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Inheritance
The name Doc Holliday conjures images of the Wild West and the shootout at the OK Corral, but before he was a Western legend he was a Southern son, born in the last days of the Old South with family links to the author of Gone with the Wind. Now this amazing story is told for the first time in a trilogy of novels entitled Southern Son: The Saga of Doc Holliday. The story begins with Inheritance, set during the turbulent times of the American Civil War, as young John Henry Holliday welcomes home his heroic father and learns a terrible secret about his beloved mother. Inheritance is the first novel in an epic tale of heroes and villains, dreams lost and found, families broken and reconciled, of sin and recompense and the redeeming power of love.
349 pages, Hardcover
First published May 2, 2013
11 people are currently reading
694 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Wilcox
12 books34 followersVictoria Wilcox is Founding Director of Georgia’s Holliday-Dorsey-Fife House Museum (the antebellum home of the family of Doc Holliday, now a site on the National Register of Historic Places), where she learned the family’s untold stories of their legendary cousin and his connection to the real people behind "Gone with the Wind." Her work with the museum led to two decades of original research, making her a nationally recognized authority on the life of Doc Holliday.
Wilcox is the author of the documentary film "In Search of Doc Holliday" and the historical novel trilogy "The Saga of Doc Holliday (Southern Son, Dance with the Devil, Dead Man’s Hand)." She has twice received Georgia Author of the Year honors and in 2016 was named Best Historical Western Novelist by True West Magazine. Her new pictorial biography "The World of Doc Holliday: History & Historic Images" will be released in 2020.
Wilcox has lectured across the country, appeared in local and regional media, guested on NPR affiliates, and was featured in the Fox Network series "Legends & Lies: The Real West." She is a member of the Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, The Wild West History Association, and the Writer’s Guild of the Booth Museum of Western Art and has been a featured contributor to True West Magazine.
In the summer of 2017, Wilcox joined actor Val Kilmer (Tombstone) as guest historian at the inaugural Doc HolliDays in Tombstone, Arizona, site of the legendary OK Corral gunfight.
Reviews:
"As a biographer of John Henry 'Doc' Holliday, I can only be envious of Victoria Wilcox’s telling of his story. The facts of a life so intriguing —and the gaps in the facts — are cruel dampers to the historian, limited as he is by the record. Wilcox pursues the truth in a powerful and moving novel that is not tainted by the legend of its central character, trapped by the documentary evidence of his life, or tempted to ignore history. She tells his story with an intimate voice that is surprisingly fresh and compelling. Here, Doc is alive and his world real--wonderfully so."
--- Dr. Gary Roberts, bestselling author of 'Doc Holliday: The Life and Legend'
"This wonderfully written novel brings together one of the great stories of the American Frontier. Author Wilcox has done a superb job through fiction of creating a sense of time and place and giving us an intriguing look at one of the most controversial figures in the West – Dr. John Henry Holliday."
--- Casey Tefertiller, author of 'Wyatt Earp: The Life Behind the Legend'
Wilcox is the author of the documentary film "In Search of Doc Holliday" and the historical novel trilogy "The Saga of Doc Holliday (Southern Son, Dance with the Devil, Dead Man’s Hand)." She has twice received Georgia Author of the Year honors and in 2016 was named Best Historical Western Novelist by True West Magazine. Her new pictorial biography "The World of Doc Holliday: History & Historic Images" will be released in 2020.
Wilcox has lectured across the country, appeared in local and regional media, guested on NPR affiliates, and was featured in the Fox Network series "Legends & Lies: The Real West." She is a member of the Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, The Wild West History Association, and the Writer’s Guild of the Booth Museum of Western Art and has been a featured contributor to True West Magazine.
In the summer of 2017, Wilcox joined actor Val Kilmer (Tombstone) as guest historian at the inaugural Doc HolliDays in Tombstone, Arizona, site of the legendary OK Corral gunfight.
Reviews:
"As a biographer of John Henry 'Doc' Holliday, I can only be envious of Victoria Wilcox’s telling of his story. The facts of a life so intriguing —and the gaps in the facts — are cruel dampers to the historian, limited as he is by the record. Wilcox pursues the truth in a powerful and moving novel that is not tainted by the legend of its central character, trapped by the documentary evidence of his life, or tempted to ignore history. She tells his story with an intimate voice that is surprisingly fresh and compelling. Here, Doc is alive and his world real--wonderfully so."
--- Dr. Gary Roberts, bestselling author of 'Doc Holliday: The Life and Legend'
"This wonderfully written novel brings together one of the great stories of the American Frontier. Author Wilcox has done a superb job through fiction of creating a sense of time and place and giving us an intriguing look at one of the most controversial figures in the West – Dr. John Henry Holliday."
