Florida Books

Notes from the road by author Jan Godown: Since age 13 I have criss-crossed Florida with my family, who never saw a rural route they didn't want to explore. Today I bring my own family to the places where Rawlings and Audubon fished and hunted, and where Muir camped on his 1,000 mile trek to the sea. This guide is informed by my background as a past director of the Florida Folklore Society and Florida Historical Society. It is for shunpikers. It takes you to places where you can renew your spirit. Visit along these routes, write in your journal about a Florida worth protecting, and go forth to teach about it.

Notes from the road by author Jan Godown: Since age 13 I have criss-crossed Florida with my family, who never saw a rural route they didn't want to explore. Today I bring my own family to the places where Rawlings and Audubon fished and hunted, and where Muir camped on his 1,000 mile trek to the sea. This guide is informed by my background as a past director of the Florida Folklore Society and Florida Historical Society. It is for shunpikers. It takes you to places where you can renew your spirit. Visit along these routes, write in your journal about a Florida worth protecting, and go forth to teach about it.

Notes from the road by author Jan Godown: Since age 13 I have criss-crossed Florida with my family, who never saw a rural route they didn't want to explore. Today I bring my own family to the places where Rawlings and Audubon fished and hunted, and where Muir camped on his 1,000 mile trek to the sea. This guide is informed by my background as a past director of the Florida Folklore Society and Florida Historical Society. It is for shunpikers. It takes you to places where you can renew your spirit. Visit along these routes, write in your journal about a Florida worth protecting, and go forth to teach about it.

This book offers all that you need to have a memorable vacation in Florida. There is no chance of getting lost and losing precious time as you drive through the Sunshine State. When I get my drivers license back, I will be able to use this book to the fullest

There are so many instant books about Florida churned out by writers who have merely zipped through the state en route to their next publication date that it is a pleasure to read one by someone actually familiar with the area. Jan Godown is a veteran Tallahassee journalist who has traveled these roads many times, and the reader--whether Floridian or tourist--is the beneficiary. She knows the charms, the history, and the things that threaten these places--not just how many miles they are from the plastic worlds of Central Florida. This book is a keeper on my library shelf--when it's not traveling in the front seat of my car!

A surprise-package of superior recipes, using fresh regional ingredients. Even in a land-locked city, these recipes work. Frequently, a simple twist - imagined by a seasoned chef - lofts standard foods to mouth-watering levels. Once discovered, this book will be treasured.

I especially enjoyed this cookbook with some of the most creative yet simple recipes, from the premier restaurants, resorts and luxury hotels. Rarely do you get a "who's who" of chefs providing the most delicious recipes in one cookbook. This cookbook gives one the opportunity to test his/her culinary skills and impress those coming together to enjoy good food. I can't wait try the recipes and enjoy the outcomes with family and friends.

An outstanding cookbook, one I refer to often for casual dining and entertaining. Emphasis is on seafood, poultry and pasta. Most of the recipes are provided by the most highly regarded chefs from Florida's finest restuarants and resorts. If you love cooking (and great eating) you will love this book. I bought two in Williams-Sonoma since I knew my sister would "borrow" one. (About 80% of the recipes are relatively easy, 20% are slightly more difficult. All are excellent!)

M. Prudhomme

Every now and then you come across a special cookbook. This is my bible of cookbooks. I refuse to let it out of my sight! Keep in mind that these are restaurant recipes, so you might need to cut the ingredients in half. Everything is pretty easy and does not extend futher than basic cooking skills. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

I don't care for cookbooks that are filled with recipes that are too difficult, or calling for ingredients I rarely used.

The Special Taste of Florida was recommended by a friend in Colorado who owns a condominium in Florida. I have in turn recommended the book to a number of other friends throughout the country. This is a indeed a special book.

Of the 400 recipes in the book, I would say 75% are absolutely outstanding..easy to prepare with wonderful taste. With over 200 cookbooks in my collection I would put this one in the top ten without hesitation.

Well written account of hiking trip for such a long distance. Sometimes too wordy on spirtual themes.

As well as a resource-full account of Eb's travels, this is also a very entertaining book. Full of daily quotations, poetic descriptions of the landscape and people, and, more than anything, uplifting. Congratulations on a job well-done, Eb. Not just the trip, but its recording for the rest of us.

I received my copy today and I'm up to page 100. It is a blend of humor, a man's journey, and numerous inspiring quotes...that makes me want to hit Eastern Mountain Sports and start the hike. Someday I plan to hike the Triple Crown, etc. Cheers to this man who has had the desire, dream and drive to complete an epic journey and share it with the world. Thanks for a great read and giving me another glimpse into long-distance hiking.

What a wonderful and inspiring book!! If you are a backpacker, outdoorsman, or a couch AT hiker, this book is very enjoyable. Eb makes you feel like you are walking every step with him. The book also helps one to realize the "kindness" and generosity of the American and Canadian people. It was uplifting to read a 500+ page book without one bit of negativity toward anyone by the author. Thank you Nimblewill!

Wow! That's really "Hit the road Jack". I live near the Florida Trail but swamp wading with the snakes and the gators? No way Jose! But I am totally enjoying it from my armchair. Go get them. You are a better man than me Charlie Brown!

Through the author's story-telling, the history comes alive, as if you were there with Mary, Diego and George. The book is fast-paced with action happening in every chapter. The sights and smells are vivid; I can almost taste the ambrosia dessert. Living in Jacksonville, Florida, I can't wait to explore the St. John's River and visit the Kingsley plantation from a different perspective.
As a former teacher, I found the reader's guide to be an excellent resource. The discussion questions encourage the reader to analyze the action and motives of the characters. The essays and projects are great ideas to stimulate students' minds and enhance their creative writing and cognitive skills.
Students will find they enjoy history, when told in such an engaging way.

The Treasure of Amelia Island is a historical fiction novel for young readers with an accompanying reader's guide including chapter prereading questions and predictions, discussion questions, and suggestions for essays and projects. Set in the Spanish territory of Florida during the early 1800s, The Treasure of Amelia Island follows the Kingsley family - Zephaniah, who married the black slave Ana Jai and freed her from slavery along with their children, including young Mary Kingsley. Patriots from the United States of America sought to lay claim to Florida, with the intent of making it into a slave state. The Patriots did not care that Zephaniah had freed his wife and children. Amid this tense political backdrop, Mary Kingsley decides to set out in search of a legendary pirate treasure with her brother George and her half-brother Diego. An exciting adventure ensues, in this captivating story written with close attention to historical detail. The Treasure of Amelia Island is especially recommended for middle school libraries.

M.C. Finotti has put together a gem of a book with this offering. Through the young girl / narrator Mary, Finotti has skillfully woven together the everyday lives and dreams of the characters with the historical events that drive the plot forward. This makes for a story that is exciting and educational at the same time, no easy accomplishment and a true sign of fine work in the genre of children's historical fiction.

And while the history lesson is there, the ideas Finotti brings to light in that context can be used as a springboard for discussions of issues relevant to young readers today. The extended Kingsley family would certainly be called multi-racial, "non-traditional," or combined by today's definitions, an experience that many of today's readers would know first-hand. Racial inequality and class differences are presented in a very matter-of-fact, almost jarring way (Ana Jai is a former slave who now owns slaves herself) that are tailor-made for debate, and even the political strife of the Spanish Loyalists in Florida and the Patriots in Georgia could be used as a primer to introduce the current concept of today's "Red and Blue" states.

Finally, although the history and characters presented are "Florida-centric," the book is by no means narrow or parochial, and should be enjoyed by young readers everywhere.

