A Florida State of Mind

September 24, 2018
Sociologist Wright’s humorous and inviting guide to the brightest moments and darkest shadows of Florida’s history reveals the reasons why the state is at once attractive and repellent. In brief chapters, Wright recounts Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon’s discovery of the swampy land and his introduction of the orange from China, the growth of the state’s tourism industry, and the development of the space industry at Cape Canaveral. Wright cannily argues that Florida is three states with three very distinct resident cultures: the “cracker culture” of north Florida; the “little Havana” of south Florida; and the culturally diverse I-4 corridor that stretches from Daytona Beach on the east coast to Tampa on the Gulf Coast, cutting through Orlando and Disney World. He briefly profiles some of Florida’s residents, including serial killer Ted Bundy; real-estate con man Jesse Fish; its “best-known washed-up right-wing crooner,” Pat Boone; and the man who inspired Lynyrd Skynyrd’s name—Leonard Skinner, the band members’ phys. ed. teacher at Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville. Wright concludes that the state’s heat and humidity, the perception that rules are different in Florida, and the large number of outsiders in the state contribute to the odd behavior of the state’s residents. Wright is an entertaining writer, and his observations on the peculiar state are witty and insightful.

Every state has its peculiarities, but Florida has an abundance like no other.On the surface, the Sunshine State evokes images of Disney World, retirement communities, and palm-studded beaches. But as St. Pete Beach resident Wright (Sociology/Univ. of Central Florida) notes in his first book, "in Florida, nothing is ever quite as it seems. Every story has a back story, every point a counterpoint, every ugliness a contrary scene of sublime beauty. Whenever Florida purports to be one thing, it turns out to be another." Divided into four parts--history, economy, people/politics, and environment--the book amply demonstrates that the last place to find the truth is in the brochures and mass media. Consider Florida's prominent retirement community, the Villages. Overwhelmingly white and conservative, the area is billed as a sedate pocket to retire and play golf, but the author dispels the myths, fleshing out an entirely different picture: a wild underside featuring "rampant sexual conquest," a thriving black market in Viagra, golf cart DUIs, and senior bar brawls. "A local gynecologist said that she treated more cases of herpes and HPV in The Villages than she ever did during her stint in Miami," writes the author. In a state highlighted by its prized orange orchards, good luck finding a Florida-grown orange at the stores, which sell only California imports. Why? Because Florida's oranges are harvested strictly for its lucrative orange juice industry. And if you think that jug of OJ is fresh-squeezed as advertised, think again; as part of its manufacture, the juice sits in massive tanks for up to a year before bottling. Studded with "factoids, oddments, stories, and back stories," Wright's book chronicles his travels throughout this odd state uncovering everything from the truth behind the infamous "hanging chads" of the 2000 election to wild pig attacks and notorious con men.As the author writes in a passage that easily describes his book, "the news here is never boring. Tragic and disturbing? Often. Zany and funny? Regularly. Just plain weird? Most of the time. But boring? Never."

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March 1, 2019
Wright (The Global Enterprise, 2018) holds up a variety of lenses to look at Florida history and finds weirdness through them all. In Florida, road kill (unless it is an endangered species) is yours to keep. Blend technicians restore consistent flavor to deoxygenated orange juice via a process that's anything but natural. Attractions fall into two genres: those featuring natural elements are Old Florida, and those featuring animatronics are New Florida. The Villages, a retirement community considered an essential stop for political candidates, saw rising rates of STDs in Florida seniors. Anecdotes, factoids, and newspaper headlines weave through the book's four primary sections: early history and development, economics, people and politics, and nature. One chapter reads like a walk-through of a portrait gallery of Florida characters: the famous and the infamous, NASCAR superstars, and the Cracker Cowboy. The writing is straightforward and informational, with a playful spirit. Wright sidesteps discussions of slavery, race, gender, crime, poverty, and the like. This book is best for those interested in the lighter, weirder side of history.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)