Florida Books

My boyfriend and I went and paddled the Wilderness Waterway through the Everglades National Park in February 2008 using this guidebook, a compass and the appropriate nautical charts. We had never been to Florida before, nor had we ever undertaken such a long canoe trip. The experience was exhilarating. Route finding through the mangrove forest was very challenging, but by stopping, rereading Johnny Malloy's route descriptions as we progressed, and trusting the compass, we never did make a wrong turn. Without this guide, I'm not sure that would have been true.

I was disappointed to be advised by people we met along the paddle that the "Nightmare Route" would not be passable after the most recent hurricanes of 2005 because of fallen trees and the fact that the ranger service does not maintain the route. After reading this guide, which was published in 2000, I had been totally sold on the idea of paddling the "Quintessential Everglades Route." I don't know if it is actually not passable, but we decided not to take the chance. Anyone interested should pursue more updated information. The North Harney River Route, however, was passable and satisfied some of that desire to paddle the route less taken.

If you don't know what no-see-ums are, investigate protecting yourself from them before you go. Yikes!

This book was extremely helpful to plan a trip in the everglades and then was also helpful when changes were necessary last minute due to weather. It is an invaluable tool for anyone interested. It's informative, well written and yet "small and light" enough to take when space and weight are factors. Highly recommended to all.

We used this book to plan a trip to the glades. The info inside and maps helped a lot. WE still needed a good chart but the maps made it easier to nav. The info on camp sites and routes were pretty accurate.

I found this book extremely helpful; even having paddled the 'Glades twice already. This book will allow me to take "The road less travelled," on this, my third trip thru the 'Glades. I would highly recommend this to anyone planning to paddle the Wilderness Waterway, or parts thereof.

As an experienced Everglades paddler who has logged over 400 miles in the Everglades backcountry, I can't say enough about this book. Johnny Molloy has provided a level of detail that is truly extraordinary, and his descriptions of the trails and campsites are dead on the money. The maps alone make this book worth having. This book should find a permanent place of your list of indispensable equipment for planning and conducting an Everglades backcountry expedition.

I'm a member of a lot of Disney message boards, but wanted something in print that I could take along with me to the parks. This book is perfect. I love that it is three ring bound and so I can add pages to it. They show you with color-coding anythign that has been updated for 2008. I love the organzation pockets in the back.

Very helpful for information and organizing trip to WDW. Information is well presented and current.The ability to plan out day & event iteneraries is great!I would recommend this for anyone planning a vacation to WDW.

I buy one of these every year for our Disney trips. Although we are Disney Vacation Club members and do not NEED all the information packed into this, it is a great keepsake for us. Every year I fill it out with all our plans and trip information. I save ticket stubs and such in it. From year to year I look back at past trips to help plan our upcoming trip. The thing I like best is there are maps of all the parks and from time to time things change or attractions open or close in the parks, and my family will have Passporters to look back on in years to come.
For people planning their first trip to Disneyworld this Passporter is loaded with helpful information. The Passporter and the latest copy of "Disneyworld With Kids" is all you need to plan a successful trip.
I did buy the regular version, not the "leather" edition last year and the information was all there, but the binder was harder to add things into than the 3-ring binder styling of the leather edition, so this year I did the leather version again. Mind you, the leather version is pricier and if you're not hanging on to it "forever" like we are, the regular edition is a great value and chuck full of all the same helpful information.

I loved this handy leather luxurious guide because it is choke full of information at my finger tips and an organizer in one. The leather three ring made it easy to keep my family organized before, during, and after our vacation. I am a scrapbooker (creator of family and friend photo albums) and honestly I don't always remember to write everything down while on vacation. Each day has its own envelope that you can put all types of items inside and there are spots all over the envelope to fill in what you did all day long. From where you went and did; to where you ate. I give this guide my two thumbs up for ease and convenience.

This guide is so unique and is yearly created very lovingly by Disney lovers Jen and Dave. This deluxe edition is leather bound and comes with a pen. The guide itself has major info on all the parks, restaunts and detailed reviews/opinions on all restaurants. They give important facts plus ther opinions.