--- Casey Tefertiller, author of 'Wyatt Earp: The Life Behind the Legend'
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 18, 2017
What a book! It wasn't a "couldn't put it down" sort of book and it certainly took me a bit longer than usual to read but I adored it. I've always fancied the store of Doc Holliday and just thoroughly enjoyed visiting Doc as a youngster and seeing how his journey began. Super excited to get
My hands on book 2.
My hands on book 2.
May 23, 2013
Most everyone has heard of Doc Holliday and the OK Corral...but what most people don't know ( I didn't) is about his young life. This first book, based on fact, in the series tells the reader about John Henry Holliday from the time he was a young boy to when he leaves for Texas as a young man. We learn about his love for his cousin Mattie. He wants to marry her but she declines and tells him that since they are first cousins and she being Catholic said it was against her religion. John Henry's relationship with his father, especially after his mother dies, is tenuous at best. Nothing that John Henry could do would make his father happy but that didn't stop him from trying. The book tells of the large family that he spends a lot of time with, I think that despite his father, John Henry had a good childhood surrounded by his aunts, uncles and cousins. He does get himself into trouble on occasion though. At the age of 19 he heads off to study dentistry in Philadelphia and graduates just shy of his 21st birthday. He is considered not old enough to open his own practice until he is 21. The first book ends just before John Henry is moving out west.
I really enjoyed this story which for me is a plus because I am not a wild west lover...The book was full of interesting facts of the Civil War and life in general in the late 1800's and of a legend in America's history. It will be interesting to read the subsequent books in the series. If you are a fan of the wild west, the OK Corral and the other colorful characters in the turbulent times after the Civil War,then this book is for you!!
I really enjoyed this story which for me is a plus because I am not a wild west lover...The book was full of interesting facts of the Civil War and life in general in the late 1800's and of a legend in America's history. It will be interesting to read the subsequent books in the series. If you are a fan of the wild west, the OK Corral and the other colorful characters in the turbulent times after the Civil War,then this book is for you!!
July 11, 2015
Hands down, this is the best book I've read in a long time. This biographical novel is the result of 18 years of painstaking research performed by Author Victoria Wilcox, resulting in a work that will hold the attention of anyone who has even a passing interest in Doc Holliday or the old South. Far more captivating however, is Victoria's gift for writing. Reading this book, you feel as though you know virtually every character personally and as though you're face to face with even the ones you don't. You're literally riding a horse over a frozen road in the middle of the night, going to fetch a priest from Atlanta. You're literally sitting in a theater in St. Louis, traversing the lamp-lit streets of Philadelphia or feeling the temperature extremes inside a train car. You feel love, passion, resentment and heartache as though everything that happens is happening to you.
It's been twenty years since I read a book that I absolutely could not put down. Unless you just don't enjoy reading- period- do yourself a favor and check this one out. The first of a trilogy, I am now anxious to delve into Book Two.
It's been twenty years since I read a book that I absolutely could not put down. Unless you just don't enjoy reading- period- do yourself a favor and check this one out. The first of a trilogy, I am now anxious to delve into Book Two.
April 18, 2015
This first novel by author Victoria Wilcox introduces us to the legendary John Henry "Doc" Holliday. In a beautifully written story, we meet John Henry as an earnest young boy, who over the course of the novel, grows into a young man set to become a legend. The wonderful sense of place is enhanced by dialogue that truly makes the reader feel as if they are immersed in the world of the post-Civil War South. For readers who love a good historical romance, as well as those who would like to know how a good southern son starts on the road to wild west gunslinger, this novel explores the early life of John Henry with startling clarity and compassion. Obviously well researched, this novel made me cry, laugh and cry again. I would definitely recommend this book! Cannot waitt to read the second book in this series~
February 20, 2020
Victoria Wilcox did a fantastic job of researching for this book. She to me revealed parts of his life that I never knew. I can't wait to start the next book in this fantastic series.
September 21, 2023
Not typically the type of book I usually read but this book was very well written and it superbly told a story of a young man’s journey through life and romance.
September 7, 2025
DNF @45%
May 27, 2013
I chose to review this book because I always liked the character of Doc Holliday from the movies about Wyatt Earp and Dodge City. I wanted to know more of how a man who was clearly educated—and a dentist—found himself in the company of rough men, and usually on the wrong side of the law. Inheritance does not disappoint, giving a very in-depth look at John Henry—“Doc’s” real name. The book begins with Doc as a youth of ten, giving vivid details of how the last years of the Civil War together with his mother’s death from consumption and his father’s coldness shaped his character from obedient son to willing rebel.
