Florida Books

"E-mails from Scheherazad," by Mohja Kahf, is an excellent addition to the multiethnic body of U.S. poetry. A short bio at the end of the book notes that Kahf was born in Damascus, Syria, came to the U.S. as a child with her family, and has attained the rank of associate professor at the University of Arkansas.

Kahf's poems cover a number of themes: the immigrant experience in America, cultural difference, women's issues, war, violence, and poetry itself. There are several poems that deal with the issue of the veil traditionally worn by Muslim women. A good representative poem is "My Grandmother Washes Her Feet in the Sink of the Bathroom at Sears," a striking story of cross-cultural tension.

Kahf's language is passionate, sometimes witty, and always clear and accessible. Her poems are richly spiced with many cultural references: to Wal-Mart, Robert Frost, Lt. Uhura, the "Rubayat" of Omar Khayyam, MTV, etc. She is particularly searing when reflecting on living in a post-9/11 world. Her compassionate but critical eye captures both the joy and tragedy of life. Highly recommended for college classes, book circles, or individual reading.

Mohja Kahf's poetry collection is better than prozac. Her poems link classical Arab characters with current day capitalistic trends ("Zuleika meets the Marlboro man across a delayed green"), and are punctuated, in the book's first half, with sometimes hilarious, sometimes poignant Hijab Scenes, where the author encounters everyday prejudice but moves beyond self-pity and anger to humor and celebration. The result is charming and ultimately empowering. The first third of the book tells the plight of the immigrant- the Arab Muslim in particular- and uses the metaphor of landing on the moon. The second third is an ode to women and womanhood, and made me lift my head a little higher when I left the bookstore (this book under my arm.) The last third is a beautiful dialogue on political currents and events, and the poem in which Matisse characters come to life is jaw-dropping. The poetry collection offers something rare and brilliant as a stone: an intellectual journey from which one emerges with voyager dust.

Mohja's work is a joy to read, even when it is bringing tears to our eyes. Her impressions are unique and quirky, her use of language superb. I can't say how much I enjoyed emails. I read the entire thing in a single sitting and have returned to it many time to digest it more thoroughly. Hope to see more from this wonderful poet.

Pamela

This is a beautiful, moving, witty poetry collection which I recommend to all readers, and to women readers in particular. Mohja Kahf's language, her voices, her characters move seemlessly upon the page, stopping once in a while to adjust their scarves or flip us the intellectual bird. A Badass first collection; Kahf wins my vote for poet laureate.

I enjoyed this novel very much and recommend this book for the person who enjoys contemplative efforts. It is the kind of book that needs to be meditated on and goes far beyond the niceties of a mere entertaining novel. The story itself took me a couple of nights sleep to sink in to attempt to see the forest from the trees, the realism from the fantasy, from the nonfiction from the fiction and this book is apropos for the violence, the wars, the so called noble causes of humanity which have far more significant meanings in human existence than just reading a mere novel of entertainment with the hero's victory, the writer's box office smash and the happily ever after desires of story pleasure. The very pleasure principle of Freud is the result of repression of the realty principle and yet is that all we have? Is Sartre's nausea all there is in a meaningless void? Or is there despite our most grueling and empty life, a life full of higher meaning even so in the very death of our lives as we fight for such noble cause with war and bloodshed that in realty only benefit evil and futile cause of more powerful men in the chain of command in human existence? Despite such utter futility, we may still look to God at the end and pray not only for our souls but for the very souls of all humans, animals and life itself.