This all makes the book worthwhile but most importantly the book becomes a souvenier guide for your trip. It comes with maps, checklists, envelopes for your air tickets, photos and momentos plus stickers and so much more.

Your trip will forever be a magical memory with this guide. And you can always purchase extra forms and aquire updates from their web site.

Thanks Jen and Dave for making Disney even more special.

I liked the book because I like playing spies and figering out mystoris and I like to read them too. And on the scale of one to ten I give it a nine.

I liked the book because I like to play spies with my friends and have little gadgets on our belts. I would like to ask why did you pick the alligators and Jack Frost for the bad guy? I'm looking forward to reading more Super Spy books!

I really liked the book because I like super spies. There is many cool ideas like Trouble Bubble. I enjoyed the characters and Santa Claus. I thinck my dog enjoyed it too.

I liked the book because it is good for children and it had really neat gadgets. My favorite was the hot chocolate. And I didn't like it because it was to short. It was biging then it ended. But I'm going to let my cousin read it. He'd love it.

From a scale of one through ten I would give this book a seven. One thing is I think I don't like some of it since I'm older. But I really like it since I like spy stuff.

Jo Webnar is an excellent writer. I liked her attention to detail and description. Characters are very believable and realistic. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that likes a romantic mystery!

Loved the main characters, loved the dog (hopefully it was alcohol-free beer), loved the story.

Curl up with this book on a rainy afternoon, make sure you've cleared your calendar, order pizza/Chinese for dinner, and read the book in one go. It's that good. Hoping to read more from this author.

Saving Tampa is an outstanding read. The characters, Rachel Cunningham [psychic] and Hawk Arrons,[FBI Special Agent] are well defined. Mrs. Webnar has done an excellent job on the plot as well--giving us a believable story with no need for suspension of disbelief. It all fit together nicely, and I was impressed. The twists and turns in this thriller keep you turning the pages. I hope to read more of Jo Webnar--an up and coming writer, for sure. This reviewer gives her an two thumbs up!

Diane Davis White
Author, Moon of the Falling Leaves

Saving Tampa grabbed me in the beginning and did not let go until the end. I wanted more.

Rachel Cunningham has a psychic ability, which she has used to help police. She moved to Florida for peace and anonymity, but an accidental touch by a man at mall leads her to fear an awful threat is planned, with death for thousands the intended result.

Special Agent Arrons of the F.B.I. is not happy about being assigned to interview her, nor is Rachael pleased with his attitude. Before long though, the threat is deemed real and Arrons is assigned to her. The attraction between Arrons and Rachael increases, as does her psychic visions about the terrorists. The more you learn about Arrons and Rachel, the more you root for them to get together. The more you learn about the main terrorist, the more you want him stopped in time.

Saving Tampa is a fast-paced read, a real page-turner. I enjoyed the main characters, how they developed into people I liked, and especially Ralph, the beer guzzling German shepherd. I hope to read more books like these from the author. Maybe a series with these characters? I highly recommend Saving Tampa.

Saving Tampa by Jo Webnar
Saving Tampa is very well written; the story is engaging and keeps you on your toes. The story is starkly realistic, and you can really feel the Heroine Rachel's conflict. The Hero Special Agent Arrons is almost immediately endearing. Poor Rachel, has all her life "seen" things and she "sees" something major after being bumped by an unsavory guy.
I am not normally a contemporary fan but Jo Webnar has turned that around. I cannot wait to read more of this talented author's work.

Solomon is a terrific book that tells a story that is rarely told; black, emancipated slaves homesteading in North Central Florida and a young boy who becomes a man through his adventures on the farm and as a cattle herder. This book is easy to read and exciting at the same time. It has no bad language and is otherwise very "clean", but the author has included the harsh realities of life in that time period.

An exciting adventure, this book challenges readers to go beyond their knowledge of Florida history and try something new. This book has great characters and a gripping plot that will leave readers begging for more. As a beginning novel, this book beats lall the standards. Watch out Florida because here come the book that is even better that "A Land Remembered!"

