Florida Books

McMichael's "Atlantic Loyalties" makes a good study of how a region became part of the United States differently from how practically all of the rest of the U. S. was formed. The jingoistic settlement of Texas preceding the Mexican War; displacement of Native American tribes; and administrative steps leading to statehood as with California and other Western states are familiar ways regions have been incorporated into the United States. By contrast, the Florida panhandle controlled by Spain became a part of the nation by a long, winding course by which the Anglo-Americas who made up the majority of the population changed loyalties.

Part of the Spanish territory of western Florida almost from the earliest days of its settlement, Anglo-Americans were not essentially dissatisfied with being subject to Spanish rule. The Anglo-Americans were economically successful; they made a community within the territory; the Spanish rule was benign, with some of the governors, notably Charles Louis Boucher de Grand Pre, popular. Neither victory in America's War of Independence nor the Louisiana Purchase turned the west Floridian Anglo-Americans' allegiance from the Spanish to the Americans. However, each of these momentous historical events inevitably contributed to the eventual change in loyalties.

Continuing United States' troubles with Britain leading to the War of 1812 and conflict among the European countries of Britain, Spain, and France with the rise of Napoleon having some global dimension also unsettled the circumstances in west Florida so as to contribute to the change. Outside American agitators trying to bring the area into the United States; Spanish land speculators; and developments in the Caribbean region were localized factors which along with the larger historical events, made the change of loyalty virtually inevitable. It was only a matter of time.

What is remarkable is not that the loyalties of the Anglo-Americans shifted, but that they took so long to do so; that it took such a buildup of historical and local events for them to do so. After victory in the Revolutionary War and the Louisiana Purchase, for example, Americans rowdily and sometimes violently took over some locales.

McMichael, associate professor of history at Western Kentucky University, does not attribute the change in allegiance from Spain to the United States to any single cause; neither to any confluence of a few. He shows how the effects of historical developments and the practicalities and feelings of human lives intermingle in certain veins of history.

Loved it....very suspenseful, and with some very believable dream
sequences that made me hope I don't have those same dreams myself! The
evil televangelist here was like a cross between Jim Bakker and Anthony
Robbins, with a little Donald Trump to boot. The idea of having a
woman seeking custody of her son in order to save him from falling
under this guy's influence, while making her ex a Federal judge, was a
stroke of genius. The writing trumps Left Behind, and the ending,
along with all the coffee references, really was good to the last drop.

Mr. Lensen's books are always excellent but this one, his last before he passed away, is fantastic. The detail that he has gone into describing the situation in Choson (Korea) just prior to the Russo-Japanese War is very indepth and gives the reader the background of the events leading upto the war between these two countries. With his vast knowledge of the Russians and their expansion towards Korea and Japan, and his access to the Russian files he has made his book invaluable to all who would study and understand Korea.

I worked at Barnett Bank of SW Florida from 1987-1989, and then worked for BB in Atlanta from 1989-1990. I worked for Rick Brewer and Fred West in Sarasota and they were the best. Such a great Barnett spirit which was a reflection of our leaders. Ginzl was correct when he said BBI did a poor job of oversight in Atlanta. Some great folks there, but not close to the Barnett spirit and teamwork I experienced in Sarasota.

This is a great read for all Barnetters.

This book is really good, because is very detailed.
Is a great product for anyone that wants to go into the real estate business, or even someone that just want to know more, for personal use.
Is user friendly, with simple language, that anyone can understand.

Normally I read mostly history, not fiction. This book however caught my eye for a few of reasons. Firstly, as I have already mentioned, I like history. I also have a great interest in the Naval Academy and have always been interested in Key West.

While I don't usually read fiction, I have to say this one was exceptional. It has helped open my eyes to the fact that you can learn by reading fictional accounts.

Bats of Florida is the book I have been looking for. The general discussion on bats is the best I have ever read. It covers the latest science in a balanced and easily readable style. Much of the information should be useful to anyone interested in bats. The species discussions of the bats found in Florida are the most up to date and complete information available.

2 tickets to pooh's heffalump please. LOL CAROLINE [...]I LOVE U!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. OK people lets get down to business. My name is Frank Shepennie ( i think LOL crolins) and i love Winn Dixie. I cannot wait for the movie to come out. Im guna go see it with CAROLINE! when it comes out. WE're guna laff at people LOL CAROLINE!!!!. THIS IS THE GREATEST MOVIE SCRAPBOOK EVER. CAROLINE IS MY PET WATER BOTTLE. i hope i use a calculator

Some of the best interior design photographic layouts I've ever seen. There are tons of ideas in the book. I recommend this book to anyone interested in highend interior design in Florida.

Mandy Bolen's Tan Lines is a wonderful compilation of articles from her Key West humor column. Through her "local" eyes we get a glimpse of the true Key West that is tucked beneath the tourist city seen by so many. Bolen captures the flare, quirks and attitudes of the small island with refreshing honesty and she has the ability to make you laugh along the way. This is a must-read for anyone who has spent time in Key West or just hopes to find their way there some day. I highly recommend this book.