Hear are the heroes and higher purpose which in realism, act in contradiction in the existential angst of futility and yet somewhere in higher meaning beyond the logic of religious absolutism and the empty blind patriotism of nationalistic pride, the distant noble hope still lives in subjectivity. As if in hope, there is really only the the Freudian repression of realty in the desires of man which hide in the existential realism of life's empty meaning, the void of emptiness. And yet what if there is some higher teleological meaning? An even much higher noble purpose which exists out of the sight and logistic understanding of man and his so called higher purpose of religious dogmatism and nationalistic pride?. As the madness of quantum physics, which defy all Newtonian logic, in reality still exist in organized structure far beyond the physicists insight and understanding, as the very hope of man, despite the futile existential void, exists in the interdependence of a transpersonal reality, a web of relational links which exist in both subjective and objective meanings, in both individual and collective subjective values and empirical realty beyond human empiricism into the very hope that man exhibits despite all meaninglessness of his human goals? And here is one of our heroes, who despite the tortures of his individual life, the cruelties of the leaders, the frailties of the body, the sadism of fellow travelers, stills "sees" the beauty of higher purpose and religious value in subjective being far beyond empirical science and political mathematics. So here is our end. Do we rest in ignorance, hiding in the certitude's of man made securities and answers. Or do we vomit in existential emptiness and cold painful menace? Or do we venture beyond both in a transpersonal or in an integral psychology of multiplicities where diversities, despite contradictions, rest in an interdependence of relational wholeness beyond human understanding which in essence is the religious hope and higher meaning of uncertainty and faith?

I recommend this book, mostly for the contemplator, the thinker, the realist and yet the one who can walk in what seems meaninglessness, in the desert without the water and yet "know" without sight, rest without rescue in the ambiguity of vision which exhalts higher and profound depths of being, stripping the surfaces of majority in superficial existence.

This is an intriguing book. It reads almost like an alternate-universe scenario science fiction book. What if Rome had not fallen when it did? But this really isn't science fiction. In some ways, it reads like a gnostic text or the scriptural text of another land or tradition, and relies heavily on some biblical allusions - even the title stands out, being the title of one of the New Testament epistles. But this isn't a religious text, either.

At the heart of the book is a letter from Galatia, a Roman province, that contains a prophecy about a dying emperor and three men who will save him. The key figures of Vicena, Rinaldo and Danilo have stories that intertwine in mysterious ways. One gets the sense that fate or divine force is driving them on at some points, but at others, they seem to be adrift. Rinaldo in prison, Danilo in conditions just as bad in the army, scenarios that seem hopeless yet give way to hope.

The emperor is ill. In this modern rendition of the eternal city (which apparently lived up to its name) the emperor is a hallowed figure if still human; the former hopeless characters seek out their fame and fortune in the centre of the empire, the city of Rome, by becoming medical students, hoping to cure ailments that have plagued them and those around them, and somewhat unwittingly become involved in plots beyond their ken. Their drive to cure the emperor is not always a direct, intentional process, nor does it turn out for any of the three men the way they intended for themselves.

Another character, Jose Alkorta, is key in setting up the situations that the healers need, but himself falls victim to foul play and a cover-up. One might think that the more things change, the more they stay the same, even in alternate universes. Alkorta is a minister of state, for education (one might not think this an assassination-worthy post, but when in Rome...). However, Alkorta's influence was not over here, as an enigmatic encounter with his painting later in the story will prove.

The plot line is intricate and meshed together in intriguing ways, but for the careful reader, there is an interesting development of ideas. Kazic's descriptions are full of detail and clear; the sensory and emotional impact of events, sights and people are readily apparent in the narrative. The ending continues in the same vein as the story - while there is something eternal about Rome and the empire, the same in not true for the people involved, even those fulfilling a prophecy.

Emperor of the Galatians is a disarmingly profound novel that operates on a number of levels. Even after a second reading, I'm not sure I have a perfect understanding of the novel as a whole, with its allegorical treatment of good and evil, but it really is an intriguing novel. The setting is most unusual, in that it takes place in a modern-day Roman Empire, a sort of netherworld with aspects of the long ago existing side-by-side with modern technology. The sociopolitical situation of Rome and its second-class provinces adds complexity to an enlightening story possessed of an almost mythic quality.

The novel largely revolves around four individuals. Jose Alkorta, Minister of Education, comes into possession of some seemingly Galatian papers that indicate three young men will come to Rome and cure the emperor Bonifacio of his recent sickness. Although Alkorta is secretly a Galatian by birth, he is unable to translate any of the papers apart from the accompanying letter found with them. Still, he does his part to pave the way for these young men to make their way to the city, even soliciting the erstwhile help of the stern Security Minister, Vicena. The medium for the strangers' arrival is the new university in Rome, a school that will be Alkorta's primary legacy. The young men do not know each other, although they cross paths in meaningful ways on several occasions. Danilo is a soldier charged with securing an innocent Rinaldo's release from a notorious prison, and both come to enroll in the new medical school in Rome. These two young men are pawns of a dizzying array of forces, including Alkorta, Vicena, and seemingly those of Fate and prophecy themselves. For his part, the suspicious Vicena is determined to find out what these young men are up to. In time, both Danilo and Rinaldo find useful jobs for themselves and begin to converge on a common mission unbeknownst to either of them. Rinaldo finds himself led to a storehouse of information and a scientifically intriguing substance that may well hold the key to Rome's future stability - and Danilo comes to hold the key to Rinaldo's future.

