Florida Books

"Southern Comforts" is an evocative prose poem of a place - Alachua, Florida - its countryside and town - its people, Native Americans, black, white, young, old, family, friends, living, and dead - and their stories, fact and fable, that coalese and collect in one woman's search for herself. The author is a rare species, a fifth-generation Floridian whose ancestors came to Alachua in horse-drawn wagons in a state ever increasingly populated with transplants.

"Tell me the landscape in which you live," Cauthen quotes Jose Ortega y Gasset, "and I will tell you who you are." Through her exploration of all aspects of her landscape comes, if not peace, self-knowledge and the comforts of understanding, a portal to the present through memories of things past. "Southern Comforts" points a way to those of us who seek why we are who and where we are and how we may find our way and place in today and tomorrow.

Beautifully written, beautifully bound - I purchased six copies and gave five to friends, all of whom love this book.

Sudye Cauthen is a fifth-generation Floridian who blends memoir, oral history and cultural geography to consider the vanishing elements of a place she holds dear. Southern Comforts: Rooted in a Florida Place is a recommended pick for any library strong on Florida history and culture, surveying the roots of changes to tradition and sense of place and considering archeology as well as history in the process.

I think this may be my favorite of all the books on Southern lighthouses that I have seen. Beautiful photography. Substantial factual information. Our paperback copy is falling apart in our library, I need a hardback copy and it appears they aren't available or are they?

First, this book is chocked full of Bruce Roberts' beautiful photographs of the lighthouses in this region. The photographs are nothing less than SPECTACULAR! Combined with the revised and updated information on each makes this regional lighthouse guide a requirement you won't want to be without whether you're visiting the region or a life-long resident. The text contains full, rich descriptions of each lighthouse, too.

I have many lighthouse books and all of Bruce Roberts' and Ray Jones' regional guides. I've read them all and used most of them while traveling. I've found them to be first rate, an excellent choice for people who want everything lighthouse between two covers. A joy to look at and informative to read.

First, this book is chocked full of Bruce Roberts' beautiful photographs of the lighthouses in this region. The photographs are nothing less than SPECTACULAR! Combined with the revised and updated information on each makes this regional lighthouse guide a requirement you won't want to be without whether you're visiting the region or a life-long resident. The text contains full, rich descriptions of each lighthouse, too.

I have many lighthouse books and all of Bruce Roberts' and Ray Jones' regional guides. I've read them all and used most of them while traveling. I've found them to be first rate, an excellent choice for people who want everything lighthouse between two covers. A joy to look at and informative to read.

Struggle for the Gulf Borderlands is the best single book on the often-overlooked Gulf Coast Theater of the War of 1812. Well written and researched, Struggle for the Gulf Borderlands brings to light several little understood aspects of the War of 1812. First, it illustrates the previously overlooked interrelation of the Creek War and the bearing it had on the outcome of the War of 1812.

Secondly, it details all military and political actions on the Gulf Coast leading up to the Battle of New Orleans. Most books focus only on the events of the battle, ignoring the many actions that had a direct influence on how the Battle of New Orleans was fought. Struggle for the Gulf Borderlands describes these events so one can understand thier impact on the outcome of the battle itself.

Lastly, Struggle for the Gulf Borderlands brings to light the divergent Southern opinion that the War of 1812 was a great military victory. From the Southern perspective, victory was nearly complete; the Creeks had been destroyed (opening more land for settlement); the Mobile territory had been annexed; and a major British invasion had been decisively stopped. The book contrasts this Southern perspective to the typical Northern view that the War of 1812 was at best a draw, which is the general view put forward by the majority of books on this subject.

Overall, the book is readable and informative. It is important for the new ideas and information it brings to the history of an area and a period. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in either the Creek War or the War of 1812.

Dr. Owsley tells the story of the Gulf area during the War of 1812 in a very readable manner. His work is quite thorough and includes a lot of detail about the skirmishes and battles. I recommend this to anyone with an interest in the War of 1812 and the Creek Indian War. The research done was well documented and any student of history will find this a great source.

For decades to come this will be the standard reference work on this topic. Superbly researched utilizing not only the usual American sources, but the previously untapped archives of Spain and Great Britain. Owsley has integrated the Creek War into the larger framework of the War of 1812 causing the reader at some point to pronounce "Eureka" as you begin to acquire a whole new perspective on Andrew Jackson and the conflict with Great Britain.

This may easily be the best history on the Creek War of 1813-1814. What could have been a completely altered history of the United States - if Andrew Jackson had not been in command, if he would have hesitated only weeks from the crucible campaign concluding at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, if the British would have landed the state-of-the-art muskets, artillery, military advisors/trainers, and cavalry accoutrements several weeks earlier than they did, if the Spanish had been more pro-active than they were for the Creeks, etc. - would have prevented us from our Manifest Destiny! I never before have read all of this with such fervor, explanation, and detail. Owsley makes the point that too many of our historians have belittled our accomplishments in these two interrelated wars and downplayed their significance. Often we have been led to believe that the War of 1812 was a "draw." He makes the point that it was on balance a resounding victory.

