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Travelers & Explorers - Totch: A Life in the Everglades

Description

Book Synopsis: “Totch Brown's memoirs of vanished days in the Ten Thousand Islands and the Everglades—the last real frontier in Florida, and even today the greatest roadless wilderness in the United States—are invaluable as well as vivid and entertaining, for Totch is a natural-born story-teller, and his accounts of fishing and gator hunting as well as his life beyond the law as gator poacher and drug runner are evocative and colorful, fresh and exciting.”—from the foreword by Peter Matthiessen
In the mysterious wilderness of swamps, marshes, and rivers that conceals life in the Florida Everglades, Totch Brown hung up his career as alligator hunter and commercial fisherman to become a self-confessed pot smuggler. Before the marijuana money rolled in, he survived excruciating poverty in one of the most primitive and beautiful spots on earth, Chokoloskee Island, in the mangrove keys known as the Ten Thousand Islands located at the western gateway to the Everglades National Park. Until he wrote this memoir—recollections from his childhood in the twenties that merge with reflections on a way of life dying at the hands of progress in the nineties—Totch had never read a book in his life. Still, his writing conveys the tension he experienced from trying to live off the land and within the laws of the land. Told with energy and authenticity, his story begins with the handful of souls who came to the area a hundred years ago to homestead on the high ground formed from oyster mounds built and left by the Calusa Indians. They lived close to nature in shacks built of tin or palmetto fans; they ate wild meat, Chokoloskee chicken (white ibis), swamp cabbage, even—when they were desperate—manatee; and they weathered all manner of natural disaster from hurricanes to swarms of “swamp angels” (mosquitoes). In his grandpa's day, Totch writes, outlaws and cutthroats would “shoot a man down just as quick as they'd knock down an egret, especially if he came between them and the plume birds.” His grandparents were both contemporaries of Ed J. Watson, the subject of Peter Matthiessen's best-selling Killing Mr. Watson, and Totch is featured in the recent award-winning PBS film Lost Man's River: An Everglades Adventure with Peter Matthiessen. He also appeared in Wind Across the Everglades, the 1957 Budd Schulberg movie in which Totch and Burl Ives sing some of Totch's Florida cracker songs. Loren G. “Totch” Brown was born in Chokoloskee, Florida, in 1920. After purchasing his first motorboat at the age of thirteen (and retiring from formal schooling after the seventh grade) he worked as an alligator hunter, commercial fisherman, crabber, professional guide, poacher, marijuana runner, singer, and songwriter.

Details

Experience the captivating tales of Totch Brown, a legend in the Florida Everglades. In his memoir, "Totch: A Life in the Everglades", he takes you on a thrilling journey through the wild swamps and rivers of the Ten Thousand Islands. Immerse yourself in the last true frontier of Florida, a roadless wilderness unlike any other in the United States.

Totch's stories of fishing and gator hunting will keep you on the edge of your seat. His accounts of life beyond the law as a gator poacher and drug runner are both evocative and colorful. You'll be entranced by his vivid and entertaining storytelling, as he paints a picture of a world that has vanished, but still lives on in his memories.

But Totch's memoir is not just about adventure and danger. It's about survival and the struggle to live off the land while abiding by the laws of the land. You'll witness his journey from excruciating poverty to becoming a successful pot smuggler, all set against the backdrop of the beautiful Chokoloskee Island and the Ten Thousand Islands.

Step into Totch's world, where tin shacks and wild meat were the norm. Explore the wonders of the Everglades and the hardships faced by those who called it home. From hurricanes to swarms of "swamp angels", Totch survived it all. His story is a testament to the resilience and spirit of the people who lived and thrived in this untamed wilderness.

Don't miss out on this extraordinary memoir that brings the Florida Everglades to life. Order "Totch: A Life in the Everglades" today and delve into the heart of this remarkable land.

Experience the untamed beauty and adventure of the Florida Everglades through the eyes of Loren G. "Totch" Brown. In his captivating memoir, "Totch: A Life in the Everglades", he shares his incredible journey from alligator hunter to pot smuggler, and everything in between.

