Angel City

Anyone who grew up in Florida, or who has now made Florida home, owes it to themselves to read between and beyond the lines of Theme Parks and crowded beaches for which this state is famous. Patrick Smith's Angel City and his other fascinating stories of Florida should grace your bookshelves. The Florida of not too long ago, as beautifully told in Angel City, relates of the labor camp trials and tribulations in the 1960's - relatively recent history. I was in Florida then, both knew and saw some of the atrocities and sub-human conditions of the folks who made it possible for the country to enjoy tomatoes, celery, sugar and a breadbasket of food that they were sometimes denied. Patrick Smith's novels are very compelling, easy to read and open your eyes to places beyond the perimeter, providing a deeper understanding of this complex and beautiful state.

Once again Patrick Smith takes the reader back to a time in Florida's history when migrant workers were exploited and treated horribly. The story is dark and depressing at times, but is based on fact and well written. The reader experiences the characters' frustration and hopelessness first hand as Jay Teeter's story unfolds

This is by the same author who wrote "A Land Remembered". This is not a feel good book it is disturbing but necessary to read if you have a heart and conscience. It's about the migrant workers life in camps. Not sure of the exact years it takes place but my guess it the mid to late 50's. You follow a family from rural W. VA to FL and find out what really goes on in the camps. For those of us that were raised not to eat grapes and lettuce during the Chavez years of CA strikes this book will be especially poignant. If you have a teen this is a must as is all of Smith's books. This one goes to the heart and stays in the mind. Patrick Smith considered this his best work. Alas, he is now dead, but he lives on through his books.

This book shows how people were taken advantage of in the settlement of Florida. It will make you very upset, but give you knowledge of how bad some people were treated.

This author knocks it out of the park when it comes to Florida history. Some of it is so sad but it happened. Glad I did not live in that era. Good read.

Patrick Smith's Angel City is not easy reading for the soft hearted. The book is set in the early 1970s ... not really that long ago but the brutality and heartbreak the protagonist and his family suffer in the harvest fields of southern should be the stuff of long, long ago in a harsher land than the majority of we United States citizens experience. I understand that Smith did research in the same harvest fields, I trust the reality of the circumstances he describes. Smith engages his readers from the first word.Angel City is a heart breaker. In the light of our country's discussion about immigration it is thought provoking.

Important history we all need to know about, so this never happens again. I would highly recommend this book for you

Patrick D Smith always researches his books 100%. This is how the migrant workers were treated and how some are still treated this way. Modern day slaves. Here in Florida they have busted many labor camps for todays slavery. Now you know why you must pay that extra one cent for tomatoes. Only problem is, it goes to the stores and not the workers. Do some follow ups on the internet about Florida migrant workers. Very interesting.As always, Patrick D Smith is one of the best.

This book has all the emotions you can think of and more besides. I would recommend it unreservedly. Buy it now