A Land Remembered

By: Patrick D. Smith

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 14 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Patrick D. Smith here 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, and ends in 1968 with Solomon MacIvey, who realizes that the land has been exploited far beyond human need. Between is a sweeping story rich in Florida history.

A best-selling novel of Florida historical fiction, A Land Remembered was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and received the state’s highest literary award from the Florida Historical Society, the 1986 Tebeau Prize for the Most Outstanding Florida Historical novel.

©1984 Patrick D. Smith (P)2003 Recorded Books, LLC

Story of a Family's Impact Early Florida

Really enjoyed the read. The narrator really captured the characters. Seemed as if I knew the characters personally.

As good as it gets

wonderful story wonderfully done. A story of real people doing real things and a tale of America before it got soft and needy.

If your from Florida this is the best book ever.

I've read this book three times and listening to it is just as powerful.

One of few 5 star books

Of the many Audible books that I have have listened, this is one of a mere handful that I have rated 5 in all categories. This book challenges us to how earlier generations struggled for survival and success, not only for personal success but for their own dignity and the dignity of mankind. Sometimes they won and sometimes they failed but teaching us that life is the journey, not the beginning or the end. This book grabbed me in the first 5 minutes and never turned loose. Great listen.

I'm a Florida Native

Always loved this book. Read it several times, but this audio book makes the story better than ever!! I wish someone would make it into a movie!! NETFLIX, ARE YOU LISTENING??

Very good story

We moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 2015 so hearing some history on this area from back in the late 1800s and early 1900s was so interesting. Great story and history.

Everyone should listen to this book.

This is one of the greatest story I ever heard.
The narrator is at his best and makes you feel as though you are on location as you listen to the book.

I wasn't expecting to fall in love with this book.

What made the experience of listening to A Land Remembered the most enjoyable?

I wouldn't have usually picked out a book like this and I can't even remember why I did but I suspect it was on sale. I didn't even listen to it for a while after I bought it. When I first started listening and heard the voice of the narrator as an old man, I thought I might be in for a snoozer but it wasn't long at all before I was absolutely IN LOVE with the story and the family in the book. I was so moved by the plight the family took and the sacrifices they made to survive in the path they chose and it really moved me. During a period in my life that's included the heartbreak of an adoption failure, the tenacity, mental fortitude, and the unselfish nature of the family that seemed guided by nothing more than love and a need to survive was really inspiring. I feel cheesy saying that at my age but it's just true. There were days I wasn't sure I could survive the day at work through my own heartbreak and I just remembered what Emma did through those cattle drives and kept going. Every character was so richly developed that you fall in love with each one. I loved them so much that I didn't begrudge some of the poor decisions some of them made. It reminded me that all humans are deserving of grace. It really is a beautiful story.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the rich characters and their relationships. I don't want to give anything away but there aren't any wasted characters. Each one is important and the way they allow their lives to intertwine and take care of each other was truly inspiring and beautiful.

Which character – as performed by George Guidall – was your favorite?

I think Emma was my favorite. Her trust in her husband and her never complaining and never being afraid to take on as much work as she could was a reminder of how strong some of my ancestors were and how big the hurtles they overcame were to land me where I am today.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed and cried. The book is really beautiful and I looked forward to it every single day. The descriptions of young love it in made me nostalgic for those feelings of young love. The grief I felt over losing some of the characters made me heartsick.

Any additional comments?

This was one of those books that I wanted to start over as soon as it was finished. Instead of skipping ahead to the next book, I drove home in silence after it finished and waited to start the next book until the thoughts and characters slowly began slipping from my mind. Not a lot of books inspire a second read from me but this one will definitely be revisited in time. I still miss the characters and I finished it months ago.

History AND Pleasure

Fully enjoyable. Unusually, I've listened twice! George Guidall's performance is transporting. An all round winner. The story illuminated the origins of today's different Florida.

A true Florida history gem

A Land Remembered is an amazing story of love of friends, family, and the gifts of the land. I learned so much about the history of Florida- woven skillfully into the story of the MacIvey family.