The Feud

The Hatfields & McCoys: The True Story

 

Nearly every American has heard of the Hatfields and McCoys. The violent feud between these two families has become shorthand for fierce, unyielding, and bloody confrontation. Drawing on years of original research, including the discovery of previously lost and ignored evidence and interviews with surviving relatives of both families, this fast-paced narrative packed with brutal murders, reckless affairs, mercenaries, detectives, and the long shadow of the Civil War is an unvarnished and gripping work of history. 

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Critical Acclaim

“Fast-paced. . . . Scrupulously documented. . . . The Feud is popular history as it ought to be written.”
—Barton Swaim, Wall Street Journal 

“4 Stars” (out of four)
—Matt Damsker, USA Today

“Post–Civil War Kentucky and West Virginia. Devil Anse Hatfield kills Harmon McCoy. Families fight for 30 years. Forget the TV series: King goes deeper than anyone.”
—Outside 

“King's well-researched narrative confidently separates hearsay from fact, and bulges with bloody set pieces and visceral family passions which exploded into savage fighting that went on for nearly a decade."
—Matthew Price, Boston Globe 

“Well-documented, authoritative, and entertaining. . . . King has done an admirable job of research, and his able narrative matches the convoluted, bloody facts.”
—Mark Gamin, Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The definitive account of the feud . . . as riveting as it is informative."
—Doug Childers, Richmond Times-Dispatch

“Dean King, an elegant and adventurous writer, has dug through the encrusted layers of lurid lore and banjo-plucking atmospherics to understand the rich context behind this tragic and fascinating clash of families. The result is a fully-realized work of American history that spans state lines and generations—and resonates powerfully today.”
—Hampton Sides 

“Dean King has written a riveting and detailed account of the legendary blood feud between the Hatfields and McCoys. Put aside everything you thought you knew about these infamous folks. This expertly researched history provides a new and fresh chronicle of two families torn apart by war and betrayal. Mr. King takes you into the hills of Appalachia with a keen eye and a fearless search for the truth. The story that emerges will fascinate and surprise you.”
—Adriana Trigiani