A Tropical Frontier: The Indian Fighter

by Tim Robinson

BEST FICTION: FLORIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, PATRICK D. SMITH AWARD, 2018.

The Second Seminole War would be the longest and most costly of all Indian conflicts in the United States in both lives and national treasure. In 1842, Colonel William J. Worth, commander of the Florida Campaign, declared hostilities at an end. Although as many as 3,000 Seminole and Miccosukee had been relocated to the Oklahoma Territory, several enclaves remained in the extreme southern portions of the peninsula at Big Cypress, Fisheating Creek, Catfish Lake, and New River. A census taken three years later accounted for 120 warriors, (70 Seminoles, 30 Miccosukee, 12 Creek, 4 Uchee, and 4 Choctaw), 100 women, and 140 children - a total of 360 souls. The Florida Indians had prevailed, and old Sam Jones would fulfill his vow to die in the land of his birth.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Ebooks, Military Fiction

Paperback

Published September 1, 2019

About the author

Tim Robinson is a third generation Floridian, his grandfather having taken up a 100 acre homestead on Cape Canaveral in 1924. It was his grandfather and father who instilled in him a love for everything Florida. Tim grew up in West Palm Beach, halfway between saltwater Lake Worth and freshwater Lake Mangonia, where he spent his childhood and youth traipsing through the woods or biking over to the beach or taking in the wonders of Florida in some fashion or another. He lives with his wife, Connie, on a small farm in Indiantown, Florida.

Reviews

[June Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a monumental work. It's a huge slice of historical fiction, with characters based on real personages, others fictionalized, and some composite. The storytelling is great--the pace is just right. It is full of twists and turns and converging currents of conflict. Tim Robinson's style is that of a classic yarn-spinner, yet he is firmly grounded in Florida's geography and history. The descriptions of Biscayne Bay and the Everglades take the reader there, feeling the saw blade foliage, hearing the cries of exotic birds. There are scenes so vivid and well-described, the reader carries the imagery in mind for a long time afterward. The characters are great--some are priceless in their foibles (there's a lot of humor in the book). Others--like Jubal Prescott, the protagonist--are many-faceted and complex mixtures of light and darkness. Jubal's grief (which motivates him to become the Indian Fighter of the title) is described to perfection in a way that cannot help but resonate with anyone who has ever known loss. All of the characters have an essential humanity that comes through. For example, the vengeful Indians who engage in savage acts against the settlers are depicted as loving family men too, deeply attached to children and grandchildren, full of natural and human wisdom.We are taken right into the action of the Second Seminole War, and we feel the impact of that cultural clash as Seminole mothers escape into the waters of the Everglades with their children and are defeated, pitiably, by both nature and soldiers; the taking of Indian Key by Indians and the vengeance wreaked upon the (mostly) innocent inhabitants there is imprinted on the reader's mind and heart. This is really great writing. I would urge every serious reader to give themselves the treat of reading Tim Robinson. He shows how great storytelling is done.

[Cookie M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long, and, I believe, true to history. It is about the Florida Indian Wars. I enjoyed it. It is part of a series I knew nothing about, but I am going to go back and read them all.
I received this book free from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very long, but it portrayed the Florida Seminole Wars in an authentic manner. I found it convenient to switch over to the audiobook version and give my tired eyes a rest! Tim Robinson has done meticulous research during the writing of this book. People who are interested in the history of war, Florida, or native people will find this to be an engaging read. Be warned that this story does not contain sugar-coated accounts of violent occurrences. Those who get queasy at such accounts will want to skip this one.

[JW Dillingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

A true feeling for the 2nd Seminole wars in Florida. Get a real insight into all sides of the years long and most costly of all the "Indian" wars. Very well researched and written with many historical figures on both sides of the conflict. Definitely recommend it.

[Doreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. It was a little slow in the beginning but I'm glad I continued to read. I live in the area that this story took place and it was fascinating how the true history was incorporated with the fiction. I have swum with the wild dolphins off Key Biscayne, visited the historical homes in Key West, watched the video's of Indian life in the 1800's, fished, crabbed, netted shrimp and dove for lobster. I've been to Shark Valley and Shark River, taken airboat rides out into the everglades, seen snakes, alligators and many birds, not to mention lizards. Mr. Robinson places you so deep in the story you can taste the salt water, feel the crunch of sand under your feet, feel the warm breezes on your face. Don't miss this great read!

[Page Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and detailed with historical information and a story filled with memorable characters. I have learned a lot about how Florida was settled and the conflicts that developed through this series. A good read for each book.

[Dot Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought Provoking Tale of Indian Conflict in Early 19th Century Southern Florida

This book tells the story of Jubal Prescott, a white man, against the backdrop of the southern Florida peninsula and the wars to remove the Seminole and Miccosukee Indian tribes to Oklahoma. This is the type of book where you want to read each and every word so that none of the story gets away from you. That being said, it probably took me a month to read this book, which is a really long time considering I can generally finish a book within 2 or 3 days. I don’t know if that says that the book was slow or that it says it was so good that I didn’t want to hurry through it.

Without a doubt, the world building was magnificent, with lush descriptions of the Everglades and the Keys. Likewise, the political situation concerning the removal of the Native Americans was elegantly rendered. The characters, from Jubal and his black wife Evie and their family, to various Indians and certain military personnel were developed with precision and related to the reader in a sympathetic and succinct fashion.

Altogether, this was an awesome book and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about this shameful episode in our country’s history and to anyone interested in knowing more about the Native Americans who inhabited the southern parts of Florida.

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway and want to thank Tim Robinson for the fantastic story.

My rating: 5 Stars

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

And here's to you Mr. Robinson!