Solomon is a one of the best ever, Historical Fiction books i have read in a long time. It has adventure, action and can teach and tell kids of my age and older, and younger about the west and the tough ways of living it.I especially love the way of the book about Solomon. The boy has grown not to love the land but to love the ,hunting and using the whip. Even though solomon's father would have liked him to love the land and follow his foot steps.I am more of a sequel type of person ,and i would love to read the sequel to Solomon.

This was an excelent read with exicting cliff-hangers at all the right times. I loved the fact that if one of this mixed up family was missing no one could function. Every one needed each other. Although Solomon didn't want to follow in his father, Moses' footsteps he still did what he was told. Solomon was very curious about everything and sometimes it got him in trouble. Solomon was a great read for any age. I also loved the fact that this is a book of forida heritage. As many know Florida history books are few and far between. It ws truly an awesome book.

Solomon is an excellent read. As a resident of the area used as the setting, I really enjoyed the historical tibits, but more importantly, I came to really care about the characters, and want to find out more about their lives in post-civil war Florida. This novel really is a coming of age story, of a boy named Solomon who is developing his own strengths. Solomon's father is a farmer who doesn't understand his son's hunting spirit. Shaw's character-driven novel is tightly-woven, filled with great details and action. Middle school students will especially love this novel.

Wonderfully done. Down to real life. It makes you think about the state of our country. We need to wake up! Thank you for the wake up call!

As I personally know the author, I was excited when I found out about the book. I thought it was going to be an 'easy' read....but in reality, it is far from it. It's a book that once you get your hands on it, you don't want to put it down. It's a book that when you finish it you will realize that you are a different person than you were when you started because you have a different outlook on life....how lucky we are to have what we do when there are so many people out there, like those in the book, who's lives are unbelievable when compared to ours. It truly does make you want to do something to help those less fortunate. Very Well Written, David!!

To see the faces of many I recognize, who continue to live without hope, is heartbreaking.

When I first opened the book, I leafed quickly through it to see if I could find a lovely woman, Mae, who I adored. She was shunned by her family, who lived up north, and gracefully walked through our city, day in and day out, with a smile on her face and in her heart. She never asked for anything and actually seemed embarrassed I would ask, but was always happy to engage in just about any conversation or topic.

Mae was found in a construction site in the downtown several months ago. Police still cannot find a motive for the brutal beating and senseless murder. Her purse was found on a bench near her body with a small amount of money still inside.

Many in my city, including me, struggle to find ways to help with the growing need of so many, especially the children. As hard as it was to read the intimate stories, I applaud Mr. Geliebter for his commitment to show us the story of actual lives ... human beings living in our city in inhumane conditions.

His work will serve to make my work that much more urgent.

Kimberly Mitchell
West Palm Beach City Commissioner

An inciteful book, providing a clear focus on the homeless of Palm Beach County, FL. More importantly, its about homeless anywhere in our country. It is honest, real and heart wrenching. With the microscope of a social scientist, David Geliebter's collection of stories makes you look at the homeless differently. A real bonus is his ability to tell the story through photography making this book artistic, beautiful as well as painfully informative. When you finish this book, you will see more than just a "person on the street"...you will see a person with a real human story. It is a book that will change your outlook on the homeless forever.

I LOVE THIS BOOK. It is so honest and true to who the individuals are as people. Its a great coffee table piece and conversation starter! Would recommend it to everyone!

The sincere/passionate message of service and human accountability to help your fellow man, whether that man(or woman) is homeless or simply has not had the gifts that you may have may have recieved in life, is found throughout this wonderful and inspirational book. I have read it more than once, whenever I need some "perspective". I have asked my teenage children to also read this book as well. My daughter read and analyzed this book in her ninth-grade english class and I would applaud any teacher (high-school or college) to do the same. I guarantee teachers will get a reaction and hopefully that seed of conscience toward human accountability for service will be nourished. I am lucky to know Dr. Greer and the sincerity and integrity that he carries out his calling in life is real and can be validated by anyone who has met him.