Jackson's being in the right place at the right time for the Battle of New Orleans would not have occurred but for his role in the Creek War and the overwhelming victory achieved. We would not have had the experienced and trained troops in place under his command but for the Creek War. And, inasmuch as the British did not recognize the validity of the Louisiana Purchase, if they had won the Battle of New Orleans then the Treaty of Ghent signed in December 1814 would not have applied to any claims that they would have asserted over New Orleans, Louisiana, and their planned buffer states under the Creek Indians and their allies. The frontier would have been inflamed and we would have had strong buffer Indian states with which to contend and two mutually supportive European powers. All of this was prevented by Andrew Jackson and his juggernaut victory at Horseshoe Bend. The sheer quantum of international intrigue taking place at Pensacola and throughout the Gulf area is enlightening.

This book is highly recommended by this reviewer. You will receive a whole new perspective on Andrew Jackson and his brave Tennessee and Georgia troops in the Creek War.

L. C. Evans has hit her stride in Talented Horsewoman. The storyline is richly textured, the language is fluid and the story flows smoothly. A really great read!

This book is a great read especially if you're a horse fan. Its fast paced and I didn't want to put it down. Read it in one night. The plot is filled with plenty of twists and will keep you guessing. The author has an easy to read writing style and it sucks you in from the first paragragh. LC Evans is a witty author, and I enjoyed Talented Horsewoman as much as I enjoyed her last book, Jobless Recovery.

I loved this book! I loved the setting because I grew up in Florida so I could really relate to it. the story was fast-paced and kept me guessing. I wound up staying up until the middle of the night finishing it because I didn't want to put it down. Very fun book; I recommend it to anyone looking for a fresh new voice.

The story held together well, with believable characters, settings, and storyline.

The characters were well developed and you either love or hate certain characters very quickly.

The story of a single mom raising a teenage daughter and still at odds with her ex-husband. All of these things bring real life situations to the storyline.

The single mom finds the body of her friend at what looks like a terrible accident. She slowly determines that the supposed accident is really murder. It is apparent she is no super sleuth, but she certainly tries hard to unravel the mystery and find the culprit.

The perpetrator is well masked until the end of the book when all is revealed in an entertaining manner.

All in all a pleasent read with no vulgarity, gore, or extreme language. It contains very good and well-paced "PG" rated dialogue. This is a mystery novel acceptable for the entire family.

Benjamin Blue - author of Storm Killer

Tampa Treasures is a beautiful book! From the cover to the creative, but simple recipes, the Junior League of Tampa did a supurb job on this one!

This cookbook is loaded with great recipes! I love the fact that the preparation and cooking time is listed after each recipe. It also includes color pictures! There is such a wide-range of recipes from all over the state of Florida such as Greek, Spanish, Italian and Cuban cuisine. As a member of the Junior League of Tampa and the Cookbook Chairman, I love this book!

After several outstanding meals at my friend's home, I asked for a few of her recipes . . . when she informed my that they all came from "Tampa Treasures," I decided to try and get my hands on a copy. I've now made several of the recipes and have found that each one is easy to prepare and outstanding. The Junior League of Tampa has indeed been very generous in sharing their culinary best!

Tombigbee is a collection of poems which will touch your soul. Langhorne writes about his childhood, his career as a cardiologist and his travels. He opens his heart to those in physical pain in a way that you hope all doctors would. Langhorne paints a picture in each poem so that you can feel and see what he is trying to tell you. He is a great observer of life.

The poet strives to say that poetry sustains our lives, and our freedom, through the imagination. This is a book about childhood in a small Southern town and the influence of a river on the rest of his life.

Tombigbee is a collection of poems which will touch your soul. Langhorne writes about his childhood, his career as a cardiologist and his travels. He opens his heart to those in physical pain in a way that you hope all doctors would. Langhorne paints a picture in each poem so that you can feel and see what he is trying to tell you. He is a great observer of life.

We just returned today from our Universal Orlando adventure. We found the book very helpful since we had never visited Universal before. The summaries of each attraction and food/shopping in each park were great. We used it to plan our daily schedule and even to choose our seats on each ride to maximize our enjoyment!

For anyone planning a vacation to Universal Studios Orlando, this book is a must! With so many guide books on the Orlando attractions, USO gets only a brief mention. So when I found this book, I was thrilled. It covers everything you need to know when planning - when to go, where to stay, where to eat. It lists each attraction and show in great detail. There is a section on each hotel on the property, which is very detailed and very helpful, as well as a section just on City Walk, the entertainment area of USO. Even if you've been to USO in the past, I think this is a great book to keep you up-to-date on the parks and hotels. Very well written by Kelly Monaghan!

