Genuine Florida

One of the best books I’ve ever read.

This is the story of Florida pioneers and the taming of a country. Or the attempt to tame. Richard Powell, the author, created this very well researched and thought out novel spanning from 1895 to 1946. The main characters are a train barron, a farmer from Orlando and a fellow raised by the Big Cypress swamps. His knowledge and understanding of our great Florida history and natural landscape shines throughout. His characterizations are consistent and his writing of them and the narrative harkens the best of John D. MacDonald.

I love the cover art. I’m sure Powell had the same trouble as I do with the cover of this paperback from 1964. Florida’s flora and fauna is represented by palm trees and flying flamingos. Obviously the art was created by somebody up north who had not read the book. I know flamingos were wisely omitted and really can’t recall palms being mentioned. Both are myths by land sellers long ago. Sure there are some palms, but few in comparison to the vast expanse of pines and oaks throughout the state. Flamingos were dragged here kicking and screaming over a hundred years ago by promoters and the pink feathered fowls stuck. The only “wild” flamingos in the state were at the now-closed Hialeah race track. The birds had an area to their own and never really wandered from it, but appeared to be free to roam.

Unfortunately, this book is out of print. Check your local library. Well worth paying plenty for.

Overall in may ways. this surpases ‘A Land Remembered’ to me in that it gives some focus to the oncoming urban life and the writing of the Floirda environment is as stunning as the land itself…What’s left that is.