Patrick D. Smith's Blog, page 4

A Land Remembered Celebrates International Book Giver’s Day

It’s International Book Giving Day today!

Every year on February 14th, this day is not only dedicated to your special valentine but also to getting books into the hands of as many children as possible.

The Origin of International Book Giving Day

Did you know that most children in developing countries do not own books and that in the United States, two-thirds of children living in poverty do not own books.

So a few years ago, International Book Giving Day was born to encourage people worldwide to give a book to a child on February 14th.

But I also think we should work on getting books into the hands of people of all ages.

And what better book to share than A Land Remembered? While I’m on my Patrick Smith’s Florida is A Land Remembered tour, I hear over and over again how many people love to give this book to family and friends. Realtors have told me they would give the book to new Floridians who bought a house through them. Other people like to keep a copy of the book in their guest room. One woman bought all of the people in her son’s wedding party a copy as a gift. I love that!

When we stay at hotels that have a library, I like to slip a copy of A Land Remembered on the shelves. I’ve even donated a book on the last cruise I took out of Port Canaveral.

Find out if the Patrick Smith’s Florida is A Land Remembered show will be in your area in February and March 2020.

6 Ways You Can Get Involved in International Book Giving Day!

You can get involved in a variety of ways:

1) Gift a book (of course I recommend A Land Remembered or another of Patrick Smith’s books) to a friend or family member (you can even gift Kindle and audio books as well)

2) Leave a book somewhere, in a waiting room, tiny lending library, a restaurant or coffee shop, hair salon, etc. for a person to discover and read. (Click here for more inspiration)

If you’re gifting one of Patrick Smith’s books, download and print our International Book Giving Day bookplate to attach to a book you give. They’re free!

3) Donate a book to a local library, hospital or shelter or to an organization that distributes used books to children in need internationally.

4) Connect with others celebrating International Book Giving Day via Facebook, Twitter

5) Share a photo of yourself celebrating International Book Giving Day, use #bookgivingday on social media.

6) Consider donating to organizations distributing books such as, Room to Read (international), Books for Africa (international), Book Aid International (international), The Book Bus (international), First Book (U.S.), Reading is Fundamental (U.S.), Reach Out and Read (U.S.), and Pratham Books (India).

Final Thoughts

International Book Giving Day has continued to grow and grow. It’s been celebrated not only in the U.S. but also in Australia, Canada, South Africa, France, India, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, the Philippines, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Germany, Nigeria, Nicaragua, Brazil, Egypt, Poland, Greece, Portugal, Mexico, Macedonia, Malawi, Hungary, Malaysia, Israel, Denmark, Thailand, Indonesia, Jordan, China, Puerto Rico and Bulgaria.

I think this is a nice way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, don’t you? Spreading the love of books.

Celebrate Library Lover’s Month! Come to the A Land Remembered Show at These Libraries

I just found out that the entire month of February is dedicated to those of us who love whole buildings devoted to the reading, housing, organizing, categorizing, finding, studying and otherwise loving books. It’s National Library Lover’s Month!

Why Love Your Library?

What other place do you know where you can access so much knowledge and information for free?

Libraries provide so much more than a place for us to enjoy great novels or to discover amazing adventures and untold history. Yes, they help us research things and provide us with free internet access.

They lend not only books but music and movies. You can get all of these items in digital form also.

Rotating art displays give local artists exposure to the community. Larger libraries provide preservation services, preserving some of the most treasured books, periodicals and documents for future generations.

For preschoolers, libraries entertain them with theater and hands-on activities exposing them to music, art and their first friendships. Many communities rely on their libraries for meeting space for public forums, socials, fundraisers and classes.

And they offer interesting shows like the one I present, Patrick Smith’s Florida is A Land Remembered.

[image error]A Land Remembered show at Lake Regions Library in Inverness, Florida.
How To Observe

Here are some great ways to observe this month:

1) Visit your library and check out all they have to offer. While you’re there, check out a book, DVD, CD or find a quiet spot to enjoy a magazine or newspaper.

2) Attend one of my free presentations of Patrick Smith’s Florida is A Land Remembered. You can catch a show at any of the following libraries:

2/18/20
11 a.m.
Bradford County Public Library , Starke (Free admission)




2/20/20
6:30 p.m.

UF/IFAS Extension-Baker County , Macclenney (Free admission)





2/24/20
7 p.m.

New Port Richey City Hall , New Port Richey (Free admission)





2/25/20
6 p.m.

Union County Public Library , Lake Butler (Free admission)



2/26/20
1 p.m.
Millhopper Branch Library , Gainesville (Free admission)




2/26/20
5 p.m.
Hawthorne Branch Library , Hawthorne (Free admission)




2/27/20
5 p.m.
Newberry Branch Library , Newberry (Free admission)




3/3/20
2 p.m.
Destin Library , Destin (Free admission)




3/6/20
10:30 a.m.
Corinne Costin Gibson Library , Port St. Joe (Free admission)




3/7/20
3 p.m.
Eau Gallie Library , Melbourne (Free admission)




3/10/20
6 p.m.
Lake Wales Arts Center , Lake Wales (Free admission)




3/12/20
3:30 p.m.
Merritt Island Library , Merritt Island (Free admission but you must contact the Reference Desk to get your ticket)

*This is not my entire schedule. I’ll be presenting at other places in Florida. Go here to check out the entire schedule.

