The kaleidoscope of America finds fresh focus in the latest of Mr. DeWitt's perennially popular "Regions of America" books. This book is devoted to Florida, one of our most colorful states, geographically and historically speaking. It traces Florida's colonial history from the early struggles between the native Seminoles and the Spanish settlers, through the coming of the French and the British, who squabbled over its fair face until it became American. It tells of the pirates who used its rivers and inlets as hide-outs, of the colorful fishing trade off its coasts, and it explores the quaint byways where descendants of these early settlers still linger, carrying on their picturesque customs—Greek sponge-divers, British descendants who still speak with a Cockney accent, and Indians still living deep in the Everglades. And, perhaps no less picturesque, it describes Florida's latest invasion—the winter tourists of today.

With its many striking full-color and black-and-white lithographs of the mysterious swamps, orange groves, hurricane wrecks, avenues of royal palms, and sweeping white beaches, all the varied scenic beauties of the state, this book is a brilliant successor to THE STORY OF CALIFORNIA, THE STORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH, and the other "Regions of America" books.

From the dust jacket