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jenwesner 's review for:
A Land Remembered
by Patrick D. Smith
Amazing story of the history of Florida, as seen through the eyes of a farm family turned cattle ranchers turned orchard owners turned land barons. The bulk of the story concerns Tobias and Emma McIlvey, the farmers who then become cattle ranchers. Who knew cattle were wild in Florida back in the late 1800's? I'd heard of pirates who lived around the Ten Thousand Islands area, who'd rob the cattle ranchers after they'd sold their cattle in Ft. Myers and were on their way home. This story, probably more accurately, depicts the pirates as "bushwhackers" who seemed more like outlaws in the Old West. Regardless, they weren't the worst thing about Florida in those times. I live in Florida and have often joked that the state is out to kill everyone. Between the mosquitoes, alligators, swamps, panthers, bears (who knew there were bears in the Everglades?), snakes, and bugs in general, I guess it really is! I've always thought of Florida as a tropical paradise - but this story reveals what Florida really is. Tropical yes. Paradise, well, not really. The characters here are rich. Situations we would not forgive today seem more palatable. People were tough. Racism was rampant, as it begins right as the Civil War is winding down. Indians hid in the swamps to avoid the multitude of injustices levied against them. It was a very hardscrabble life for those living at that time.
And this book illustrates it beautifully. The characters weathered the worst and survived. When the ends of their lives came, I was close to tears. It's so well written and equally well narrated by George Guildall. His no-nonsense, rough language and general way of speaking was perfect. I couldn't put this down.
And this book illustrates it beautifully. The characters weathered the worst and survived. When the ends of their lives came, I was close to tears. It's so well written and equally well narrated by George Guildall. His no-nonsense, rough language and general way of speaking was perfect. I couldn't put this down.