Mr. Robinson's tale transported me back to my native Florida. His vivid way of describing landscapes had all of my "senses" reeling. I was feeling the sand between my toes, looking like I had the measles from noseeum bites, tasting conch fritters, red snapper and lush mangoes, and riding out a hurricane all over again.

Numerous times while reading this tale, not only did I think of our families Florida history; but I caught myself thinking of my dad and how much he would have enjoyed this.

Thank you Mr. Robinson for a very worthy read!

[Tanya Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as every other book I have read from this series. I love how they tie together. This book was good at showing how the US Government went after Indians in Florida to take over the land and how the Indians chose to fight, move around or accept the Government deal which was no real deal at all for those who chose it.

I would get more into the story of the true Indian Fighter in the story, who has been in other books and has a horribly sad history, but that would ruin the book for anyone who reads this review. Just know, it is as good as the rest.

[Laura Poppenwimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well written book about the Seminole wars in FL. The characters are very well rounded and the scenery descriptions are very detailed, feel like you are in the novel. The overall feeling of the book is one of despair, there are not winners here. Atrocities on both sides of the war, there could not be a winner. This is a war like most that never should have happened, too many innocent people killed for no good reason.

[Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this Kindle book from Goodreads.com in exchange for an honest review. A well written story and it shows how much research was done. The indigenous people of Florida are being driven out, captured and relocated to Oklahoma, or killed. Jubal Prescott’s family has been murdered by an indigenous man as the war gets to Biscayne Bay. He makes it a mission to stalk and kill those involved. Not many “good” people in this book.

[MaryKaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about the brave men who fought and died, trying to remove the Seminole Indians from the Florida Everglades. The book is also sad, in a way, as you learn to love the characters you are reading about. It is very hard to put this book down. It does talk about lots of Florida foliage, so you might want a dictionary for that. :) Great read!

I received this book free from Goodreads for a honest opinion.

[Rebecca Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was like reading a combination of two texts: one historical fiction and the other nonfiction. It had an intriguing story but was in constant competition with the facts and details of Florida during the 1800's. Robinson does a good job of connecting the reader to the emotional struggle of some of the soldiers and the Indians as they fight for what they believe is right.

[Maggies Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, why do we still wage wars when we all know that no one actually ever wins? So much death over pieces of land. This books raw accounts of such savagery committed against another human being will give you nightmares. This historical fiction touches on one of the many wars against the indigenous Indians that lived in southern Florida region.

[Bobby G. Hundley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put it down..


I have raced through each book I could find, not necessarily in the correct order. Robinson's tales of old Florida are filled with names that are familiar to me. They remind me of home. However the weaving of the tale is what kept my interest. Every one I I have read has been exciting and very descriptive of old Florida.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book with a lot of historical detail. It was brutal at times but not unexpected when reading about the Seminole Wars. I didn't know very much about the early days of Florida or the Seminole Wars and enjoyed learning more about that. The Kindle edition was won in a goodreads giveaway. Thank you to the author, publisher and goodreads.

[Jennifer Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the books I read, a small percentage goes on my favorites 'shelf'. So far, everything I've read by Tim Robinson gets shelved as a favorite. He masterfully combines history, adventure, drama and even a little romance. You become emotionally invested in his characters and and cheer at their victories and cry at their defeats.

[Katmandu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it so much I went back to first one and started reading them all. It's not James Michener but it has it's own charm. I love the characters and their many adventures, the historical accuracy bringing another layer to the mix. I love the fact that women get involved, one way and another, with many of the stories.

[DAB-E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well written. Descriptions of the Everglades, flora, and fauna are very precise and reading them you can easily visualize what that part of Florida must have been like.

I have not read much before about the Indian tribes in Florida in the mid 1800's. Man's inhumanity to man is hard to understand, There is a lot of death in this book but also a lot of heroics as well.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the giveaway! I really enjoyed this and I'm starting to like historical fiction more and more. I enjoyed the different perspectives of all the different characters and I also learned so much about the Indian Wars in Florida. I live in South Florida and this gave me a deeper appreciation to learn this history of this land.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a series I really enjoy. The characters are appealing, the action is interesting and I learn so much of history that I've never heard before. In this book it was the Florida Indian wars and I found them fascinating. This author does a good job mixing true facts along with his fictional story.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.

[Sandee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of the Florida Indians

A great read. Really love the way this author writes. It really transports me back to old Florida and helps me understand the Florida of today, the one out which I live.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the stories of old Florida. Tim Robinson has taken them and put them into a very readable format. I won an e-book copy of The Indian Fighter in a Goodreads giveaway, and having read it, I will definitely dive into the others in the series.

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a interesting book it’s fiction but baised on true history.
Usually if a book is this long on history I skim some but not
On this book. I learned a lot and enjoyed the characters. I
Recommend this book to you.

[R.Z. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay

Lots of description. Straightforward writing style. Very violent, if you like that sort of thing. I admit that I stopped reading about a third of the way through this over-long book and went on to other things. But that does not mean that it was a bad book.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my typical kind of read but I still found it an interesting and well written story. Humans are just not as angelic as we would like to believe. Doesn't matter what color our skin. A little slow but worth it.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life long fight

Follow Jubal Prescott as he spends his life fighting for his family. Intertwined with his fight is the fight between the United States government and the indigenous people of Florida.

#GoodreadsGiveaway

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was by this book at first like I was The Hermit. Just didn’t like it as much. But as before I did end up liking it. Tim Robinson has a way of keeping you interested and hanging on. I won this book in a give away.

[L. Christina Witherspoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good history of the Seminole Indian

I learned a lot in this book. I knew some about a Indian Key. Now I learned so much more. I think he did a good job of seeing both sides of the war.

[W. W. Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I was born many years too late. I would have liked to live in the time this story talks about. I can picture Florida looked in the time this story takes place. I.enjoyed the book and look forward to the next one.