Customer Reviews

Everglades Lawmen: True Stories of Game Wardens in the Glades

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4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Long after the Wild West had come under the umbrella of civilization, lawmen had yet to stop the outlaws of Florida's Everglades. Plume hunters, gator poachers, smugglers and the vilest of murderers found seclusion and concealment amid the sawgrass and reptiles of America's greatest wetland. It took a special breed of lawman to track down and arrest the bandits who ruled the Everglades. Jim Huffstodt's subject matter is history in his book, "Everglades Lawmen," but his writing style is that of a southern "yarn spinner," one who recounts the tales as an old-timer would, sitting around a campfire with group of wide-eyed children hanging onto every word. Everglades lawmen were the toughest creatures in the swamp. Otherwise they would never have survived and never would have succeeded in taming the Everglades and tormenting its outlaws. In fascinating detail and lively presentation, Huffstodt recounts the tales that trace the transition from the times when wilderness law enforcement rested in the hands of men of iron up to today when Everglades lawmen...and women...rely on science and technology to build their cases. They still are men and women made of iron. They have to be to patrol alone, at night in the swamplands where some of America's most wicked criminals have sought consealment for centuries. But today, the criminals live in fear, because they know the Everglades lawmen are lurking in the darkness, just out of sight...watching, waiting...ready to swoop down on them like red-tailed hawks upon the snakes the bandits are. Huffstodt recounts tales told by the lawmen and versions of the same stories told by the outlaws they tracked. He captures both in a beautiful, understandable style. Hats off to Jim Huffstodt and his "Everglades Lawmen."

Everglades Lawmen tells a great story about the many and varied jobs facing today's game wardens.

The books goes into the early game wardens and the skills needed to get the job done in the "good old" days. The tragic stories of man killer alligators and the role of game wardens in protecting the species. Some great "war stories" about chasing and catching some interesting and colorful poachers.

Huffstodt does a great job telling about the many dangers facing today's game warden which the majority of the public has no idea about.

Highly recommended to anyone who cares about the natural resources left and what is needed to protect them.

Until I read this excellent book I had always thought of game wardens as kindly parks police. After reading it, you like me, will realise that to be an Everglades Lawman (or woman come to that) you have to be a cross between Grizzly Adams, Doctor Doolittle and Whyatt Earp! Mr Huffstodt`s colourful, descriptive style of writing so admirably suits the contents - as a warden himself he knows the dangers, the excitement and the satisfaction and shares it with us on every page. The stories are also chockful of humour, eccentric charactors we`ll only have th chance tomeet here, courtesy of the author`s descriptive prose, loving these people and mocking them slightly. He brings to life the courageous and dedicated people who wrestle alligators, protect our environment for future generations and get the bads guys - and what bad guys he has to tell us about - night time poachers, drug runners, drunks shooting off their mouths and their revolvers, escaped convicts straight out of Cool Hand Luke. I read the book so quickly, it`s that kind of book, the old cliche applys - it reads like a novel - that you know you`re going to have to read it again - just before you visit the Everglades. But there is also tragidy. As a woman who believes a woman`s place is wherever she wants it to be I feel I must single out Chapter Thirteen " A Woman`s Place is in the Woods" for special praise. The story of Game Warden Peggy Park who "died in the line of duty" gives Mr Huffstodt a chance to show us just what these courageous and dedicated men and women do to protect the natural beauty of our world. The book may be about Everglade Wardens but it stands as a fine record to all those who put on a uniform and risk their very lives so that our children and grandchildren will get to life outside the concrete jungles so many of us are forced to inhabite. In fact this book could easily be read by intelligent teenagers, and should be compulsory reading for those who think we don`t need to take care of our planet. Well done, Mr Huffstodt, I hope soon to see the movie version.

Mr. Huffstodt did an excellent job of imparting to the reader the feel of the Everglades and the dedication necessary to protect the wildlife of this region. One could almost feel the wind blowing in your face as you travel by airboat across the pages of Everglades Lawmen. Thanks for a great read and I am looking forward to the next book by the author.

If you are interested in conservation and the outdoors, you'll really enjoy this book. The true tales of the people who dedicate their lives to protect our resources, are not only exciting, but served to enhance my appreciation of the jobs they do. I sent this book to my brother (an officer in Pennsylvania), to reinforce that while most calls end up as "routine", there is no such thing as a routine call. This book doesn't disappoint!

I found "Everglades Lawmen" to be great reading. A must for every Game Warden and outdoor enthusiast. I was impressed with the cohesive manner in which the author was able to bring the many stories together and make the book so interesting. Having been familiar with many of the events depicted in the book, it is very obvious that the author did his homework. I highly recommend it to readers of all ages and interests. It's what Game Wardens do every day and what they all take for granted, but most people in our society never hear about.

Jim Huffstodt has done a terrific job of presenting true to life stories of some of the bravest men in law enforcement. Florida's conservation officers do not receive the public recognition that they deserve. This book reveals the dangers these men face daily, often alone and far from help. It will leave you wanting more! Let's hope for a sequel.

For anyone that is interested in Florida History, or the lifestyles of the people that lived off the land in the Everglades for generations, this book is a great read. The only reason I gave it four stars is because it started to get a little dry towards the end. The stories through the first 2/3 of the book are where the magic is.