Thank you Nigel Foster for such a complete and wonderful guide! I have been to a few areas in Florida, and can not wait to go this February and "try" out a few more of the recommended trips. A friend and I are going to go to Ding Darling Refuge and the Black Island (Lover's Key) trip at the very least. The trip descriptions have me longing for my vacation to get here. Very good maps, and I appreciate the section on places to stay and camp!

Very good advice in the Keys section. Did several of the trips recently. Always "as advertised" in the book.
Worth the $$$.

Nigel Foster has finally turned his excellent writing skills to South Florida. Having kayaked in South Florida for the past 6 years, I have personally done most of the trips described in the book. Mr. Foster's descriptions are brief, but his attention to detail, and excellent on-water guides make the book very useful. Short accounts of the history of some areas (i.e., "The Watson Mystery") enliven the book. It is written in the style of a travel guide - a bit unusual for a guide to kayak touring, but it lends itself to the area. His "Caution" tips, e.g., "Watch out for racoons at your picnic site." are well-chosen. Trip ratings are very reasoned and appropriate, e.g., "Paddling the outer coast is committing, with exposure to the Gulf...Waves across Whitewater Bay generally produce a short chop...No one lives in this area, and there's no way out of it except at the camping sites...." A concisely written book. Well done!

This is a great book for the first time visitor to the Keys. It gives great tips on where to go to see the Keys from the locals veiw. It tells how to avoid the beaten paths (and tourists!) and see more of the history of the Keys. It has great reviews of the restaurants, entertainment, shopping and hotels available in all price ranges. The book gives great tips for any budget for travelling to the Keys. Its a must for any first time Keys visitor. Best book I've read about the travelling to the Keys.

Candace Leslie's Hidden Florida Keys And Everglades is a compact and reliable guide to the unique attractions and outdoor activities of Florida. Complete travel information is provided for sightseeing, lodging, dining, shopping, and urban nightlife. For the outdoor enthusiast there is sound advice and suggestions for camping, hiking, diving, canoeing, horseback riding, biking, and fishing. For the truly adventurous there are "hidden locales" where you can find such time capsules as the Historic Smallwood Store Museum, built in 1906 as a trading post for settlers and Seminole Indians; underwater attractions such as the San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve where an 18th-century galleon went down in a hurricane; and Civil War sites such the Fort Zachary Taylor State Historic Site featuring the remains of an 1845 fort. If you are Florida bound, begin your trip with a copy of Hidden Florida Keys And Everglades.

This book was great bringing us to some of the most interesting spots in Florida. Highly recommended for the person looking to get off the beaten track.

The book consists of many vignettes on real people who live, or have lived in Key West.

Each story touched my heart, made me laugh and sometimes cry.

June Keith is a powerful writer on the human condition. Simple, truthful, and to the point. Each story makes you think and reflect.

I also read More Postcards From Paradise, in anticipation of my trip to Key West. The book, made me feel comfortable in a place I've never been before.

June Keith feels like an old friend, even though We've never met.

I half expected to meet her, and the many people she wrote about so eloquently in these two fine books. The photographs really made the stories come alive for me.

Customer Comments Al Mosier (KWkindaguy@aol.com), rating=10: Just returned from a sojourn in the Keys. Seems that everywhere I turned I met June Keith. I purchased her book at Margaritaville on Duval, but saw it everywhere. If you haven't already met June, it's time. June lives, works and writes in Key West. She spends her time waitressing at the Lighthouse Cafe on Duval. She also does a column for the Miami Herald. This book is a compilation of those columns. The title is apt. These are postcards; short sketches about the people and places June has come to know as a nineteen year resident of the southernmost city. She writes about real people; their lives, their loves and their problems. It is a real picture of the town the way it was through the 80's and early 90's. You can't see this town anymore --trust me, I'm just back. The only way to visit what once was KW is through the pages of June's book. Her style is easy and readable. I passed my copy around amongst friends and we all enjoyed her breezy way with words. Be prepared to laugh a littl and cry a lot. The death toll is high. If you really want to see KW as it was before it became a Disneyfied parody of itself, you can do no better than read POSTCARDS.Hemingway, Hersey and Keith. Interesting combination of writers, no?

