Bob Plott is a third great-grandson of (Johannes) George Plott, who first brought the Plott bear hounds to America. He is the author of four other award-winning books--Strike and Stay: The Story of the Plott Hound (2007), A History of Hunting in the Great Smoky Mountains (2008), Legendary Hunters of the Southern Highlands (2009) and Colorful Characters of the Great Smoky Mountains (2011)--all published by The History Press. He has written monthly magazine articles for three national hunting magazines for the past decade, as well as multiple free-lance columns. In 2016, Bob was awarded the Order of the Longleaf Pine Award, the most prestigious civilian award in the state, by the governor of North Carolina. Plott is one of the founding members of Plottfest--a two-day festival held annually in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, celebrating the Plott breed and southern mountain culture. He and his family continue to raise the family Plott hounds at their Plott Ridge Kennels, near Eufola, North Carolina. Visit his website at www.bobplott.com.

This history of the hunting dog "looks at the breed in relation to outlaws and lawmen, celebrities and common folks-and everyone in between" (Appalachian History.net).

Though originating in Germany, the Plott hound reached worldwide fame through the contributions of many colorful characters from the Southern Appalachians. Originally brought to America by German immigrant Johannes "George" Plott, the hounds quickly became renowned for their stamina and gameness. Quill Rose-a legendary local outlaw, moonshiner, gunfighter and more-helped cultivate the bloodline for bear hunting, while revered baseball icon Branch Rickey brought national acclaim to the breed through his hunts in the Hazel Creek Watershed. Writer Frank Methven wrote extensively about the Plott hound for decades, and the Methven Award remains one of the most coveted big game hunting awards in the world.

Author and breed expert Bob Plott reveals the fascinating people and places that have shaped the history of the Plott hound.

"Written as only a third great-grandson of George Plott-the man who first brought the Plott bear hounds to America-could write it." -Watauga Democrat