3) Get a library card if you don’t have one.

4) Consider volunteering your time.

5) Join your local library’s Friends of the Library organization.

6) Many libraries offer book stores where they sell donated new and used books and magazines and other media such as DVDs and CDs at incredible prices. Buy a book and/or donate ones you no longer want.

7) Use #NationalLibraryLoversDay to share on social media.

Final Thoughts

If you haven’t been to your local library for awhile, now is the perfect month to visit!

Also, I hope to see you at one of my shows!

 

A Land Remembered Tour – February and March 2020 Dates

My multimedia tour of Patrick Smith’s Florida Is A Land Remembered, will return to Florida in February and March 2020. I would love to see you at one of the shows!

Many people have told me how much they love this program. Many more have expressed disappointment that they have not been able to attend. I hope this tour will bring it to your community.

We have 23 shows of Patrick Smith’s Florida Is A Land Remembered to do between February 6 and March 12.

More About The A Land Remembered Tour

So what is this “tour”?

Well, it’s a multi-city junket Kim and I take throughout Florida where I present a special multi-media show that I have put together on my father, the book A Land Remembered, and the Florida of days past. And it is incredibly popular and well-received from small-town libraries to the big city theaters.

Even if you’ve seen my show before I think you will enjoy experiencing it again. I’ve added a lot of new material and in my humble opinion, it just keeps getting better and more fun. If you are a fan of A Land Remembered or any other of Patrick Smith’s novels, this is a must see. You’ll learn so much more about both the author and some of his experiences along the way of writing these novels. I’ve given this performance 286 times already and, as I said, the attendees say they love it.

Will This Show Be In Your Community?

Below is the schedule* of public performances. If any are near you I certainly hope you can attend. Most of them are free thanks to grants from Florida Humanities and other sources.

UPDATE: 1/22/20 – We don’t have all of the links from every venue yet. We will be updating this post as we get those. If you want to make sure you’ll get that information, sign up to be notified in the form above.

2/8/20
10 a.m.
Booker Creek Preserve , Tarpon Springs (Free admission but registration is required)


2/09/20
1 p.m.
Weedon Island Preserve , St. Petersburg ($5 admission, registration is required)


2/11/20
7 p.m.
Rose History Auditorium , Marco Island ($10 admission, Free for MIHS members)


2/13/20
6 p.m.
Historic Wauchula City Hall Auditorium , Wauchula ($10 admission)


2/14/20
12 p.m.
Roser Church Hall, Anna Maria Island (Fee for the luncheon and show is $20 for members of the Anna Maria Island Historical Society and $25 for non-members. Reservations required)


2/18/20
11 a.m.
Bradford County Public Library , Starke (Free admission)




2/19/20
9 a.m.
Beaches Chapel School, Neptune Beach (Free admission)




2/20/20
6:30 p.m.

Emily Taber Public Library , Macclenney (Free admission)





2/21/20
6 p.m.
Trout Lake Nature Center , Eustis (Free admission, donations appreciated)




2/24/20
7 p.m.

New Port Richey City Hall , New Port Richey (Free admission)





2/25/20
6 p.m.

Union County Public Library , Lake Butler (Free admission)



2/26/20
1 p.m.
Millhopper Branch Library , Gainesville (Free admission)




2/26/20
5 p.m.
Hawthorne Branch Library , Hawthorne (Free admission)




2/27/20
5 p.m.
Newberry Branch Library , Newberry (Free admission)




2/29/20
6 p.m.
Pat Thomas Academy Conference Center , Havana


3/3/20
2 p.m.
Destin Library , Destin (Free admission)




3/6/20
10:30 a.m.
Corinne Costin Gibson Library , Port St. Joe (Free admission)




3/6/20
10:30 a.m.
Harbor Lake Country Club, Lady Lake (Includes a pot roast luncheon for $18.62 per person. Reservations required along with a check made out to HHWGC mailed to 5520 Grove Manor, Lady Lake, FL 32159 by February 24, 2020)




3/7/20
3 p.m.
Eau Gallie Library , Melbourne (Free admission)




3/10/20
6 p.m.
Lake Wales Arts Center , Lake Wales (Free admission)




3/12/20
3:30 p.m.
Merritt Island Library , Merritt Island (Free admission but you must contact the Reference Desk to get your ticket)

*This schedule may change. Some venues will charge a fee or require registration or a ticket. Click on each venue for their specific information. To make sure you get the most up-to-date information, sign up to be notified in the form below.

You can learn a lot more about the show here. Please check the schedule above and try to plan to join me somewhere along this busy road.

