Of all the Texas feuds, the one between the Sutton and Taylor forces lasted longer and covered more ground than any other. The Sutton-Taylor Feud in Texas began shortly after the Civil War ended, and continued into the 1890s. William E. Sutton was the only Sutton involved, but he had many friends to wage warfare against the large Taylor family. The causes are still shrouded in mystery and legend, as both sides argued they were just and right. In April 1868, Charles Taylor and James Sharp were shot down in Bastrop County, alleged horse thieves attempting to escape. During this period, many men were killed "while attempting to escape".

The killing on Christmas Eve 1868 of Buck Taylor and Dick Chisholm was perhaps the final spark that turned hard feelings into fighting with bullets and knives. William Sutton was involved in both killings. Violent acts between the two groups now followed. Texas Rangers attempted to quell the violence, but when they were called away, the killing began again. In this definitive study of the Sutton-Taylor Feud, Chuck Parsons demonstrates that the violence between the two sides was in the tradition of the family blood feud, similar to so many other 19th century American feuds.

The book is published by University of North Texas Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.