The History of Florida
This is the heralded "definitive history" of Florida. No other book so fully or accurately captures the highs and lows, the grandeur and the craziness, the horrors and the glories of the past 500 years in the Land of Sunshine. Twenty-three leading historians, assembled by renowned scholar Michael Gannon, offer a wealth of perspectives and expertise to create a comprehensive, balanced view of Florida’s sweeping story. The chapters cover such diverse topics as the maritime heritage of Florida, the exploits of the state’s first developers, the astounding population boom of the twentieth century, and the environmental changes that threaten the future of Florida’s beautiful wetlands. Celebrating Florida’s role at the center of important historical movements, from the earliest colonial interactions in North America to the nation’s social and political climate today, The History of Florida is an invaluable resource on the complex past of this dynamic state. Contributors: Charles W. Arnade | Canter Brown Jr. | Amy Turner Bushnell | David R. Colburn | William S. Coker | Amy Mitchell-Cook | Jack E. Davis | Robin F. A. Fabel | Michael Gannon | Thomas Graham | John H. Hann | Dr Della Scott-Ireton | Maxine D. Jones | Jane Landers | Eugene Lyon | John K. Mahon | Jerald T. Milanich | Raymond A. Mohl | Gary R. Mormino | Susan Richbourg Parker | George E. Pozzetta | Samuel Proctor | William W. Rogers | Daniel L. Schafer | Jerrell H. Shofner | Dr. Robert A. Taylor | Brent R. Weisman
Praise for the previous edition: 'A major new history.'—Miami Herald 'A jewel.'—Tallahassee Democrat 'The standard reference.'—Orlando Sentinel 'Florida is as much a state of mind as it is a slice of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. … Florida could become a place of civic texture if we understand its past. Professor Gannon’s book is a good place to begin.'—St. Petersburg Times 'Incorporates much of the new scholarship that has appeared over the last twenty or so years, much of the best of it exploring the lives of African-Americans, Indians, and Florida’s common white folk. … For those interested in seeking out the multifaceted aspects of their native or adopted state, this is the place to start.'—Tampa Tribune ‘Provide[s] a balanced view of Florida’s sweeping history throughout the centuries.’—Tampa Bay Magazine
Michael Gannon (1927–2017) was a renowned scholar and writer known as the "dean of Florida historians." A versatile intellectual and a towering figure in his long career at the University of Florida, he authored and edited numerous acclaimed histories. In 2010 he was honored as the winner of the inaugural Florida Lifetime Literary Achievement Award.