This book is heavy on the history, but it is done well; the history is part of the story, like a well-imagined chronology of a fantasy world. The author also clearly did a lot of research into all kinds of period items, jobs, slang, and places. Here is an excerpt on dentistry, to demonstrate this:
Mornings from eight until noon were spent in the dental clinic treating patients under the watchful guidance of the clinical professors. Afternoons from one until four were spent in lecture classes learning the medical sciences of anatomy, chemistry, histology, pathology, and physiology. Evenings from suppertime until
dusk were spent in the dental laboratory learning to refine and alloy precious metals, fashion artificial teeth from porcelain and gold, and make dentures from the newly patented vulcanized rubber. Finally, from dusk until dawn, the students were free to relax and study for the next day’s work. Most nights, though, John Henry fell asleep at his reading and woke in the early hours to find the gaslight still burning and his
back aching from slouching over his books.
The dialogue was witty, most every character was likeable—such as Doc’s relative Tom and the huge dagger he called “Hell bitch”—and several passages were downright hilarious, like this one in which a friend of Doc’s takes him on his first drinking spree:
[Doc’s] face was still peaked with a purplish cast about his mouth, his nose was red and running, his eyelids were swollen over teary bloodshot eyes.
“And you smell even worse than you look,” DeMorat commented. “Morning after vomit, I suppose. Though I take some of the responsibility myself for not watching better how much you were drinking, being a novice at this still.”
DeMorat’s half-hearted apologies didn’t help John Henry’s mood any, only serving to remind him of his complete failure at debauchery. The sporting life, it seemed, was not meant for him, and he said something to that effect.
“Nonsense,” DeMorat countered, “everyone starts out that way. You’ll get over the liquor sickness soon enough. You just need to toughen yourself up a bit, keep drinking regular until it doesn’t bother you so much.”
Much of this book is devoted to Doc’s love for his cousin Mattie, whom he has an on/off romance/crush with throughout the novel. I admit that this was where Inheritance fell short for me. Mattie comes off as a tease: one moment loving and into marrying Doc and the next moment pushing him away. After years of this, a cousin finally has to explain to Doc that Mattie has no intention of marrying him, because she apparently just can’t bring herself to tell him the truth. Much of the language here is flowery and tends to make Mattie seem far younger than she is, i.e., completely clueless. In a world where women Mattie’s age were usually already married and have several children, this didn’t work for me. Here is a passage to demonstrate:
“I will never again press you for somethin’ you cannot give.”
“And we can still be friends?” she asked.
“Oh Mattie!” he said, with unfeigned emotion, “haven’t we always been friends?”
But alone with her there in the quiet of the parlor, with just a breath of space between them and her face tipped gently up to his, he had a sudden yearning to bend his head and kiss her, after all.
“Don’t look at me that way, John Henry,” she said softly.
“What way?” he asked.
“That way,” she said, pulling her head away from his shoulder, though she kept looking up as though his eyes had some kind of hold on her. “It makes me feel funny.”
This of course does not dissuade Doc from his feelings for her, or his pursuit to make her his wife.
Overall opinion: A very interesting romantic historical drama!
This book is heavy on the history, but it is done well; the history is part of the story, like a well-imagined chronology of a fantasy world. The author also clearly did a lot of research into all kinds of period items, jobs, slang, and places. Here is an excerpt on dentistry, to demonstrate this:
Mornings from eight until noon were spent in the dental clinic treating patients under the watchful guidance of the clinical professors. Afternoons from one until four were spent in lecture classes learning the medical sciences of anatomy, chemistry, histology, pathology, and physiology. Evenings from suppertime until
dusk were spent in the dental laboratory learning to refine and alloy precious metals, fashion artificial teeth from porcelain and gold, and make dentures from the newly patented vulcanized rubber. Finally, from dusk until dawn, the students were free to relax and study for the next day’s work. Most nights, though, John Henry fell asleep at his reading and woke in the early hours to find the gaslight still burning and his
back aching from slouching over his books.
The dialogue was witty, most every character was likeable—such as Doc’s relative Tom and the huge dagger he called “Hell bitch”—and several passages were downright hilarious, like this one in which a friend of Doc’s takes him on his first drinking spree:
[Doc’s] face was still peaked with a purplish cast about his mouth, his nose was red and running, his eyelids were swollen over teary bloodshot eyes.
“And you smell even worse than you look,” DeMorat commented. “Morning after vomit, I suppose. Though I take some of the responsibility myself for not watching better how much you were drinking, being a novice at this still.”