I loved the book so much. After three chapters of reading you feel like you have known all the characters for a long time. This exciting adventure is a great book for all ages 9+. - PD McCawley, Atlantic Beach FL

The Treasure of Amelia Island is very interesting and contains a lot of action. After reading this book my grandparents, brother and I went to Kingsley Plantation. Kingsley Plantation is where Ana Jai lived for some of her life. The Treasure of Amelia Island is a very good book for classes to read together because it is historical fiction and NOT boring. Another reason this is a great book is that I live in Florida and I thought it was cool to learn about what Florida was like when it was still ruled by Spain. This book is great for all readers. I shared it with my 3rd, 4th and 5th grade class who all loved it. My mom also enjoyed this so much that she read it to my 5 year old brother who did not want her to stop reading it to him.

For the past three summers we have taken this book with us, along with our 2 young boys-6 and 9, and have visited many of the places Bruce writes about and highlights in the book-the historical facts and tidbits of information he provides is very interesting and makes you feel more connected to the place you are visiting. My idea of a vacation is not trekking it to Orlando and all the theme parks! I grew up in South Florida, but was not aware of many of the places he talks about in Florida and how beautiful they are. In each new town we visit, we try to eat in at least one restaurant that he mentions-they have all been excellent recommendations! I love how at the end of the book he talks about his favorite all time places-we make a special point to try these out. We just returned from a 2 week vacation where we travelled the west coast of Florida and the Panhandle. We went all the way from the beautiful west coast beaches to Seaside, FL, traveling the backroads instead of taking the interstate. Everytime we visit somewhere I check it off in the back of the book. I can't wait until they are all checked and I can go back to the ones I loved the most!

This book depicts a side of Florida rarely seen. Although in the last 50 years or so Florida has experienced unparalled growth at the hands greedy developers and susceptible politicians, this book proves that some of what makes Florida great still exists. Small towns such as Arcadia, Cedar Key, and LaBelle are mirrors into Florida's past, preserving the diverse history of our state while retaining their small-town character. One of things that surprised me the most about this book is the fact that there are still some small towns on the Florida coast. Towns like Boca Grande and St. George Island prove that a sustainable coastal community can be retained without high-rise condos and tacky tourist shops. Nonetheless, most of the towns depicted here are in the interior of the state, which for the most part has retained its small town character (with the exception of Orlando, a true eye-sore smack dab in the middle of the state). Tourists should buy this book to appreciate the true Southern flavor of a state taken over by Yankees. I should know--I'm a fifth-generation Florida cracker!

Be sure to look for the newer edition (2003) as it covers 70 small towns. I started out thinking I would just dip into this, and read a few pages here and there. Then it turned out to be so interesting with Florida history, local tidbits, interesting people and architecture, that I read it straight through.
Now I can't wait to visit Havana to see the antique shops or to see the 36 murals in Lake Placid.
Some of the towns merely have interesting names (Yeehaw Junction) or a single sight, but many sound worthwhile for a day trip or longer visit. Probably should keep this book in the car while in Florida and check it occasionally to see if you are near any of these interesting places.
It is arranged by regions (north, central and south),

Be sure to look for the newer edition (2003) as it covers 70 small towns. I started out thinking I would just dip into this, and read a few pages here and there. Then it turned out to be so interesting with Florida history, local tidbits, interesting people and architecture, that I read it straight through.
Now I can't wait to visit Havana to see the antique shops or to see the 36 murals in Lake Placid.
Some of the towns merely have interesting names (Yeehaw Junction) or a single sight, but many sound worthwhile for a day trip or longer visit. Probably should keep this book in the car while in Florida and check it occasionally to see if you are near any of these interesting places.
It is arranged by regions (north, central and south),

I took this book along when we went to Florida over Thanksgiving. While we did the usual Orlando stuff, we also visited several of the towns listed in the book. It was a great experience to see what is "off the beaten path". Small towns with everyday people going about their daily business, much like our own home town. It was nice to walk through shops and sit down at restaurants that didn't have a "theme". If you are going to Florida, I highly reccomend it as a travel guide.

