Central Florida

The University of Central Florida has stood at the edges of Orlando for 40 years, a major institution of research, culture, education, and professional development stitched into the fabric of one of the nation's most dynamic and influential metropolitan areas. Conceived in 1963, at the height of America's fascination with the space program and less than an hour from Florida's Space Coast, the school began as Florida Technological University, a vast and remote tract of wild palmettos and swampland that held the promise of a cutting-edge "Space University." But 1963 was the same year that Walt Disney made his fateful fly over Central Florida and chose the location for Walt Disney World, a decision that would ultimately transform the entire region. Florida Tech found itself growing along with the surrounding community in size, prominence, and power into a diverse institution that no one in those early years could have envisioned. Renamed the University of Central Florida in 1979 to better reflect its broad curriculum and its strong marriage with the region, the school has blossomed into the prototype for the modern metropolitan university.

The saga of the War Between the States in Florida is not well known beyond the borders of the Sunshine State, except the actions within the third state to secede from the Union were quite prominent: the battles of Olustee and Natural Bridge; the sinking of the USS Columbine on the St. Johns River; Gen. William Birneys Raid; the intrepid Cow Cavalry; Confederate spy sisters Lola, Panchita, and Eugenia Snchez; and the flight into oblivion of the Confederate cabinet members. Following the war, in the midst of Reconstruction, many veterans from both sides of the Mason-Dixon packed what remained of their lives and traveled to the warm climate of the Eastern Frontier to begin a new life. This book serves as a memorial and tribute to those courageous veterans and their families who endured through this tumultuous time in American history. In the eloquent words of Capt. John Jackson Dickison, Florida may be justly proud of her gallant sons; wherever her standard has been borne, they have covered it with glory, and, with their hearts blood, secured for her an honorable position among her sister states.

A hike for every interest and ability! Florida’s landscape is a marvel of diversity, and Central Florida is its pinnacle. Footpaths range through salt marshes, river floodplains, and along coastal dunes and beaches. Trails pass through desert-like scrub islands, jungle-like hydric hammocks, and deep, dark bayous. There’s no better way to take in this natural world than by walking it. Ranging from 1 to 43 miles in length, each hike includes mile-by-mile directions, a topographic map, and information on hike duration, mileage, and trail conditions. This new edition includes 20 new places to explore, from hidden urban gems like the Circle Bar B Ranch in Lakeland and Ponce Preserve in Daytona Beach to the quiet rural landscapes of Catfish Creek State Park and Chinsegut Hill. Old standards like Tenoroc, Disney Wilderness Preserve, and Silver River State Park have been revisited and updated to keep you informed of changes in their trail systems.

From those who were witness to that “date which will live in infamy” to those who served in the Allied occupational forces following the victories in Europe and Japan in 1945, Images of America: Central Florida’s World War II Veterans pays tribute to the courageous men and women who sacrificed and endured through this phenomenally patriotic time in American history. Represented within these pages is just a small number of the vast roll call of patriots who at one time called Florida home. Heroic, humorous, and heart-warming stories are featured through these vintage photographs of the brave men who landed on the beaches of France and on the shore of Iwo Jima, who marched at the Battle of the Bulge and at Anzio, who flew in the Doolittle Raid, and who were engaged at the pivotal Battle of Midway, as well as those who were prisoners of war and protected the home front. Also featured are the women who served as nurses, worked in the factories, encouraged people to purchase war bonds, and who joined the WAC, the WAVES, and the SPARS.

A Florida hike for every interest and ability Florida’s landscape is a marvel of diversity, and Central Florida is its pinnacle. Footpaths range through salt marshes, river floodplains, and along coastal dunes and beaches. Trails pass through desert- like scrub islands, jungle- like hydric hammocks, and deep, dark bayous. There’s no better way to take in this natural world than by walking it. Ranging from 1 to 43 miles in length, each hike includes directions, a detailed map, and information on hike duration, difficulty, and trail conditions. Explore a new side of Florida, from hidden urban gems like the Circle Bar B Ranch in Lakeland and Ponce Preserve in Daytona Beach, to the quiet rural landscapes of Catfish Creek State Park and Chinsegut Hill.

The book is an excellent resource for trip planning, seasonal information, water characteristics and other necessary details that make a bass fishing trip less of a guessing game. The book lists specific productive locations on each of the waters covered and effective techniques that the author and others have employed. This detailed book includes dozens of photos, and maps and charts with information on boat ramps. There's no doubt this book will make your fishing trip much more productive!