Allapattah - by Patrick D Smith (Paperback)

About the Book

The story of Toby Tiger, a young Seminole in the Everglades who is in despair at having to live in the white man's world. "Allapattah" means alligator or crocodile, a creature which becomes Toby Tiger's obsession, and he must wrestle it to set himself free.

Book Synopsis

Twenty-five-year-old Seminole Toby Tiger lives in despair in the Florida Everglades. He loves the land and everything that exists in the natural world: the deer and egrets, turtles and herons, cypress trees and sawgrass, ponds and marshes, and, most of all, Allapattah, the crocodile. He watches helplessly as the white man imposes his will on the Seminoles, forcing them either to conform or to eke out a living wrestling alligators and carving trinkets for tourists. According to Toby, the whites "destroy all that they touch." Toby refuses to bend to the white man's will and fights back the only way he knows how. He becomes Allapattah, a creature that earns his respect and protection.

Review Quotes

"A powerful report on the white man's destruction of nature and the Seminoles' anger and despair. Allapattah will make the reader think."

A powerful report on the white man s destruction of nature and the Seminoles anger and despair. Allapattah will make the reader think. "

About the Author

Born in Mississippi, Pat Smith has lived in Florida since 1966, writing about its nature and people. He also wrote A Land Remembered, The River Is Home, Angel City, and Forever Island, all available from Pineapple Press.