As always, we’ll have all 10 of Dad’s books plus the award-winning DVD Patrick Smith’s Florida, A Sense of Place for sale and I’m happy to autograph them. Kim works hard to put a beautiful book display up at every venue and I know you’ll be amazed to see some of Dad’s less well known novels. I love them all.

I hope to see you somewhere along the way.

How To Give a Kindle and Audio Book

Did you know you can gift a Kindle book? Or an audio book?

And most of Patrick Smith’s books are available on Kindle! A Land Remembered is available as an audio book as well.[image error]

These are the Kindle versions you can purchase and gift:

A Land Remembered – $8.63

A Land Remembered Student Version Volume 1 – $8.13

A Land Remembered Student Version Volume 2 – $7.49

A White Deer and Other Stories – $6.29

Allapattah – $6.29

Angel City – $8.69

Forever Island – $9.99

In Search of the Russian Bear – $6.29

The Beginning – $9.99

The Seas That Mourn – $7.70

The only Patrick Smith books that aren’t available on Kindle is The River is Home (we’re working with the publisher on getting that available) and The Last Ride (that will be listed sometime in mid-2020).

HOLIDAY SPECIAL

Until December 31, 2019 – Buy or gift A Land Remembered as a Kindle or audio book and we’ll send you a link to watch the online version of Patrick Smith Answers Common Questions About A Land Remembered video (only available when purchasing a physical copy of this book) as a gift.

All you have to do is send a copy of your order to Rick@ALandRemembered.com and we’ll send you the link.

Giving a Kindle Book

You do not have to own an Amazon device to gift a Kindle book. Nor does your recipient need a device. They can also read a Kindle book gift online or using a Kindle reading app.

Here’s what you need to do:

1) You will need an Amazon account. It’s free if you don’t have an account yet set up.

2) You will need a valid 1-Click payment method for your account. You can set this up by bringing up the menu under Account & Lists then clicking on Your Account. In the Digital content and devices box, click on  Manage Your Content and Devices, select the Preferences tab, and then click Edit Payment Method below Digital Payment Settings.

3) Have the valid email address for the recipient ready.

4) From the Kindle Store in your desktop browser, select the book you want to purchase as a gift. (If you are wanting to gift any of the Patrick Smith books I listed above, I put direct links to the books for your convenience.)

5) On the product detail page, click the Buy for others button.

6) Enter the personal email address of your gift recipient.

Tip: If you are unsure of the email address for your recipient, or you want to personally deliver it to your recipient, you can select Email the gift to me before placing your order. This allows you to forward the gift email or print and personally deliver it to your recipient. The gift recipient can enter the Gift Claim Code from the email, after logging in to their Amazon account.

7) Enter a delivery date and an optional gift message.

8) Click Place your order to finish your gift purchase using your Amazon 1-Click payment method.

You can redeliver a Kindle book gift you’ve purchased by going to Your Orders in Your Account. From the Order Summary page, click the Resend E-mail button.

You can also exchange a Kindle book gift for an Amazon.com gift card if that wasn’t a book that they wanted.

Giving an Amazon Audio Book

Audible titles on Amazon can’t be gifted to another customer. However, you can give an Audible membership via Amazon. The best way to give A Land Remembered as an audio book is buying them an Audible Gift Membership[image error]. And like the Kindle, you don’t need a specific device to access your books. All can be done via your tablet, laptop, or smartphone.

This is what they’ll get:

An unmatched selection of audiobooks performed by world-class talent.
3 titles for each month of their gift membership: 1 audiobook + 2 Audible Originals.
30% off any additional audiobooks.
Anywhere, anytime listening with the free Audible app.
Free and easy audiobook exchanges.
An Audible book library they’ll own forever.

Kindle Unlimited Subscription

Do you want to gift all of the Patrick Smith books? Consider gifting a Kindle Unlimited[image error] subscription. They start at $29.97 for 6 months.

With this subscription, your recipient receives:

Unlimited access to over 1 million titles
Unlimited audiobooks – A Land Remembered is available as an audio book !
Read anytime with the free Kindle app and on Kindle e-readers

You may even want to sign yourself up with one of these Kindle Unlimited Membership Plans[image error].

Here’s a special deal to be aware of too…if you purchase the Kindle + Kindle Unlimited subscription as a gift by selecting “Add a Gift Receipt” during checkout, both you and the gift recipient can receive a free 3-month Kindle Unlimited subscription. Your subscription will begin automatically upon purchase. Your gift recipient will receive an email upon registering their Kindle with instructions on how to redeem their own free 3-month Kindle Unlimited subscription (no obligation to redeem).



Final Thoughts

Personally, I prefer a physical book. That’s just me. Many people like ebooks and we’ve got you covered either way.

The audio book of A Land Remembered is superb, I recommend it!

And don’t forget about that special deal we have going until December 31st if you buy a Kindle or audio book of A Land Remembered. Buy it, shoot me a copy of your completed order, and I’ll send you the link to Patrick Smith Answers Common Questions About A Land Remembered.