From the childhood memories of the twenties to the harsh realities of the nineties, Totch's writing is filled with energy and authenticity. He transports you back to a time when the Everglades were a remote and mysterious wilderness, untouched by progress. You'll be enthralled by his tales of living close to nature, surviving in shacks made of tin or palmetto fans, and feasting on wild meat and swamp cabbage.

But Totch's story is not just about survival; it's about the clash between man and nature. It's a reflection on a way of life that is slowly disappearing in the face of modernization. Through his words, you'll feel the tension he experienced as he tried to live off the land while also respecting the laws of the land.

With Totch's memoir, you'll step into a world teeming with outlaws and cutthroats, where egret killings were as common as human crimes. You'll witness the resilience of the people who came before us, living in harmony with the ever-changing landscape of the Everglades.

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Experience the thrill of gator hunting and the adrenaline rush of being a self-confessed pot smuggler in the dangerous swamps and marshes. Totch's storytelling prowess will transport you to a time when the Everglades were truly untamed. His accounts of fishing expeditions and life beyond the law are written with a freshness and excitement that will keep you turning the pages.

From his humble beginnings on Chokoloskee Island, Totch weaves a mesmerizing narrative that combines childhood memories with reflections on the changes that have shaped the Everglades over the years. The stories of his grandparents, contemporaries of infamous figures like Ed J. Watson, add an extra layer of intrigue and history to this already captivating tale.

The rich cultural heritage and unique way of life in the Ten Thousand Islands come alive through Totch's words. Join him on a journey through a world where outlaws and egret hunters roamed freely. Let his vivid descriptions of the landscape and the people who called it home transport you to a bygone era.

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Prepare to be swept away by Totch's enthralling tales of fishing, gator hunting, and life as a pot smuggler in the Everglades. His writing is as evocative and colorful as the landscape he describes, delivering a fresh and exhilarating experience for readers.

Discover Totch's humble origins in Chokoloskee Island, where he faced excruciating poverty before finding his place in the rugged and wild terrain of the Everglades. His stories offer a unique perspective on a way of life that is slowly fading away, where survival depended on living in harmony with nature.

From hurricanes to "swamp angels", Totch's memoir is filled with heart-stopping encounters and unforgettable characters. The spirit of the Everglades comes alive through his powerful storytelling, leaving you yearning to explore the hidden wonders that lie within this roadless wilderness.

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Uncover the hidden treasures of the Florida Everglades in "Totch: A Life in the Everglades" by Loren G. "Totch" Brown. This mesmerizing memoir takes you deep into the heart of one of America's last true frontiers, where danger, beauty, and adventure collide.

Let Totch's tales of gator hunting, fishing, and his life beyond the law as a gator poacher and drug runner transport you to a world that is both captivating and thrilling. His vivid and entertaining storytelling will keep you turning the pages, eager to discover what lies around the next bend in the rivers and swamps.

Experience the hardships and triumphs of life on Chokoloskee Island, where Totch endured poverty in one of the most primitive and breathtaking landscapes in the world. His writing captures the essence of a time when nature ruled supreme and survival meant relying on the land for sustenance.

Join Totch on his journey from poverty to prosperity, as he navigates through a world filled with outlaws and cutthroats. The ever-changing landscape of the Everglades serves as the backdrop for his story, reminding us of the fragile balance between man and nature.

Embark on an unforgettable adventure in the Florida Everglades with "Totch: A Life in the Everglades". Order your copy today and experience the thrill of a lifetime.

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Feel the excitement pulsing through each page as Totch recounts his thrilling experiences as an alligator hunter, commercial fisherman, and crabber. His captivating stories will leave you breathless, hungry for more of his adventures in the wild swamps and rivers of the Ten Thousand Islands.

This memoir is a tribute to the resilience and spirit of those who call the Everglades their home. Totch's compelling narrative brings to life a bygone era when living off the land was a daily struggle, and the forces of progress cast their shadow upon this untamed wilderness.

With Totch as your guide, you'll journey through hurricanes, swarms of "swamp angels", and encounters with desperate outlaws. You'll gain a deeper understanding of the rich history and heritage of the Everglades, as seen through the eyes of someone who has experienced it firsthand.

Don't miss your chance to embark on this extraordinary journey. Order "Totch: A Life in the Everglades" today and open the door to a world shrouded in mystery and adventure.

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the Florida Ever

Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this website