Midwest Book Review: Columns and essays based on Key West living offer colorful armchair traveller pursuit as they reveal the legends and personalities of the region. This is a hilarious and involving collection of vignettes which will delight a wide audience as well as any with a special affection for and knowledge of the area.

Charlotte's Story was a delight! In addition to being a fascinating historical account of life in the Florida Keys in the early 1930's, it is a story of self-sufficiency. Charlotte was a "city girl", but adapted quickly and well to life on an island. The story is written in a journal type form and gives almost a day to day accounting of life on the island. The characters that she meets and tells about are intriguing. As I read Charlotte's Story, I found myself wishing that I was living on an island like Elliot Key in the early 1930's!

Charlotte's Story, written by Charlotte Arpis Niedhauk, edited by Mary-Alice Herbert, and published by Laurel and Herbert, is a fascinating page turner as well as an important historical document of how a young couple managed to exist alone on an isolated Florida Key in 1934-5. Their survival reminds one of the manner in which people lived before the advent of electricity, supermarkets, running water, or any of the modern conveniences. Their "store" was the beach, where they would look for and find what they needed from raw materials cast forth by the ocean. Charlotte's resourceful husband Russ would make such objects as a dipper from a coconut shell with a handle carved from a madiera limb, a windproof ashtray from the bottom of a shell, fish and lobster traps, kitchen cabinets, and even a jewelry box from a coconut for Charlotte from their "lumber store," the beach. City-bred Charlotte learned to cope with mosquitoes, sandflies, and scorpians, and even how to scull a boat. Their island home was visited by a potpouri of strange, often frightening characters, who threatened theri lives and made off with their property. No one who reads the book will ever forget the couple's experience in the terrible hurricane of Sept. 3, 1935. According to a newspaper report, the barometric pressure was the lowest ever recorded in thehistory of world weather. Excerpts are given from Russ's diary, i.e."Violent wind squalls lasting from 20 to 25 minutes. Sometimes with wind bursts to 70 or 80 miles per hour....Charlotte is sitting on the floor in the open doorway. She saw the tide receed 50 feet before each squall, and then return with a rush. Each time a little higher. No waves visible. The wind has blown the tops off. Afraid for our boat at high tide...The roof of the old house is blowing off in chunks. I can't stop it." After the hurricane was over, the couple decided that being alone on an island had lost its attraction for them, and decided it was time to return to the homeland. At the beginning of their sojourn on Elliott Key, Charlotte seems a naive, somewhat helpless young female. It was a delight to see her grow into a resourceful, independent woman who was an equal partner to her husband. She wrote her story from notes and memorabilia almost a quarter of a century after they left Elliott Key. The first edition of Charlotte's Story was published in different form by Exposition Press in 1973. When the book went out fo print, the clamor for it was so great that Laurel and Herbert republished and reedited it in 1998. This is a book for everyone, Florida Keys residents, tourists, feminists and macho men alike; in other words for simply everyone who loves a good read.

I'm a big Jon land fan and have read all of his work, including last year's holiday novel HOPE MOUNTAIN. In the same tradition of HOPE MOUNTAIN, this novel is a great story and an excellent gift to give for anyone.

After a stint in Viet Nam, Mike Fontana returned home a changed person. He became an alcoholic, a spouse abuser, and ultimately a family deserter. He remarried, but that failed too as finally his wife left him and their son Joe. Mike straightened himself out to raise an ailing Joe, who recovered. Mike's mission in life is to open the Hope Key Dolphin Assisted Therapy Center in Florida because he believes that dolphins have a special knack to connect with special children that seem unreachable.

Katy Grant has lived a difficult life. When she issues bad checks, the court sentences her to two years in the county jail. Mike offers her an opportunity to perform six months community service at his facility in lieu of prison time. Katy accepts, planning to do nothing. However, Mike shocks her by admitting he is her father and wants to make amends. She reacts by deciding to turn his life into hell. She refuses to acknowledge the healing power of dolphins or that she likes her stepbrother. Only time will tell whether Katy is affected like so many before her.

