Hidden History of Florida

by James C. Clark

Florida's swamps and sands hide a rich history and strange stories abound. Whether you live in the state or just have a fascination with its unique background these are stories to surprise and fascinate.
Florida has a history as diverse as its residents. And much of that is still hidden. Since the arrival of the Spanish in 1513, the state has played host to strange stories. A heartbroken senator entered a mental institution over unrequited love for an heiress. Thousands of British pilots trained in flight schools across the state. And the true, and darker, story of Pocahontas is linked with the "first barbecue." Author and historian James C. Clark unearths a history hidden beneath swamps and sand for years.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Audiobook, United States

144 pages, Paperback

First published November 2, 2015

Reviews

[Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some intriguing stories throughout this text but the narrative formatting was disjointed and disorganized in a way that frustrated me. At times, it read more like a book report or Wikipedia entry. The chapters are somewhat chronological but would include odd asides with different text callouts that disrupted the flow.

[Cat Carstairs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with fun & interesting facts - an engaging and informative read!

[Jacob Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun and informative book that my wife bought me for Christmas. I enjoy Florida history but get easily bored so this was a nice, quick glimpse at various important historical moments in my great and glorious state.

Clark does a good job at making things fun and light while being educational at the same time. If you want a fast read on some fascinating points in Florida's long and illustrious history, pick up this book and others by Clark.

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[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! A lot of cool facts that were not mentioned in my 4th grade Florida history class 😂

[Dewin Anguas Barnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little choppily written but full of interesting information I never knew before

[Glenn E · Rating 5 out of 5]

James C. Clark rocks Florida more than the spaceships! I saw Professor Clark speak somewhere and was so motivated by his anecdotal “stories” shared in his lecture that I bought this particular book by him. This book has so many stories that it’s hard to keep oneself from tossing a random Florida story into any conversation on a day-to-day basis. Mr. Clark’s stories are great stories of hope and humor and not just the Netflix’s Florida Man version of: “Florida is shaped like a gun.” Ja ja ja. A lot was going on in history at that time, and Professor Clark’s narrative drove me ultimately to the Alamo in Texas and back again to The Treasure Coast in Vero Beach for a lecture by another professor (that one from Columbia). From there, the excitement took me along the Treasure Coast of Florida and once again back to Vero Beach where I learned of pirates and the quarrels of England, Spain, Mexico, and an unfathomable number of passionate souls who gave their lives for a singular ideal. This all springs for good conversation and wonder, a little gas, and airfare as well, but truly inspired by Professor Clark’s stories. Professor Clark tells Terrific stories of the kind worthy of those that make you say with a smile, “Duhhh, that’s wild!”.

[Peter McGinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book on a whim, concerning as it does my adopted state. I found a lot of it very interesting and new, though some of the stories were familiar in varying degrees. It is a thin volume and easy to get through, and perhaps a book that can be given to someone else when you are finished with it. Even the stories that were familiar to me did have details I was not aware of. For example, I have read a lot about Walt Disney's early work to get ready to build Walt Disney World, but there were a few details that I hadn't seen before which made reading the article worthwhile. I recommend this book for a pleasant read if you live in Florida, or stay here in the winter, or plan to do either. It is neat learning about some of the more unusual or trivial history of the state. The author has written other books of Florida history.

[Lydia Granda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover is what grabbed me into reading this book. My in laws all live near the Weeki Wachee mermaid attraction. I found this book to be informative and full of information, the writing is weird, choppy and a bit distracting read, I would have preferred the boxed items to be presented at the end of the chapters vs wherever he wanted to put them, it is confusing to read one part of the book and then dive into something else only to come back to the other part, but overall it was an interesting book. Loved the Walt Disney parts.

[Erwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pick This One Up

Clark hits the nail on the head, or should I say he hits a bullseye with The Hidden History of Florida. It is factual and actual, but never boring, always interesting and filled with the stuff you want to know. For example not only did Jose Gaspar not plunder Tampa, Jose Gaspar did not exist. Not only is Burt Reynolds from Florida, but so is Johnny Depp. So how can you do wrong? Pick up this book. You won’t want to put it down.

[MaryL]

I read this book while I was on vacation in Daytona Beach. I needed something to read so I bought this book at Walgreens. It was pretty good and seemed complete. The book starts by telling about the many Indian tribes that made Florida their home. After the Spanish settled Florida and went to war with the Indians, possession of Florida bounced back and forth between Spanish and French. This was an interesting book all about Florida's history and people. I would give it 3 stars.

[kathleen carbonara]

Written like a high schoolers book report

While there are interesting facts in these pages, those facts are just dumped there. The writing made me cringe but I love learning about my state so I trudged through it. The end was as abrupt as the rest of the book. Apparently the writer used up all the facts they had collected - I felt like it should have said The End to let the reader know they could stop reading

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Hidden History of Florida” is an amazing book that delves into the history of Florida from its inception. Many of the facts will astound and surprise readers since a lot of history classes may not teach some of this information. I don’t want to spoil the fun. Just read the book and thank me later!

[Elias Abrego · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interest book to know more information about Florida. Some of the details were well know and others were interest to know. BBQ word according to other sources comes from a French phrase, but according to the author comes from an Native American tribe, not sure maybe we will need some confirmation.

[Richard Trester · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't bother reading

Not well written. The short points of interest disrupted the flow of the story. I have read a number of books on Florida history and this one had the least information.

[Drisris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm enjoying the content of the book, and am still listening to it, but the narrator is reading without interest or enthusiasm. Very boring and cringe-worthy. Kineman could take a reading lesson from Simon Winchester.

I may have to read it instead of listen to it.

[Peter Lopez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ummmm can I get some solid references on some of these stories? This reads more like a collection of rumors than a researched work. And at what point did it end?

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very entertaining short little book that is easy to read. I only gave it four stars instead of five because I wish it had been longer.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Solid enough facts, but poorly presented with a disjointed and repetitive structure and little 'hidden' history revealed

[Joshua Remington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting bits of Florida history.

[Kaitlin Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun bite sized info on Florida history

[Jess Monnier · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to Florida history!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book it flowed nicely and was an interesting read

[Mary Aune · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative. Thought I should learn a little more about where I live most of the year.

[meredith ferguson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. interesting and informative. It is factual though.

[Laurie Patch · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an interesting book to learn about unique Florida history.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining and quick read summarizing both little- and well-known events about the turbulent and often times colorful history of Florida.

[Charlie Shaeffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

ConCise and entertaining..

Well organized somewhat Whimsical Log of
Floirida history. Very readable.
Good illustrations. That is all I have to say best wishes...