There is an extraordinarily human quality to these characters and their situations. Several of them hide their true provincial origins in a metropolitan Rome that welcomes but does not really embrace foreigners. Rinaldo faces a number of human struggles - having lost everything, really, when he was subjected to wrongful imprisonment, his Roman sojourn subjects him to emotional issues such as love and loss, fear, duty, and just a general desire for happiness and fulfillment. Danilo was himself rescued from a potentially dangerous situation in his military unit before embarking on a civilian student life in the big city, and he initially struggles to find a suitable place for himself in this new life he has suddenly been granted. Alkorta, however, is the most intriguing character of all, a leader possessed of a mysterious past and unsuspected secrets that slowly emerge as the story progresses.

Emperor of the Galatians was originally published in Germany in 1993 and is the first of author Mihajlo Kazic's three novels to be published in English. This isn't like reading a novel from an American-born writer, particularly in terms of the author's writing style. Characters sometimes make declarations rather than merely speak, the flow of the writing seems a little bit uneven on occasion, and the whole cultural milieu of the story does have a foreign feel to it. I don't mean to say these are weaknesses, however, as they actually piqued my interest even more and made the read a much more distinctive one than it might have been otherwise. Emperor of the Galatians is truly a fascinating book - partly because it is "different" (in a good way) and reflects a cultural outlook that differs somewhat from my own. Kazic's reverence for words and their power is made manifest loudly and clearly, as he possesses the ability to communicate a great deal in only a few words. Emperor of the Galatians isn't just a novel; it's a reading experience that will stay with me for some time.

This is indeed a fascinating book. It is very easy to read, however every sentence has a much deeper meaning. Contrary to wide spread belief that "everyone can achieve everything" this book infers that every person has a mission to fulfil in his life. Their personal goals are interrelated with devine providence.

The story of three young men who left their province for the capital, they were to fulfil their destinies that they were not aware of. This book may read like a fairy tale with hidden depths and with new meanings appearing each time. Highly recommended.

I love how one reviewer here is comparing this book to _Heart of Darkness_: that's probably a little bit over the top, but I can see some of the connections--the book's dark, meditative, heavy on language, dense, and very, very fine. Quite unconventional in its methods and its meditations, Everyday Psychokillers is extremely enjoyable provided you're open to what it's going after. If you're looking for a crime novel, this isn't it, but if you're looking for something beautiful and moving exploring the mythology of this thing we call the psychokiller especially from the perspective of a girl, then this should--rightfully--blow you away. For those who are familiar with the press, FC2, this is more conventional than you'd expect given their editorial interests while still not exactly being straightforward narrative. For those more used to the bigger presses, this will be a surprise for you, a gem, something to covet and keep close to you for years. Creepy, lovely, forceful, excellent.

I teach literature so I never get to get drunk on novels the way I did before I got my Ph.D. (it's always, how can I teach this?). However, this one got me and kept me up far too late into the night. It perfectly gets the self-referential world of preteenhood and adolescence, where everything is life-sized and there is often no "out" except your own stubborn sense of what makes no sense. Holden Caulfield's genuineness always struck me as incredibly phony; Corin's narrator interacts with her often deadened surroundings not by pointing out their pointlessness but by animating them from within. Yes, read Corin before the media makes her into something other than the precious dork her narrator suggests she is.

This has to be the most compelling novel I've read since *Heart of Darkness.* Asked "what's it about?", I find myself groping for words and coming up with hopelessly scopey responses like "the ethical dilemma of being human," "the meaning of "civilization" and what it does to ourselves and our planet," or "the ambivalent character of love, heroism and madness in our culture and history." Definitely not light reading, this book is unflaggingly intense, often as hilariously funny as it is horrific or tender, and poetry throughout.

Look, some novels are instant classics, and then the writer never achieves the same success. Salinger, Heller, etc. This isn't one, BUT: Did I like this book? Yes I did. Should you buy it? Yes you should. Am I being Rumsfeldian via my answering my own questions? Yes, I am. But this is an author who won't be limited by a novel that shows off her prowess immediately. She will continue to delve into her subject matter, psychologically and aesthetically. This is a feminist novel in its currently most developed state, and will lead to a further exploration of truly groundbreaking themes. There is much in this book that forces the reader to recognize a literary talent, and then obligates the reader to wait for more. I didn't like this book as much as I've liked some others by "canon" authors, but if you don't read it now, you'll regret it later. Tolstoy and Nabokov are better, but this is gold and deserves to be read. I was happily amazed by the constant reinvention of everyday scenarios and the gravity of the intricate plotline(s). It was a pleasure. You might as well save yourself the effort of catching up with Lucy Corin later and read this now; so just buy the book, read it, and wait, as opposed to breathlessly catching a bandwagon later. It's rare to be able to follow the development of a talented writer with the current economic conditions, so you might as well pick a really good one such as Lucy Corin, right? You'll enjoy "Everyday Psychokillers...," and you'll enjoy her later releases as well, I'm sure. Perhaps not a classic, but a "must buy" for fans of literate literature.

Overall this book is quite good, I think it is geared more toward people living in Florida than people like me who are planning a trip. I wish it had more travel info and maps. I also wish it had more pictures than it does, so you could see the places it talks about which would help out a lot.

As a person who has spent a good deal of time in many of the places listed in "Exploring Wild South Florida: A Guide to Finding the Natural Areas and Wildlife of the Southern Peninsula and the Florida Keys" I can say that it is a thorough, accurate, and informative guide to the South Florida area. This book is specifically made for the person who likes to explore areas that are still predominantly in their natural condition. If you are looking for a landscaped park to hike through then you will be disappointed. If you are looking for places where you are likely to see endangered species, the only air conditioning may be a breeze, and you may see very few people (if anyone) during your hike then this is the book you are looking for.

Some places are truly remote and you may be on your own finding your way around (like the Florida Everglades) and some are less remote and may even have boardwalks through the forest to make your trip easier. The book starts with an extensive overview of everything you need to know about southern Florida - weather, what to wear, animals and plants to be cautious of, information on the various park systems, and anything else that you might have a question about when planning a trip.

One of the nicer features of the book is a section on the various habitats that you are likely to encounter in south Florida. The author does an excellent job of explaining estuaries, coral reefs, cypress stands, mangroves, marshes, hammocks and other habitats. She covers what qualifies them as a specific habitat, what you should look for and expect in each of them and general educational information on each of them.

She then covers special wildlife and unwanted pests before moving into the Federal Lands part of the book that actually starts the information on each site. When she gets to the specific sites she provides all the information that you will need to plan a trip there. She covers the local habitats you might find, wildlife, facilities, and complete contact information (worth the price of the book by itself).

A highly recommended read for those who think camping equipment should not involve the word Winnebego.

My title sums the book up rather well. If you are going to South Florida with viewing nature and wildlife as one of your goals, you'll find the book extremely useful. If seeing the show at the Alligator Farm and the Seaquarium fills your need for nature, you probably won't need the book. Assuming you do use the book, you will appreciate the amount of detail it includes, though you'll probably wish for better maps and more illustrations! Despite this, highly recommended if you really want a book of this type.

We used this excellent book before and during our birdwatching trip to South Florida this spring. It was a useful complement to Bill Prantys 'A Birder's Guide to Florida'. In comparison to the latter book, you get more general information about the wildlife at different locationts and especially about facilities (e.g. bathrooms, food) at different wildlife refuges and parts of the Everglades National Park. In addition, there is a good introduction about different biotopes and 'special' animals and a stirring depiction of the passage of hurricane 'Andrew' over South Florida.

In a sea of dismal travel books, the Eyewitness Travel Guides published by Dorling Kindersley stand out like a lighthouse. Last year we traveled to Florida and relied heavily on this guidebook. Not only were the maps, directions, and recommendations absolutely perfect, but the high quality of this book and its absolute comprehensiveness (especially in light of its price) make it a must-buy. The best are its beautiful images in this guide easily recall some of our best moments, making it a keepsake even after the trip. The flexible, plasticized cover also means it stays looking nice, even after spending all day in a crowded backpack. All told, the perfect travel guide and another in a long line of excellent Dorling Kindersley books.Since then, I have bought this guide wherever I travel ( New York, Paris), and I am now buying it to give as present to my family and friends

This guide is excellent in getting you to the most interesting places in Florida. It has many great photos and descriptions that help you decide where you want to go, especially when you don't have as much time as you would like. I really like the overall format.

Having never been to Florida, I needed help. This book is fabulous, not only does it give you maps from one end to Florida to the other, the pictures are beautiful. It even has pictures of the food served at various restaurants.
I spent hours looking through all the travel guides at my local book store and this is the one I decided on.
Let me say that it difinitely made our stay in Florida a much more enjoyable experience. With the help from this wonderful book, we knew where to go, what to expect, with maps galore, suggestions on museums, national parks, wildlife,hotels, the whole shooting match............this book is unbelievable!

I bought this book for relatives that are "snowbirds" spending the winter in Florida for the first time. Have used the Insight Guides series but this book is just as good or better. Excellent information, great maps and illustrations and very up to date. Having travelled in Florida, I found its information to be highly accurate. I also received a couple of "thank you" cd roms from the publisher. Highly recommend the book

This is the best book I have purchased for butterfys. It has great pictures of the butterflys as well as the caterpillars.
It gives you all the information needed to get your own butterfly garden set up.

I am just starting butterfly gardening and I found so much helpful information. On the other hand, my sister has been butterfly gardening for years, and still found the book helpful. It makes identification of butterflies and caterpillars easy and has many lavish illustrations of both the butterflies and the plants that attract them.

I have had this book for a year and I am always pulling it back out to help purchase butterfly plants and to ID catipillers and butterflys. Lots of excellent pictures of every stage of each Florida butterfly. Excellent lists of plants, both host and nectar. Great pictures of the plants. The only thing I have found missing is any info on when to expect the butterfly's in your garden.

This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in buuterfly gardening. Lots of helpful practical information. This book was recommended to me by Zane Greathouse who owns Greathouse Butterfly Farm.

Up-date - January 18, 2000 - The Environmental Studies Center Bookstore just received a shipment of the Third Edition of Florida Flavors. It's still great! If you've been waiting, go on in.

When I was approached to co-chair this book with Barb Hendry as a benefit to The Environmental Studies Center of Martin County in Jensen Beach, Florida, I readily accepted. Work began immediately. Since we were both native Floridians we wanted the book to reflect the unique bounty found in the ocean, our rivers and our backyards. First we selected recipes of many oldtimers. Then we chose chapter chairman among the best cooks in Martin County. Over forty people volunteered their time and talents in this production. A year later we went to print. With the generous financial support of our community we published 10,000 copies for our first edition. Over a hundred local merchants sold the books, giving our charity all the money received from sales. The books sold out with enough interest to produce a second edition. The Environmental Studies Center continues to excel in educating Martin County's children about the uniqueness of the area's wildlife,ocean reefs,barrier islands, estuaries, savannas, rivers, wetlands and hammocklands and the importance of their preservation. The sale of over a million books for a small town charity cookbook is an overwhelming endorsement. Therefore, I give it five stars. As the third edition is being printed, a waiting list includes my name....again.

I've had this cookbook for longer than I can remember. If you could see the stained pages, you'd believe it. The "Delicious Company Potatoes" is one of my favorite recipes and has become a favorite of many friends. Every year when my mangos come out I make the "Mango Chutney" and the "Mango Cobbler". For main dishes, you can't beat the "Imperial Crab", the "Lobster Thermidor" or the "Lobster Salad". Don't just take my word for it, borrow a copy...make the "Goombay Smash" on page 62, sit and read through the book. You'll see for yourself. Don't forget to read the "tricks" at the end. Limes are good for more than making pies!

P.S. The Environmental Studies Council says the third printing should be ready mid January 2000. Some lucky friends will get a belated Christmas present.