This book was great! I enjoyed all the characters..we have all been there with the 'well-meaning' sister friends. It was good to see Patricia hold on to her professional goals, while dealing honestly with her short-comings. Mac was a brother with a purpose...I loved him. I am looking forward to Ms. Love's next book.

The reading of Whispers in the Night, is not accomplished without stopping and visualizing the scenes, the details are so vivid, Patty's crispness, and determination combined with Mac's strength, business savvy and vulnerability makes each chapter so devouring and the next chapter an anticipation of more excitement.

I loved the way you could see the maturing in the relationship between the main characters. You could feel their feelings build up. It was wonderful. I read the book in 3 days. I couldn't put it down. I felt myself gasping when something happening and smiling later. Great climax as well.

Cindy W in Dallas, TX

I strongly recommend my fellow romance readers to read this book, I know you should enjoy it.

The heroine in this story is Patricia Ryan, bumps into the hero Mackenzy Carter but called, Mac Carter. This chance meeting involves a community center for at risk kids.

In any story that mixes business with pleasure; well you are bound to get trouble in the relationship. But this story that takes place in Florida provides you with aggressiveness, some humor, lots of intimacy, lies, betrayal and unconditional love from a mother and brother. It also has some moments of danger that heightens the story that keeps you turning the pages.

I enjoyed the illustration that the author shows with Patricia, her mother and her brother Parker. The characters portray such unconditional love that I believe any of us can feel the love coming through as you read the book.

Thanks Ms Love for this wonderful and enjoyable story. I hope you'll consider a story with Parker Ryan real soon.

The book was wonderful, inspiring and so well written. One live thru every phase of life thru it, and can reminice with it. It gives hope to love between a man and woman especially to people of color. the section, where she visit her mom was so vivid and brought back my childhood. The importance of unconditional love, family values, struggles, becoming a stong survival. All, that I can say that I wanted to read more and experience it all. It added youth to me. The sex sections were so tastefully written. They demonstrated two people valuing the worth of one another. All the beauty that the bible described Adam as the first time he saw Eve. Please keep on with your writing and your mission. I shall pass it own. I love their independence with their own goal, yet their interdependence with their love for one another. I could go on-on Mary Yvonne Eaglin-White

I enjoyed this book. It was an absorbing, eye-opening look into the world of the ballet written by an insider - a young, intense and highly intelligent young woman, a dancer with the NYC Ballet, who exposes life in this elite and unique world.

I really enjoyed this book. It gave a wonderful glimpse into the real world of professional dancing. Miss Bentley told this story with beautiful language, her words flowed like water. I found it wonderful to know what it was like to live the life of a dancer, to know the struggles and the victories, the fantasies and the realities. I recommend this book for all who love dance and for anyone interested in show business or simply anyone who enjoys a good read.

With "Winter Season," Toni Bentley allows her audience to see a real picture of the incredibly tough, demanding and creative world of professional ballet. We see George Balanchine at the end of the career, and such greats as Suzanne Farrell and Peter Martins. The incredible, difficult, almost insane demands put on the dancers are clearly drawn, as is Ms. Bentley's love for her art. Especially evocative is her struggle with reconciling art with her demanding profession.

Often, artistic memoirs focus on the superstars, the Tallchiefs and Nureyevs, for instance. The view from the corps de ballet is all the more interesting for being so rare. This book is beautiful, wry, humorous and exquisitely-written. I wish Ms. Bentley had written several other volumes.

Winter Season: A Dancer's Journal is the exquisite chronicle of a ballet dancer's experiences with the New York City Ballet. The dancer, Toni Bentley, claims a certain naivetee, but I don't believe it's innocent ignorance as much as it is simple yearning for experiences she rarely has.

She has a delicate flair for words, and her prose couldn't be any less lovely than her pliees and tondus.

Dancing with a world-famous ballet company is gruelling. The dancers are overworked, underfed, and have little understanding of how the "real world" works, yet it would seem they like it that way. Ballet companies thusly have much in common with military outfits: soldiers and dancers work brutally hard, but have their concerns looked after by the higher-ups. Balanchine is the dancers' general.