A Land Remembered Highlights Florida Pioneer Christmas Tradition

While life in pioneer Florida so perfectly depicted in A Land Remembered was harsh and cruel, there was also fun and celebration…and romance, of course. My father wrote of one of those special traditions, this one set at Christmas. It’s one of my favorite scenes in the book and one I like to share with my audience during my Patrick Smith’s Florida IS A Land Remembered show.

Since it’s almost Christmas, I’d like to share it with you. It is a sweet excerpt from the Fort Drum Christmas frolic scene in Chapter 18.

But before we go further, here’s a little pioneer history lesson behind the subject of this scene.

History

[image error]According to the Florida Memory Blog, Florida’s rural families lived a few miles apart from one another, back then that would mean a good half a day’s ride on a horse or in a wagon. Although on occasion, they would come together when one of them had a major project that needed to be done or a holiday to celebrate. When that would happen, the families often enjoyed a community feast followed by a night of music and dancing.

These informal parties were known as “frolics.”

Even though frolics were simple affairs, the musicians mainly playing harmonica and fiddles were usually just folks in the neighborhood who learned to play from a relative or friend, they were undoubtedly a lot of fun for young folks living so far apart from one another.

You can find more books about Florida life and culture in the 1800s at Amazon. [image error]

At that time, much of the dancing was a form of square dancing, where the dancers followed as someone would call the steps as the musicians played, and the dancers would react accordingly. At that time, having young men and women pair off and dance however they pleased would have been frowned upon!

[image error]

Get 20% Off with code HOLIDAYS

A Land Remembered (softbound) – Retails for $14.95[image error]

A Land Remembered (hardbound) – Retails for $21.95[image error]Buy either hardbound or softbound edition and get Patrick Smith Answers Common Questions About A Land Remembered DVD FREE!

Fort Drum Christmas Frolic
[image error]Fort Drum frolic scene

This frolic takes place around Christmas of 1875 when Zech, Frog, and Bonzo, after rounding up 60 head of cattle, find themselves close to Fort Drum. Wanting something more substantial to eat, Frog comes up with the idea to head to the outpost for some provisions. That’s where they hear of a frolic that will be happening and decide to stay. And it’s at the frolic that Zech meets the beautiful Glenda Turner.

The way my dad described the frolic scene, you can feel the pulse of the dancer’s feet stomping on the wooden floor, the high-pitched strains of fiddle music, hear the caller bark out instructions, pick up the laughter and whoops of joy from the gathered crowd, feel the trickle of sweat down the nervous young man’s back. Zech had grown up with siblings or friends and had no idea how to dance. The experience was overwhelming to such a country boy.

A Mother’s Wise Words

But the scene I enjoy most comes later after the frolic has passed and Zech has returned home to his parents, Tobias and Emma.

Emma sat beside him, wanting to distract him from such thoughts. She said, “Did you have a good time at the frolic?”

“I guess. But I didn’t dance. I don’t know how.”

“Did you meet someone?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Was she pretty?”

“The prettiest thing I ever seen,” Zech responded, knowing he could talk to his mother more frankly about something like this than he could his father. “She had hair as red as a sunset, and she smelled like flowers.”

“I smelled like flowers once, but not anymore.”

“You smell just fine, Mamma,” he said, touching her hand, “and you always have.”

“Not flowers anymore. That’s for young girls. Did you like her?”

“She rode with me on Ishmael. Her name is Glenda. Glenda Turner. Her daddy owns the store at Fort Drum.”

“But did you like her?” she asked again.

“I never been that close to a girl before. I guess I did. She made me dizzy, like I was spinning around and around. She said if I come back she’ll teach me to dance.”

Emma put her hand on his. “Tech, if you like her, don’t stay away too long. Flowers has a way of being plucked by someone, and there’s not many nice ones out here in the wilderness. They don’t stay in bloom forever.”

“Maybe I can go back there after the drive. If I can find the time, I’ll go.”

“You best make the time. Cows won’t ever smell good like flowers. Someday you’ll know that.”

Zech remembered Frog saying to him, “Cows aint’ everything.” He said, “Thanks, Mamma. I won’t forget what you’ve told me. I’ll go back to Fort Drum first chance I get.”

Isn’t that a great scene? I love how dad weaved his humor into the book and that touching conversation is just one example.

On a side note: Several Christmases ago, Dad suggested that scene for a series of Christmas cards we sold. While we no longer have any cards, we have 8.5 X 11 inch prints of the Fort Drum Christmas Frolic still available.

Final Words

If you have the book, head over to chapter 18 and relive the entire scene. You’ll see how Dad weaves in the harsh realities of pioneer Florida life with the joys the pioneers also savored.

[image error]

Get 20% Off with code HOLIDAYS

A Land Remembered (softbound) – Retails for $14.95[image error]

A Land Remembered (hardbound) – Retails for $21.95[image error]Buy either hardbound or softbound edition and get Patrick Smith Answers Common Questions About A Land Remembered DVD FREE!

