SKU: 77992936959

Totch: A Life in the Everglades

Sale price$16.79 Regular price$18.66
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $4.67 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Aug 2 - Aug 7

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

Totch: A Life in the Everglades"Totch Brown's memoirs of vanished days in the Ten Thousand Islands and the Everglades the last real frontier in Florida, and even today the greatest roadless wilderness in the United States are invaluable as well as vivid and entertaining, for Totch is a natural born story teller, and his accounts of fishing and gator hunting as well as his life beyond the law as gator poacher and drug runner are evocative and colorful, fresh and exciting." from the

"Totch Brown's memoirs of vanished days in the Ten Thousand Islands and the Everglades--the last real frontier in Florida, and even today the greatest roadless wilderness in the United States--are invaluable as well as vivid and entertaining, for Totch is a natural-born story-teller, and his accounts of fishing and gator hunting as well as his life beyond the law as gator poacher and drug runner are evocative and colorful, fresh and exciting."--from the foreword by Peter Matthiessen

In the mysterious wilderness of swamps, marshes, and rivers that conceals life in the Florida Everglades, Totch Brown hung up his career as alligator hunter and commercial fisherman to become a self-confessed pot smuggler. Before the marijuana money rolled in, he survived excruciating poverty in one of the most primitive and beautiful spots on earth, Chokoloskee Island, in the mangrove keys known as the Ten Thousand Islands located at the western gateway to the Everglades National Park.

Until he wrote this memoir--recollections from his childhood in the twenties that merge with reflections on a way of life dying at the hands of progress in the nineties--Totch had never read a book in his life. Still, his writing conveys the tension he experienced from trying to live off the land and within the laws of the land.

Told with energy and authenticity, his story begins with the handful of souls who came to the area a hundred years ago to homestead on the high ground formed from oyster mounds built and left by the Calusa Indians. They lived close to nature in shacks built of tin or palmetto fans; they ate wild meat, Chokoloskee chicken (white ibis), swamp cabbage, even--when they were desperate--manatee; and they weathered all manner of natural disaster from hurricanes to swarms of "swamp angels" (mosquitoes). In his grandpa's day, Totch writes, outlaws and cutthroats would "shoot a man down just as quick as they'd knock down an egret, especially if he came between them and the plume birds."

His grandparents were both contemporaries of Ed J. Watson, the subject of Peter Matthiessen's best-selling Killing Mr. Watson, and Totch is featured in the recent award-winning PBS film Lost Man's River: An Everglades Adventure with Peter Matthiessen. He also appeared in Wind Across the Everglades, the 1957 Budd Schulberg movie in which Totch and Burl Ives sing some of Totch's Florida cracker songs.


Loren G. "Totch" Brown was born in Chokoloskee, Florida, in 1920. After purchasing his first motorboat at the age of thirteen (and retiring from formal schooling after the seventh grade) he worked as an alligator hunter, commercial fisherman, crabber, professional guide, poacher, marijuana runner, singer, and songwriter.



Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: University Press of Florida
Published: 09/20/1993
ISBN: 9780813012285
Pages: 279
Weight: 0.97lbs
Size: 9.02h x 6.10w x 0.82d

Review Citations: Booklist 12/01/1993 pg. 672
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 77992936959

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.4 ★★★★★
Based on 22 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
L
LM
Houston, US
★★★★★ 5
Stylish
Size: Large, Color: White
This Alimens & Gentle Oxford shirt is honestly a great addition to any wardrobe and completely exceeded my expectations ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. The material thickness is spot on. It’s not too thin and not heavy either, which makes it perfect for both work and casual wear. The fabric feels sturdy and well structured without being stiff or uncomfortable. The style is clean, classic, and versatile. It looks sharp enough for business or office settings, but you can easily dress it down for a more casual look. The white color is crisp and polished, and the cut gives it a modern, put together appearance without feeling too formal. Quality really stands out with this shirt. The stitching is neat, the buttons are secure, and everything feels well made. It holds its shape nicely even after wearing it all day, and it doesn’t feel like one of those shirts that loses structure after a few washes. Comfort is another big win. The stretch in the fabric makes a noticeable difference, especially when moving around, sitting, or reaching. It feels flexible and breathable, and you don’t feel restricted at all. It’s the kind of shirt you can wear from morning to night without feeling uncomfortable. Wrinkle resistance is impressive. Even after a long day or sitting for hours, it still looks fairly smooth and presentable. A quick hang or light touch up is all it needs, which is great if you’re trying to save time. Value for money is excellent. For the price, you’re getting a stylish, comfortable, and well made shirt that easily competes with much more expensive brands. It looks professional, feels great, and performs well. Overall this shirt checks all the boxes. Great material, sharp style, solid quality, comfortable fit, and very good wrinkle resistance. I’d definitely recommend it and would happily buy more in different colors.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2026
R
Ray
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 5
Work casual shirt that travels well:
Size: Large, Color: Dusty Blue, Size: Large, Color: Dusty Blue
This shirt runs true to size with a bit of room for more. The material is a bit stretchy which helps keep the shirt looking great without major wrinkles. The shirt itself is comfortable and feels like it'd last through many washes and the care instructions are fairly simple (cold wash and low dryer). This particular color is unusual and compliments many outfits. Given the quality, this is a high value item. Just go easy with the iron.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2026
B
Verified Purchase
bearsman54
New York, US
★★★★★ 4
Good shirt for the money
Size: Medium, Color: White
Solid shirt, fits well
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2026
T
TallerThanAverage
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 5
Gorgeous blue color, fits me very well, nicely made and comfortable
Size: Large, Color: Dusty Blue, Size: Large, Color: Dusty Blue
I'm 6'1" 180lbs, sleeve normally 34" and neck 16", and this fits me pretty much perfectly. The material looks really good, I find this particular shade of blue (pattern) to just look really cool. Slightly darker than a typical men's blue shirt, with a slight bit of sheen. Its a medium thickness fabric, not flimsy feeling at all. I find this comfortable. Its smooth to the touch although I always would wear an undershirt personally. Claims to be Italian design? The cut to me seems to be a very standard look, no frills but "sharp" to my eye. The packaging did a good job of protecting the shirt, though it did show up with some extra creases. But that doesn't really matter since it would have needed an ironing before first wearing it regardless. And I do appreciate that the packaging was not excessively wasteful of plastic etc. I haven't worn it a zillion times yet so I can't comment on longevity. Given the price around 22 bucks I'd say this is a good value. Not sure why this color was slightly more expensive (10%) than white or regular blue. Review for "Alimens & Gentle Mens Oxford Shirts Stretch Long Sleeve Dress Shirt for Men Casual Business Work Solid Button Down Shirts"
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2026
M
Verified Purchase
Michael Kulp
New York, US
★★★★★ 5
Highly Recommended Dress Shirt
Fit Type: Regular Fit, Color: White, Size: Medium
Honestly, I Love It. Fits Great, Neck Isn't Too Tight Like Most Shirts, And It's Comfortable. It Is 100% Cotton, So Dont Forget To Iron It Before Wearing It. High Quality Dress Shirt. Highly Recommended.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2025

recommand products