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Read the Historical Biography of
The Notorious Scoundrel and Delightful Rogue of Antebellum & Civil War America.
Kentucky Barracuda Parker Hardin French (1826-1878)

Enjoy some quirky history and a pathologically intriguing profile of one of the most colorful figures of the 19th Century. A con artist and manipulator “Catch Me If You Can” story of the mid-1800s.

Parker H. French was notorious in his time, well known to politicians, the press and casual newspaper readers alike.  Nevertheless, historians have previously relegated him to a minor footnote in Antebellum and Civil War history. “KENTUCKY BARRACUDA” brings this cunningly devious rascal out of the shadows and into the spotlight. The crafty, charismatic, and charming Machiavellian contributed more to antebellum and Civil War history than previously documented.  And, some of French’s capers and antics are downright funny.