Florida Spectacular: Extraordinary Places and Exceptional Lives

If when you
think "Florida" you don't think "spectacular," Cathy Salustri is determined to
change your mind. Explaining why the state is more than the "Florida Man"
stories and the politics that so often make national news, and looking beyond
the crowded beaches and theme parks, Salustri celebrates what makes the state
worth a deeper understanding in this lively trip through its natural beauty and
fascinating history.

Journey
with Salustri through centuries of forgotten Florida lore, into the Everglades
and through the springs and over ranchlands and scrub habitats to discover a
state rich in environmental wonders and unique human stories. Florida
Spectacular lifts the curtain on multiple facets including the legacy of Zora
Neale Hurston and the Black community at Eatonville; the bravery of Emateloye
Estenletkvte, a Seminole woman who escaped from captivity back to her homeland;
the two "frenemy" Henrys, Flagler and Plant, and their projects in
transportation and tourism; the three "Marjories," the influential environmentalists
and writers; and people working to solve issues facing the state today, such as
those who have used Florida's hurricanes to make storm forecasting better for
the whole world and those who have helped show the critically endangered Florida
panther a path back from extinction.

Along
the way, Salustri brings to light lesser-known moments from Florida's history
that help illuminate the state's significance in American and world history. Salustri
tours readers through the hidden-in-plain-sight Florida, the overlooked
treasures, the cultural complexities, the environmental challenges and
successes. Her stories show that with curiosity and an eagerness to learn, it
doesn't take much to discover the spectacular in Florida's past and present.