DeMorat’s half-hearted apologies didn’t help John Henry’s mood any, only serving to remind him of his complete failure at debauchery. The sporting life, it seemed, was not meant for him, and he said something to that effect.
“Nonsense,” DeMorat countered, “everyone starts out that way. You’ll get over the liquor sickness soon enough. You just need to toughen yourself up a bit, keep drinking regular until it doesn’t bother you so much.”
Much of this book is devoted to Doc’s love for his cousin Mattie, whom he has an on/off romance/crush with throughout the novel. I admit that this was where Inheritance fell short for me. Mattie comes off as a tease: one moment loving and into marrying Doc and the next moment pushing him away. After years of this, a cousin finally has to explain to Doc that Mattie has no intention of marrying him, because she apparently just can’t bring herself to tell him the truth. Much of the language here is flowery and tends to make Mattie seem far younger than she is, i.e., completely clueless. In a world where women Mattie’s age were usually already married and have several children, this didn’t work for me. Here is a passage to demonstrate:
“I will never again press you for somethin’ you cannot give.”
“And we can still be friends?” she asked.
“Oh Mattie!” he said, with unfeigned emotion, “haven’t we always been friends?”
But alone with her there in the quiet of the parlor, with just a breath of space between them and her face tipped gently up to his, he had a sudden yearning to bend his head and kiss her, after all.
“Don’t look at me that way, John Henry,” she said softly.
“What way?” he asked.
“That way,” she said, pulling her head away from his shoulder, though she kept looking up as though his eyes had some kind of hold on her. “It makes me feel funny.”
This of course does not dissuade Doc from his feelings for her, or his pursuit to make her his wife.
Overall opinion: A very interesting romantic historical drama!
June 28, 2013
I knew next to nothing about Doc (John Henry) Holliday until I read last year's fantastic book Doc by Mary Doria Russell. If I had not read that book I would not have been interested in reading this one. Learning about the man behind the legend was fascinating. Inheritance is the first of a three book series detailing the man. This volume deals with his life from his early years through his run West after he commits a very reckless act.
His early life was dominated by an overbearing father and a sick mother. She had what they called consumption but what was really tuberculosis. (This is where he was infected but they didn't know at the time how contagious it was or how it was transmitted.) John Henry was heavily influenced by his uncle, a doctor, so he at first looked to go to medical school but found himself working for a dentist and found he had an aptitude for the fine work involved so he decided to push for the dental college in Philadelphia despite his father's objections.
His father saw him as nothing short of useless and treated him as nothing more than free labor. Nothing John Henry could do would be good enough. His father also saw any kind of illness as weakness and felt that a person could fight it instead of giving in to so this was instilled into John Henry's thinking - much to his future detriment.
John Henry spent his adolescence in love with his cousin, Mattie. He did everything for her; to provide for their future together. When she ultimately refuses his proposal it rocks his world and drives him to an act that will change his life very dramatically.
This is a very detailed and fascinating book about a truly complex man. Most of us know Doc Holliday as the man from Tombstone and the OK Corral. I had no idea of his backstory until my reading of that first book and now this far more in depth second novel. Ms. Wilcox obviously did significant research to present a story so detailed and so interesting. It is full of anecdotes both simple and complex expounding on the life of this very complicated character. So much went into the man who became the legend and it is a very compelling read. I can't wait for the next two books in the trilogy even though I know exactly how it will end.
The writing style is easy to read and the characters and very well developed leading the reader into a complex, antebellum South.
His early life was dominated by an overbearing father and a sick mother. She had what they called consumption but what was really tuberculosis. (This is where he was infected but they didn't know at the time how contagious it was or how it was transmitted.) John Henry was heavily influenced by his uncle, a doctor, so he at first looked to go to medical school but found himself working for a dentist and found he had an aptitude for the fine work involved so he decided to push for the dental college in Philadelphia despite his father's objections.
His father saw him as nothing short of useless and treated him as nothing more than free labor. Nothing John Henry could do would be good enough. His father also saw any kind of illness as weakness and felt that a person could fight it instead of giving in to so this was instilled into John Henry's thinking - much to his future detriment.
John Henry spent his adolescence in love with his cousin, Mattie. He did everything for her; to provide for their future together. When she ultimately refuses his proposal it rocks his world and drives him to an act that will change his life very dramatically.
