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Neal's book at the smalltown library near Neal's hometown, close to where I live now. It was in a section for local authors, right near my own book. I had heard of Neal Wooten before, but never read any of his books. There are Wootens all over this mountain, and their reputation (both good and bad) precedes them. But the librarian recommended the book, telling me that it will be made into a movie one day.

Of course, I was skeptical. I wasn't born on Sand Mountain, but I've lived here for about 12 years. So I knew how things went with unwavering local support, especially for people "born on the mountain."

But now I'm ashamed to say that I was wrong. With the Devil's Help is one of the best books I've ever read, and I read a LOT. Sure, some of my excitement while reading the book came from knowing the local spots (and family names) he was describing, but it was so much more than that. If you told me that one of my favorite books would be one that switches back and forth through multiple timelines and spotlights this crazy Alabama mountain, I'd think you were nuts. But it works. And it works so well. Neal is truly a master at the craft of storytelling and I look forward to the movie version of this incredible tale.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found a lot to relate to in this book though I’m not from the American South. We had electricity, but no flush toilet. My dad had a short temper though it wasn’t as extreme as Neal’s dad, though I also lived in fear. We lived with less because my dad was emotionally scarred from growing up in the Great Depression and wouldn’t spend what money he had, which admittedly wasn’t much.

This is a very relatable story, I’m sure for many people. It’s also very well written. Neal Wooten is a terrific writer. I know this isn’t fiction, but it feels a lot like William Faulkner when he wasn’t trying to confuse us in the fog of his brilliant writing. This was very entertaining and filled with insights into the human condition.

The surprise twist at the end really did catch me off guard. My compliments to the author on that one.

The prison chapters reminded me a bit of The Shawshank Redemption, though Neil’s grandpa was no Andy Dufresne. Still, it speaks well of the writing. Sometimes it almost felt a little over-written for a memoir. Not that I’m complaining.

Anyway. I had a good time.

[Ellen Pilch · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I found out Neal Wooten had a book about to be published, I immediately pre ordered the kindle version on Amazon. Neal Wooten owns Mirror Publishing, the company that published my two children's picture books. He made my dreams come true as well as countless others, so I was thrilled that one of his dreams has come true. 

This book is part memoir and part true crime. From the first chapter I was pulled in to learn more about his family. He grew up in a poor family in Alabama and suffered abuse at the hands of his father. Despite that he managed to become successful and remain kind instead of continuing the abuse into another generation.  

The murder in the story gives this memoir extra interest as well as a surprise twist at the end. I only wish the book was longer and told more of how Neal managed to succeed in life. He tells some in the epilogue, but I would love a second memoir. I highly recommend this to anyone that likes memoirs, true crime or just an overcoming the odds story. 

[Esme · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly what I was expecting. I got flashes of "In Broad Daylight" but the murder doesn't take up much of the story. There's a lot of cloak and dagger, references to the frequent appearances of the men in black suits and their black car, but it isn't until the end of the book when it all really comes together. In fact as the pages started dwindling I really wondered how he was going to pull everything together so fast.

It was a bit confusing as he flashed back and then flashed forward again, describing the relationship between his grandparents, then his parents and various other relatives. Maybe I should have been paying closer attention but I found myself wondering, "now who is this again?" Are Uncle Roy and Uncle Doodle the same person? (Eventually that got clarified.)

Mental illness also isn't discussed until the epilogue. Poverty is what gets discussed the most. A little bit "The Glass Castle" and a little bit "Educated." A world of violent, abusive men and the women and children that have to take the abuse.

[Sally Kilpatrick]

I think I got this because it was listed under true crime. Or maybe it was the Sand Mountain setting. Or maybe because it was compared to Educated, which is my current phone book.

Anyhoo, this was a difficult listen. Not because the book is bad. Not because the narration is bad. Nay, nay. This is a memoir chock full of domestic violence, full of lazy violent men who avoid actual work and can't stand to be confronted with their own mistakes. In other words, to quote Karen Kilgariff, toxic masculinity ruins the party again.

