Otto Wood, the Bandit
The Freighthopping Thief, Bootlegger, and Convicted Murderer behind the Appalachian Ballads
By David Holt, Trevor McKenzie | Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
About the book
Legions of bluegrass fans know the name Otto Wood (1893–1930) from a ballad made popular by Doc Watson, telling the story of Wood’s crimes and violent death. However, few know the history of this Appalachian figure beyond the larger-than-life version heard in song. Trevor McKenzie reconstructs Wood’s life, tracing how a Wilkes County juvenile delinquent became a celebrated folk hero. Throughout his short life, Wood was jailed for numerous offenses, stole countless automobiles, lost his left hand, and made eleven escapes from five state penitentiaries, including four from the North Carolina State Prison after a 1923 murder conviction. An early master of controlling his own narrative in the media, Wood appealed to the North Carolina public as a misunderstood, clever antihero. In 1930, after a final jailbreak, police killed Wood in a shootout. The ballad bearing his name first appeared less than a year later.
Using reports of Wood’s exploits from contemporary newspapers, his self-published autobiography, prison records, and other primary sources, Trevor McKenzie uses this colorful story to offer a new way to understand North Carolina—and arguably the South as a whole—during this era of American history.
Editions of Otto Wood, the Bandit
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469665665
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469664712
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469665672
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890860859
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469664729
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890860842
Read an Excerpt
Legions of bluegrass fans know the name Otto Wood (1893–1930) from a ballad made popular by Doc Watson, telling the story of Wood’s crimes and violent death. However, few know the history of this Appalachian figure beyond the larger-than-life version heard in song. Trevor McKenzie reconstructs Wood’s life, tracing how a Wilkes County juvenile delinquent became a celebrated folk hero. Throughout his short life, Wood was jailed for numerous offenses, stole countless automobiles, lost his left hand, and made eleven escapes from five state penitentiaries, including four from the North Carolina State Prison after a 1923 murder conviction. An early master of controlling his own narrative in the media, Wood appealed to the North Carolina public as a misunderstood, clever antihero. In 1930, after a final jailbreak, police killed Wood in a shootout. The ballad bearing his name first appeared less than a year later.
Using reports of Wood’s exploits from contemporary newspapers, his self-published autobiography, prison records, and other primary sources, Trevor McKenzie uses this colorful story to offer a new way to understand North Carolina—and arguably the South as a whole—during this era of American history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Otto Wood, the Bandit about?
Legions of bluegrass fans know the name Otto Wood (1893–1930) from a ballad made popular by Doc Watson, telling the story of Wood’s crimes and violent death. However, few know the history of this Appalachian figure beyond the larger-than-life version heard in song. Trevor McKenzie reconstructs Wood’s life, tracing how a Wilkes County juvenile delinquent became a celebrated folk hero. Throughout his short life, Wood was jailed for numerous offenses, stole countless automobiles, lost his left hand, and made eleven escapes from five state penitentiaries, including four from the North Carolina State Prison after a 1923 murder conviction. An early master of controlling his own narrative in the media, Wood appealed to the North Carolina public as a misunderstood, clever antihero. In 1930, after a final jailbreak, police killed Wood in a shootout. The ballad bearing his name first appeared less than a year later.
Using reports of Wood’s exploits from contemporary newspapers, his self-published autobiography, prison records, and other primary sources, Trevor McKenzie uses this colorful story to offer a new way to understand North Carolina—and arguably the South as a whole—during this era of American history.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Otto Wood, the Bandit?
Society and Social Sciences > Society and culture: general > Social groups, communities and identities > Ethnic studies / Ethnicity
Where can I read a sample of Otto Wood, the Bandit?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469665665
How long is Otto Wood, the Bandit and how many pages does it have?
Otto Wood, the Bandit has 176 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Otto Wood, the Bandit?
David Holt, Trevor McKenzie
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Otto Wood, the Bandit is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469665665) and paperback(ISBN 9781469664712) and ebook(ISBN 9781469665672) and ebook(ISBN 9798890860859) and ebook(ISBN 9781469664729) and pdf(ISBN 9798890860842)
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Where can I buy Otto Wood, the Bandit?