Description
Book Synopsis: In the tradition of The Glass Castle, Educated, and Heartland, Neal Wooten traces 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.
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Looking for a gripping true story that will keep you on the edge of your seat? With the Devil's Help: A True Story of Poverty, Mental Illness, and Murder is a captivating tale that will have you hooked from the very beginning. In the vein of bestselling memoirs like The Glass Castle and Educated, Neal Wooten takes you on a five-decade journey through his family's poverty-stricken life in the mountains of Alabama. This is a story of secrets, resilience, and survival that you won't be able to put down.
Transport yourself to a time when prohibition was still embraced and alcohol was a rare luxury. In a community where snake handlers and tent revivals were the norm, Neal's family lived in a secluded shack in the woods. Dealing with the challenges of no running water, minimal electricity, and a shelter that barely protected them from the elements, they struggled to make ends meet. Neal's family may have been able to hide where they lived, but their poverty was evident to everyone. This is a story that sheds light on the harsh realities of being poor white trash in the Deep South.
Prepare to be entranced by the captivating tales of Neal's grandfather. Known for his quick wit, quick feet, and quick temper, he was a legendary figure in the community. However, his volatile disposition led to a shocking murder, a conviction, and a daring prison escape. Delve into the family secrets that were closely guarded for decades and uncover the shocking revelations that will leave you speechless.
Experience the hardships, triumphs, and struggles of Neal's life growing up in this gripping memoir. From being followed by mysterious black cars with men in black suits to enduring brutal mountain winters, Neal's journey is one that will tug at your heartstrings. Through alternating perspectives between Neal and his grandfather, the story weaves a truly mesmerizing narrative that will captivate you until the very last page.
If you're ready for a compelling tale that explores the dark underbelly of poverty, mental illness, and the fight for survival, With the Devil's Help is the book for you. Don't miss out on this extraordinary memoir that will leave you contemplating the power of family, resilience, and the human spirit. Get your copy now and dive into this unforgettable journey.
Click here to get your hands on With the Devil's Help: A True Story of Poverty, Mental Illness, and Murder and embark on a powerful journey through the Alabama mountains.
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