The Tale of the Devil: The Biography of Devil Anse Hatfield

by Coleman Hatfield, Robert Y. Spence

The Tale of the Devil is the story of the legendary Devil Anse Hatfield, beginning with his childhood in frontier Appalachia, describing his Civil War days as a noted Confederate soldier, giving a richly detailed background into just who this man was and from where he came. Then this handsome 320-page hardbound edition gives readers a captivating and enlightening bird s-eye view of the Hatfield-McCoy feud, the killings, and the post-feud years when the shooting subsided. "Now the story the real account of my great-grandfather, Devil Anse Hatfield, can be told, without exaggeration or fable," Dr. Coleman C. Hatfield said recently from his home in Stollings, WV. "My father, Coleman A. Hatfield, the son of Cap Hatfield, spent the majority of his adult life researching Hatfield and McCoy feud history. Besides being a Logan attorney, he was a gifted writer and researcher in his own right. He kept meticulous journals and audiotapes throughout his life about his historical findings, before passing away in 1970. In addition to his research, Dad remembered and recounted many of the stories and tall tales that he personally heard Devil Anse and his wife, Levicy, tell the grandchildren through the years. "Unfortunately, my father never got to see his dream that of publishing his own scholarly account of Hatfield and McCoy history fulfilled. But now, after all these years, this volume, The Tale Of The Devil, reflects my father's findings, my own lifelong research of Hatfield facts, and the exhaustive work of journalist and historian Robert Y. Spence. It was quite an undertaking and the 320 pages represent many years of investigation and hard work. "I am especially pleased to be able to finally fulfill Dad's dream and a personal goal of my own, as well. As far as I am concerned, this biography is important for a number of reasons most significantly, it's important for my Hatfield family, the people of the great State of West Virginia, and for all readers of American history to have a balanced and factual record of the life of our family patriarch, Devil Anse. The true story of 'The Boogerman' is an exciting and stirring story." Because this manuscript gleans much of its information from grandson Coleman A. Hatfield s exhaustive manuscripts, journals, and audiotapes, which were compiled and collected over a lifetime, the story is fresh and entertaining to read and offers additional insider information, which has never before been published. Finally, the book features an index, bibliography, endnotes, and thirty pages of photographs many rare, including one particular photo of Devil Anse never before published, taken when he was about 35-years-old.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction

328 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

Reviews

[Moira Williamson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little sad there’s NO mention of the theatrical shows based on the famous feud (and I know one of them absolutely favors Devil Anse). This was an interesting read, but I do still think it’s a McCoy hog

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading this book this morning (7-22-2014) and I am convinced that Dr. Coleman C. Hatfield brings forth a very credible biography of his great grandfather Anderson (Devil Anse) Hatfield from research done by his father (Coleman A. Hatfield) son of Cap, who was a very prominent player in this feud.

Prior to reading this book, I read Otis K. Rices' (The Hatfield's & The McCoys) which Dr. Coleman C. Hatfield claims (along with Altina L. Wallers book) are more factual about the feud than other published accounts.

As some reviewers have noted, very little is actually written about Devil Anse prior to all this turmoil which I can understand (how many of you reading this can write a book about one of your grandparents, very few I think). Some bash what later Hatfield's made of themselves. Well yea, they probally wanted to forget this brutal part of their history and as every parent wants, a better life for their children.

Another point I'd like to bring up is, I don't really think this was just a Hatfield, McCoy feud in the beginning. So many others were involved (non-relatives) prior to the three McCoy boys being executed, and the media at that time was looking to sensationalize the story for their benefit.

How did this all happen. Remember, this was after the civil war, a sparsely inhabit part of the country that was being forgotten by modern America. Corruption in politics probably played a big part in it as well.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and heartily recommend it (along with Rices' book) to anyone interested in reading about this chapter in American history that will be with us for generations to come. And no, I'm not related to anyone mentioned in the conflict.

[Jill Crosby · Rating 1 out of 5]

Instead of focusing on the life of Devil Anse Hatfield, "Father" of the Appalachain feud that still lives in the American conscience, this book seems like an apologetical approach to the life of the Hatfield family penned by 2 Hatfield descendants who are bound and determined that we gloss over events leading up to and occuring in the famous 14+-year feud, directing our attention instead to all the accomplishments of subsequent Hatfields and leading us to believe that, "Yeah, that feud wasn't a good thing, but dang, look at how we Hatfields have been instrumental in developing the great state of West Virginia." Evolving from a gun-toting clan that seemed to solve its problems via retrubutive shoot-outs (and, seemingly, being "in the wrong place at the wrong time" every time a conflict arose between the Hatfields and anyone else in their mountain homeland, the Hatfields went on to spawn generations of doctors, lawyers, judges, and politicians who were "instrumental" in turning West Virginia from its timbering/moonshining/feuding roots to a respectable state of the union where the coal industry has brought economic security, a high standard of living, and an enviable school system devoted to excellence in education (yes, this is sarcasm.)

Not a good source of information on the actual feud (or, for that matter, on the life of the title character), but a somewhat readable attempt at tracing the development of West Virginia from Hillbilly Heaven to a state that actually contriubutes to the GNP of 21st century America.

Also--a 40-page "about the author(s)" section was totally unnecessary.

[Jeff Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had all the potential to be a book that I wouldn't like. I was fairly familiar with the topic having read it several times before (usually means redundant information), it was written by a descendant of the subject (Anse's great-grandson) meaning a loss of objectivity (which he acknowledged several times and didn't really seem that biased to me) yet I found that I really liked this book. The author's forays into cultural background, economy and environmental changes could have been tedious but he tied them in so well that they were important.

I can say that I did learn a little about Devil Anse outside of what I already knew and since the author was a Hatfield he ha good perspective to add to the story. However, if you are looking for the stories of the feud, you will find them to be brief since the story is genuinely a biography of Anse. Surprisingly to me, this book was much better than I expected. Well done!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a Hatfield descendant and I've always been interested in learning about my cousins that were part of one of America's famous feuds. I grew up hearing the stories about Devil Anse, Johnse & Roseanna, Randall McCoy, and everyone involved. Luckily after the great History Channel miniseries my uncle gave me this book to read telling more about Anse and that side of our family. We all go back to the 1st Ephriam Hatfield but we're from Joseph's line, where Anse was from Valentine's. This book was written by Anse's great-grandson and it was great getting to know more about Anse's personality, other stories I hadn't heard, as well as learn about his parents and our common ancestors. It was really great too to see more focus on Anse's 2nd son Cap as until the History Channel miniseries I had always heard so much more about Johnse. This was really great to read more on my cousins and I feel like I know more of what really happened back then and what it was like to live back then.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was extremely good at creating visualizations of the families, even before you looked at any of the actual photos.I felt as though I were watching a movie while I read it. My family on my Dad's side are all from eastern Ky, so this also gave me more insight on some of my own family history concerning these very clannish people.

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story of Devil Anse and the Hatfield-McCoy feud.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm enjoying reading this because I am a direct descendant of Anse Hatfield.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reads like genealogy lists. Kept my interest for a short while, then one day I just couldn't pick it up anymore.

[Damon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book I would advise all readers to read this book.It tells the life of men who did god awful things but all over a misunderstanding.