I purchased and read Dr. Greer's book and was expremely impressed with the details that were modestly included. I did see his presentation on cable TV and his image is is as modest as the book is written. I feel that he is an asset to the medical profession and writing profession and would sincerely like to see more work by him in literature. I would like to stresss here that I have read this book 4 times and still pickup different things while reading this text. The book is an excellent credit to his modesty, profession, humbleness, an sincerity to society.

The book was exellent. It made me really see what goes on with the homeless. Dr. Greer has struggled with giving the homeless medical service, as well as becoming their friend. The same way Dr. Greer has learned from the homeless, we all should learn from him and help him in this.

WHEN I PURCHASED THIS INSPIRATIONAL BOOK ON THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE, I NEVER SAW THE DAY WHEN I WOULD BE READING AND RE READING A BOOK FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. BOOK HAS IMPACT ON ANYONE INTERESTED IN SOCIETY AND IT'S ENHANCEMENT AND IMPROVEMENT. THERE SHOULD BE MORE OF DR. GREER'S KIND OF LITERATURE AND FEELINGS EXRESSED IN WRITING. THE TEXT IN GENERAL IS NOT HEAVY READING BUT HAS CONSIDERABLE EMOTION AND GRAPHIC DEPICTION OF AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A WHITE COAT SERVING HIS COMMUNITY ESPECIALLY WITH THE ENDORSEMENT OF HIS WIFE AND FAMILY. THE DOCTOR IS ALSO TRAINING DOCTORS HOW TO BECOME SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION SHOULD BE USING THIS TYPE OF BOOK AS A METHOD OF TEACHING AND EDUCATING OTHER DOCTORS WITHIN THEIR HALLS OF ACADEMIA. AS AM INSTRUCTOR AT AREA COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN BUSINESS, I WILL INCLUDE THIS BOOK ON MY SUGGESTED READ LIST FOR ETHICS IN BUSINESS AND AREAS WHERE THEY ARE DEALING WITH PEOPLE.

DR.PEDRO JOSE GREER,M.D.-REKINDLED THE PHRASE BY PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY-ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU-ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY."THE COMPASSION THAT THIS MAN SHOWS TOWARDS THE LOST AND FORGOTTEN SOULS IN AMERICA NEEDS TO BE REKINDLED IN ALL OF US.IT REMINDED ME OF THE TIME I SPENT AT THE LOS ANGELES FREE CLINIC DURING THE EARLY 70'S.DR.GREER SHOWED US THAT SOCIAL AWARENESS AND COMPASSION MUST BE AVAILABLE 7 DAYS A WEEK -24 HRS/DAY.TACKLING MEDICAL PROBLEMS IN AMERICAN SOCIETY CAN BE ACHIEVED IF ALL OF US WORK TOGETHER AS A TEAM FOR THE BETTERMENT OF A HUMAN BEING.

A highly detailed account that is part of a published series from the Florida University System. It has terrific detail and the writing style is enjoyable. Chock full of photos! Gives a perspective on the park that tells the positive and negative impacts on Florida of these attractions. I liked that it also gives a perspective on development of other water attractions in Florida and the people. I never knew that Ricou Browning, who played the underwater role in "The Creature from the Black Lagoon," had so many other accomplishments and played a large role in the Florida springs attractions. I really enjoyed this book and I believe it is a real bargain for the price. Recently, I visited the park and if you get to Florida I can recommend Weeki Wachee Springs for a great fun-filled day!

I ordered this book by mistake thinking I put it on my wish list, and am sooo glad I got it!! It is a wonderful book not only about the mermaids of Weeki Wachee, but also a history of Florida and the Roadside shows. It brings one back to a simpler, more wonderful era. Very moving and nostalgic. Now I must make a trip to Weeki Wachee. Great book for mermaid lovers.

Book was recommended by a former Mermaid from Weeki Wachee - it's a great book, well done - wonderful pictures and history from the area.

