Florida Books

Dr. Colburn earns his reputation as one of Florida's premier scholars in this succincnt but highly informative work on some of the so-called "megatrends" that have fundamentally altered the course of the Sunshine State's development in the last 100 years. Essentially, this book discusses how Florida - at the end of the Civil War the most economically and culturally blighted state of the Deep South - transitioned from a heritage of cotton-based, agrarian despondency into one of today's quintessential "Sunbelt" growth centers, along with states like Texas, Arizona, and California. After two framing introductory chapters - one covering Florida's history up to 1940, and another from 1940 onward - the authors delve into several specific facets of our state's evolving culture, from a population that is increasingly diverse and increasingly old, to the looming fiscal crisis based on the state's antiquated taxation system, to some of the peculiar political problems that have plagued the state recently. A common theme is how the interplay of Northern and Southern elements dominates a variety of elements of life in the state, and how Florida now finds itself in an intermediary state, still somewhat connected to its Deep South past but ready to evolve (out of sheer necessity) toward a radically different future. In the closing chapter, issues ranging from environmental challenges, the lingering history of racial segregation, and staggering challenges facing public education are presented as key obstacles that must be overcome in order to cement Florida's place as a "role model" for other high-growth states.

At only 145 pages, Dr. Colburn's work is an easy read for demographics enthusiasts or more casual students of state history. Perhaps the only downside to the book is the overemphasis on some repetitive themes (i.e., Florida is rapidly evolving, Florida has a Southern past but a Sunbelt future, etc.) at the expense of specific details in places, but this is a minor setback, at best.

I am a resident of Suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and have just returned from my third visit to Florida, the most recent one lasting for a month and which included a four day, 800 mile whirlwind tour of selected Florida locations, guided by a Friend who is a former Pennsylvanian and who has resided in Miami and Fort Lauderdale and vicinity, Florida for then past eleven years or so.

The venues included Miami and environs, including South Beach, Fort Lauderdale and environs, particularly Lauderdale-by-the-Sea,Palm Beach, West Palm Beach,Juno, Vero Beach, Kennedy Space Center, Orlando environs, Fort Myers and environs, Sanibel, Captiva and Tampa. Of course, this whirlwind tour, due to limited time, did not include all of the major Regions of the State and its Major Cities. A previous visit had included a three day visit to the Florida Keys, including Key West.My basic objectives were to visit and socialize with Friends and along with recreation, familiarize myself with the History and Present of Florida. After having completed the visit, I felt the need of an overview of what I had seen, in order to make comprehensive sense of what was essentially a partial mosaic in space and time.

This book has filled the Bill for me. The Authors are Scholars who write in a very readable and authoritative Style and I can heartilly reccomend it to anyone who wishes to understnad the Past, Present and Probable Future of Florida.

Well written comprehensive study of Florida's Peace River Valley and its people from 1800 to 1900.

If you have family who were in Florida from around the early 1800's, they are probably named in this book. I personally found ties to over 6 famlies mentioned, and several references to my Great Great Grandfathers on both my fathers side and my mothers side of the family. I also enjoyed Mr. Browns vivid description of life in early Florida, he made me feel as if I had been here during those days, and I can better understand the hardships endured by my ancestors! I will keep this book forever and will read it many times over! Its hard to put it down when you start reading it! Bravo Mr Brown!

Bransilver & Richardson have created a masterpiece! They are to be commended for brilliantly portraying one of the most challenging natural ecosystems to study: Swamps. Their talent and dedication shines on every page! The wildlife shots are superb -- much more than just documentary renderings. All the flora and fauna here, large and small, are revealed in soulful essence. If this book alone isn't reason(s) to save the dazzling natural wealth of the Everglades and other threatened wetlands then Man is morally bankrupt. Bravo Bransilver and Richardson. You help us see with new eyes!!

This visually stunning book is a delight to the eyes and a splendour to the mind. The authors' wide experience and long hours in the swamps shows in the exquisite color photographs; their love of the place - a tropical jungle in our own United States - shines through. They manage to convey both through the pictures and through the educational and prosaic text the uniqueness, diversity and splendour of this wondrous ecosystem. This book is a must-read for children as well as for adults, for all people who want to know more - and we all should - about the importance of the Florida swamps. This book allows us to appreciate our own wilderness, both because of the beauty reflected in the photos and because of the vast amount of information explained in a down-to-earth manner. And while it is not a prescription book for saving the threatened swamps, it is a springboard from which the reader can try to do something to help save them. Their message: it is only when you know something that you can love it and only if you love it will you save it. You can almost feel the water slowly trickling by as you pass your eyes over the images, and hear the owls calling to each other. Truly splendid.

This is a subject that always needed beatiful pictures to do it justice. Myra and Eric Outwater have finally done what was always needed. A great book for anyone who is interested in Florida history, as well as a perfect gift as a weekend thank you!

We brought ``Floridiana,'' with us as a thank you to friends we visit in Florida every year. They loved it and assured us of a welcome next year!

