The History of Florida

Praise for the previous edition:

“A major new history.”—Miami Herald

“A jewel.”—Tallahassee Democrat

“The standard reference.”—Orlando Sentinel

“As interesting as it is informative.”—Naples Daily News

“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

This is the definitive history of the state where prehistoric societies once flourished between the Atlantic and the Gulf, where Europeans built the town of St. Augustine years before Jamestown and Plymouth existed, and where travelers from around the world now come by the millions to vacation each year. This is the multifaceted saga of Florida, one of the most fascinating states in America.

Twenty-three leading historians, assembled by renowned scholar Michael Gannon, come together in this volume, offering a wealth of perspectives and expertise to create a comprehensive, balanced view of Florida’s sweeping story. This thought-provoking narrative is essential reading for understanding the last 500 years in the Land of Sunshine.

Discover pre-Columbian Florida and learn what the landscape was like when the first European explorers arrived. Journey through the history of immigration and ethnicity in Florida, the lives of the Seminole and Miccosukee peoples, and the societies of free and enslaved Africans in the state. Follow Florida from U.S. statehood in 1845 to the Civil War, through the Great Depression, World War II, and into today’s political arena. The chapters in this volume 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.