Set at the turn of the century, this masterfully researched novel is based on the life of Edgar J. Watson, a renegade businessman and man of legend in Chokoloskee, Florida. Matthiessen tells a gripping story of frontier life in the Everglades, weaving historic news accounts and plenty of natural history into his fictional tale. The book is dedicated to the pioneer families of southwest Florida.  (FLA03, $14.95)

Peter Matthiessen