The setting for this story was the Tobacco Wars in Kentucky in the early 20th century. It was the big tobacco company versus the planters. Of course, the big tobacco companies had the upper hand and then the planters association (small time) resorted to violence and vigilantism. The main character in the book, Percy Munn, began as a civic-minded young attorney. However, over the course of the book he became a 3-time murderer and rapist. He justifies all of his actions in that he believes it was for the betterment of all in the long run. In the end, he is shot in the back by U.S. troops sent in to quell the violence. This was a violent and bleak book. I really didn't want to finish it, but for some reason I did! This was more history than fiction, which I liked. At 477 pages, I felt it was too long ( )