This is a great intro to fly fishing in the Keys. Covers what, where and how. One of the better books on fly fishing I've purchased.

Had the pleasure of fishing with Ben and later reading this book. He practices what he preaches...and it works! If you're going to fish the Keys this is the book you want.

As is fitting for a guide on Orlando, the bulk of this book is focused on the various theme parks. In addition, all the standard Fodor's material is here covering restaurants and hotels.

The information is very useful and accurate. The strategies offered for avoiding long lines at the theme parks are spot-on. The book also gives descriptions and ratings of every ride and attraction at each park. The descriptions are almost too detailed (if you want any surprises) and their ratings are sometimes a bit generous. Still, the material is quite helpful in deciding which rides to make sure you see and what can be skipped if time is short.

All in all this is an excellent book that was extremely helpful to me on my trips to Orlando. The writing is clear and concise, the information is organized logically, and the information is accurate and useful.

This guide from Fodor's is well-written, informative and clearly organized to help you get the most from yur visit to central Florida. We don't always buy guides on vacations, but there is a lot to do in he Orlando area, and this guide was very helpful to us.

information is included about accommodations, restaurants and entertainment, with names highlighted for easy location, plenty of handy maps, ratings and useful travel advice, though we were underwhelmed by the incomplete restaurant information for the Disney parks. Fodor's always does a nice job of giving information for travellers with children, disabilities or special needs, and they are good about giving contact information, hours of operation and pricing. Also, their suggested itineraries (based on the amount of time you have) are helpful.

Chapters are about Walt Disney World properties, Universal properties, other properties (SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Cypress Gardens), non-theme park attractions in the greater Orlando area, dining, lodging, shopping, recreation, night life, and Florida's Space Coast. he book concludes with a good index.

This book wasn't perfect. If you're going to be spending a lot of time at Disney properties, for example, you should also get a guide specific to them. And Fodor's is less useful for the budget traveller than other guides. With those caveats in mind, this guide is useful and well organized.

The 2005 edition adds another 50 pages of info over the previous edition. Hotels, restaurants and admission prices can change rapidly in the area, so it's worthwhile to have the most recent guidebook.
I live in the area and count on the Fodor's to give the detail essential to a successful excursion with our visitors. There is soooo much to see at Disney and around the area that you will miss a lot if you don't have a good guidebook like this. I like the "Strategies" highlights that give the best times to visit certain attractions and the "Need a Break" inserts that clue you into quick, but satisfying snack places.
They also mark in the margin "Fodor's Choice" to help you find some of the best activities.

I have a plan to travel Orlando this winter, and decided to buy a book about Orlando.

There were so many books about Orlando. Some gave very detailed information, but they were very thick and heavy.

The most important information you need for Orlando is which ride to visit, which parades to see, when to visit where, how to order all the attractions.

This book gives all these information about Orlando and light enough to carry during the trip.

I go to florida southern and as i read through the stories i couldn't believe it because the same stuff has happened to me and my friends. From the scraching on the walls to the Girl with the long blonde hair. It's amazing, you have to experience the presence of them on this campus and the book describes them perfectly

What fun! I began at Florida Southern College in 1998, and during my years there I heard stories, sure, but nothing like this! Dr. Bruce takes us through decades of folk tales about the college, you know--those ghost stories and such that we all loved telling over and over again. I never knew there were so many--it makes for a great read! He also makes you think about why the stories get told--what's going on with the tellers. I finished it in one long (kind of spooky) night! I never had Dr. Bruce for a class--boy, I wish I had!

This guide is one of the best organized books I have ever purchased. All the festivals are organized very effectively, and the maps make it easy to figure out which festivals are in your specific part of Florida. I have found this book helpful for locating potential festivals when vacation planning - I recommend it for both Floridians and visitors. Thanks for writing this great resource!

A great resource--filled with helpful information. I might just head out to the Zellwood Corn Festival this year! Great for yourself and of course as a gift for family and friends.

This book is concise but at the same time very explanatory, clearly breaking down the process of community organizing into its essential elements, at least according to the author's perspective. The book was written a while ago, but the issues are still very relevant. I'm very new to reading about CO, but just reading the book got me very excited about the possibility for real change. I highly recommend it to other interested in entering the field.

Many churches and synagogues, when faced with a needy situation in their neighborhoods, are paralyzed or indecisive. Should they provide for the needy while ignoring the root cause of the distress? Should they urge their members to pursue political correctives through the ballot box? Should the institution involve itself in partisan politics?

None of these approaches is the best way, according to Gregory Pierce. If they are truly to have an impact on their social milieu, congegations must involve themselves in broadly-based community organizations large and powerful enough to confront underlying causes of need. This tried and proven method was developed forty years go by Saul Alinsky and is still employed successfully today.

In order to be effective in community organizations, however, congregations must be willing to work with other groups with different ideologies, and they must understand and be willing to utilize the levers of power. This book is a primer for lay leaders and clergy who want to move their congregations into the arena of activism. It tells them what to do -- and what not to do -- if they want to make a difference in their neighborhoods.