Florida Books

Although this book really wasn't designed as a field guide (i.e. field use), its functional role in reptile and amphibian literature pertaining to the exotics of Florida is just that. In other words, it beats everything else currently out there on the subject and should be carried in the field. The pictures are decent (though not great) and there are very helpful county maps for each species, along with species descriptions, similar species comparisons, histories of introductions, habitat and habits details (very useful), diet information, known predators, and reproduction data, if available. I would have been completely lost on a recent herping trip to Florida if I didn't have this book with me to identify the non-natives I encountered. Although other Florida exotic publications exist, this one is the most current and I'd say the best. Beware that most field guides include only a small portion of the species this book encompasses. This is a must-have for anyone herping in Florida.

Meshaka, Butterfield, and Hauge accurately and comprehensively described the many species of introduced herpetofauna that have found there way into the Florida ecosystem. A great supplement to any field guide, this book answers many of those "Why isn't this thing in Petersons?" questions that have plagued many a herper traveling through Florida. Complete with maps outlining known localities of specific species, some fine photography, as well as historical perspectives on these introduced species, this book has not only found its way into the field with me, but has also made its way to my coffee table. I hope this spark causes a wildfire of descriptive field guides which begin to accurately identify and bring attention to the growing concern of introduced species throughout the United States.

For a busy work-at-home writer, wife and mom of three like me, Family Fun in Florida makes the perfect travel companion. When our family heads to Florida we can save precious time pre-planning our trip based on the interesting, educational and fun locations mapped out for us in this book that is a must-have for the Florida-bound. It was exciting reading the wonderfully rich details about the diverse locations that are featured. And I am very glad to learn, via one of the many informative side-bars inserted throughout the text, that shark bites aren't as common in real life as they are in the movies. Also, knowing that Jan Godown's 9 year-old daughter helped research the book gives me confidence that many of the locations are definitely packed with kid-appeal.

M. LaVora Perry, author of Taneesha's Treasures of the Heart

Are you a family living in Florida? Do you plan on visiting Florida? Get this book! Grandparents, get this book! Do you get lots of out-of-town/state visitors? Get this book!

Jan Godown found every fun place in the state of Florida for this book. She describes the sites, gives directions, contact information, and lots of other great info for you and your family. She even lets you know when is a good time to visit and how to avoid the crowds.

Best of all, she didn't just lock herself away in a room to write this book, she used her family as the test subjects. Her nine year old daughter as well as a page full of helpers gave her insights into what worked and didn't work for kids.

Did I mention that you should get this book?

This book presents a fascinating study of the contrasts between how the natives and European settlers perceived the trail in colonial America. The same objective phenomena are viewed differently, with often surprising consequenses.

Levy is brilliant. His analysis, while thoughtful and insightful, is also provocative and engaging. Especially enjoyed the chapter on Rattlesnakes.

I have always been interested in the history of South Florida and the Treasure Coast area in Florida.

I had an opportunity to look upon this book that was also signed by the author James (Jim) Snyder.

I know that I will be going out to buy this book not only for myself, but for friends and family that also live in this area.

There was so much information including pictures of the past that impacts today South Florida.

Having lived in this area since I was 10 (20 years), I see the change of this area in that amount of time.

This book is priceless.

My husband and I both truly enjoyed reading of the history of the area and seeing the many beautiful photographs. This is an excellent book and extremely well done in quality of content and presentation. It far exceeded our expectations! We have lived in Jupiter for many years, but do not know the author personally.

I pick up the book not to buy it, after reading alittle of it and seeing the photo's; I knew it was not leaving my hands. The recipes are easy and they are simple to follow. I have seen these tropicals fruits and vegetables in my supermarket, now I know what what there used for. The result and comments from my family and friends were "how did you do that". We need more of Chef Tony Merola cooking.

I prepared this recipe for a group of executives from a major restaurant chain in Chicago, Ill. They wanted this Salsa on their menus as soon as possible. I had to tell them the truth, that I copied the recipe from Tony Merola's "Floribean Flavors". Recently I had the good fortune of meeting Chef Tony at one of his seminars, in Edison, New Jersey. What a treat!! and I asked Chef Tony for permission to use his recipe for this restaurant group. What a cool guy, He said yes!!! Everyone is satisfied, A special thanks to Chef Tony. In addition, the cookbook excedes your expectations, in terms of photography, and the ease of preparing the recipes.

Very clearly presents the organization of the Confederate armies and sorts out a lot of the confusion regarding regimental consolidations and duplicate naming. A great tool for genealogists and Civil War researchers

Mr. Sifakis has done an excellent job chronicling the Arkansas and Florida Confederate Armies, citing dates of organization, battles, commanders, mergers, and dispositions. I would highly recommend this book to any serious researcher.

I bought this for my husband and he loved it. He loves to relate to others some of Bone's antics making for interesting and lively conversation.

Very informative. I've been researching the Florida Cattle History and found information to support my theroy. This is my second copy.

My little brother just got into reading, mostly thanks to this book. This book truly captured his 9 year old imagination. He couldnt stop talking about the freaky phantoms and couldn't wait to read the rest in the American Chillers series. I really recommend this book for beginners with wild and active imaginations!

Would you ever want to go out in the fog in Florida? You are in a fog in American Chiller Florida Fog Phantoms by Jonathan Rands. The book is about fog phantoms. The book takes place in Florida. I like it because it was scary. It had a lot of action. He was brave and capable. I like when the phantoms show up. Find out how to go into the fog.

Many years ago I happened to visit the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville. As an anthropologist who worked in Asia and taught in Australia, I wasn't extremely familiar with Florida history, but I thought I knew something about the Indians. I had even spent a couple days on the Mikasuki reservation many years before then. Florida's native Americans were the Seminoles and Mikasuki, right ? Wrong ! I was stunned to learn of the true pattern on that fortuitous visit. By the 1760s, Florida's original population of some 350,000 had totally disappeared, the last few survivors dying as refugees in Cuba.

On a subsequent visit to Gainesville, a couple years ago, I bought Jerald Milanich's book, planning to get a more complete picture. I am very glad I did. This is a most excellent book, written for people who may not have professional backgrounds in archaeology, anthropology or history. The author hits just the right note. Everything is explained most clearly and readably. The twelve thousand year history that came to an end in the 18th century is traced through archeological discoveries. The great number of maps is a delight, while he includes some interesting photographs too. Milanich describes Florida as it must have been when the Spaniards arrived in the early 1500s. He tells of their efforts at exploration, colonization, at conversion, and their brutal repression of resistance, which coupled with wave upon wave of new diseases, almost completely wiped out Florida's native population. The French attempted briefly to colonize the area too. You will learn that "Florida" once extended up the Georgia coast into South Carolina. This area was known as Guale. For those of us reared on Anglo-centric American history, Milanich's book is an eyeopener. The life around the Spanish missions is depicted, the life that was destroyed finally by raids from the north by Carolina colonists, English forces, and allied Indians. These violent incursions, which brought thousands of Indian slaves to the Carolinas or sent them to be sold in the West Indies, finished the awful job of genocide. Florida is a land of ghosts. Today, amidst the urban sprawl and commercial mess of much of that state, nobody gives a thought to the Calusa, the Apalachee, the Timucua, the Jororo, the Tocobaga, the Mayaca, the Tequesta, and so many others, some whose very names may not survive. But when you paddle down one of those palmetto-lined rivers, past turtles and alligators, thrilled to see deer or otter, herons and ducks, or when you visit the former capital of Spanish Florida, St. Augustine, you might give a thought to the original Floridians. Florida is still dotted with archaeological reminders of them. Milanich has not neglected to tell us where. I suspect this is THE book on Florida Indian history.

Mr. Milanich has really outdone himself. His descriptions of the native Floridians and their interactions with Europeans is forthright, honest, and most of all backed with excellent research. This book is a great addition to anyone's library, especially if you're from Florida.

After buying this long-awaited book from THE Florida Keys
watercolorist, I am heartbroken. I miss my Florida home.
Millard not only captures the once lush environment that once
was the Keys, but the spirit too, which only can be found
in the hearts of Keys residents. (Old Keys residents) What
was once a beautiful place to visit is now sadly just an extension
of South Florida. This book is a reminder to me that
one can only go home in their dreams. Live Forever Millard!

Millard Wells' 30 years in the Florida Keys are reflected here through his watercolors--A long time member of the prestigeous American Watercolor Society, he is sensitive to the land, water & light of these islands. Look through his eyes at this unique & attracting environment. You'll get sand in your shoes, and as natives know, you'll want to visit!