William Culyer Hall, a native of Lakeland, is a fifth generation Floridian. After majoring in wildlife ecology at the University of Florida, he gleaned a wealth of life experience in a variety of professions: U.S. Navy submariner, technical instructor, field service engineer, high school cross country coach (Florida Coach of the Year in 1988 and 1989). A lifelong naturalist, Hall began free-lancing as an outdoor writer in 1997 and has published numerous feature articles and short stories. The Trouble With Panthers is his second novel. The father of four sons, he now lives with his wife Cheryl in Rockledge Florida.
The Florida Historical Society Press recently published
The Trouble With Panthers
ISBN 10: 1-886104-42-5
ISBN 13: 978-1-886104-42-6
FLORIDA TODAY ARTICLE: FLORIDA FRONTIERS INTERVIEW: BUY IT NOW!
“The trouble with panthers is they can’t change. With the whole world changin round it, old panther got no choice but to go on bein a panther. It can’t reason like you and me -- can’t decide to earn its livin a little differently.”
Central Florida, November 2004. Upon hearing this admonition from his dying grandfather, young cowman, Bodie Rawlerson, doesn’t hesitate to promise the old man that he won’t be like the panther. Though he hates change, fears it more than anything else, he vows to do whatever necessary to carry on the family legacy of raising cattle on the land he so dearly loves. But unbeknownst to Bodie, forces are already in motion to render his promise impossible to keep. Within days of his grandfather’s passing, these forces of human (and inhuman) nature will convince him that nothing lasts forever, that change is life’s only certainty -- that time and chance do indeed rule us all.
“This is one of those rare novels that both entertain and inform. It takes the reader on a journey through Florida cattle country in times gone by, and is a pleasure to read. The characters are real, the actions are real, and the scenes are real. Highly recommended!"
Patrick D. Smith
Author of A Land Remembered
Author is available for signings. A promotional flier is attached to this page.