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Overview
From Ponce de Leon's tumultuous discovery of a "Land of Flowers" to the astonishingly slipshod 2000 presidential election, this book provides a quick and unique look at the history of this vibrant state. Within these 30 stories readers will meet a bizarre philanthropist who single-handedly recovered a precious stolen gem, the immigrant who grew the world's greatest orange, the brave pilot and passengers of the world's first airline, the clever inventors of the air conditioner and Gatorade, and the steadfast queen of Miami's Art Deco district.
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 1, 2002
Publisher
Falcon Press Publishing
Pages
160
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9780762710546