Florida Books

Gary Mormino's ambitious book Land of Sunshine... is an artful contribution to the thin historiography of modern Florida. Picking up after the end of World War II, Mormino shows how new technology and cultural trends shaped the history, population, and land of Florida.

Unlike most academic writers, he employs an eloquent but casual style free of jargon and mind-numbing analysis. Thankfully, this important book is written for laymen, but provides just as many insights for academics and officials. Equally welcome is a focus upon the "people" over the "politicians." It could easily be argued, even today, that developers, businessmen, visitors, and citizens play a more important role in the life and mythmaking of the Sunshine State than political operatives, especially when one takes into account the Florida Legislature. The research itself is superb, and I am in a position to know-I sometimes helped him in his sustained effort.

If the U.S. is relatively uninterested in scrutinizing its own history, Florida hardly seems to have a history at all. In a state full of unconcerned Snow Birds, oblivious tourists, and new immigrants, Florida's history seems to have started when Disney World opened in 1971. Thanks to Mormino's work, the last sixty years of Florida's amazing history are illuminated.

And what a last sixty years! Although a comprehensive review would take too much space here, the subjects of the book's chapters tell a story in themselves. The first, "Look away Dixieland," provides a fine introduction to the places that make Florida unique.

The next tackles the "new land boom" of the 1950s and beyond (did it ever really end?), when common folks from the northeast and Midwest could afford to move to and/or retire in Florida. Of course, there are also the developers, whose sometimes-good intentions were often outweighed by their desire for quick profit. Logically, a chapter about tourism follows, documenting Florida's funky roadside showcases as well as the more elaborate and contrived tourist empires such as Disney World.

Another chapter covers retirement in Florida, from Miami Jews to the active residents of Sun City Center, who were "too busy to retire." Of course, St. Petersburg's green benches make an appearance as well. In "Sunbelt Hues," Mormino makes sense of the impact of international politics (Cold War, Space Race, etc.) and Florida's overheated financial marketplace, all the time acknowledging the unforeseen consequences of government spending, corporate developments, and low-paying service jobs.

Agriculture in the state has had similarly mixed results, bringing nationally known agricultural products to market while saturating the land and water with pollutants and poisons. His chapter on technological change, highlighting such misguided projects such as the barge canal, further demonstrates that there is no free lunch: every development, from A/C to DDT, can cast an ugly shadow. The rising tide of immigration presents other complications, from Mariel to the wet foot/dry foot policies for Cuban escapees.

The final chapter on the beach is a brilliant example of what makes Mormino's work so compelling. He evokes the wonders and horrors of nature and man's insistent attempts to ignore or control it. Throughout the book, he showcases the things that make Florida great and dangerous. Think of the Sunshine State as the U.S. on steroids: it is an invitation to and a warning against the enthusiasm and short-sightedness of modern humanity.

This book does not just educate and entertain, but challenges the reader to consider more carefully the costs and benefits of the Floridian-and therefore the American-dream. Like most dreams, the story Mormino tells here can be frustrating, shocking, confusing, fantastic, and delightful. But it is all written beautifully, carefully documented, and presented with vivid illustrations and helpful maps. For those living in Florida and far beyond, this book offers valuable insights into our enigmatic modern world.

As a new resident of Florida, I wanted to "get up to speed" on the history of Florida, specifically since 1950. This book covers modern Florida's history very well. I liked the book so much, I am half-way through my second read of it. Very highly recommended.

"...a fascinating, original, and lucid history of the nation's fourth largest state...essential reading for anyone interested in past and present Florida." - Merle Black, co-author of The Rise of Southern Republicans
"...the first comprehensive social history of Florida in any of its epochs...the standard against which all future such efforts in Florida will be measured." - Michael Gannon, professor emeritus, University of Florida

Thoughtful and funny, without the cheap shots that too often drive sports journalism columns, this book reads like a series of wry letters from a friend. Based in Orlando, Guest writes extensively but not exclusively about Florida-related sports, especially the Sunshine State's obsession with football, but not to the exclusion of the Winter Olympics, the Ryder Cup, and the Masters. You can practically see him on the golf course or the racetrack, looking past the stats for the human stories underneath. Highly recommended.

