If you are looking for an architectural guide that covers the unique built environment of a special place this is it. Key West, along with other seaport cities from Portland Maine to New Orleans offers us a unique chance to see how the cross reginal influence of architectural styles developed in 19th centuary America. Dealing only with housing and urban planning, we see how the influences of New England formality, Mid Atlantic practicality and southern climatic responses, along with Bahamian building types, create the unique and not so unique stew that is Key West. A must for vistors with a serious interest in architecture and the built environment. Plans, sections elevations, maps and rendered drawings (no pretty pictures just some useful photos to show context). Get it and enjoy your next walk around old town Key West as you never have before.

This book is the best book and perhaps the only book that gives special emphasis to seashells found in Puerto Rico. Scientific as well as popular listing of the shells is included. The textual description of the shells is quite adequate. Also, a general location of where the shells can be found is frequently included. On a less positive note, most all the pictures are in black and white and often the resolution leaves something to be desired. In all fairness, the book is in need of an update being last published in 1975. Since its last publication, several new shells previously unlisted or listed as "not found" have indeed been located. In spite of these few short comings, this book is still an invaluable resource for anyone interested in Puerto Rican seashells.

There are two problems with gay travel guides -- usually.

First, they are often sponsored by advertising, which means that every review is a rave. Every club is suddenly "friendly," and "the place to be." That doesn't help much,and it makes for grimacing reading.

Second, they are often sketchy. Some guidebooks are little more than a group of symbols and maybe a few phrases if we're lucky like, "Crowded. Dark."

Thankfully, this book is honest, fun and descriptive. Here, you'll find an unvarnished description of the major restaurants, accommodations and bars in South Florida. Most are accompanied by at least a paragraph that seeks to *show* the reader what it's like, rather than *telling*. I'm especially proud of the fact that in several places, the author isn't afraid to call a place a dump if it warrants it. That kind of honesty is refreshing.

My only complaint is that the author admits that some places are omitted because are so bad they don't meet the standards of the book. I would like to see those places reviewed anyway so the reader can determine for himself.

All in all, this is a compact, descriptive, helpful guide for the gay traveler who is new to the area.

Joan and Wright Langley have amassed a fine collection of antique stereoviews of Key West, Florida. Each pair of photos, both taken from slightly different angles, will "pop" into one image and stand out in three dimensions before your eyes. The photographic reproductions of actual stereoviews in this book can be viewed "as is", or looked at through a handy little plastic viewer provided free with the book (easier to handle than an antique stereoscope, and a good way for children to learn about stereoviews). The quality of the reproductions is good (for a 15-year-old book), and the special binding makes the lightweight book easy to handle. If you want to preserve vacation memories, or if you're an avid collector of stereoviews, you'll find "Old Key West" a fun bargain. Highlights include abolitionist Frederick Douglass, hardy fishermen displaying enormous turtles (a local industry for decades), and sailboats harbored at sun-dappled fishing docks. The final view, of small children waving as a steam engine crosses a trestle over water, is worth the price of the entire book. When it "pops" into 3-D, you'll be gently transported back to a balmy afternoon in 1912, on a breezy beach in Key West.

I found this book to be lyrical, introspective and intriguing. The characters in this book are right out of the Florida Keys. I felt I knew some of them, because they are so familiar here. Brackenbury poetically describes Key West with accuracy and precision. Her characters seem very real. Cuba appears fascinating, as did Raoul, Emilia's Cuban husband. It's really a simple tale about complex emotions and love. The story slowly pulls you in, drawing you in to its current until the very end.

This book tackles the tough subjects of conflict and prejudicein a charming and spirited way. The characters grapple with realproblems inherent in a diverse world through "serious" reflection, dancing, singing and a joyous embrace of what makes us unique. The "seven keys" are right on target. Warning: these insights will come back to you, sometimes in the middle of your own argument. They may spoil a good rant, and they'll certainly help pave the way to better relations in the personal and business arenas.

This recording is a truly enjoyable one. There is nothing comparable to hearing a poet read his or her own words, and among recorded poets, Wallace Stevens has one of those commanding, grave, sonorous voices that really suits the dramatic and cerebral nature of his poems. The recording opens with "The Theory of Poetry" and closes with "The Life of a Poet," two prose notes that provide a nice counterpoint to the poems. The poem selections, however, leave a little to be desired. This listener, at least, would have like to have heard "The Snow Man," "Sunday Morning," "Esthetique du Mal," or "The Course of a Particular." The poems that are included, however, are an excellent selection for those already aquainted with Stevens: "The Idea of Order at Key West," "Credences of Summer," "The Poem That Took the Place of a Mountain," "Vacancy in the Park," "To an Old Philosopher in Rome," "Prologues to What is Possible, II," and nine others. The recording quality is high, having been digitally remastered. Overall, a real treat for the ears, but don't expect to hear some of the more well-known poems mentioned above.

Just a word about the characters and setting. It is as if gay and lesbian people did not live in Key West. There are no gay characters and no mention of gay residents. Odd for a place so well known for their presence. It's as if the writer denies their existence.

I haven't read his other books--perhaps there are gay characters in them, but I found their lack of presence in this book rather disconcerting.

Gumbo Limbo by Tom Corcoran is overall an entertaining romp ofsome wild, almost cliche, detective fiction. Though the setting is in itself like a virtual vacation, Corcoran's first person narrative leaves much to be desired. Even when viewed as told by the main character, forensic photographer Alex Rutledge, I grew horrifically tired of the descriptions of his eating and drinking habits.

Another "Jimmy Buffettism" of Corcoran's is his obsession with almost proving that he's really a true Key Wester. His descriptions of his travels on the island (like "I turned left at Big Bob's eatery at the corner of St. Juicy and Elm") were distracting. Yes, let the reader know you have some expertise, but let's forgo the travelogue and advance the story. Perhaps Tom should just include a map in the next submission.

But yes, overall, I enjoyed it. Even in it's annoying moments it had some charm. Picture this as a literary version of late night listening to a Buffett album: a guilty pleasure that's easy to enjoy, but will probably leave you wanting more meaty substance.

The title to this review is double edged. It refers to the myriad of characters and escapades that Tom Corcoran has cooked up for his character, crime photographer, Alex Rutledge and the fact that there are so many writers who want to be Carl Hiassan. Corcoran is the Key West version and while I found the story generally entertaining, it also got confusing at times as the plot twisted here and there, sometimes without apparent purpose. He does get into the mood and sprit of the Keys and there is some Buffet-like wisdom dispenced on occaision, but by the time that the reason why people are dying, getting beaten or disappearing becomes evident, you kind of wonder if it had to be that complicated. I liked the effort and should probably read his first book which seems to have general approval. Another writer about Florida who probably helps explain, without intending to, why they have so much trouble voting correctly down there.

While not quite as good as previous books in the Stan Kraychick series due to too many odd-ball characters (but, this is Key West), this was still a fun, easy read. I longed for the continuation of the interesting relationship between Stan and his police detective friend/adversary from prior books. That relationship has more life in it and is more real than the contrived situations in this book. Still, it was a fast, fun read.

This is the first gay mystery I've read and it was a page turner for me. I couldn't put it down. I think it is a great read.

I started this book on the plane en route to Key West and finished it while on vacation at a guest house there. It's a great book for a fun read, particularly while sitting poolside in Key West and envisioning the characters and locale. Not great literature, but a good story with vivid characters and locales. Looking forward to reading his other books.