This is a very detailed and fascinating book about a truly complex man. Most of us know Doc Holliday as the man from Tombstone and the OK Corral. I had no idea of his backstory until my reading of that first book and now this far more in depth second novel. Ms. Wilcox obviously did significant research to present a story so detailed and so interesting. It is full of anecdotes both simple and complex expounding on the life of this very complicated character. So much went into the man who became the legend and it is a very compelling read. I can't wait for the next two books in the trilogy even though I know exactly how it will end.
The writing style is easy to read and the characters and very well developed leading the reader into a complex, antebellum South.
September 10, 2013
I received this as a free book through Goodreads First Reads.
Not really knowing anything about 'Doc' Holliday other than what has been seen in films etc I was intrigued by this novel and was not disappointed.
It spans the years of his childhood to early adulthood, giving an insight to his foundation through his family influences, the attitude of his father and the love of his cousin Mattie, finishing with this chapter of his life as he moves to Texas.
I found the writing to be concise with excellent detailing, happily showing events without being sentimental of the time with a very good blending of fact into fictionalization. I now look forward to reading the next episode.
Not really knowing anything about 'Doc' Holliday other than what has been seen in films etc I was intrigued by this novel and was not disappointed.
It spans the years of his childhood to early adulthood, giving an insight to his foundation through his family influences, the attitude of his father and the love of his cousin Mattie, finishing with this chapter of his life as he moves to Texas.
I found the writing to be concise with excellent detailing, happily showing events without being sentimental of the time with a very good blending of fact into fictionalization. I now look forward to reading the next episode.
August 2, 2014
Southern by choice, as I am since 1978, having lived in Savannah, Charleston and Fayetteville, Georgia, where Inheritance takes place, I adored this book! John Henry Holliday and all of his relatives are vibrant and alive as they tell their story in witty dialogue. Ms. Wilcox did her research and it is evident in the historical details. It is full of anecdotes both simple and complex expounding on the life of this very complicated character. So much went into the man who became the legend and it is a very compelling read. Gone West, volume 2 is out now and The Last Decision is out May 2015.
August 15, 2013
Fascinating book about Doc Holliday's early years! I must admit, I really didn't know much about him - recognized his name in connection to the Old West and that's about it. The author spent 18 years researching for this book and the other 2 in this trilogy, and you can tell. She seemed to know him personally. Loved her writing. Really enjoyed this, it was hard to put down - and I can't wait for the other 2 books to be released!
March 4, 2015
Victoria Wilcox has made Doc’s early years vividly come to life in this first book of her trilogy. I enjoyed reading about his time in Valdosta, Georgia, my home town. Her research into Doc’s life and the times he lived in is on the mark. Toward the end of this book, I could sense Doc’s life spiraling downward because of his illness and poor decisions before he leaves for Texas. Can’t wait to read the other two books.
September 23, 2016
Our book club selected this historical novel, and although I knew the book had won awards and must be well written, I expected it to be dry. I was pleasantly surprised that the story moved along so well, and the characters were engaging. The author does an excellent job of setting the scene and the historical backdrop without too much exposition. I learned a lot about John Henry (Doc) Holliday's early life, and I am anxious to read the rest of the trilogy.
June 2, 2014
Victoria Wilcox and Knox Publishing did a great job in writing and publishing this book. I like western history and this book satisfied by hunger. Details were on the mark, punctuated with a lot of human interest. Vivid descriptions. The research was noteworthy. The style was attention grabbing. The story is worthy of a movie.
January 26, 2013
A wonderful read for anyone who likes Southern history or historical fiction. I knew nothing about Doc Holliday and it turns out he has several connections to Margaret Mitchell and Gone With the Wind. Very well written and researched.
March 5, 2014
I have a strange fascination with Doc Holliday and I enjoy historical fiction so this should be a slam dunk. It was ok. I'll read the next to make a clearer decision on it. Kind if slow in parts. A little more civil war drama than I like to read about. But overall not bad.
Want to read
May 8, 2013Very curious about the GWTW connection.
April 7, 2014
Good book
March 25, 2014
Wonderfully written with drama, comedy, and an obviously studied insight into the early life of Doc Holliday. I could not put it down. A must read. Cannot wait till this author's next.
July 7, 2014
Amazingly well written book about an enigmatic man. This is a great start to the trilogy. I was so wrapped up in the book I read it in one day. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
August 30, 2016
Easy to read. Organized well. Gives a good picture of what life was like in the "Doc Holliday" era.
September 23, 2016
Good historical fiction
It focused a little bit too much on the romantic aspects of his life, but the story flowed nicely. It's easy reading.
It focused a little bit too much on the romantic aspects of his life, but the story flowed nicely. It's easy reading.
October 16, 2013
See my review here:
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January 18, 2014
Excellent book. Reads like a novel! Very enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews