Oh, Florida!

April 15, 2016

Every place has its idiosyncrasies, but journalist Pittman (The Scent of Scandal) makes a strong case for Florida being the strangest state in the nation. He relates bizarre events with assorted characters from Florida's current culture and modern history. Covering diverse topics such as politics, plastic surgery, civil rights, Scientology, sinkholes, and NASCAR, the author shares news reports and scandals representing the oddity that is Florida. There are silly stories such as that of the bigamist who claimed he didn't remember that he was already married. There are tragic episodes, including one of Kenneth Donaldson, who was locked in the Florida State Hospital for 14 years without being treated. Over the decades there have been unbelievable incidents and outrageous cases of corruption. Businesses that started in Florida, such as Florida Today, influence the country, as witnessed by the spin-off newspaper USA Today. Of course, no Florida book would be complete without mention of Disney, the private corporation that runs two cities not subject to open government laws. VERDICT This entertaining book will amuse and astonish Floridians and anybody interested in the absurdity of the Sunshine State or human nature in general.--Janet Clapp, N. Clarendon, VT

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2016
Ever since the Spaniards arrived, in the 1500s, Florida has beguiled and fooled visitors, producing a body of human comedy journalist Pittman (The Scent of Scandal, 2012) mines to risible effect. A native Floridian, Pittman built his assemblage of newsy oddities both historical and current on Florida's essential magnetic attribute: its semitropical coastal real estate. Millions of vacationers and retirees want a piece of it, spurring huckstering developers to pave over the Gulf and Atlantic seashoreshurricanes and sinkholes be damned! With the permanent and transient populations so confined, no wonder tempers run short and bizarre crimes, Pittman's forte, abound. He provides humorous accounts of court cases and social trends originated in the Sunshine State that have spread through America: Seminole casinos, state lotteries, plastic surgery, tabloid newspapers, and police reality-TV shows. Also noting the Floridian penchants for official corruption and theme parks, Pittman wonders what compels Floridians to take leave so often of their financial, sexual, and ethical senses. Proposing carpe diem attitudes and cash-in-now business mentalities, Pittman appropriately closes with a fleecing plea to readers to keep Florida's tourism economy humming: Bring your cash and credit cards. We're waiting for you! (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)