No comments about Hanson, Henson, Hinson, Hynson: And Allied Family Names : Early Records of the Southeast United States (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, & Mississippi).

No comments about Life and Times of Miami Beach.

No comments about The Last Days of British Saint Augustine, 1784-1785.

No comments about Greetings from Sarasota, Florida: Bradenton & Surrounding Communities.

5 comments about LIKE JUDGMENT DAY, The Ruin and Redemption of a Town Called Rosewood (Movie Tie-In to ROSEWOOD).

1. This is not a good book if you want to get straight to the facts or a quick summary of what happened. Tight it's not. The author writes in a meandering style, interrupting the narrative with the life stories of every incidental character. I mean I could careless about the jogging habits of some lawyer involved in the case. The movie about Rosewood was not that great either. I think the whole story needs to be retold.



2. Do not read this book looking for a detailed version of what happened in Rosewood 80 years ago. The stories of the survivors, the contemporary news clippings, and lack of unbiased information makes this a difficult if not impossible task. What this book is good at is illustrating the wheels of politics (a lesson that is not readily attained in such a readable format) and pointing out that while there have been many wrongs in American history, that it is important to not only owe up to them, but to try to DO something about them, no matter how long ago they may have happened. While some many think that D'Orso spends too much time introducing the MANY key players in this story, I believe that this adds to the book. He does this in an unbiased way and helped me see that there were so many interpretations on this issue and that none of them were wrong...just different. There are so many lessons that this book helped open my eyes to, that I believe the uncertainty of the history of the Rosewood massacre may add to the book rather than detract. I would reccomend this book to anyone. Period.



3. I found this book very, very moving; and as an African American woman, it took me on an emotional roller-coaster. I thought the author did a great job of filling out many of the people in the book, that have long since died. I didn't just want a recitation of the facts or a quick history lesson. I think this event deserved more than that, in its re-telling. I wanted to see, feel, hear and get a real glimpse of the people portrayed in the book, and D'Orso accomplished that "in spades". Well done.



4. This book is incredible. The way the writer takes us to the history of Rosewood from present day investigation to lawsuit. The background of this predominantly black community and the climate of the south in the early part of the last century are detailed thru newspaper articles and recollections of the survivors. This is definitely not for the sensitive, there are stories that will make your skin crawl. It's an important piece regardless, a book we all should read. The ending is positive and the Rosewood survivors are inspirational. Arnell Doctor, the man that investigated his mother's family all the way to the town that was obliviated from the map of America is an enduring and brave person you'll grow to admire as you read.



5. This book was recommended by an African-American friend of mine. It is an excellent, excellent book. Shame on the bigots in our country.

No comments about Loyalists in the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War, Volume I : Official Rolls of Loyalists Recruited from North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

3 comments about Florida's Geological Treasures.

1. What a wonderful addition to Florida lore. A well written, well structured book that can add a lot of fun to a family vacation or inform the experienced rock hound. Ms. Comfort has written a useful and delightful book.



2. For young people,parents and teachers, a "must have" on explorations of Florida's bountiful geological treasures. Many surprises await the reader as he is introduced to this trove of unique fascinating facts.



3. This a definite must for a Florida vacation and was an excellent substitute until I can get there in the flesh. From the data on Florida's earthquakes (few), to her lightning storms (many), to description of "braiding" rivers and such poetic formations of fulgurites (lightning strikes frozen in sand when the grains melt and fuse along the lightning's course), to the beautiful color photos of crystals (I am still OOOOoooohhhhing over the golden wavellites) this was a poetical but PRACTICAL guide to rock hunting and caving in Florida. I recommend it highly.

1 comments about Selling the Sunshine State: A Celebration of Florida Tourism Advertising.

1. After my review of Dixie Before Disney, I got an email from Tim Hollis letting me know he had additional titles (IN COLOR!) that covered the subject of Southern tourism from different angles. So, back off to Interlibrary Loan I went, and I soon received a copy of Selling the Sunshine State: A Celebration of Florida Tourism Advertising. This was probably what I was most looking for when I first read the Dixie title, but that's not to say Dixie Before Disney wasn't good. Selling the Sunshine State focuses entirely on Florida tourism, and is in full color. Brochures, maps, advertising, you name it... Places that exist now, no longer exist, or probably should have *never* existed. This book took me on a nostalgic trip of what Florida *used* to be before the heavy hitters (like Disney) redefined tourism.
   
   Hollis divides the book up into the following chapters: When You Need It Bad We've Got It Good (overall state), The Miracle Strip, The Big Bend, Florida's Crown, The Grove Coast, The Sun Coast, The Tropicoast, and The Paradise Islands. After a page or two of intro into the material, you then get the goods... full-color reproductions of all the material that the state and various attractions used to catch your attention and get you to spend your dollars. Hollis also has great captions and insets describing each item, which add even more meaning and color (no pun intended) to the overall effect. It's amazing to think that these placemats, maps, postcards, and brochures were probably gathered up by travelers, poured over by kids, and then relegated to the trash. It's great that Hollis has saved and preserved so many of them so we don't lose sight of what used to be...
   
   Felt pennants... hadn't thought about those in years...
   
   I found it most interesting to see how so many of the attractions tended to follow each other in various forms and images. For instance, *all* of the various "Springs" attractions (Silver Springs, Rainbow Springs, etc) had to have pictures of attractive women in bathing suits. If you had a marine-themed attraction, you *had* to have dolphins and porpoises adorning your material. And if you didn't have the required glass-bottom boat picture somewhere, you could just forget about it. :) I also now understand the impact that Silver Springs had on the entire tourism industry in Florida. They were the Disneyworld of their era, and the attraction by which all others were measured. Yes, it would be considered quite tame today, but step back 40 years or so, and it was *the* place to be.
   
   If this subject at all appeals to you, Selling the Sunshine State is a must-read. It won't take much time in terms of reading, but you will spend a considerable amount of time just lingering over the pictures and enjoying the images.

1 comments about Roadside Florida: The Definitive Guide to the Kingdom of Kitsch.

1. "Roadside Florida: The Definitive Guide to the Kingdom of Kitsch" by Peter Genovese is a real ride through the old highwayland of Florida. Rather than cashing in on all of the bigger attractions that most people have heard of, Peter gets in and really digs out some lesser heard of gems of true kitsch. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, the pictures are great, and I'm not going to get into context because I don't want to give any of it away.

5 comments about Key West: History of an Island of Dreams.

1. If you watch the Key West sunset on the webcam daily, or dream of a life in the Keys, then this book is for you...



2. Maureen Ogle's history of Key West is the best single source for understanding this bizarre and remarkable place. Key West is the product of piracy, salvaging, the Civil War, fishing, sponging, turtling, cigar making, shrimping, military involvement, and tourism -- all this the result of Key West's unique position on a coral reef, adjacent to the Gulf Stream, 90 miles from Cuba, 120 miles off the US coast.
   
   Ogle weaves together all the disparate influences of dreamers and planners, run-aways and con men, sailors and politicians who still shape history here on a daily basis. The best way to enjoy Key West is through frequent visits and a reading, and re-reading, of this most helpful book.
   
   Marsh Muirhead, author of Key West Explained - a guide for the traveler



3. . . . but it is not a quick read. If you are interested in something other than partying on Duval Street, then when you encounter snippets of the past (perhaps at a museum or Dry Tortugas), it will be for the second time.



4. In preparation for a trip to the Conch Republic,a reading of this book brings meaning to everything you see & visit in Cayo Hueso! From the street names,to the old water cistern on the roof of Blue Heaven,there is meaning TO EVERYTHING after this read!! It's short,easy and a primer for the Keys Disease!!!



5. This was a very interesting and entertaining history of Key West. Having been there several times, and leaving Sunday for a week there, I thought I would read up on it a bit more. This book does Key West justice on explaining it's past and how it's past has built it to present.
   It sorta ended abruptly and could us an update over the last decade.
   This is well worth the $$ to learn more about this great place to enjoy.