Florida served as one of the great meeting grounds of the planet, a place where peoples from Indian America, Latin America, Africa, the Caribbean and Europe converged. This book features essays in both Spanish and English on the influence of the Spanish in Florida from the first explorers to the latest Hispanic migrations into Miami.

Discover Florida, with its unique geography and exciting history—from ancient gold to modern real estate speculation—by journeying along its highways. Beginning with a chronology and succinct account of Florida's spectacular development, then an account of the rise of the major cities, Florida History from the Highways takes you throughout the state, pointing out the fascinating events that occurred at locations along the way. You'll travel through changing times and landscapes and emerge filled with new appreciation for what has made Florida the colorful place it is today.

While it’s mindboggling to fathom anyone labeling a war “splendid,” a high-ranking American official used that term to describe the Spanish-American War in 1898. If any slivers of splendor existed in the grim brutalities of war, they were frequently on display in the remarkable actions of brave women who nursed their fallen warriors, reported conditions on the battlefields, fought on behalf of fervently held causes, and protested questionable actions of their governments. Today most Americans are aware of Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders. Even casual historians recall the chant “Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain!” The role of horses and mules in the war have sparked attention. And the exploits of several dogs have been documented. However, in the quest for shining examples of splendor, high motives, and magnificent intelligence and spirit during the Spanish-American War, the accomplishments of some extraordinary individuals have been overlooked and deserve recognition. Women of the Spanish-American War brings to light their stories of relentless courage and selflessness.

A National Book Award Nominee and a Kirkus Reviews Best Nonfiction Book of the Year. Over the centuries, Florida has been many things: an unconquered realm protected by geography, a wilderness that ruined Spanish conquistadors, “God’s waiting room,” and a place to start over. Depopulated after the extermination of its original native population, today it’s home to nineteen million. The site of vicious racial violence, including massacres, slavery, and the roll-back of Reconstruction, Florida is now one of our most diverse states, a dynamic multicultural place with an essential role in twenty-first-century America. In Finding Florida, T. D. Allman reclaims the remarkable history of Florida from the state’s mythologizers, apologists, and boosters. Allman traces the discovery, exploration, and settlement of Florida, its transformation from a swamp to “paradise.” Palm Beach, Key West, Miami, Tampa, and Orlando boomed, fortunes were won and lost, land was stolen and flipped, and millions arrived. The product of a decade of research and writing, Finding Florida is the first modern comprehensive history of this fascinating place. “A take-no-prisoners account . . . Extremely timely and relevant.” —The New York Times Book Review “The Seminole Wars, the Civil War, various massacres, Reconstruction, a second Reconstruction, Disney World, the Marielitos, voter suppression—it’s all here, and even Carl Hiaasen couldn’t make it up.” —Booklist, starred review

Shaped by a mix of cultures ranging from early Spanish settlers in the 1500s to invading golfers in the 1980s, Ponte Vedra Beach has a rich and unique history. Ponte Vedra was home to pre-Columbian natives, Timucuan Indian warriors, the Spanish who settled historic Diego, Scottish outlaws, Palm Valley moonshiners and the employees of the National Lead Company who created a nine-hole company golf course that would later become the world-famous Ponte Vedra Inn and Club. Further developed by visionary real estate investors, what was once a sleepy, twenty-eight-mile stretch of beach is now known as Money Magazine's "Best Place to Live in Florida"? and is named among the top fifty places to live in the United States.

From early Spanish myths and Seminole and African-American folktales to the latest descriptions of modern Miami, this anthology includes writings by such authors as Ralph Waldo Emerson, John James Audubon, Zora Neale Hurston, Zane Grey, Wallace Stevens, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Jose Yglesias, and Harry Crews.

-- An anthology of the writings of 33 of the most important Cuban men and women of letters, such as Felix Varela, Jose Marti, Juana Borrero, Jose Yglesias, and Ricardo Pau-Llosa -- An enlightening and comprehensive introduction examines the historical importance of the Cuban contribution to Florida's heritage -- The works are presented in English, most translated here for the first time