3 Books Every Floridian* Should Read
*Or Nature Lover or History Fan or Anyone Who Cares About the Planet
Over the past 4 years, I have devoured books on Florida’s history and environment. There are many good books out there, but these 3 get my vote to be on the bookshelf of every Floridian or nature lover.
The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise - Michael Grunwald (2006)
The best book ever written on the Florida Everglades. Yes, most people cite River of Grass by Marjory Stoneman Douglas as the Bible of the Everglades.
But The Swamp gets my vote for the depth and breadth it covers in 480 pages.
Parts of Florida should have NEVER been developed. Men committed egregious development follies in the name of greed. We're seeing a century of development struggle now with hurricanes, coastal erosion, and climate change. Grunwald explains why.
Ernest Coe, Guy Bradley, Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Men and women who fought to protect nature and wildlife. The Swamp tells their story.
Murder, illegal trade, get-rich-quick schemes. The Everglades has seen a lot of nasty business and this book tells it all.
A Land Remembered - Patrick D. Smith (1984)
Spanning 1858 to 1968, you’ll travel with the fictional MacIveys through the boom years of Florida and its impact on the land. Adventure, heartbreak, war, giant swarms of mosquitoes… this Most Outstanding Florida Historical Novel will have you hooked cover to cover.
It also comes in a student edition format, great for younger readers.
Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther - Craig Pittman (2021)
A gripping look at Florida’s favorite feline - the panther. Showcasing the sad history of losing habitat and being pushed to the brink of extinction, this book also highlights the amazing men and women who have spent their careers trying to save the panther.
And of course, because it’s Florida, there is also plenty of political drama and turncoats who serve as a friend then foe to the animal.
Have you read any of these? Share your thoughts in the comments as well as other recommended Florida reads.
I've read 2 of the 3, A Land Remembered is still on my TBR. The Swamp was 2006, btw. I need to re-read it. LOVED Cat Tale! A panther I tracked for my job for a few months was mentioned in there!