Redfish Oak

After reading Redfish Oak twice, I want to visit St. Augustine. Check into a Spanish inn built in the late 1700s, walk the coquina paved streets, purchase fresh fruit from the local Minorcan vendors along the way and take a seaside stroll to ancient coastal Fort Marion.Set in the time of Custer, Plain Indians arrive to the picturesque town of St. Augustine, adding even more color to the growing mosaic of Minorcans, inhabitants of "Little Africa," the social elite and the hidden (but emergent) Ku Klux Klan.Teenage girls can find inspiration in the fearless heroine, who exhibits both the fierceness and vulnerability of Scarlett O'Hara. Young African American boys can learn from the growth out of Elijah Taylor's predatory predicament, with the help of the unlikely yet emboldening mentor, Dick. And young Native Americans can find courage and hope from the clever Kiowa Warrior who is eager to learn the intriguing ways of the new white settlers.Truly a must read, especially for today's youth, during these still racially and class-divided times. -Adian Valdez

This novel is a view into the post-Civil-War world of the southeastern U.S., specifically St. Augustine, the nation's oldest city. In 1875, a group of renegade Native Americans are brought to the city's old Spanish Fort from Oklahoma for cultural assimilation - to learn work skills, speak English, and to understand white culture. Based on true events, they are thrust into an environment of post-war violence and hatred that is the focal point for a power struggle between the town sheriff (a former Confederate general) and the people of the town who want to move on from the war. Emerging at the center of the conflict is a seventeen year old girl who, ignoring her own subjugated class, forms a triumvirate with one of her black students and a young warrior and begins a fight for the real freedom of former slaves, Native Americans and ultimately herself and her city. Filled with vivid descriptions and colorful characters, Putnam and Grutman have delivered a thrilling yarn that will keep you up late turning pages and leaving you wishing for a sequel!

I just had the pleasure of reading REDFISH OAK by George Putnam and Jewel Grutmam. I found it a very difficult book andto put down until I had finished reading it.Having taught History, I found the subject matter fascinating. While the story is fiction, the events are very characteristic of what was actually taking place in the United States Shortly after the Civil War. The era of Reconstruction, Carpetbaggers, Imancipation of Slaves, and the treatment of Native Americans, is well portrayed.The research that went into the writing of this novel is extensive. The authors have incorporated this research into events that make up the premise of the story. Again, while the plot is fiction, the events and characters making the story are based on what appears to be near actual happenings throughout the South during this time period.I highly recommend the reading of REDFISH OAK to anyone interested in this time period of the United State, or for anyone interested in a vey suspense filled novel.

I loved Redfish Oak! I finished it last night and I was sorry for it to come to an end. It is wonderful! When I get involved in a good book the characters become my friends and I don't like to let them go when I finish the book. I got very involved in it and looked up what the Minorcans were. I never had heard about them before. What I find interesting is how our society hasn't really changed all that much in nearly 150 years. They wanted term limits way back then and it still hasn't happened. A lot of people were racist back then and still are today.My husband and I went to St. Augustine, Florida several years ago and now I would love to go back and take a better look.Kerri

This is a penetrating novel about this town. As a resident of St Augustine it was a joy to read because it brought out echoes of the turmoil that has surrounded this place since it was founded in the 16th century. The novel is exciting and moves very fast but includes much historical background. A wonderful book. I couldn't put it down!