Jon Land is a great storyteller because of his ability to escort his audience into the inner heart and soul of his characters and leave everyone with a message of hope. DOLPHIN KEY shows how successful dolphins are working with physically and mentally impaired children. However, the tale also focuses on second, third, and nth chances and how one must never give up no matter how hopeless it may seem. Fans desiring a life should read this story of renewal.

Harriet Klausner

After buying this long-awaited book from THE Florida Keys
watercolorist, I am heartbroken. I miss my Florida home.
Millard not only captures the once lush environment that once
was the Keys, but the spirit too, which only can be found
in the hearts of Keys residents. (Old Keys residents) What
was once a beautiful place to visit is now sadly just an extension
of South Florida. This book is a reminder to me that
one can only go home in their dreams. Live Forever Millard!

Millard Wells' 30 years in the Florida Keys are reflected here through his watercolors--A long time member of the prestigeous American Watercolor Society, he is sensitive to the land, water & light of these islands. Look through his eyes at this unique & attracting environment. You'll get sand in your shoes, and as natives know, you'll want to visit!

this was a terrific adventure as you take the turns of the river, ride the currents, buck the winds, weather the storms and sense the beauty of Fla. as you cast eyes on development only to imagine what parts of it would have looked like back 50 years ago. You are brought closer to nature and experience adventure that you only wish you would dare to attempt. A great story and a great enduring ride. thanks for sharing.

This is a great book for anyone wishing a glimpse of what Florida was really like a generation ago. The descriptions of the trip down the Suwannee River in the book match the vivid memories I have of my childhood playgrounds....don't miss it!

This book is a terrific resource for all aspects of the Keys. We used three guidebooks, and this had the best information for places, wildlife, historic sites, etc. The only caveat is that you pretty much have to read the entire book in order to gain the full benefit, then use as needed. This is as opposed to picking it up cold and flipping through for information - the book isn't structured to be a quick guide.

If you are looking for a lot of information about the Florida keys this is the book to buy. I have several, and none compares. The ones which combine Miami and the Keys often give scant coverage to the Keys. These women do a VERY thorough job. The only drawback is that the pictures are in black and white. So take pictures when you get there. For both extent and depth of coverage, this one can't be beat. tdullmaier@yahoo.com

Definiteley one of the more educated storytellers out there. Herbert Pleiman unfolds a fast paced story so concievably real that you can believe it can happen! A fushion of high tech hazards and low tech havoc keep four Key West inhabitants working to save their land (and lives) against all odds.

Nothing absorbs a reader more than and exciting novel full of suspense and awash with humor. If this is what you're looking for, then Itch of an Islander certainly delivers. Complex characters step unknowingly forward into an even more complex plot that leaves one wondering what the fate of an entire population of care free island people will be! A definite keeper in my collection.

This author really knows the area and gave great tips and tidbits of history and information to make our trip more interesting. Her restaurant reviews were right on target. We ate incredibly well the entire trip! If you go to Key West, take her suggestions - ours too, and try the following restaurants: Louie's Backyard, Camilles, Blue Heaven (a must for breakfast or a fabulous lunch). As for tours and excursions, we tried the following based on information in her book and had a great time: Tall ship dinner cruise; The Butterfly conservatory (Wings of Imagination); Truman's Little White House; Hemmingway House; Audubon House. These restaurants and tours were not all we tried but they topped the list.

Go enjoy the Keys - and don't leave without this book.

I like using guide books, and have used others when visiting Key West, but this one is the ultimate. I felt like the author was sitting in the back seat of our rental car, providing a narration as we wandered around looking for sights and scenes that we had never seen before. The restaurant reviews were right on, and funny even. My husband and I liked the discussion of Hemingway and Tennessee Williams, and, believe it or not, we'd never heard of a wonderful movie, 'The Rose Tattoo,' filmed in Key West - which we never, ever miss when they show it late at night. We read about it in this book. Also, she recommends lots of books about Key West which we will read in preparation for our next trip. There are free sights to see on the road between Key West and Miami, and we'd never have known about them, either. Along the Overseas Highway there are some terrific beaches, libraries, a Pioneers Cemetery - on a beach! - a Hurricane Monument - that you don't know about unless you read about them in this book. Anytime someone we know is headed for the Keys, we give them this book. It's a winner.