With the incredibly long hours and the accompanying mental and physical exhaustion, how did Toni get the time to write this book?

She writes,

"We are hairless. We have no leg hairs, no pubic hair, no armpit hair, no facial hair, no neck hair and only a solid little lump at the top of our heads. Any sign of stubble must be closely watched out for and removed.

"That is not all. We don't eat food, we eat music. We need artistic sustenance only. Emotional, inspiring sustenance. Al our physical energy is the overflow of spiritual feelings. We live on faith, belief, love, inspiration, vitamins and Tab."

Toni eventually does break free of the NYC Ballet machine, but she's drawn inexorably back. After all, as she says, "We live only to dance. If living were not an essential prerequisite, we would abstain."

This is a beautifully written very open look at the world of a professional dancer. The difficulties and joys of life in a world class ballet company are clearly and thoughtfully laid out by Bentley. The pride she had for her place in NYCB, and the sadness of standing in the background while others danced in the spotlight in front of her. But ultimately we are allowed to see the great joy finds in her dancing, and the struggle and work it took to get her there, as well as the struggle and hard work it took to keep her there. Overall I thought that Bentley was very candid and very honest about her life in NYCB. Every dance student planning a life as a professional dancer should read this book.

This was a great novel about Florida in the developing years of the early 1800's. Has a lot of history and exciting action, along with a beautiful love story set in the Florida Panhandle. If you like westerns and want to see how Florida pioneers handled the cattle industry in the early years, then this one is for you!

I enjoyed this story about early life in Florida very much. The authors captured the essence of what the early settlers in Florida must have lived through. The story was fun and easy reading, and I am looking forward to the sequel.

This book was very informative and entertaining. The authors did an excellent job of painting a vivid picture of what survival in Florida must have been like in its early beginnings. The Dover family is very likeable...I look forward to the sequel to this excellent book.

Fans of Patrick Smith will also delight in this novel revolving around the beginning of the cattle industry in Florida. The authors keep the reader constantly entertained with interesting characters and authentic historical facts. The story is very realistic and paints a very believable story of early Florida. As the writers weave a very interesting story, the reader can easily visualize the beauty of undisturbed nature. At the same time, the results of lawlessness are depicted but without graphic violence. Hopefully these new authors will soon provide us with another book. Meantime, readers will wait anxiously to find out what the future holds for the Dover family, their friends and their enemies.

The Chapmans portray the early Florida cattlemen and their families as being kind neighbors and good-hearted people. Though the main character, Treff Ballowe, is a man of strong character and convictions, he is also caring and compassionate. I found this book to be both informative and entertaining.

This book is refreshingly reminiscent of "The One Minute Manager." There are so few gems like this that simply and clearly give the important substance of a topic without wandering through needless arcane rhetoric that sounds intellectual but leaves the reader wondering what to do. Concrete information that every fundraiser needs to know - from creating a budget to finding and asking for money to appropriately recognizing donors is presented in a step-by-step, plain-spoken way. And it all makes immediate sense. Just to make sure the reader grasps and personalizes each concept, Dr. Goldstein makes every chapter interactive. Each principle is reinforced with a few questions for the reader, such as: "List 3-5 `sizzles' that would sell a potential donor," "write a snappy `p.s.' that prompts a potential donor to donate," "list 5 lawyers who specialize in wills and estates who might work with you to find major donors." As a brilliant and most useful caveat, Dr. Goldstein lists different resources specifically related to each principle that the reader can utilize for more information.

I recommend this book to those in traditional sales positions as well as fundraising because many of the principles - compelling sales letters, relationship-building, face-to-face sales calls, choosing the most likely leads, record keeping, effective public relations campaigns and web site development - obviously pertain to both fields. As a former College Vice President of Institutional Advancement, I sent many staff members to workshops that only seemed to promote the mystery of fundraising. This book was really all they needed.