Did The First Thanksgiving Happen In Florida?

Florida is first in a lot of ways. It had the first cattle industry in the U.S. The first citrus industry in America. And of course the first U.S. space industry.

Now I found that it also may have had the first Thanksgiving feast!

Thanks to the History Channel for bringing this to my attention in their post Did Florida Host the First Thanksgiving? where this following information comes from.

Did The First Thanksgiving Happen In Florida?

Some Florida historians have argued that a communal feast eaten after Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés and 800 colonists arrived on Florida’s Eastern shore on September 8, 1565 was actually North America’s first Thanksgiving.

After they landed, the fleet’s captain, Father Francisco Lopez, performed a Catholic mass of thanksgiving for their safe arrival in the newly christened settlement of St. Augustine.Then the native Timucuans who were watching this — were invited to join the Spaniards for a communal meal.

“It was the first community act of religion and thanksgiving in the first permanent settlement in the land,” wrote University of Florida professor emeritus of history Michael Gannon in his book about the early Catholic Church in Florida, The Cross in the Sand.

Other historians argue that yes, America’s first Thanksgiving did take place in Florida, but it actually occurred further north of St Augustine and one year earlier in 1564. That is when French Huguenots held a service of thanksgiving and feasted with the Timucuans in celebration of the June 1564 establishment of Fort Caroline along the St. John’s River in present-day Jacksonville.

“We sang a psalm of Thanksgiving unto God, beseeching him that it would please his Grace to continue his accustomed goodness toward us,” French explorer Rene Goulaine de Laudonnière wrote in his journal.

What Did They Eat?

We wouldn’t have recognized the food shared by the Spaniards and Timucuans. Because the Spanish had just arrived, they had to make do with whatever provisions survived the long voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. According to Robyn Gioia, author of the children’s book “America’s REAL First Thanksgiving,” the European colonists likely ate hard biscuits and cocido—a rich garbanzo stew made with pork, garlic, saffron, cabbage and onion—washed down with red wine.”

The Timucua ate what was available to them locally so they might have had wild turkey, alligator, bear, venison, tortoise, catfish, mullet, and seafood.

You can eat like a Timucuan too. Get fresh Florida alligator, turtle jerky, orturtle soup (actually mock turtle soup) online. (I’d rather eat these “turtles” myself.)

The Real Story

These feasts of Thanksgiving celebrated by the newly arrived Europeans were very isolated events and none were repeated or resulted in a new tradition. In fact James W. Baker, author of Thanksgiving: The Biography of an American Holiday, ”says that while America’s Thursday Thanksgiving holiday has roots in New England’s Puritan Calvinist tradition, there never was a single “first Thanksgiving”—neither in Plymouth for the three-day harvest celebration in 1621 or in any other place.”

The first time anyone claimed that the Pilgrims hosted the first Thanksgiving was in 1841. He says, “While we can argue the case for Florida or Texas or any other claimant as a true ‘first’ occurrence of a holiday of that name, it is ultimately a moot point as all of them lack any historical agency in the evolution of the modern holiday.”

So maybe Florida can’t claim to be the first in this area but then nobody else can either. We have the earliest Spanish settlers so I’m going with Florida.

I don’t know about you, but however this holiday came about, I’m going to enjoy the day with great food, a grateful heart, and good friends.

 

A Salute to World War II Unsung Heroes This Veterans Day

[image error]

This Veterans Day, I want to not only say a huge thank you to all who served and are currently serving in our armed forces but also to an organization that gave much in the World War II effort but received little recognition for their service – The United States Merchant Marine.

Unsung Heroes

The United States Merchant Marine provided the greatest sealift in history between the production army at home and the fighting forces scattered around the globe in World War II.

The prewar total of 55,000 experienced mariners was increased to over 215,000 through U.S. Maritime Service training programs.

Merchant ships faced danger from submarines, mines, armed raiders and destroyers, aircraft, “kamikaze,” and the elements.

[image error]About 8,300 mariners were killed at sea, 12,000 wounded of whom at least 1,100 died from their wounds, and 663 men and women were taken prisoner.

Some were blown to death, some incinerated, some drowned, some froze, and some starved. 66 died in prison camps or aboard Japanese ships while being transported to other camps.

31 ships vanished without a trace to a watery grave.

It is estimated that over 9,000 merchant mariners gave their lives in the war.

Discover more books on the U.S. Merchant Marine experience in WW 2.

A Fitting Tribute To Those Brave Mariners

[image error]The Seas That Mourn is Patrick D. Smith’s moving tribute to the brave mariners who served in the Merchant Marine during World War II.

It has been called “A Land Remembered of The High Seas”.

This is an action packed book that has humor, war, love, romance, loss and much more to make it an exciting and memorable read.

You’ll be on the edge of your seat as you follow the main character through convoys that really happened.

[image error]

 

 

$14.95 (softbound) –

Also available on Kindle and NOOK. 

