Rudy Panucci On Pop Culture

The 2012 PopCult Gift Guide Day Six : The Hatfields and McCoys

This year, interest was rekindled in the legendary feud between the Hatfields and McCoys with the History Channel miniseries. The Hatfield-McCoy feud was the reality TV of its day, captivating a nation with a fascination that has lasted over a hundred years. Today in the gift guide we’ll point you toward Woodland Press, the publishers of three books by homegrown authors who have chronicled the feud. These books can be found at most local bookstores.

The Devil’s Son: Cap Hatfield and the End of the Hatfield and McCoy Feud
by Anne Black Gray
ISBN: 978-0-9852640-0-0

This new book from Woodland Press breathes new life into the famous story of the fueding Hatfields and McCoys. Viewers of the mini-series think they know who the players were, why they fought, why they died, but they only know only the legend—now you can experience the real feud.

The Devil’s Son is a vast historical epic that breathes life into the individuals and families on either side of the Tug River. At the center of the tale is Cap Hatfield, son of Devil Anse, the seminal figure in the feud. While the battle rages, Cap wrestles with coming of age in the shadow of the Devil.


The Devil’s Son takes the reader on a journey alongside Cap, son of the feared Devil Anse Hatfield who raises his children illiterate and unguided in an isolated region of late nineteenth century southern West Virginia.

The Tale of the DevilL The Biography of Devil Anse Hatfield
by Dr. Coleman C. Hatfield and Robert Y. Spence
ISBN: 0985264012

This historical volume—a keepsake hardbound edition—was used as source material, along with other important works, in the 2012 HISTORY channel documentary, “America’s Greatest Feud: The Hatfields and McCoys,” directed by Mark Cowen and narrated by Kevin Costner. It includes additional photos, maps, and family tree graphics.

This book represents the first biography of Anderson “Devil Anse” Hatfield, penned by great-grandson Dr. Coleman C. Hatfield and noted Mountain State historian Robert Y. Spence. Tale of the Devil is the epic story of Hatfield family patriarch Anse Hatfield and covers his varied service in the Civil War, including his time as captain of the Logan Wildcats. It features in-depth coverage of the feud years, as well as the era after the gunfire ceased. In recognition of this undertaking and his exhaustive investigation of the subject matter, Dr. Coleman C. Hatfield was named Tamarack Author of the Year in 2004.

The Feuding Hatfields & McCoys
by Dr. Coleman C. Hatfield and F. Keith Davis
ISBN: 978-0-9793236-2-1

Another great book featured as resource material in the 2012 History Channel companion documentary, “America’s Greatest Feud: Hatfields & McCoys,” narrated by Kevin Costner, this book is also penned by the late Dr. Coleman C. Hatfield, great-grandson of Devil Anse and grandson of Cap Hatfield. The book reflects Dr. Hatfield’s unique voice throughout and his rich gift of storytelling and is a unique timeline and pictorial history. The co-author is Mountain State author and historian F. Keith Davis.

Here you’ll find a timeline of events that tracks the history of the Hatfield migration westward in broad strokes, and eventually meanders its way to the rich American story of the Hatfield & McCoy Feud. It’s coupled with a variety of unique family stories that have been passed down through the children of Anderson “Devil Anse” Hatfield.

Of course, once you’ve read the source material, you may want to re-live the award winning miniseries, which is available on DVD and Blu-Ray almost everywhere.

1 Comment

  1. Randy Brown

    Hey Rudy Phil Hatfield one of my band mates wrote a book about Devil Anse Hatfield. Its on amazon, its called The Other Feud: William Anderson “Devil Anse” Hatfield in the Civil War

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