Larry's takes on a business which takes itself much too seriously are just hillarious! The book is well written and well worth the time and money. It's like having Dave Barry as a sports writer. You'll be glad you got this book!

I recently read this book cover-to-cover on an airplane and laughed my way through it. The book hits most of the major sports and contains many insider anecdotes about major sports figures. Guest keeps the fun in sports and reminds us all that it is just a game.

Mansour El-Kikhia provides a critical and entertaining account of the 'unique' and flawed political system that Ghadafi has instituted in Libya. I found it balanced and very relevant. This system has produced some interesting, if puzzling, results in the course of its implementation that clearly demonstrate its shortcomings and its proclivity to suffer from excessive zeal .
El-Kihia shows how Qadhafi has concentrated power to the provinces where the Colonel's extended family members wield important posts in the army and provincial government. The concept of a formal head of state has also been revised in favor of designating an official leader. El-Kikhia also suggests that there has been a concerted effort to diminish the influence of technocrats and educated personnel, who have been instrumental in ceating the institutions to manage the oil economy and important political negotiations with the outside world, in favor of the ideologues of the revolutionary cadres . Certainly this is in accordance with the pattern of power distribution that has prevailed in Libya since the al-Fatah revolution.
There are also accounts of the decline of culture and eductaion as a result of Qadhafi's policies and the profusion of ideology in all aspects of daily life.

As a student of Professor El-kikhia's Foreign Policy courses, I can address his almost uncanny knowledge and understanding of foreign policy and the Middle East in specific. I would wholeheartedly recommend this and any other of Professor El-Kikhia's books to those who wish to educate themselves in foreign policy in this unique sector of the globe.

Ben Herd

As a political science major at the University of Texas at San Antonio, and also a frequent student of Dr. El-Kikhia, having read this book I can say that it is absolutely essential to an understanding of Libya's past and present political course and journey. Dr. El-Kikhia's unique perspective and special knowledge presents both the average reader and political science student with a powerful insight into the core of Quaddafi's world.

The author is to be commended for his approach to the subject. It was not only biographical, but gave great historical perspective both to the gilded age and to the subject's entire family. An absolute pleasure to read and savor!!! How I wish he would write more books on this age!

Robert Ganger has recreated a fascinating window on the life of Lila Vanderbilt Webb, one of the richest women in the country. In this intriguing biography, you follow her through the Gilded Age growing up in New York City, her move to Vermont and building Shelburne Farms (100 rooms) to life in Palm Beach and finally Gulfstream, Fl. As the book and marvelous photographs reveal she had "the blessing and curses of wealth and power" yet she was a remarkable Victorian women who dervived strength from adversity. By age 71 she was deaf, and above all had money
problems. Her husband's illness had made him addicted to
morphine. As a widow, in 1931 she decides to build Miradero on the undeveloped oceanfront in Gulfstream, Fl.(15 miles S. of Palm Beach). The house, a fine example of Depression era
Mediterranean Revival Design, was designed and built by her in 18
months and is one of the four oldest houses today. The book is a fascinating read and the photos of early Florida to the
present are a rare glimpse of Fl history. I enjoyed every page.

Heartily recommended. Miradero reveals the inner strength of a Vanderbilt heiress whose mythically grand lifestyle was shattered by her husband's morphine addiction. Her ability to shed her Victorian upbringing to take control of her life makes for a timeless story.

Author Robert Ganger's "window" on Lila Vanderbilt Webb's life is intriguing. He lives in Miradero, a historic home near Palm Beach that Mrs. Webb designed when she was elderly, deaf, and almost broke. A good read for Vanderbilt buffs, and anyone interested in Palm Beach in its heyday. Richly illustrated, too. The photos are worth the price of the book.

