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Interstate 95 (I-95) is the main highway on the East Coast of the United States, paralleling the Atlantic Ocean from Maine to Florida and serving some of the most populated urban areas in the country, including Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Miami. It is one of the north-south routes of the Interstate Highway System, and replaced older U.S. Highways, mainly U.S. Route 1. The oldest sections of I-95, including several toll roads, predate the Interstate System; the route has yet to be completed in the Pennsylvania-New Jersey area. Construction of the missing connection is scheduled to be completed by the 2010s (tentatively 2014). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Interesting history of Italian Immigrants in Ybor
Excellent history of our ancestors who immigrated to Ybor City.Easy reading.It's really great that someone took the time to create a historic document of a day gone by.As a 45 yr. old, my family members who remember those days were gone before I or anyone else in the family cared.

captures a lost culture
Dr. Mormino isn't originally from Tampa, but he's written two of the best books on the area's history: "Tampa, The Treasure City" and this one. Yes, the focus is more on the Italian residents of Ybor City than in most books on the area, but every group in that Latin soup is covered in great detail.

The factor that makes this book indispensible to students of Tampa history and immigrant studies are the stories of the immigrants themselves. Mormino researched his subject during the early 1980s, when some of the 2nd generation residents were still alive. Their first-hand accounts of turn-of-the-century Ybor City bring the vibrant community to life.

I'd place this work among the Big Three books written about Ybor City, along with Lastra's "The Making of a Landmark Town" and Nuniz's "The Ybor City Story". Highly recommended.

This book is a little slanted.
This book does seem to be thorough in the facts that it does represent, but it is somewhat misleading.As a 5th generation Florida native, all residing in the same county as Ybor City, this book leaves me with the impression that the Italians were a much larger part of Ybor City than they actually were in reality.It is true that the Italians, Spaniards and Cubans did form a unique community, other accounts suggest that the Italians blended into the Spanish and Cuban cultures more than the Spanish and Cuban cultures blended into the Italian culture.There is no doubt the Italians were very influential in the unique community of Ybor City, but it was a cigar town, and that craft was much more prevalent in the Spanish and especially the Cuban cultures.This book is also written as more of a text book style as opposed to a non-fiction style.You must have a very strong vocabulary to understand it.It is also written with many quotes in Italian that are not followed by English translations in parenthesis.If you are really interested in some very specific Italian history, especially Siciilian, and are willing to take on the complex verbage and phrasology, then this book is for you.If that is not your purpose, then you should spend your money on something a little more entertaining.There are many true stories to be told about Ybor City that are both historically significant and entertaining.If you want to learn a broader and more proportionate history, read one written from the Spanish or Cuban point of view.It is my understanding that around 1900, the population of Ybor City was approximately 25% Italian, 25% Spanish and 50% Cuban.The Cuban portion also included many Black Cubans, also.

A very well written book!!
As a person who grew up in Tampa, and is very aware of Ybor City, I think this book is great.Mormino and Pozzetta outdid themselves on this book.There is so much detail in this book, it feels like you are walking the old brick streets in Ybor.Hopefullly more teachers will have their class read this as it pertains to a great piece of America's history.

A great book on Tampa's history and culture
In the past, I have had the great opportunity to have Gary Mormino as my history teacher at the University of South Florida.He was, to say the least, a grand teacher.His skill exhibited in the class, to say theleast, come alive in this book.This is a great book and a great read -find it and read it. ... Read more

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"Lu Vickers has written a truly delicious, sparkling history of Florida's own mermaid city of Weeki Wachee, one of the greatest oldtime roadside attractions. Her prose is bright, sharp and funny; combined with the illustrations brilliantly compiled by Sara Dionne, it makes for a wonderful, vivacious, superbly researched but never dry saga of the regular girls who transformed themselves into swimming goddesses and the tiny hamlet which got so famous even Elvis came to pay court."--Diane Roberts, National Public Radio correspondent and author of Dream State

"After 37 years at wonderful Weeki Wachee, one third of that time spent underwater, I can honestly say that this remarkable book tells the fascinating history of the spring like it was. Two fins up for Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids."--Bonnie Georgiadis

In the postwar explosion of domestic tourism, Weeki Wacheespring offered the quintessential vacation fantasy, a city of colorful mermaids in a natural crystal spring right off the West Coast highway in a sparsely inhabited Florida. In those early days, the mermaids had to stand alongside the highway to flag travelers down, but once word of their charms got out, travelers headed south to playgrounds in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and Tampa found Weeki Wachee a tantalizing detour from the grueling two-lane road connecting vacationland with the work-a-day world to the north. Vickers and Dionne show how that local novelty became a stellar international attraction.

