A Land Remembered

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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!"

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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.

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Summary: fascinating portrait of old Florida
Review: A Land Remembered in on my top ten list of all time greatest novels, which is interesting because I don't often read or enjoy historical fiction. This moving and epic novel tells the story of three generations of Florida settlers fighting to survive in old Florida. These settlers not only survive but prosper as well. However, with this prosperity comes a human and environmental price.

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Summary: A Floridian's History Book
Review: I'm a fifth generation Floridian. This book made me feel as if I knew the McIvey family, it was as if I was reading about my family's past. This book shows the reader the beauty of old Florida. We should respect this lovely state and try to preserve it for the future. The author has a meaningful environmental message. I recommend it to anyone--especially Floridians...

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Summary: Unforgettable generational tale of settling Florida...
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: a page turner
Review: Being a 4th generation floridian, I found this book fascinating, and captivating. Most people coming to florida have no idea of floridas rich and wild history. Patrick Smith brings this out in vivid detail. When the west was won, Florida was not close to being tamed. Those of us who live here reconize the places in the story which adds to the reality of the book.

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Summary: A Land Remembered truly takes you back in time
Review: My husband and I have been enjoying the audio version of A Land Remembered, which we picked up - - luckily - - at our local library. It's the kind of story you just can't stop reading. My goodness! What those people went through. It truly makes me appreciate the quality of life we have today vs. yesterday but at the same time, you long to know what it must have been like back then - - A Land Remembered takes you there. We've laughed, we've cried and we've grown to love the MacIveys as if they were kinfolk. It has truly enriched our lives and given us a new appreciation for the settlers who came before us.

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Summary: A Wonderful History of Florida
Review: I read anything and everything that hits the shelves. History is one of my favorites. One out of every 100 books that I read make me want more and this is one. Awesome book, great history facts within the story and a truly delightful story it was. Tearjerkers and all. You just have to read it, I'll be keeping my copy.