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Florida A Short History
by Michael Gannon Michael Gannon knows a lot more about Florida history than he tells in this compact book. As though Ponce de León, who happened onto the peninsula in 1513, returned today to demand a quick reckoning ("Tell me what happened after I was there, but leave out the boring parts!"), Gannon recounts "the longest recorded history of any of the American states" in 28 brisk chapters, all fully illustrated. From indigenous tribes who lived along spring-fed streams to environmentalists who labor to "Save Our Rivers," from the first conquistadors whose broad black ships astonished the natives to the 123,000 refugees whose unexpected immigration stunned South Floridians in 1980, the story of the state is as rich and distinctive as the story of America. Gannon tells his fast-marching saga in chronological fashion. Starting with the lush green wilderness of the ancient earth, he fills the landscape with Indians, colonialists, pioneers, entrepreneurs, politicians, and the 13 million citizens who make up the panorama of Florida today. He concludes A Short History in 1992, ranging along "the broad superhighways that wind past horse farms, retirement communities, international airports, launch pads, futuristic attractions, and come to rest, finally, amidst the gleaming towers of Oz-like cities."
Columbus Quincentenary Series 1993. 192 pp. 6 X 9. 86 b&w photographs, map, bibliography, index
ISBN 0-8130-1167-1 ISBN 0-8130-1168-X
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 "Extremely thorough and insightful. . . . It will provide a point of departure for both newcomers to Florida and those who grew up in the state."--Robert E. Crew, Jr., Florida State University |
