"This book uses the eight large history murals, by artist Christopher Still, that decorate the walls of the House of Representatives to help tell the story of Florida. The broad themes of the paintings and many of the symbolic elements they contain serve to introduce some of the people and events that contributed to the state's vivid history. Contained within each chapter are brief comments and photographs that give a glimpse into the evolving role of Florida's lawmaking institutions."--Page [7].

The Legacy: South Florida Museum is an account of the origins, founding, and development in twentieth-century Florida of a people's museum about archeology, Spanish exploration, manatees, and space. As a museum founded in the immediate post-World War II era, with its origins in the prehistoric past, its narrative reflects Florida's changes through Spanish exploration, statehood, tourism, endangered manatees, and space development over a thousand years. The Legacy is a story of volunteerism, in the spirit of voluntary action for the common good, by dedicated individuals. It leads to today's South Florida Museum and its several facilities, including the Bishop Planetarium, Parker Manatee Aquarium, and Spanish Plaza. For more information, please see the following article from The Herald-Tribune. http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20101130/ARTICLE/11301026/1238?p=1&tc=pg

A Land Remembered has become Florida's favorite novel. Now this Student Edition in two volumes makes this rich, rugged story of the American pioneer spirit more accessible to young readers. Patrick Smith tells of three generations of the MacIveys, a Florida family battling the hardships of the frontier. The story opens in 1858, when Tobias and Emma MacIvey arrive in the Florida wilderness with their son, Zech, to start a new life, and ends in 1968 with Solomon MacIvey, who realizes that his wealth has not been worth the cost to the land. Between is a sweeping story rich in Florida history with a cast of memorable characters who battle wild animals, rustlers, Confederate deserters, mosquitoes, starvation, hurricanes, and freezes to carve a kingdom out of the Florida swamp. In this volume, meet young Zech MacIvey, who learns to ride like the wind through the Florida scrub on Ishmael, his marshtackie horse, his dogs, Nip and Tuck, at this side. His parents, Tobias and Emma, scratch a living from the land, gathering wild cows from the swamp and herding them across the state to market. Zech learns the ways of the land from the Seminoles, with whom his life becomes entwined as he grows into manhood. Next in series > > See all of the books in this series

A Lady, Her Letters, Our Legacy; Hand Painted, is a letter writing look, into more than one girls story. It is a literary, oil painted portrait, of a fair haired child. A painting of life chosen over death, of kindness displayed in the midst of cruelty, of hope determined under humiliation, and of speech chosen over silence. These friendship letter filled pages, display seven lessons painted together using seven colors, on a canvas that develops for the reader, a painted white pearl of peace. This is a canvas that will inspire people of all ages to paint their own lives, in excellence.

My autobiography dives deep into the experiences I faced in my life. It highlights my struggles to survive the odds, through balance, perseverance, and independence, on my journey to fulfilling my true calling, as one of the most successful, sought after, and prosperous artists today. By telling my real-life stories, I hope to educate my readers and help them to overcome their difficulties and live a satisfying life. I give practical strategies that will teach them how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results. Whether by finding new work, achieving financial success, or contemplating failure, fear has a special place in our emotional life. Feeling anxious, uncertain, and overwhelmed? Our minds are designed to let fear in; without it, we’d never survive. But how do we keep suspicion away from restricting our ability to fulfil our goals? Conquering fear is about self-awareness and understanding our inner strengths, often in the face of overcoming odds. My book can be your guide to practicing and cultivating the personality traits needed to be successful.

Mid-twentieth-century Florida was a state in flux. Changes exemplified by rapidly burgeoning cities and suburbs, the growth of the Kennedy Space Center during the space race, and the impending construction of Walt Disney World overwhelmed the outdated 1885 constitution. A small group of rural legislators known as the "Pork Chop Gang" controlled the state and thwarted several attempts to modernize the constitution. Through court-imposed redistribution of legislators and the hard work of state leaders, however, the executive branch was reorganized and the constitution was modernized. In Making Modern Florida, Mary Adkins goes behind the scenes to examine the history and impact of the 1966-68 revision of the Florida state constitution. With storytelling flair, Adkins uses interviews and detailed analysis of speeches and transcripts to vividly capture the moves, gambits, and backroom moments necessary to create and introduce a new state constitution. This carefully researched account brings to light the constitutional debates and political processes in the growth to maturity of what is now the nation’s third largest state.

Most every family has a batch of personal letters tucked away in a drawer or a cedar chest, perhaps from someone who was away at war, visiting a foreign land, professing love, apologizing for a major wrong or just pouring out the deepest feelings. But it’s rare to find a collection that tells a universal story. Legacy of Letters reveals in depth the ever-changing dynamics of a family circle. At its center is a young Southern girl who took the “normal” path to her vision of a fulfilled, contented maturity, only to arrive feeling empty and restless, and compelled to explore the puzzling questions about life and purpose. The true story is told through a series of actual letters and diary entries written between 1932 and 1977 and preserved by the author and members of her family. These treasured documents tell of ordinary facets of life but together make up an extraordinary portrait. This book is the first in a series that carries the story to the present day. In today’s age of instantaneous communication, we take for granted just how much of our history is preserved by the written word. Legacy of Letters captures a snapshot of real American history and passes it down through time to current and future generations.