A Land Remembered

Rating:
Summary: A Late Nighter!
Review: This Book will keep you away from the everyday temptation to rot your brain out by the black box in your house called a television. You will be transported back to a time in Florida's History from the mid 1800's thru the middle of this century. You will take part in a family's struggle to make it in this harsh land before air-conditioning and mosquito control. You will stand in awe, laugh and cry with this family thru three generations of an inspiring journey. You will not put this book down all night and when done you will say one word, "WOW!"

Rating:
Summary: A Sweeping Saga of Old Florida
Review: This is a great book. It chronicles three generations of the MacIvey family, beginning with Tobias MacIvey's arrival in Florida in 1858 and ending with Solomon MacIvey's realization in 1968 that much of the original Florida is gone. In that time span, the MacIveys suffer through tragedy and bask in success, as the family rises from poverty to great wealth. The book's strongest characteristic is Patrick Smith's ability to describe the Florida that was - the Florida before developers and retirees and rockets and theme parks. I'm not certain that the Florida pictured so well by Patrick Smith exists anywhere in today's Florida, but it makes wonderful reading.

Rating:
Summary: A MOVING CLASSIC
Review: What a tremendous novel! Although I was born and raised in Florida, it's history never interested me. This book's endearing characters and depiction of life in undeveloped Florida drew me in and absorbed me! It is now my favorite book. I look forward to reading more Patrick Smith and learning more about Florida's past. Do not overlook this touching story!

Rating:
Summary: The Best Florida Book Ever
Review: When my Aunt Nila first sent me a copy of ALR I was not impressed with a "trashy" romance triangle cover. However, on a beach weekend, I grabbed the copy and when I had read the first few pages on Jupiter Beach, I was immediately transported into Patrick Smith's endearing tale of three generations of the MacIvey family and their struggle for survival in early Florida. I would say that 85% of all the honor students I have taught at Coral Gables High in Miami rank this as one of their all-time favorite books. Many have reread it a second time. Smith depicts pioneer life graphically. He is stronger on plot and setting than character and helps teach us a strong respect for the land and a preservation of our past and heritage. This is a great book to teach for environmental concepts and for a love of a sense of place.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Florida Book Ever
Review: When my Aunt Nila first sent me a copy of ALR I was not impressed with a "trashy" romance triangle cover. However, on a beach weekend, I grabbed the copy and when I had read the first few pages on Jupiter Beach, I was immediately transported into Patrick Smith's endearing tale of three generations of the MacIvey family and their struggle for survival in early Florida. I would say that 85% of all the honor students I have taught at Coral Gables High in Miami rank this as one of their all-time favorite books. Many have reread it a second time. Smith depicts pioneer life graphically. He is stronger on plot and setting than character and helps teach us a strong respect for the land and a preservation of our past and heritage. This is a great book to teach for environmental concepts and for a love of a sense of place.

Rating:
Summary: You can't put it down!
Review: You couldn't ask for a more vivid depiction of frontier life and the struggles of a family to survive the extremes of weather, poverty, lawlessness, and desolation. You are guaranteed to laugh and cry as you ride the trail with a family of true Florida Crackers. It is written with such detail you would almost believe the story was true! Definitely one of the best books I have ever read.

Rating:
Summary: A Land Remembered....A Book You Won't Forget!
Review: You might think that Patrick D. Smith IS Sol MacIvey reincarnated in this tale of Old Florida. How else can you explain his vivid, captivating description of life in early Florida? I am a native Floridian and when I grab my cherished pictures and family mementos to evacuate for a hurricane, you can bet my copies of ALR will be with me! This book is a timeless treasure and not a one-time-read. I had read this book several times and when it became assigned reading for my daughter, we each grabbed a copy and read it 'together'. During each of the pivotal points in the lives of the MacIveys, we would make eye contact and either smile or wipe away tears. No words were exchanged because the book is filled with emotion and you really 'feel' the characters as real people with real pain and sorrow. This book should be required reading as you cross the state line into Florida. It is truly a rite of passage for Floridians and any one who loves history. We are blessed to have this account of pioneer life in wild Florida. If I could sit around a campfire and listen to stories told by anyone.....it would be Patrick D. Smith.

Rating:
Summary: Can Not Put This One Down
Review: You will be glued to this book's amazing story. You will learn about life in Florida for Indians then the coming of white settlers, the civil war, the land rushes, the wilderness and the incredible hardships of early Florida life. Once you read it, you will probably immediately read it again.