Owner and Science Director of R & D for Florida Research & Development Laboratory. Has been in business for thirty five years. His business works within the Aquaculture Industry to develop medications and water conditioners for both the marine and freshwater fish hobby as well as the Aquaculture of farmed food fish. The companies expertise thrives on the cutting edge technology and is a strong contributor to the Fish Industry.

"Conventional history narratives tell us that in the early years of the Republic, the United States fought three wars against the Seminole Indians and two against the Creeks. However, William Belko and the contributors to America's Hundred Years' War argue that we would do better to view these events as moments of heightened military aggression punctuating a much longer period of conflict in the Gulf Coast region. Featuring essays on topics ranging from international diplomacy to Seminole military strategy, the volume urges us to reconsider the reasons for and impact of early U.S. territorial expansion. It highlights the actions and motivations of Indians and African Americans during the period and establishes the groundwork for research that is more balanced and looks beyond the hopes and dreams of whites." --

"When he died in 1838, Seminole warrior Osceola was the most famous Native American in the world. Born a Creek, Osceola was driven from his home to Florida by General Andrew Jackson where he joined the Seminole tribe. Their paths would cross again when President Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act that would relocate the Seminoles to hostile lands and lead to the return of the slaves who had joined their tribe. Outraged Osceola declared war. This vivid history recounts how Osceola led the longest, most expensive, and deadliest war between the U.S. Army and Native Americans and how he captured the imagination of the country with his quest for justice and freedom. Insightful, meticulously researched, and thrillingly told, Thom Hatch's account of the Great Seminole War is an accomplished work that finally does justice to this great leader"--Provided by publisher.

"This comprehensive book of Florida forts will shock readers with its historical insight and depth. A must-read for anyone planning a vacation to any of Florida's iconic historical landmarks."--Matthew J. Clavin, author of Toussaint Louverture and the American Civil War "Florida's military past is multi-layered and few books can match this one in demonstrating the complexity of its dimensions."--Joe Knetsch, author of Fear and Anxiety on the Florida Frontier Because of its extensive coastline--the longest of any state--Florida has always been at the forefront of military defense--whether Spanish, British, Confederate, or American. The state's unique military history is revealed in its forts and outposts and in the museums maintained at those sites today. This richlyillustrated volume provides the history of military fortifications in Florida from the earliest European settlements to the present, while focusing on those places that offer more than a simple historical marker to visitors. There are numerous sites that have been important in the state's military history; Forts of Florida highlights the twenty-four locations that still have existing features--whether ruins, reconstructions, or preserved structures. All are open to the public, and many are among the state's most popular tourist destinations, including Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas, and the Air Museum at the Pensacola Air Station. Accompanied by historic and contemporary photographs, maps, and engravings, each entry discusses the architecture and context of the site in relation to Florida and U.S. history. The thorough background descriptions will benefit those planning first-time trips, as well as those who have long enjoyed visiting these sites. Rodney Carlisle, professor emeritus of history at Rutgers University, is the author and editor of more than thirty books including Sovereignty at Sea: U.S. Merchant Ships and American Entry into World War I. Loretta Carlisle is a professional photographer whose images have been published in a wide range of book series.

Nathaniel Millett examines how the Prospect Bluff maroons constructed their freedom, shedding light on the extent to which they could fight physically and intellectually to claim their rights. Millett considers the legacy of the Haitian Revolution, the growing influence of abolitionism, and the period’s changing interpretations of race, freedom, and citizenship among whites, blacks, and Native Americans.

The books in the Florida and the Caribbean Open Books Series demonstrate the University Press of Florida?s long history of publishing Latin American and Caribbean studies titles that connect in and through Florida, highlighting the connections between the Sunshine State and its neighboring islands. Books in this series show how early explorers found and settled Florida and the Caribbean. They tell the tales of early pioneers, both foreign and domestic. They examine topics critical to the area such as travel, migration, economic opportunity, and tourism. They look at the growth of Florida and the Caribbean and the attendant pressures on the environment, culture, urban development, and the movement of peoples, both forced and voluntary. The Florida and the Caribbean Open Books Series gathers the rich data available in these architectural, archaeological, cultural, and historical works, as well as the travelogues and naturalists? sketches of the area prior to the twentieth century, making it accessible for scholars and the general public alike. The Florida and the Caribbean Open Books Series is made possible through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, under the Humanities Open Books program.