An Everglades Providence

Starred review from January 15, 2009
Davis (history, Univ. of Florida; "The Wide Brim: Early Poems and Ponderings of Marjory Stoneman Douglas") describes this comprehensive study as a dual biography: it is both a portrait of one of the 20th century's most important environmental figures and a history of Florida's Everglades. The long-lived Douglas (18901998) is best known for the classic "The Everglades: River of Grass" and her tireless efforts to preserve that region. But she was also a lifelong feminist and social activist who worked to advance human rights. As an author, Douglas used experiences from her own life and tales of people she met in Florida to write stories for popular magazines and built upon her scholarly training at Wellesley to produce history and biography. In addition to the rich detail and documentation of Douglas's life, Davis offers an impressive look at America during Douglas's lifetime and the growth of America's environmental movement. This outstanding volume is essential for environmental and history collections.Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley Coll., Mount Carmel, IL

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