Veterans Day Special! Use Code VETERAN to get 20% off the book. (Expires MIDNIGHT November 15, 2019)

 

 

Here is a short video excerpt from that novel:

The Seas That Mourn – A Synopsis

Here’s a brief synopsis of The Seas That Mourn:

In 1942 alone, German U-Boats sank almost four million gross registered tons of Allied ships convoying goods and war supplies to the war ravaged European continent, Britain and North Africa. That same year, 19-year old Jimmy Kendall leaves his small Mississippi town to join the Merchant Marine.

He soon discovers that supplying the troops in unprotected waters exposes him to some of the fiercest battles in WWII.

The Seas That Mourn is a riveting story of unsung heroes who navigated dangerous waters and perilous conditions to provide American and Allied troops with critical supplies of ammunition, fuel and goods. These sailors, often overlooked for their service, were key in turning the tide of the war.

I know you will enjoy this action packed novel. To get a taste of what you’ll read in the novel, get your free chapter. I chose one of many exciting scenes from the book to give you an idea of Dad’s powerful descriptions of what these men went through.

 

Autobiographical Account
[image error] Patrick Smith, Circa 1945

This novel was dear to dad’s heart as it stems very much from his own experience in the United States Merchant Marine just at the end of World War II.

The Seas That Mourn was actually dad’s second novel, written after The River is Home.

He couldn’t get it published in the early 1950’s because publishers told him that the market was swamped with war novels. It languished in a box in his home until 2002, when a publisher picked it up.

I love this novel so much that I acquired all rights to it, designed a new cover, reprinted it and am so proud to promote this book which clearly deserves more recognition than it has received.

You’ll feel like you are right there on the open seas as you read The Seas That Mourn. Only someone who had been a Merchant Marine could write with such authenticity as Patrick Smith brings to bear in this novel.

Here is another short video created from the pages of the book.

It powerfully illustrates how he came up with the title.

Or if you prefer eBooks, click here to get it on Kindle and NOOK

Final Thoughts

You’ll be on the edge of your seat as you follow the main character through dangerous convoys. The United States Merchant Marine provided the greatest sealift in history between the production army at home and the fighting forces scattered around the globe in World War II.

Some argue that without the Merchant Marine the Allies would have lost as there would not have existed the means to carry the personnel, supplies, and equipment needed by the combined Allies to defeat the Axis powers.

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to all the brave men and women who faced the high seas to defend our nation during that awful war.

 

Why Is A Land Remembered So Popular?

[image error]Since I’ve spent so much time on the road with the Patrick Smith’s Florida IS A Land Remembered tour, I have been told literally thousands of times from readers, “This is my favorite book!”

It amazes me how many people just love this book!

It amazed dad too.

Actually, I don’t think he fully comprehended the impact his work has had on people.

He had nothing to do with technology. I, on the other hand, built and maintain his websites and social media, where I get to hear the stories from tens of thousands of people who love A Land Remembered and his other books. One short video about him that I posted on Facebook has been viewed over 1,120,000 times and shared over 32,000 times.

Although it’s over 400 pages, A Land Remembered is easy to read yet engagingly descriptive of the settling of Florida. Weaving in historical events through the story of the fictional Florida pioneer family, the MacIveys, it captures people’s imagination in a way that touches people of all ages and backgrounds.

Don’t just take my word on this:

Missy W. says, “It has such a deep meaning for Floridians. The MacIveys are amazing…the way they dealt with life in the wilderness is so fun to read about. This book has something for everyone…romance, friendship, war, history, you name it.

I spoke with a man yesterday who said that he made all of his future son-in-laws read the book before they could ask his permission to marry his daughters. He kept emphasizing that he felt that strongly about A Land Remembered.

It Describes The Wild, Wild East

[image error]It depicts a Florida very people have know. When I present my show, Floridians, snowbirds, and tourists alike have said to me, “I didn’t realize how wild Florida used to be!”

When you think about it, unless you lived in Florida 150 or more years ago, you simply cannot imagine how unsettled it was and how extremely difficult it was for pioneers to move here.

As J. Chiappini of Panama City, FL shares, “Being a 4th generation Floridian, I found this book fascinating and captivating. Most people coming to Florida have no idea of its rich and wild history. Patrick Smith brings this out in vivid detail. When the west was won, Florida was not close to being tamed.”

Check out these other books on Florida history.[image error]

As Holly Shepherd affirms, “So you’ve been to Disney and the beaches and you think you know Florida? This will open your eyes and your mind to the “real” Florida, before theme parks, beach motels, air conditioning and cheap souvenirs. An amazing first-class chronicle of Florida’s land, people, wildlife and wild places.”

It is Historically Accurate

Dad spent two years researching for this book and it shows.

He weaved many historical events among the lives of the fictional characters. Not only that, but he intricately described the natural environment, the flora and fauna, the food, the cultural practices of the Seminole, the tools used, and the dangers people faced back then.

[image error]James V. Holton “The Ecclectic Professor” from Lakeland, FL, wrote this in a review on Amazon, “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 into 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. For accessible history, it has few peers.”

