Key West Gardens And Their Stories

- Enjoy beautiful views of the islanders' sanctuaries as well as fascinating stories and histories of the grounds where gardens now grow - Venture off the beaten track and follow this garden path throughout the island of Key West

A history of Key West through its street names.

Hemingway in Key West, both as the writer and as the hard-driving sportsman, as well as his exploits in Bimini and Cuba.

Gripping stories during the Age of Sail from the time of Spanish navigators of the 16th century to the end of the Second Seminole War in 1842. Many died in shipwrecks and attacks by natives and pirates as they attempted to navigate the 110-mile sea passage between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean south of the Florida Keys and the Florida Reef. It has been called one of the most dangerous passages in the world. There are accounts of castaway mariners, native divers, privateersmen, pirates, and smugglers.

For more than twenty years, the Insiders' Guide series has remained the essential source for in-depth travel and relocation information. Written by locals and true insiders, each guide is packed with useful tips on places to stay, restaurants, events, attractions, fun thnigs to do with the kids, nightlife, recreation, shopping, local history, and much more--as well as a comprehensive appendix called "Living Here" that offers information on real estate, education, health care, and more.

Today, on the Keys between Key West and the mainland, some 40,000 residents and thousands of visitors fish, swim, sail, and dive in the crystal clear waters off a tropical reef; relax in the sun and cooling trade wind breezes; and sleep in the air-conditioned comfort of their homes and hotel rooms. On these same islands, as short a time as 80 years ago, fewer than 300 inhabitants tried to eke out a living without benefit of electricity, running water, radios, or telephones. Tormented by clouds of voracious mosquitoes and no-see-ums, broiled by the tropical sun, they lived in thatched-roof homes regularly flattened by hurricane winds. Weeks would go by before some passing sailboat brought them news of the outside world or their relatives. The stories of these hardy pioneers and their predecessors, as far back as the Native Americans who lived on the Keys at least 1,000 years ago, are told, many for the first time, in this book. As vividly portrayed as if they were characters in a novel, these true-life inhabitants of the Florida Keys will capture your admiration as you share in the dreams and realities of their daily lives. Includes Don Diego, a Spanish-speaking native who led in shipwreck plundering in the early 18th century; Jacob Housman, an unscrupulous wrecking captain who amassed a fortune and lost it when Indians burned his town to the ground; Dr. Perrine, a scientist who was killed by Indians; the African Americans who made charcoal for the stoves of Key West; and the indomitable Lily Bow, who eked out a living on remote Cudjoe Key. Next in series > > See all of the books in this series

Many a book has been written about Key West, but there has never been anything like Stetson Kennedy's Grits & Grunts, a portrait of the Key West that was. Neither a history (though you will learn a lot about Key West's unique past) nor a guidebook (though you will learn more about Key West than any guides offer), Grits & Grunts is a treasure trove gleaned from the rich multiculture that came to full-flower on "The Rock" during the first half of the twentieth century, "when Key West was Key West." You'll find an abundant sampling of the inimitable art of Mario Sanchez, whose carved bas-relief paintings of Key West street scenes are in great demand around the world, as well as many never-before-published photographs. The overflowing Key West songbag is also here in all its abundance, from lullabies to traditional ballads, as well as games and folktales.

From Key Largo to the Dry Tortugas, this true insider’s guide to Florida’s subtropical islands, offers a comprehensive look at famous attractions such as daily sunset celebrations, historic bars, renowned restaurants, and America’s only living coral reef. Supplemented with information about local hidden gems, it offers tips about secret gardens, hip diners, and beachfront bistros. The swashbuckling history of the Keys and some of its most famous inhabitants are brought to life with charming text—from Jimmy Buffett to the ever-present ghosts of Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams.