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Home at the End of the World: Key West tales from the 60s, 70s and 80s by those who lived it.
Key West, an island steeped in mystery and movement, tradition and transformation, has no shortage of tales to tell. One particular era—the 1960s, 70s, and 80s—in the community’s storied past, defined Key West as a true artist’s outpost and muse to many. The book by Rita Troxel, Home at the End of the World, is a collection of nonfiction, first-person excerpts, stories and photos from this golden time of Cayo creativity.
"There’s no better way to capture the weird, wild, magical Key West of the 70s and 80s than in the words of the people who lived it, loved it, and miraculously managed to remember it.The island is one of those rare places where the true stories outshine the lore."
Carl Hiaasen
Squeeze Me
"Here’s Rita Troxel’s ultimate Zoom call (sometimes, including photographs) that allows us to hear many stories of former and current Key Westers, who make their reports in their own voices – people who intentionally or unintentionally arrived at land’s end. In reading, you’ll understand how reflexive the interaction is, how individuals are influenced by, and in turn shape, Key West. Some people or places may have vanished; youth, itself, has departed, but its flip-flops remain for the next generation to step into, as they, too, make their visit to this singular place that, every so often, flashes a rainbow."
Ann Beattie
New Yorker Stories
"Key West at its naughtiest -- sex, drugs, and tequila shots – in the wild days of the 70s when the town itself was, in the words of one of the people lucky enough to have been there, “an act of civil disobedience.” As special as the coral on which the town rests, this collection of writings by bartenders, waiters, singers, actors, fishermen, sailors, shrimpers, smugglers, silversmiths, landscapers, proofreaders, contractors, hard-partying fans of Tennessee Williams and Hunter Thompson, is wholly original and authentic. Read it with a margarita!!"
Phyllis Rose
Parallel Lives
"Key West in the 1970s and '80s — between the Navy leaving and the arrival of Big Tourism — is legendary. Partly because the island attracted legendary figures like Thomas McGuane, Hunter S. Thompson and Jimmy Buffett. But it was all the others who lived here who created that one-of-a-kind community. Here, finally, are their stories."
Nancy Klingener - Florida Keys reporter for WLRN, South Florida's public radio station
"I was lucky enough to live in Key West during the 70s when it was still anonymous. I published my first book, “The Butterfly Convention” while I lived there. Young sexy writers were everywhere. There were bales of pot floating in the ocean, and a Cuban fire chief with a fire truck too big to fit down the street. Every corner had a cafe con leche stand.This book covers it all in a way that brings laughter and pathos to the reader. I cried while I read it. I loved it."
Susan Nadler
Podcast - Shady Ladies of Music City
"There’s no better way to capture the weird, wild, magical Key West of the 70s and 80s than in the words of the people who lived it, loved it, and miraculously managed to remember it.The island is one of those rare places where the true stories outshine the lore."
Carl Hiaasen
Squeeze Me
"Here’s Rita Troxel’s ultimate Zoom call (sometimes, including photographs) that allows us to hear many stories of former and current Key Westers, who make their reports in their own voices – people who intentionally or unintentionally arrived at land’s end. In reading, you’ll understand how reflexive the interaction is, how individuals are influenced by, and in turn shape, Key West. Some people or places may have vanished; youth, itself, has departed, but its flip-flops remain for the next generation to step into, as they, too, make their visit to this singular place that, every so often, flashes a rainbow."
Ann Beattie
New Yorker Stories
"Key West at its naughtiest -- sex, drugs, and tequila shots – in the wild days of the 70s when the town itself was, in the words of one of the people lucky enough to have been there, “an act of civil disobedience.” As special as the coral on which the town rests, this collection of writings by bartenders, waiters, singers, actors, fishermen, sailors, shrimpers, smugglers, silversmiths, landscapers, proofreaders, contractors, hard-partying fans of Tennessee Williams and Hunter Thompson, is wholly original and authentic. Read it with a margarita!!"
Phyllis Rose
Parallel Lives
"Key West in the 1970s and '80s — between the Navy leaving and the arrival of Big Tourism — is legendary. Partly because the island attracted legendary figures like Thomas McGuane, Hunter S. Thompson and Jimmy Buffett. But it was all the others who lived here who created that one-of-a-kind community. Here, finally, are their stories."