For Animal Kingdom fans, there isn't a lot of published information that focuses on the theme park. Malmberg's book is a rare gem for several reasons: it is an in-depth look at the creation of the park; a thorough look at the team, the political process and environmental issues; and most importantly, it is one of the few resources that looks at the step-by-step development of a Disney theme park--how it grew from a small team led by Joe Rohde to a cast of thousands.

This book reflects the Animal Kingdom in so many ways. The park was shepherded by Imagineer Joe Rohde, who had the vision and the desire to keep the project moving forward. Ms. Malmberg was able to collect the stories of the Imagineers, follow their progress and take us behind the scenes of the park. She interviewed key people that were there from the beginning: Joe Rohde, Rick Barongi and Zofia Kostyrko. You get the feeling that you were there, day-by-day, watching as they create the park.

You learn, early on, that the Imagineers knew they needed one thing to make the park a success; their rallying cry was Proximity Equals Excitement! During one budget and planning meeting, the Imagineers, unbeknown even to Marty Sklar, brought in a 400 pound female Bengal tiger that walked around the conference room while Rohde spoke. The executives got the point and let the group move forward (p. 25). They were able to try and develop new means of getting the guests closer to the animals--safely, of course.

You get a detailed look at how the art (re: buildings, details, interiors, roofs, painting) was constructed using as many local and foreign talents as available. Sculptors, thatchers and artisans were brought in from all over the world. Malmberg spends a lot of time looking at the backstage care and living areas. Since Disney was creating a park that would, inevitably, be compared to zoos, there is a focus on how Disney treats the animals. The first two animals to arrive, the giraffes Miles and Zari, were greeted with tears and cheers. Malmberg goes into great detail explaining how the animals were procured, transported and acclimated to the park.

The book is filled with photos, artwork, and concept drawings. One of the final sections looks at the next few years of the Animal Kingdom. Asia is the next land planned with the river ride and the Maharajah Jungle Trek opening first. The possibility of a new hotel called the Animal Kingdom Lodge, with savanna views, is even mentioned! The very last section is a listing of all the Imagineers that worked on the Animal Kingdom. Eight pages of names.

The park has come a long way in 10 years.

Bottom Line: This is a one-of-a-kind resource for Disney fans. There is not another work that takes such a detailed look at the making of the Animal Kingdom or a Disney theme park. There is a lot of discussion about conservation and animal care--this is not a negative, but the whole work is a balanced look at the creation of the park. There are chapters dedicated to the creation of the attractions and lands, but equal attention is paid to the zoological needs of the park. There is a lot less of the geeky stuff and more a look at the animals and their care. Ms. Malmberg is able to capture the passion of those involved and it translates very well to the written word. You will enjoy this work for the vast detail dedicated to the creation of a Disney theme park.

This is a wonderful look behind the scenes at a truly magical park. I had the priviledge of working for Walt Disney Imagineering from 1996 through 2000. My main assignment was supporting the engineers' computers during the construction of Animal Kingdom. As I recall Melody was all over the place and now I know why. She has done a spectacular job of documenting how the park was put together. From the drawings and sketches to the actual construction photos, this book gives names to the many talents that were brought together to create this masterpiece.

This is the first book that takes a look at *how* Disney designs and builds its theme parks. This information was once only available to those who work for Walt Disney Imagineering and others in the Walt Disney Company. Now, we all get to go behind the scenes to learn how it's done--from the experts themselves. This book is a must-have for any fans of Walt Disney Imagineering

This is a breathtaking book . . . I felt like I was in the room with Marjorie as she wrote each letter to Max Perkins. She is engaging, perceptive, very charming and brutally honest by turns. Max Perkins knew how to motivate Marjorie toward her best work through compliments and gentle reminders. When Max dies, it is hearbreaking, because the book is over, and I wanted it to continue on.

