In this best-selling novel, Patrick Smith tells the story of three generations of the MacIveys, a Florida family who battle the hardships of the frontier to rise from a dirt-poor Cracker life to the wealth and standing of real estate tycoons. The story opens in 1858, when Tobias MacIvey arrives in the Florida wilderness to start a new life with his wife and infant son, and ends two generations later with Solomon MacIvey, who realizes that the land has been exploited far beyond human need. The sweeping story that emerges is a rich, rugged Florida history featuring a memorable cast of crusty, indomitable Crackers battling wild animals, rustlers, Confederate deserters, mosquitoes, starvation, hurricanes, and freezes to carve a kingdom out of a swamp. But their most formidable adversary turns out to be greed, including finally their own. Love and tenderness are here too: the hopes and passions of each new generation, friendships with the persecuted blacks and Indians, and respect for the land and its wildlife. A Land Remembered was winner of the Florida Historical Society Tebeau Prize as the Most Outstanding Florida Historical Novel.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
63 of 64 people found the following review helpful
By jeanne-scott
Format:Paperback
A Land Remembered is an amazing book that tells the story of three generations of the MacIvey family. The novel takes place in Central Florida, starting before the Civil War. The first generation arrives in Central Florida with literally nothing but their determination, desperation and their love for each other.
Patrick Smith paints a clear and detailed picture of the endurance and sacrifice made by a young couple in order to even just barely get by. The stark reality he portray is extremely vivid.
The hardships that are experienced by the different generations range from natures fury in fires, ice storms, insect swarms covering miles and miles of the grasslands, hurricanes to the emotional hardships of sacrifice, lost love, doubt and loneliness. The MacIvey family looses their footing in several business ventures through the natural disasters and also through the greed of others. The one thing they never loose is their love and caring and determination to take care of their family and to see each other through the difficult times that they are faced with. Each generation must come to terms with what is is truely important in their lives and the simple values that the family began with always seem to come clearly into focus.
The visions of Florida as a raw, unsettled land that tolerates but never encourages those daring enough to challenge her have a unique clarity to them.
Through everything that occurs, this wonderful family pulls together, creating a history that Patrick Smith has crafted into an unforgettable novel.
Patrick Smith paints a clear and detailed picture of the endurance and sacrifice made by a young couple in order to even just barely get by. The stark reality he portray is extremely vivid.
The hardships that are experienced by the different generations range from natures fury in fires, ice storms, insect swarms covering miles and miles of the grasslands, hurricanes to the emotional hardships of sacrifice, lost love, doubt and loneliness. The MacIvey family looses their footing in several business ventures through the natural disasters and also through the greed of others. The one thing they never loose is their love and caring and determination to take care of their family and to see each other through the difficult times that they are faced with. Each generation must come to terms with what is is truely important in their lives and the simple values that the family began with always seem to come clearly into focus.
The visions of Florida as a raw, unsettled land that tolerates but never encourages those daring enough to challenge her have a unique clarity to them.
Through everything that occurs, this wonderful family pulls together, creating a history that Patrick Smith has crafted into an unforgettable novel.
51 of 53 people found the following review helpful
By John Syfrett
Format:Hardcover
Patrick Smith gives the reader an opportunity to glimpse at Florida from 1848 to 1970 through the eyes of the MacIvey family members over three generations. It is an enthralling book, if you're interested in the state of Florida from before Civil War times through present day era. I have read this book four times and am very much a fan of this author. In fact, I have met this studious writer of history, twice. Step back in time and read about Florida in its days of infancy. Enjoy reading about a family that survived in spite of rough times, the elements, outlaws, and animal predators. I have read this to my class and they beg you to keep going! They enjoyed it tremendously! If you do read it, I'm sure you will be captivated by its great story and the personnae of its characters.
46 of 49 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a history professor, I've found numerous people have used A Land Remembered as their introduction to Florida history. I finally gave in and read it myself and can see why this is the case.
Patrick Smith compellingly recreates an aspect of Florida history that predates Disney, NASCAR racing, tourism and "God's waiting room." He takes the reader on a three-generation journey through Florida history from the Civil War to the 1960s. Told through the experiences of the MacIvey family, it recounts the family's rise from hardscrabble poverty to wealth and influence.At the same time, we see the evolution of Florida to the state it is today, and laments over its change, a "land remembered." Along the way the reader will encounter the formative events of Florida history from the Civil War onward.
Smith's portrayal of Florida's cattle raising history should enlighten many readers of a little known and often neglected part of Florida's history.
The book may be flawed in some of its literary aspects, but for accessible history it has few peers.
Patrick Smith compellingly recreates an aspect of Florida history that predates Disney, NASCAR racing, tourism and "God's waiting room." He takes the reader on a three-generation journey through Florida history from the Civil War to the 1960s. Told through the experiences of the MacIvey family, it recounts the family's rise from hardscrabble poverty to wealth and influence.At the same time, we see the evolution of Florida to the state it is today, and laments over its change, a "land remembered." Along the way the reader will encounter the formative events of Florida history from the Civil War onward.
Smith's portrayal of Florida's cattle raising history should enlighten many readers of a little known and often neglected part of Florida's history.
The book may be flawed in some of its literary aspects, but for accessible history it has few peers.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Florida
A good read about how things could have happened in Florida. I like reading about Florida and the Florida Keys.
Published 15 hours ago by Verna Prell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Way to Look at Florida
One of the best written books on how Florida really was in the earlier days. Since we live here, we could identify most of the areas and were amazed at how hard life was for the... Read more
Published 4 days ago by Lisa Ann Harrison
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read
So glad I finally read this book, had a very hard time putting it down. A story about a family moving into Florida before it became populated. Follows three generations. Read more
Published 5 days ago by Cricket
1.0 out of 5 stars
A bit of a slog
Very slow-moving story line. I was disappointed that the story didn't progress to catch up with the prologue in a more satisfying way. Bummer ending, too.
Published 7 days ago by Mary S.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book, especially if you live in central or south Florida.
Interesting and kept moving. Some of the 'action' sequences could have used more detail. If you live in the area, it's a nice way to learn a little about the history.
Published 8 days ago by Old slide shooter
5.0 out of 5 stars
Can't judge a book by its cover.
This book was a selection by our local reading group. I was really dragging my feet to get started on it--had such a dreary, ugly cover, but, wow, was I pleasantly surprised. Read more
Published 9 days ago by Nancy Nesheim
5.0 out of 5 stars
A land remembered is a wonderful book.
A Land Remembered is a great book. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Florida tales from the past.
Published 10 days ago by Jan
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Painless Study of Florida History
I had to read this book for book club. It is quite interesting and stimulated a good discussion in our book club, mostly made up of retirees from northern and northeastern states... Read more
Published 14 days ago by Carolyn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic read
Having grown up in south Florida, the places and times shared were nostalgic and touching. A great read while visiting family in Florida. Couldn't put it down.
Published 20 days ago by MamaOfDaBride
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read
I couldn't put the book down......a must read for all Floridians this is a must read book for everyone. History, love story
Published 22 days ago by Pamela Aveling
Citations (learn more)
11
books
cite this book:
See all 11 books citing this book
- Surviving the Wilds of Florida by Reid F. Tillery on page 98, and Back Matter
- Cruising Guide to Western Florida (6th Edition) by Claiborne Young on page 115
- Florida History from the Highways by Douglas Waitley in Back Matter
- Priceless Florida: Natural Ecosystems and Native Species by Ellie Whitney in Back Matter
- Discovering Florida through Literature by Martha Smith on page 34
See all 11 books citing this book
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