This is such a great book if your trip to Orlando is going to feature a trip to the Universal Parks. It is so hard to find a book that has quality input on any park other than Walt Disney World. For the families who are planning to venture beyond that park and into the world of Universal Studios, this guide book is a must. It has exciting descriptions of all of the rides, great input on dining and lodging, and will get you pumped up and ready to go!!

A satisfyingly convoluted tale that transports the reader back to 1920s Miami Beach to follow the adventures of novice real estate salesman Frank Hearn, a street-smart New Jersey guy who ain't exactly a saint, but nevertheless pursues his version of the American Dream in a way that is equal parts Horatio Alger and Benny Binion.

Frank's on the level, though, mostly. It's just that every time he skirts the law a little, he becomes a trouble magnet. And that's when the fun begins.

With its cast of noirish characters, its compelling historical backdrop, and Hearn's improbable escapes from the brink of disaster, "The Up and Up' would make a great movie. Think "Chinatown" in Florida. (Nicholson, in his day would have made a good Frank.) It would probably be too expensive, though, to re-create the setting with as much detail and realism as Irby provides here.

Add in a crisp prose style and swift pace, and you've got a "beach book" that is in a different league than what you would traditionally expect from the genre.

The Up and Up was a great read. I couldn't put it down - it is fast moving, entertaining, historically informative and clever. A great summer book. I like the way Lee Irby puts the reader right back into the 1920s with his use of the lingo of that time and his descriptions of the Miami of the 20s. As he did in his predecessor novel 7,000 Clams, Irby has woven historic people and facts and his fictional characters and story into a novel that is both sophisticated and exciting. In the Up and Up, Frank Hearn, the principal character from 7,000 Clams, moves to Miami in hopes of improving his fortunes so that he may win the approval of his sweetheart's parents, but this star-crossed lover always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. His adventures keep the reader totally engrossed.

I wasn't sure if I would love a book set in the 1920's, but The Up and Up immediately transported me to a time of glamourous movie stars, swanky speak-easys, and questionable land deals. Set in Miami, the Up and Up takes the likable hero from Irby's last book (7,000 clams) and follows his journey to try and win back the woman he loves while trying to avoid jail. I enjoyed the fast paced plot, the witty dialog, and the attention to detail. I'll also add that there are several spots where I laughed out loud. There is a back story about Joseph Kennedy and Gloria Swanson that is extremely interesting. I knew very little about either, but now I want to read more! This is the perfect book for your summer get-away or for just an escape without leaving town.

Visions of Florida is a breathtaking journey through a parts of Florida that few Floridians get to see, let alone tourists. Mr. Walters has done a masterful job in bringing out the true color of the people in his black & white images. This fine art book sits alone in it's perpetual home on my coffee table. There is seldom a day that I don't pick it up to be momentarily transported to another world. House guests will often spend hours lost in the splendor of these pages. I am anxiously awaiting Mr. Walter's next book.

WOW! What an amazing book to compliment the knowledge gained from a meeting with Woody Walters. It is always great to have someone who is excited about his work and loves to share that excitement with others.

as an amateur photographer of florida, i am constantly looking for beauty in my surroundings w/ no such luck. i was at an exhibit for florida's coastal waterways by todd something and went to the gift shop to buy his book, right next to woody walter's, and left with this one instead. although it's b&w, one does not need color to see through the eyes and lenses of mr. walters. your mind fills that in. you're standing on the beach in the photographs or you're face to face w/ his animal subjects. even the quality of print is perfect. the transition from negative or slide film onto carbon copy makes no difference at all.

This was one of the first novels that I read eagerly from cover to cover. It may have sparked my interest in and ultimately career in biology. It was a captivating and read for a young person. It was somewhat anthropomorphic, but had it not been, it probably wouldn't have retained my interest at the age 9. Despite this, it provides a good basis for understanding of how wild predators live. A good read for the budding nature enthusiast.

Warning: If you want your child to believe nature is like what is depicted in Disney cartoons, then this book is not for you. It isn't gruesome, but while it celebrates the beauty of the wild, it also notes the brutality of nature.

From this genre, it was a rather natural transition to the stories of Jack London.

I recently found a copy of Joseph Lippincott's the Wahoo Bobcat. What a treasure! It tells the story of the Wahoo Tiger, a large, fierce and clever bobcat living in the Florida swamps. The reader follows along with the Tiger as he hunts, roams his territory and outsmarts trappers, hunting dogs and other wiley foes. Lippincott has done a wonderful job telling an engaging yet acurate tale on one of North America's most beautiful and facinating cats.

I read this book 50 years ago and I still fondly remember it. It was the perfect book for an animal loving kid. That it has lingered on the backroads of my memory this long is all I need to say about it.

Richard A. Uhlig