And toxic masculinity is hard to listen to.

That said, if I were ever writing a character who lived in the same time period as Wooten, I would get a paper copy of this book to use as a reference material because the descriptions of people and the life they lived is rich, vibrant. He definitely steeps us in his world. It's just that world isn't a fun place to visit.

[BigGirl BigBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is amazing how different one life can be from another. What one of us grows up thinking is 100% normal can leave another person in total shock and awe. And not always in a good way.
With the Devil's Help is just that. Neal lives a life entangled in shady deals and men who can get you whatever you need in a place where nothing really is. But plenty lurks where you least expect it.
As you read along with Neal's narration we feel the layers being pulled back as new light gets shed on old tales. What really happened? What story is bigger than life? AND what kind of life did grandpa lead anyway?
If you love any of these: crime, memoirs, southern lit, family secrets-fiction or nonfiction-then this will keep you reading. Only negative thing, I feel it was a little muddled at the end, as if the author didn't know how to tell us the story is over.

[Bill reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the Devil's Help is much more than a true crime book. It is a remarkable story of survival. Neal Wooten is a natural born writer. His childhood is a Dickensian one of living his first few years without electricity or running water. The self described hillbilly paints a vivid picture of desperate times lived by desperate people.
Wooten is a modern day Mark Twain, with his Tom Sawyer surroundings providing an unending series of tales of incredible ingenuity. The recipe for moonshine is unforgettable.
Neal's father and grandfather are the focus of the book. Both were violent brutes who did not spare the belt in disciplining their children and wives. Grandpa's vicious temper resulted in a prison sentence in rural Alabama.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough as I finished it in a marathon reading with only a short break for lunch. Wooten is an immensely talented writer.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A desperately sad and also warm and funny book. Neil's father is Travis, son of Pete Wooten, an abusive often not home, funny at times, totally fast runner. Travis is a variation on a chip off the old block. Both generations lived in poverty, with no running water, most of the time no electricity, in half finished houses and severe emotional and physical abuse. And as Neal Wooten writes it, when a load of kids survive that, all smart and mostly with an education and trauma at the end, you can still find some kind of balance to it all. Some sense that pieces of all this were memorable in a good or okay or every day way. I can't really say much more than the publisher's blurb to tell the story, so go read that.

The audio version was brilliantly narrated by Traber Burns in authentic back woods Alabama dialect. Wooten is a brilliant writer and impeccable memoirist. I'm jealous.

[Michelle Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fabulous read. He’s a great storyteller. He can paint an incredible picture with words. He’s adds just the right amount of subtle humor. Don���t get me wrong, there are some very gut wrenching and sad stories in the book. But the author shares them in a way that pulls you in not with pity; but more so with awe at how matter of fact he recounts these stories. As someone who grew up middle class and continues to live in a middle class suburb, I feel somewhat voyeuristic reading about abject poverty in America. This book is much more than that. Highly intelligent people sprinkled with some mental illness surviving the best way they know how given the hand they were dealt.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was well-written. The subject matter is as grotesque in places as it is compelling and Wooten manages to tell of what are at times truly horrific upbringings - his own and his father’s - without making a plea for help or pity. He seems a writer with just enough distance from the stories to nail the structure and tone, important to keep the reader engaged without getting too close to melting down. This is 20th Century rural South realism but you probably know these characters regardless of where you are or grew up.

[mish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might possibly be my new favorite book of all time. It has simply struck me in a way I’ve never experienced from any form of media. I can not recommend this book ENOUGH.

For those who want a glimpse of the Deep South, READ THIS.
For those who live in the Deep South, READ THIS.
For those who want to relate to someone who dealt with a rough childhood or poverty, READ THIS.
For those of you who doubt your potential because of your childhood or raising, READ. THIS. BOOK.

I want this book to see every corner of the world. Period.