Joe A. Akerman, Jr., author of American Brahman: A History of the American Brahman, chronicles Florida’s cattle industry from Ponce de Leon in 1521 to the modern era in Florida Cowman A History Of Florida Cattle Raising.

Akerman first introduces us to the etymology of cowman, which he defines as a man who worked and knew cattle, a man skilled with cattle. The word, he also emphasizes, is closely associated with "cracker," partly because the buckskin whip used made a cracking sound, but also, the similarity in speech and life styles of the cracker and cowman.

Presented is a concise history of Florida cattle during the Spanish era, including the influence of the conquistadors, missions, and rancheros, which’s bloodlines dominated the state’s herds for centuries. Also featured are the cattle and horse raising of the Alachua Seminoles, as are the cattle operations during the brief British rule (1763-83).

In 1821 Spain ceded Florida to the United States, and into that new territory and later state (1845), thereafter, flowed a stream of settlers, including cattlemen families, of whom many are still ranchers: Alderman, Blount, Carlton, Clyatt, Collier, Crews, Durrance, Hardee, Hart, Hendry, Hooker, Jernigan, Knight, Lanier, Lesley, Parker, Partin, Pearce, Skipper, Summerlin, Whidden, and Willingham.

While some cowmen brought large herds, most of the first cattlemen depended on the wild scrub cattle they found. Described are the contrasting Cracker cowmen and planters who raised cattle.

The frontier was infamous for lawlessness, of which Florida had its share of range violence and notorious outlaws. Detailed are many examples, including Arcadia of the 1890s, and episodes of cattle rustling, spanning to contemporary times.

During the latter part of the Civil War, Florida became the Confederate beef larder. Related is that vital contribution, including quartermasters Jacob Summerlin and James McKay, and the organization of the Cow Cavalry, featuring several companies including those of Capt. L. G. Lesley and Capt. F. A. Hendry.

The cattle trade to Cuba, opened in the late 1850s by Capt. James McKay, Sr., was expanded after the Civil War by McKay, Summerlin, Hendry, Lykes, and others, with Punta Rassa becoming the main embarkation point. The operations, including a census of cattle from 1867 to 1887, are noted.

Showing the generational character and spirit of the Florida cowman are interviews with numerous cattlemen, including Judge Alto Adams, Mrs. Teet Alderman, Reuben and Wayne Carlton, Berta Chaires, William Hilliard, Theodore Lesley, Charles Lykes, Pershing Platt, Bobby Roberts, and Abner Wright.

Florida Cowman, now in its forth edition, is the definitive account of the Florida cattle industry. Complemented by copious illustrations, including pen and ink drawings by the author and over one hundred cattle brands, it contains 352 pages, with a preface, introduction, acknowledgments, lists of past presidents, honorary directors and outstanding cattlewomen, bibliography, footnotes, and index.

It can be ordered from the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, P. O. Box 421929, Kissimmee, FL 34742, phone 407-846-6221, Florida Cattlemen's Association or Joe Akerman, 164 NW Whispering Pines Loop, Madison, FL 32340.

This review was published in The Herald-Advocate (Wauchula, Florida) of April 14, 2005.