I highly recommend "You Can't Go Wrong By Doing It Right" to anyone who wants to be a success in business, whether you have an established business or are starting a new one. In this age of high tech, there is one constant -- people. If you do not understand and know how to deal with people, all the high tech will not help. This book is a breath of fresh air for people like myself, who are tired of dealing with companies by voice mail and endless menus to make selections that only lead you further and further away from a real person. "You Can't Go Wrong By Doing It Right" is about real people, real situations and the kind of genuiness that keeps customers for life. As I read each of the 50 principles with each entertaining example, I found myself saying I would like to be treated that way both as an employee and a customer. Not only is the book a roadmap to success in business, it is beautifully written.

There are 50 invaluable principles for being successful in business in this book. The writing was succinct, powerful and to the point. Very easy and enjoyable reading. I loved learning about the history of Burdines and the Burdines' family. The founder of Burdines was inspiring having failed dramatically 2 times in his life then in his 50's beginning the mega successful "Sunshine Fashions" department store. I highly recommend this book. It should be in every business person's library.

My husband, who recently started his own business, and I loved reading this clever and complete presentation of sound business practices. As we all know, the best way to succeed is to emulate the successful. Dr. Goldstein has given us the history of a famous South Flordia family by outlining their strategies in an easy-to-follow guide. There is something for everyone here from the independent entrepreneur to the corporate executive. You really can't go wrong by doing it right - and by reading this book.

This is a business book that sifts through the superfluous and presents an abundance of concise, effective and time-tested principals for doing business. It is destined to become a classic. "You can't go wrong by doing it right" speaks to the business novice as well as the seasoned executive; it should be required reading in the classroom and boardroom. Kudos to Dr. Goldstein for resurrecting the lost art of doing business the right way. Perhaps the title should be, "You can't go wrong by reading this book." I highly recommend this book without reservation.

Whether you are 70, 27 or 7, an active outdoors person or just like easy, but interesting walks with friends and family - this guide is for you. Some of the venues are classic Florida gardens or little known historic sites, others quaint small towns, lovely open stretches of wilderness on Florida's awesome coastlines, or trails through shaded hardwood hammocks and sub-tropical havens. Tourists and long-time residents who want to discover the REAL Florida will especially welcome this friendly little book. It's packed with information to lead 21st century explorers down some of the roads and paths less traveled in the Sunshine State.

I was hooked right from the start and didn't stop reading until finishing walk number 50 in "Old Town Key West." Lucy's award winning writing skills shine forth throughout with her vivid descriptions, fascinating historical background information, and amusing anecdotes. Her photographs and maps are an added bonus. Lucy provided a multitude of rich details about each location and how to get the most out of every walk. Readers are truly left with "no excuses" for not grabbing their walking shoes and starting the exploration of our beautiful state! I'm ready to go!

I had a chance to talk to Lucy in person -- here's some background: Lucy had a weekly column in the Ocala paper -- she'd report on a lazy ramble at some interesting site she'd just visited, then ask readers to join her next walk. It got to be a very popular column, with lots of walkers showing up every Saturday.
When Univ Press of Florida was looking for topics for their Wild Florida series, Lucy was a shoo-in. She buckled down, ranging the state for interesting walks. Each section of her finished book has a city walk, a wildlife walk, a great garden, some historic site, and one unusual place.
Better yet, Lucy's relaxed writing brings each place alive. I prefer floating to walking, but this book has inspired me to get out and ramble (that's amazing in itself!)
Each walk has complete background information, such as a map, GPS coordinates (are you into geocaching?) admissions, and even lunch spots.
Lucy drawls when she speaks. Her writing doesn't - it sparkles.

Sandy Huff
author of
"Paddler's Guide to the Sunshine State"

There are a lot of travel books about Florida but Great Walks has a special flavor that makes it much more than just another travel book. These short journies are educational, inspiring and uniquely chosen to give you the taste of something unusual and special. Don't miss the Bo tree in Tampa or the Ospreys at Osprey island - both will open your eyes to a sublime beauty that the casual tourist never sees.