Books in the The Florida History and Culture Series series

Glen Simmons, together with Laura Ogden, tells the story of backcountry life in the Everglades from his youth until the establishment of Everglades National Park in 1947. He documents individual personalities, places and events, along with the forgotten lifestyles of South Florida gladesmen.

For nearly two hundred years, Floridians have eagerly exploited tourism as the key to economic prosperity. As a result, the state has constantly reshaped and remodeled itself as different types of tourist heavens, and many aspects of its history have become inseparable from the fantastic images created by the tourism industry. From spa retreats to nature preserves, from riverboat rides to roller coasters, and from railroads to theme parks, the state's dependence on tourism has greatly shaped its identity.Sunshine Paradise is the first book to focus exclusively on how--and why--tourism came to define Florida. Offering a concise look at the subject from the 1820s to the present, Tracy Revels demonstrates tourism's relevance to all other major aspects of Florida history, including the Civil War, the land boom, and civil rights.In this enjoyable and well-written history, Revels shows how Florida's tourism industry has remained adaptive and expansive, ready to sell the next version of paradise to northerners hungry for sunshine. She also explains why the state's business and political leaders must consider the history of tourism development as they plan for the state's future.

From New Spain, to Old South, to New South, to Sunbelt, the story of how and why millions have come to Florida and influenced the enduring but changing meanings of a dreamstate. 52 b&w and 6 color photos, 4 maps.