Because of the historical accuracy, it is a book used to teach Florida history from grade schools to college to adult learning programs.

Joy Dickinson of Orlando, FL, who is also a reporter for the Orlando Sentinel told me, “I’ve been teaching some courses in a livelong learning program at Rollins (for folks older than 50 — most are 60-90), and it’s really wonderful to see how people are constantly discovering A Land Remembered— it’s honestly the single most popular teaching tool about Florida history.”

It Brings Florida History Alive

But the book is not a dry, boring textbook. It’s historical fiction, weaving in the adventures of the MacIvey’s to bring Florida history alive.

Because of that, many teachers use it to teach reading, English, and other subjects as well.

Missy W. shared, “I’ve read this book MANY times…starting 13 years ago when I was in the 11th grade! Our teacher had Patrick Smith come to our school and we got to meet and talk to him about his book. Let’s just say that this book had such an impact on me that when I became an English teacher I had my students read it! Every student in my class fell in love with it and couldn’t put it down. Even students who proudly declared, “I’ve never read a book in my life,” devoured it.”

Cynthia Brennan Jones, of Indian River State College High School, sent me this in an email, “I have received positive feedback from a few instructors that this was a perfect book. In fact, one of my instructors in our lowest lab told me that as she was getting settled in her lab this morning, five students were sitting together with their books taking turns reading aloud and helping others who stumbled on words. She told me that it gave her “goose bumps”.

She finished with, “This is what it’s all about.”

Missy W. also says this about A Land Remembered, “It portrays a pretty accurate picture of how Florida developed over the years. I highly recommend it for anyone from Florida or anyone wanting to study Florida history. It is one of my most treasured novels that I could read over and over again.”

Jeanne Scott of Tampa, Florida declares, “A Land Remembered is an amazing book that tells the story of three generations of the MacIvey family. 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[s] is extremely vivid. 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.”

Bonnie Jane from Sarasota, FL, adds, “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 truly takes you back in time. 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.”

People Think The Characters Describe Their Families

Holly Knowles of Orlando claims, “[This is] Floridian’s history book. I’m a fifth generation Floridian. This book made me feel as if I knew the MacIvey family, it was as if I was reading about my family’s past.”

So many people not only relate to the fictional MacIvey’s, they swear he really wrote specifically about their family.

He didn’t.

Dad talks about this phenomenon in this short video.

[image error]Others have mistakenly claimed that A Land Remembered is the historical account of Bone Mizell.

It isn’t.

He did take some of Bone Mizell’s experiences and put them into the book but his book goes much deeper into other aspects of Florida history.

[image error]Read Florida Cow Hunter: The Life and Times of Bone Mizell to discover more about this legendary man.

It’s The Story of Three Industries That Shaped Florida

Because Dad had the MacIveys get involved in three different industries that shaped Florida, other fans who have ties to those industries relate to the depictions of how they got their start.

Matthew Swartsel of Holiday, FL says, “Our family has 6 generations that have lived in Florida, grove owners, builders and mullet fishermen. Thank you for preserving some of our History, even in a fictional way.”

I’ve also heard from many people whose family was in the cattle industry in Florida who enjoy the book.

Descriptions of Florida Places

[image error]They love the descriptions of the places the MacIvey’s traveled throughout Florida.

I’ve heard from many Floridians that they know exactly where the MacIvey’s settled (Dad never put them in one particular area) and it was THEIR area. They insist that the bulk of the story takes place in Lake Okeechobee, or Kissimee, or Arcadia, or…the list goes on.

By him leaving this detail vague, it allows people to fill in this detail. I don’t think he meant that to happen, but it is fun that it does make the story more real to Floridians.

It is also fun to get a comment like the one from Neil Harvey,  ” [I] Just got done reading this incredible, historically fictional story, of pioneering cattle life in Florida. I have lived here for 35 years, and never knew there was an actual area called Punta Rassa.”

I also have received many comments that when people are driving throughout Florida, after reading A Land Remembered, they see the state in a whole new way.

Prissy Kellogg says, “One of our students took her family on a day ride last weekend to see places in the book… Okeechobee, Pahokee, the lake, etc. She couldn’t stop talking about it today. Karen and I were astounded at how much she enjoyed the trip and related it to the book. All of the students listened to her story.”

J. Chiappini of Panama City, FL sums it up well. “Those of us who live here recognize the places in the story which adds to the reality of the book.”

Final Thoughts

What ever your reason why you love the book, as it gets exposed to more and more people, it’s popularity only seems to grow. 

I believe this book will outlive all of us by many generations. As “Old Florida” disappears, it’s inspiring to look back at the early pioneers and what they went through to lay the foundations for today and tomorrow.

Why do YOU like A Land Remembered? Please share in the comments section below.

What Was A Florida Cattle Drive Like?

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Ever wonder what a Florida cattle drive was like in the 1800s?

While you get a good glimpse of it in A Land Remembered, there is a group of diehard cowboys and others who actually go on one once a year.

And you can experience it too from the comfort of your home.

The Great Florida Cattle Drive: Unbroken Circles.

A few years ago, I was contacted by Emmy award-winning father and son filmmakers Elam & Nic Stoltzfus who asked me to write the forward to their book, The Great Florida Cattle Drive: Unbroken Circles.

I was honored to do so.

I am also excited to let you know that I have a few copies available through this website.

I am loving the book! – Trudy Trask, Christmas, FL

This coffee table book chronicles the Great Florida Cattle Drive 2016 which celebrated the 20th anniversary of the first Great Florida Cattle Drive ’95. This event allowed people to experience the life of a Florida cow hunter on a cattle drive in the mid-1800s. The organizers of the cattle drive strove to make it as historically accurate as possible.

In fact, in one of the early years, Dad (Patrick Smith) rode along on one of the drives.

Another beautiful coffee table book on the life of the Florida cowboy is Florida Cowboys: Keepers of the Last Frontier by the wonderful Florida photographer, Carlton Ward. My father wrote the forward to that one.

You not only get to experience the riders’ adventures on this special journey, the book also tells the history of Florida’s heritage cattle breed and how they almost went extinct. In addition, it includes a section on the making of the Great Florida Cattle Drive 2016 documentary which is available on DVD.

You can purchase The Great Florida Cattle Drive: Unbroken Circle below at the special price of $31.95 (over 25% off retail price). We only have 3 in stock at this price so the supply is limited.

The Great Florida Cattle Drive: Unbroken Circles – Autographed Book – On sale now for $31.95 

Check out these other books on the Florida Cowboy[image error].

And while you will love the coffee table book, you’ll also enjoy the companion DVD.

The Great Florida Cattle Drive On Film

This film tells the story of the Great Florida Cattle Drive 2016, the history of Florida’s heritage cattle breed—and how they almost went extinct, and how Florida’s cow culture is being preserved for future generations. It is narrated by Baxter Black. Music by J. Robert Houghtaling.

Here’s a clip from that DVD.

 

Want to enjoy the music – featuring John McEuen of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – from “The Great Florida Cattle Drive: Unbroken Circles” documentary?

The CD and DVD are available at greatfloridacrackerdrive.com. You can get The Great Florida Cattle Drive: Unbroken Circles CD on Amazon Unlimited Music too.

Join The Great Florida Cattle Drive

Would you like to find out more or to join these devotees of the frontier Florida cowboy lifestyle? Head over to GreatFloridaCattleDrive.org and check it out.

Take a Journey Into Old Florida on Free Museum Day September 21, 2019

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Take a journey into old Florida on September 21, 2019 by visiting a Florida museum. You don’t even have to spend a dime!

Museum Day

Museum Day is an annual one day event hosted by the Smithsonian magazine and this year it falls on September 21, 2019.

Participating museums and cultural institutions across the country provide free entry to anyone presenting a Museum Day ticket. That ticket is for free general admission for two people.

What’s really cool is that Florida has 72 museums participating! So if you live in Florida, you don’t have to go far to take advantage of this special deal.

Here’s where you can get your ticket to the free Museum Day.

To support these types of events, you can get your own subscription or give the gift of Smithsonian magazine (only $12!)

Museums We Love

We have a special place in our heart for many of these museums and history centers that are participating. I have spoken at many of them while on tour with my show, Patrick Smith’s Florida IS A Land Remembered.

[image error]The beautiful Tampa Bay History Center has it’s own area inspired by A Land Remembered. It includes a replica pioneer cabin, original artifacts and a hands-on Discovery Center.

Chairs and items are “child size” so kids can get an idea of what life was like 100 or more years ago. Your children can play in the cabin and pretend they are Florida pioneers. It’s really a fun experience.

[image error]After I presented there, they told me that my show drew the largest attendance they had ever had for such an event.

If you want to see some excellent examples of old “cracker” buildings, the Cracker Country is the place to go. My show packed in so many people that I had to do a 2nd performance for all of the disappointed folks who couldn’t get in the first time.

[image error]Kim and I enjoyed a wonderful rainy day at The Ringling in Sarasota. I had been there way back when I was about 18. I had forgotten what a huge, stunning collection of masterpieces it offered (also, I wasn’t mature enough back then to appreciate it).

Not only does it offer beautiful art, but you can dive into the history of the circus and have some fun pretending your a circus performer.

We definitely will return the next time we’re in Sarasota.

[image error]Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast is a unique museum that includes a pirate ship when kids can climb on and fire foam cannon balls. Well, that is if their parent’s don’t hog the cannons!

The IMAG History and Science Center has a virtual reality exhibit of the fort of Fort Myers along the banks of the Caloosahatchee River. You put this helmet on and you can see and move around in a world of long ago. We had a blast here.

These are just a few of the museums we’ve personally enjoyed. I look forward to returning to some of them and getting invited to new ones.

So where will your curiosity take you this museum day?

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