Founded in 1947 by Walton Hall Smith and Newt Perry, Weeki Wachee and its featured attraction, mermaids, combined the allure of pinup girls with the wholesome talents of variety entertainers to create a daily schedule of underwater acts ranging from eating bananas and performing ballet to staging underwater musicals. For nearly 60 years, these mermaids with their underwater talents have attracted crowds of vacationers, film crews, and celebrities. Drawing on extensive archival research as well as interviews with dozens of mermaids and other park employees, Vickers traces the park's rise to prominence. Combined with Dionne's arrangement of 250 photos, the resulting work shows what it was like to be a mermaid at Weeki Wachee in its heyday.

Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids also explores the enduring appeal of the attraction. Once people get past Weeki Wachee's once crumbling, recently restored exterior, they continue to be just as genuinely awed by the mermaids as Elvis was. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Girlhood Memories!
Ifell in love with Weeki Wachee as a little girl and have fond memories of wanting to be a mermaid! I swam every summer more under water than on top! This excellent book brought my childhood back to life for me and wonderful summers spent with my grandparents, who lived within 35 miles of Weeki Wachee. Loved this book and highly recommend it if you ever went there and was transformed into a Mermaid!

I want to be a Weeki Wachee mermaid!! Still, after all these years!
For Florida girls growing up in the 50s and 60's the big goal was to become a mermaid at Weeki Wachee. They were so beautiful, so elegant, so perfect! That describes this book as well. Anyone who loves mermaids, roadside attractions, Florida, real bathing beauties or who always wondered what the girls were doing while Lloyd Bridges was on a Seahunt, will love this book!!! Thank you, Lu Vickers!

Terrific historical study of a fun place to visit!
A highly detailed account that is part of a published series from the Florida University System. It has terrific detail and the writing style is enjoyable.Chock full of photos! Gives a perspective on the park that tells the positive and negative impacts on Florida of these attractions.I liked that it also gives a perspective on development of other water attractions in Florida and the people.I never knew that Ricou Browning, who played the underwater role in "The Creature from the Black Lagoon," had so many other accomplishments and played a large role in the Florida springs attractions.I really enjoyed this book and I believe it is a real bargain for the price.Recently, I visited the park and if you get to Florida I can recommend Weeki Wachee Springs for a great fun-filled day!

Wonderful Book
I ordered this book by mistake thinking I put it on my wish list, and am sooo glad I got it!! It is a wonderful book not only about the mermaids of Weeki Wachee, but also a history of Florida and the Roadside shows. It brings one back to a simpler, more wonderful era. Very moving and nostalgic. Now I must make a trip to Weeki Wachee. Great book for mermaid lovers.

Weeki Wachee - City of Mermaids
Book was recommended by a former Mermaid from Weeki Wachee - it's a great book, well done - wonderful pictures and history from the area. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Skip it
Poorly written. Boring. The author does not make the subject come alive. Plus this is NOT a story about Miami. It's a story about African Americans. People like Steve Clark and Alice Wainwright are never mentioned but there are several entries on MLK. I don't have a problem with a written history of African Americans in Miami. But why the picture of a Cuban Freedom flighter on the cover? Call it A history of African Americans in Miami and put Theodore Gibson on the cover and I am happy as a clam. Except that it's still poorly written and boring. I'd give it no stars but Amazon insists on at least one. ... Read more

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"Portrays the fascinating, stubborn interplay among race, religion, economics, and Republican leadership in the new order of Southern politics."--Congressman Glen Browder, Eminent Scholar in American Democracy, Jacksonville State University (Alabama)

"Provides a striking example of a problem inherent to democracies: the most dramatic political successes--like the rise of the Republican Party in the South--often create situations in which effective governance becomes more difficult."--Stephen Baker, Jacksonville University (Florida)

Once known as a Democratic stronghold, the "Solid South" is now politically dominated by the Republican Party. With frank and provocative analysis, Matthew Corrigan explores how the interaction of race relations, economic isolation, and religion create a unique set of challenges and opportunities for the majority party in the American South.

