Florida today is populated by people from all over the United States and in fact, the world.  My husband who is a Florida native often gets surprised looks when he reveals that he was born right here in Hernando County, Florida.  His parents, however, just as many others came from another state over 70 years ago looking for a better life and experienced Florida in ways that will never return.

"A Land Remembered" is a novel by Patrick D. Smith and telling about just that, early settlers coming to Florida, working the land, getting into cattle driving and ranching, encounters with Seminole Indians, natural disasters, the rise of the citrus growing industry, the development of the land.

I got lost in this book, I got lost in times that are long gone.  Although the characters are fictional, the author skillfully incorporated actual occurrences into the novel, describing hardships endured by the early people occupying this State, following a family clan through three generations spanning 100 years, telling us about their daily struggles to survive, but also sharing their joys that came from successes and close family life.

Descriptive, entertaining, thought-provoking, passionate.... if you like to learn more about "old Florida" but not read a history book, you will enjoy this book too!

"Cracker" --- a name derived from "cracking" whips to round up cattle.

"A Land Remembered" by Patrick D. Smith, Pineapple Press.