Gladesmen: Gator Hunters, Moonshiners, and Skiffers - Paperback

by Glen Simmons (Author), Laura Ogden (Author)

"An homage to the rugged 'swamp rats' who were largely overlooked or scorned by the region's historians, naturalists, and adventurers."--Miami Herald

"Documents an aspect of Florida history and culture of which far too little has been written. . . . [Gladesmen] is alive with South Florida history and spiced with Simmons' understated humor and world view."--Folk Winds

"Contains interesting tales of outlaws, moonshiners and other characters--some who lived on the edge of right and wrong--and roamed the inhospitable backcountry prairies of soft muck and massive mosquitoes."--South Dade News Leader

"We Floridians sometimes . . . long for the simple life of pioneers and wonder how we would manage 'living off the land.' This book serves as a slap in the face of such fantasy."--St. Petersburg Times

"Simmons tells us that he is no hero, but he is the stuff of Daniel Boone, Davey Crockett, Jim Bridger, and Alfred Wallace."--Florida Frontier Gazette

"Simmons is Florida's answer to Huckleberry Finn."--Georgia Historical Quarterly

Author Biography

Glen Simmons (1916-2009) lived in south Florida his entire life, spending much of it in the Everglades. In 1995 he was awarded a State of Florida Heritage Award for his unique contribution to Florida's history and folk culture. Laura Ogden, a lifelong friend of Simmons, is an anthropologist and professor at Florida International University.