Corrigan uses an intensive case study of Jacksonville, Florida, to examine the attitudes of southern voters more broadly. As an urban southern city that now votes solidly Republican, it reflects the political changes that have taken place across the region. Drawing on research that includes over 2,000 surveys and interviews, Corrigan considers whether or not Republicans, who now hold a majority of federal offices in the South, can provide a political system to address the region's problems.

Scholars, pundits, and members of the general public from both political parties will find this book accessible and timely. ... Read more

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An award-winning memoir recounts the experiences of an individual's efforts to restore two banned classic comedies to the classrooms of rural Florida, in a determined battle for free speech during which the author also held on to her sense of humor. IP. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A wonderful book about censorship and life in a small town
Stifled Laughter was Brilliant! The subject of Censorship was the theme interwoven with details of the authors personal life! A very frank funny book that leads you through the trials of fighting the narrow minded whiletrying to balance life and marriage with two small children. The threat ofcensorship to both our classic literature and the continued freedom topractice critical thinking make this a book everyone must read! ... Read more

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Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, Second Edition is a vital book for anyone involved in architectural design, space management, and urban planning. The concepts presented in this book explain the link between design and human behavior. Understanding this link can enable a planner to use natural environmental factors to minimize loss and crime and to maximize productivity.

This practical guide addresses several environmental settings, including major event facilities, small retail establishments, downtown streets, residential areas, and playgrounds. A one-stop resource with explanations of criminal behavior and the historical aspects of design, it teaches both the novice and the expert in crime prevention how to use the environment to affect human behavior in a positive manner.










Fully updated with substantial new material in each chapter
Useful illustrations describe the design and layout concepts in an easy to understand manner
Written by a well-qualified author in the field of crime prevention ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

CPED
The book was delivered as described. The book was in great condition. No marks. I near perfect condition. It's nice to know a company is honest and ethical.
Thanks

Good textbook.
This text provides down-to-earth information concerning CPTED for the security practitioner.Some material in the first few chapters is repeated excessively.At times the author's opinions are louder than the factual text, detracting from the material.However, the appendicies are excellent and practical.

A Must Read For Practitioners
The CPTED Strategies introduced and well laid out in this book, establish a foundation for creative target hardening and risk transference.
To suggest as one critic does, that this is "low level" stuff is to miss the point entirely.
As a security consultant, I have applied these concepts to a variety of corporate settings with positive results.
If someone is simply looking for standard "templates" without the capacity to creatively apply the ideals this is not the book.
If you are serious about your work, it is essential.

A pedestrian approach to security design
This book has pretty low level info.

If you are looking for ways to secure a high level executive's office suite using the principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, forget it.The examples in this book are more at the level of bus stops.

Hopefully the authors will update their information with modern design scenarios. ... Read more

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A Simon & Schuster eBook ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

THE GREATEST BOOK!!!!
I have often wondered how DID my family end up in Miami, (via Brooklyn/Midwest) and this book (as I am unable to rely of oral history from my family)
is the missing link!No bookshelf should be without it...really!

a subtle mix of interesting and boring
Parts of this book were interesting- I especially liked the first couple of chapters, where Moore shows how explosively the Jewish community in Miami and Los Angeles grew, and why these cities were so attractive to American Jews.She also tries to explain why Jewish-black cooperation was so common; in Miami Beach, both were fighting against similar types of housing discrimination, and Jews had no convincing reason to oppose fair housing for blacks while opposing it for themselves. (Although it is not clear why Los Angeles Jews adopted similar political views when they seem to have had far less discrimination to contend with).

But much of the middle of the book settles into the rut of blow-by-blow community history, with an unexciting listing of which rabbi did what in which neighborhood.She generalizes about differences between Sun Belt and Frost Belt Jews without backing up her generalizations, she barely mentions Orthodox Jews, and she barely mentions the evolution of Sunbelt Jewish communities over the past few decades.

On balance I am glad I looked at this book, but am not sure if I really needed to read every page and every chapter. ... Read more