Nancy Klingener - Florida Keys reporter for WLRN, South Florida's public radio station
"I was lucky enough to live in Key West during the 70s when it was still anonymous. I published my first book, “The Butterfly Convention” while I lived there. Young sexy writers were everywhere. There were bales of pot floating in the ocean, and a Cuban fire chief with a fire truck too big to fit down the street. Every corner had a cafe con leche stand.This book covers it all in a way that brings laughter and pathos to the reader. I cried while I read it. I loved it."
Susan Nadler
Podcast - Shady Ladies of Music City
- GenresNonfictionTravel
261 pages, Hardcover
Published December 18, 2020
3 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 29, 2021
WELL its unfair for me to review my own book, but since its not available at all the usual suspects I thought I should let you know where you can purchase Home At The End Of The World by Rita B Troxel (me) if you would like it shipped to you.
For Books and Books Key West the direct link is
https://shop.booksandbookskw.com/9780... or call them at
305-320-0208
or
call Key West Island Books at 305-294-2904
both places will happily ship to you I hope you enjoy the book
For Books and Books Key West the direct link is
https://shop.booksandbookskw.com/9780... or call them at
305-320-0208
or
call Key West Island Books at 305-294-2904
both places will happily ship to you I hope you enjoy the book
June 24, 2021
This is an enormously charming collection of reminiscences about the people and experiences in Key West, FL in the 70s and 80s--a time of great ferment, artistic experimentation and chemical exuberance. Many famous persons appear, and the adventures and experiences recounted here are in turn hilarious, exciting, bawdy, and nostalgic. I never lived in Key West and have only visited for a few days a couple of times, but this book makes me feel as though I lived through it--or wish that I had. Just great fun all around.
February 21, 2021
Felt like you were at the bar listening to a bunch of conchs (and honorary conchs) telling stories. It was nice hearing about the "glory" days of Key West, something that I have heard waiters/waitresses/bartenders mention when I go there.
The format was fun. It was nice seeing the different writing styles of each author. It is set up so that you hear stories from various people that lived in Key West during the 60s,70s and 80s. It spans a long time period but it keeps your attention. Makes me want to go back and visit as soon as I can because I think I have more appreciation towards the island.
I saw Key West Island Bookstore post about it on Facebook and gave them a call (spoke to Suzanne!) to order a copy. Was sent to Buffalo where I was reading about a tropical paradise while being snowed in! I highly recommend the book!
The format was fun. It was nice seeing the different writing styles of each author. It is set up so that you hear stories from various people that lived in Key West during the 60s,70s and 80s. It spans a long time period but it keeps your attention. Makes me want to go back and visit as soon as I can because I think I have more appreciation towards the island.
I saw Key West Island Bookstore post about it on Facebook and gave them a call (spoke to Suzanne!) to order a copy. Was sent to Buffalo where I was reading about a tropical paradise while being snowed in! I highly recommend the book!
June 24, 2021
Such a great recounting as a baby boomer heydays, post Vietnam war, in this island outlaw outpost. Part nostalgic recounting of youth and part Hollywood drug caper of South Florida! A fun and eclectic read with many different voices, all eyewitnesses to the almost unbelievable adventures of my parents’ generation. I enjoyed many of the essays and loved skipping around to various themes and authors with really unique takes.
July 25, 2025
You wouldn't want to read this book from beginning to end, but rather keep it nearby to dip into it here and there to cheer yourself up and remind yourself of a magical time in a magical place so long gone now. All of the remembrances collected here ring clear and true. An invaluable historical record for anyone who has ever wandered out of the Green Parrot after 4am with a cup of beer in his hand as the roosters were starting to crow and the sky was turning from black to purple in the east.
June 24, 2021
A lyrical and engaging archive of life in the Florida Keys in the good old days of drugs, booze and bohemian freedom. The pictures add a lot to the family album ambiance - the entire book is beautifully curated!
August 24, 2023
I picked up this collection of short stories after a week of adventuring in the Keys… it helped me make it through the grey days of winter and in it I met all the characters of those days before my time.
Looking forward to my next visit, maybe one day it’ll be my home too ;)
Looking forward to my next visit, maybe one day it’ll be my home too ;)
June 28, 2021
Sigh, makes me wish I hadn't wasted the 80's living in the cold, gray north.
June 8, 2025
Arrived in Key West today, so glad I read the stories. Seems like a wild place
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews