Southern U.S. - Travel, Southern Region - History - General & Miscellaneous
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Overview
From Ponce de Leon's discovery of the "Land of Flowers" in 1513 to the suspense of the 2000 presidential election, It Happened in Florida takes readers on a behind-the-scenes tour of some of the characters and episodes from the Sunshine State's vibrant past. Here you'll read about how The Mouse chose Orlando as his kingdom, and what it was like to live just 90 miles from Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. You'll also meet the steadfast queen of Miami's Art Deco district, and the barefoot mailmen who delivered letters on foot between Miami and Palm Beach.Many of the people and events from Florida's past are well known, but many are not. Did you know that the land of alligators inspired the inventions of Gatorade and the air conditioner? Or that the Nazis invaded Florida during World War II? Do you know what enormous civil rights contribution Marjorie Stoneman Douglas, champion of the Everglades, made to the state of Florida?In an easy-to-read style that's entertaining as well as informative, E. Lynne Wright recounts some of the most captivating moments from Florida's history. (6 x 9, 160 pages)Editorials
KLIATT
Readers are invited to take a "behind the scenes tour of some of the characters and episodes from the Sunshine State's vibrant past." Wright employs a conversational writing style, sprinkling little-known facts into her narrative. Stories span a variety of well-known historical figures—Ponce de Leon, Osceola, Henry Flagler, Marjory Stoneman Douglas—and events, such as the opening of Walt Disney World, the Cuban Missile crisis, and the election snafus of 2000, with episodes not so well known, in stories such as "Tampa Nurse Builds A Hospital," "Dr. Gorrie Makes Ice," and "Philanthropist Solves A Mystery." Wright selects anecdotes that enliven Florida's history. She shares stories gleaned from her research such as the invention of Gatorade, how Augustus Busch's ill-advised remark caused Walt Disney World to be built in Orlando, Florida, instead of St. Louis, Missouri, the mystery of Osceola's missing head, and the saga of the missing "barefoot mailman." A section called A Potpourri of Florida Facts includes the location of the world's smallest police station, the revelation that circa 1900 Jacksonville was the place to be for the film colony, and information about the world's longest conga line. A recommended purchase for public and school library collections. Although this resource will not provide enough in-depth information for report writers, it's sure to appeal to readers looking for supplemental information on Florida history or those interested in quirky stories. KLIATT Codes: JSA—Recommended for junior and senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2003, Globe Pequot, 151p. bibliog. index.,— Tricia Finch
Book Details
Published
November 10, 2009
Publisher
Globe Pequot Press
ISBN
9780762761692