Forgotten Tales of Florida

Forgotten Tales

by Bob Patterson, Kyle McQueen (Illustrator)

With such a rich and significant history, it's only natural that some of the best stories from the Sunshine State have been forgotten over time. Thankfully, master storyteller and St. Augustine resident Bob Patterson offers this collection of the strangest, most fascinating stories and legends in Florida's history from coast to coast, swamp to swamp. Enjoy the saga of William Ellis, a North Florida nature whisperer who escaped from his nursing home with the help of his varmint friends; step into the murk and mystery of the vanishing tribes of the Everglades; and could there really be gator-hungry sharks lurking in the St. John's River? These stories and so many more await when you explore the Forgotten Tales of Florida.

128 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2009

Reviews

[Jen Mink · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute book riddled with Florida history, told as folk stories and sprinkled with humor. It didn't start like I thought it would, but it ended beautifully.

[Vickie Woodard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is obviously dated, but that doesn’t make it any less interesting. These are stories shared between generations and rarely experienced first hand by the author.
But I don’t appreciate the glamorization of cottonmouths (aka water moccasins)
I’ve killed more than I can count and will keep on killing them. At first I killed them because we had children. Now I kill them because we have grandchildren.
I like the big black snake who sorta lives in our pole shed. That snake earns his keep.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Homespun stories about the Florida long gone, both prehistoric and merely Cracker. Reminds us that today's Florida rarely reflects its underpinnings, its native culture, its tall tales - and its dark racism.

[Ericka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good stories. Needs some kind of transition between stories though.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book of Florida stories

Lots of great stories and what a group of people to give a little background on real Floridians. Thanks for a great book.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of these tales of Florida happen in and around the upper east side of the state, near the St. Augustine area. Mr. Patterson has put together some tall tales and a few stores from the FL story Teller's festival. One interesting story is about a Spanish captain who sailed with Dr Soto and may be the person behind the real story of the Native American princess saving a foreigner's life instead of Pocahontas. A great gift for anyone living in FL.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that I worked on with Bob for several years before he found a publisher. It's a great little book of folk tales. Bob is a folk musician and story-teller by trade, and this book puts some of his most beloved tales to the page.

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantastical folk tales in an old Florida setting. Lots of positive energy.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining I read this in one afternoon.