I grew up in a small town just a few miles from the Springs in the 40's and 50's and Weeki Wachee was our old 'swimming hole' where the men of the town would go clean out the 'grass' every summer so we could all swim and play even tho the water was ice cold and we would shiver and shake but refuse to get out and warm up. I remember a lot of the things happening that are included in the book and knew some of the 'mermaids' since I went to school with them and our P.E. teacher was also a mermaid. I spent many summers trying to learn how to eat a banana and drink a grapette under water(I never did accomplish this). This book brings back lots of memories and I think anyone who can 'remember when' would enjoy it and also anyone wanting to see a slice of 'old Florida' would also enjoy this book. I took my grandchildren back to the Springs last summer where we saw the mermaid show twice and once again swam in the icy water. They tried to be mermaids for weeks after and were enchanted with the 'mermaid' idea just as I was back in my day.

Lu Vickers has captured the history and essence of a very special Florida attraction in this book. This book offers a glimpse into a fascinating place during a very interesting time in Florida's tourist history, where the unusual was the draw. It has obviously been written with great care and attention to detail, and is a beautiful homage to the legacy of Newt Perry's vision & creation. We are very lucky to still have this historical and unique attraction~ perhaps this book will help to further encourage locals and tourists alike to take a trip and visit this special Florida icon. Doing so will help to make the experience of watching such graceful and talented performers available for future generations.
~Marina~MeduSirena~

I was about sixteen years old when I first read this book. Twelve years later, I am a cop myself, and have read and re-read this book at least twenty times since then. This book is the real deal...it doesn't glorify our job like other books have done...just the real and the raw. It gets to the bottom of what cops have to put up with every day. Great.

This is an outstanding novel. Shows what happens underneath the badge. This is a "Must Read Book" for anyone wanting to become, or understand, what BEING a police officer means.

Over the past few years, I have read several "cop books;" some good, and some not so good. I have been a cop now for almost three years, and I can honestly say that "Blue Truth" is the best book I have read regarding law enforcement...period. McDonald truly captures the emotions, fears, and predjudice that every cop, whether conservative or liberal, faces each day. Being a cop is not an easy job sometimes, and McDonald captures this wonderfully. Thankyou, McDonald.

i a ttended the broward police academy class 190 and cherokee was my report writting instructor and he was one hell of an instructor. he had told the class about his life on the beat and the things that he had been through during his carrer. well i purcased the book and read it and after that i have the upmost respect for mr. mcdonald. he opened my eyes to alot of things that could and can go wrong with your family life and the stress of the job pertaining to lawenforcement.

This is the only book that I could not put down. This book gives insight to how times have changed from the law enforcement of yesterday, to the modern law enforcement of today. This book is a must read by anyone who wants to be an officer or is in love with an officer.

I read this book when I was younger as well and then had the pleasure of reading it to my daughter when she was young. Now I have a copy hidden away for her when she has her own children. It has become a family tradition and an enjoyable time spent reading it to your children. It also lets one relive the book as well.

I am a 60 year-old who never forgot this book. We traveled to Florida when I was 9 and stayed in many motels. Now my 1 year old grandson lives in California and I hope that when he is old enough for this book, motels will still exist!

I turned 58 today. I read this book MANY times as a child, when books were just about the only friends I had. To say that the memory of this book has stayed with me all these years should say something significant about the book. I was born and raised in Florida so it was very real to me. My father died when I was six, and that made it more real. I cannot recommend this book highly enough...5 stars is not enough. It definitely rates a 10. It is a book I want my great-nieces and nephews to read.

I first read this book my older sister had gotten through the weekly reader. I identified with the family in this story very much as I was the youngest in a family where the father had just died, younger than Betsy, the youngest in this family. I appreciated it very much because there are so many stories and often I felt pitied for being in a family where the father had died, and I saw these were normal kids having fun and just as smart, capable and full of average strenths and weaknesses as any other kid. I also liked the title very much as we lived in an apartment complex where pets likes cats and dogs weren't allowed. I think reading it helps people see this and realize kids are basically the same regardless of family circumstances.

I loved this book when I was a girl. I remember re-reading it several times. I liked the interactions between the kids and especially was intrigued by the little mystery. This is a wonderful book for both boys and girls.