Max Perkins was the emperor of editors. I'm an editor myself (of textbooks), and Editor to Author, a collection of Perkins's letters to many of his writers, taught me how to deal with authors in order to get the best out of them. Two things about Max and Marjorie especially struck me. One was the difference between then and now in speed of communication. We'd never have these wonderful letters if Max and Marjorie had been using email or the telephone. The other was the insensitive attitude toward blacks. These were two educated and sensitive people. They didn't even realize what they were doing or saying. It seems horrible now.

I have worked on textbooks in which the writing process is a prominent feature in teaching students, and it is made to sound deadly dull, but the writing process makes a fascinating subject when it's discussed by Max and Marjorie.

I gave up a night's sleep because I did not want to put this book down.

I had chills when Perkins wrote Rawlings, "I see you book as a story about a boy growing up in the scrub...." and the Yearling was born from America's greatest editor to one of his authors that he understood as only he could.Reading his letters to her is to know American fiction first hand, from the genius's workshop gently passed on to a brilliant pupil. I have nothing but praise for the collector for bringing this to us.

This is not just one of those "Season in the Life of..." type sports books. In the same vein as Roy MacGregor's pioneering look at the expansion Ottawa Senators early years and the NHL, this book shows all the machinations and goings-on behind the scenes in south Florida as the Panthers captured the area's imagination.

There is a great story within this on how Bobby Clarke (then with Florida) conned Brian Burke (then with Hartford) at the Cats' first foray into the amateur draft. I also loved the stuff on how Doug MacLean and Bryan Murray shaped the '96 Stanley Cup Final team.

The Panthers is best in NHL

Miami Ice is a book for every hockey fan and not just Florida Panthers fans. This great book describes the chemistry and heart of a group of players who worked hard to reach the Stanley Cup Finals.

The attitudes and characteristics of the players in the book are similarly portrayed by the great players of the Florida Panthers.

I read this book in one day, never being able to put it down. It grasps you, especially if you are a hockey fan. It shows that the players are human and they have humorous sides and aren't just hockey playing machines.

A great read.

Following the murder of their old friend Lou Hernando, husand-and-wife team Mike McCleary and Quin St. James are caught up in the steamy entanglements of old families and new development on tropical Tango Key, a tiny island off Key West.

Hernando's last months had been obsessed by the ghost of a freed slave woman - the mistress of a pirate and island benefactor - who seems to be seraching for something.

Hernando's death, however, seems straightforward - he was stabbed by a troubled boy who is now missing. But Quin and Mike are dissatisfied with this easy solution and bothered by inexplicable evidence of haunting. They begin delving into Hernando's bail bond business, the debts he'd amassed and the eager interest in his land exhibitted by the island's most prominent developer and its most prominent ecologist.

Few are what they seem in this complex tangle of greed, supernatural phenomenon, adultery and loose-cannon sociopaths. The bang-up ending gives even MacGregor's previous fans more than they bargained for.

i was absolutely enthralled with the way macgregor ended this book. it is amazing and has left me on the edge of my seat - i am disappointed not to find more macgregor books. give me an ending i can believe - and this is it! ...

Following the murder of their old friend Lou Hernando, husand-and-wife team Mike McCleary and Quin St. James are caught up in the steamy entanglements of old families and new development on tropical Tango Key, a tiny island off Key West.

Hernando's last months had been obsessed by the ghost of a freed slave woman - the mistress of a pirate and island benefactor - who seems to be seraching for something.

Hernando's death, however, seems straightforward - he was stabbed by a troubled boy who is now missing. But Quin and Mike are dissatisfied with this easy solution and bothered by inexplicable evidence of haunting. They begin delving into Hernando's bail bond business, the debts he'd amassed and the eager interest in his land exhibitted by the island's most prominent developer and its most prominent ecologist.

Few are what they seem in this complex tangle of greed, supernatural phenomenon, adultery and loose-cannon sociopaths. The bang-up ending gives even MacGregor's previous fans more than they bargained for.

Moon Launch! Is a sister book to "Gateway to the Moon" (GTTM) GTTM is an excellent history of the development of the space center launch complex, while "Moon Launch" is a great history of the development of the Saturn V rocket.

The book details the development of the crawler, the launch complexes, and the Saturn V. Details of each Saturn flight are explained, including manned and unmanned flights. I found the countdown charts particularly interesting because they highlight the complexity of assembling, preparing, and launching the Saturn V rocket.

Today, we take for granted man went to the moon. This book explains the incredible details that had to be accurately addressed just to assemble and launch the rocket.

Another must-have book for the library of an armchair astronaut.

First published as part of the NASA History Series under the title "Moonport", the University of Florida Press very wisely decided to split the book into two easier to read volumes. The first volume primarily tells the story of how Florida swamp land was turned into the world's most sophisicated launch centre. The second volume which will suit the more casual reader goes into detail about the Missions themselves with an extensive chapter on the Apollo 1 fire, a subject which NASA is still touchy about. All the Apollo missions are described and looking back in perspective, I am dismayed that it is nearly thirty years since men last walked on the Moon.

For anyone interested in space, this is an essential book to have and read again and again

In 1978 Charles D. Benson and William Barnaby Faherty published "Moonport: A History of Apollo Launch Facilities and Operations" as NASA Special Publication-4204. It was an outstanding history of the design and construction of the lunar launch facilities at Kennedy Space Center. Of "Moonport," a reviewer in the "Journal of American History" said in 1979, "The authors had access to official documents, letters, and memoranda, and they have apparently consulted all the relevant historical, technological, and scientific secondary materials...all the involved historians obviously spent con-siderable time studying and intellectually digesting technical reports and manuals in order to give their lay readers such lucid accounts of highly complex procedures and operations...it is important to public knowledge to have professionally trained his-torians employ historical methods to ex-plain significant events and place them in a meaningful historical context. Here is a broad lesson...that contemporary society can ill afford to ignore."

"Moonport" has been out of print for many years, and comanding a high price on the second-hand book market, but now it has been reprinted in a convenient paperback version. "Moon Launch!" contains the second half of the text of "Moonport," chapters 15-24, and the appendices, of the earlier work. For anyone interested in the race to the Moon, this book is a must read!

Growing up in New England, I had never heard of a Moon Pie. It wasn't until I met my wife some 25 years ago that I was introduced to the tasty little snack treat that is revered by Southerners. When I found the book on Amazon, I knew I had to buy and read the story of a snack that is so well loved.

The book is an interesting mix of Moon Pie lore, legend and manufacturing information, which is extremely readable and very enjoyable. I learned more about Moon Pies than I think I ever could have thought possible, but like a Moon Pie, I was disappointed when it ended.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves snacks and their histories; particularly the old time snacks found in penny or country stores. This book would make an absolutely wonderful gift to a Southerner who has grown up with this delightful treat!

Fantastic entertainment int the persona of a culture that thrives today. Better than a hybrid of Deliverance and The Coal Miner's Daughter. If you have ever been a fan of an RC Cola and a Moonpie, this is a great read. By the way, Moonpies are still available in stores but also by web order in a variety of flavors and two sizes. RC Cola can be a little harder to find.

This is a book that any fan of Southern cooking would be thrilled to find wrapped under the Christmas tree, maybe next to a box of MoonPies and a case of RC (in glass bottles, of course). The MoonPie is iconic, and Magee tells the story very well. It's a fun book and Magee is an interesting character as he delves into all things MoonPie. It's also a beautifully made book--like the MoonPie itself, it's small enough to hold in your hand and pretty enough to display. It's a pleasure to set a spell with David Magee and the Chattanooga Bakery. Check it out.