It's a GREAT cookbook...used it since 1984 and wouldn't be without it. 3rd printing is due out in March 2000. Recipes are from the BEST cooks in Martin county...they're simple to use and delicious to the taste. Once you've opened the book you'll feel really good about cooking and Florida...and the book cover print of old Florida by James Hutchinson is something extraordinary! Try it....you'll love it!

This detailed and thorough guide is obviously the work of an experienced and passionate guide. Bill Keogh covers all the bases, starting with the practical matters - charts and navigation, weather, safety, and equipment. From the coast of Florida all the way to the tip of Key West he lists 67 launch sites for 47 suggested trips. Supplemental information includes a birders list, tidal charts, and contact information for outfitters and guides. The natural history section is wonderfully detailed and reveals the author's great love for this magical place. The best way to see and experience the Florida Keys is on the water, away from the highway and the people. Whether a novice or an experienced kayaker, Keogh will take you there.

Marsh Muirhead, author of Key West Explained - a guide for the traveler

I found the book very informative on the Florida Keys and its wonderful waters to be Paddled and explored.The trip routes laid out in the book provide some great trips to explore the Keys.Can hardly wait to get down there.

Good read, good trips, precise GPS coordinates, and a significant naturalist section to boot! Match the critters you see against drawings in the book to find out what they are, what they eat, and how they live.

The Florida Keys Paddling Guide: From Key Largo To Key West is a compendium of recreational resources for dedicated water sport fans in general, and canoe and kayaking enthusiasts in particular. Featuring 8,500 miles of tidal shoreline, 7,800 lakes, 320 springs, and 35 rivers, The Florida Keys Paddling Guide is the perfect planning guide for exploring and enjoying the southernmost Florida peninsula and one of the most biologically diversified ecosystems in the continental United States. From Floridian coastal marshes to mangrove swamps, from back bay inlets to riverbed islands, The Florida Keys Paddling Guide is comprehensive, user friendly, and "take-along" portable!

This is the best butterfly book out there. It shows detailed photos of both adult and catepillar stage of almost every Florida butterfly.

I would like to say that I am extremely happy with this book. This book has taught me that moths are beautiful too. The pictures are huge and are printed on extremely high quality glossy paper. I would recommend this book to all butterfly lovers no matter where you live. The cost is so inexpensive for such an excellent book.

As a beginning butterfly gardener in Florida, I found this book to be an essential tool near my window. The beautiful, large photographs always helped me identify the beauties that visit my backyard. The book also helped me identify the eggs, caterpillars and pupas in my garden. The text is also very interesting and includes information about butterfly habits and food. This is a must for anyone who wants to learn more about the butterflies in Florida.

This book is a must-have, even for people who don't live in Florida. It is filled to the brim with wonderful photos and information on many types of North American butterflies. Just the photos make it worth the purchase! We're adding it to our butterfly library for reference work.

If you are interested in the hurricane history of any special state or region, this is probably the finest work of its kind written to date. Following a superb introduction to our subject, the author describes every significant or noteworthy storm to hit Florida since the 1700's. Each entry includes a map showing the storm's track through the state. We learn of the unique impact each had on the sunshine state. Some hurricanes, of course, like Agnes, had major impacts outside of Florida, and Barnes writes of these as well. Looking through these pages also shows us the cyclical nature of storms. In some years disaster hit several times, while other periods (like the 70's), saw little activity of any kind.

I found this edition to be much better than the author's NC one, if for no other reason than Florida's more active history! While some hurricanes listed in the other book may be of interest mostly to locals, the ones here, like the Labor Day and Miami storm, are truly important historically. I would hope Barnes is writing on the hurricane history of other states as well.

My earliest memory was Hurricane Donna, and I have been intrigued by hurricanes ever since. This book offers a considerable amount of historical data along with fascinating accounts. Highly recommended to anybody who would like to learn more about the history of hurricanes in Florida.

Great photos, and all the detail you could ever want on Florida hurricanes. The survival stories are frightening! All the weather data is there. It's a great resource for us hurricane junkies!

What a great book. We've enjoyed the stories of the memorable storms like Donna, Andrew, and Opal and the effect theyve had on generations of Florida residents. The 1926 Miami and 1928 Okeechobee are well covered. Also very interesting reading on those storms we've never heard of. The photographs are stunning-and frightening. Its organized well, and the reading is not too technical. It stays on our coffee table.