University Press of Florida
Florida Spectacular: Extraordinary Places and Exceptional Lives
Key Metrics
- Cathy Salustri
- University Press of Florida
- Paperback
- 9780813080697
- -
- -
- History > United States - State & Local - South (AL,AR,FL,GA,KY,LA,MS,NC,SC,TN,VA,WV)
- English
Secure TransactionBook Description
little-known moments from its fascinating history
If when you
think Florida you don't think spectacular, Cathy Salustri is determined to
change your mind. Explaining why the state is more than the Florida Man
stories and the politics that so often make national news, and looking beyond
the crowded beaches and theme parks, Salustri celebrates what makes the state
worth a deeper understanding in this lively trip through its natural beauty and
fascinating history.
Journey
with Salustri through centuries of forgotten Florida lore, into the Everglades
and through the springs and over ranchlands and scrub habitats to discover a
state rich in environmental wonders and unique human stories. Florida
Spectacular lifts the curtain on multiple facets including the legacy of Zora
Neale Hurston and the Black community at Eatonville; the bravery of Emateloye
Estenletkvte, a Seminole woman who escaped from captivity back to her homeland;
the two frenemy Henrys, Flagler and Plant, and their projects in
transportation and tourism; the three Marjories, the influential environmentalists
and writers; and people working to solve issues facing the state today, such as
those who have used Florida's hurricanes to make storm forecasting better for
the whole world and those who have helped show the critically endangered Florida
panther a path back from extinction.
Along
the way, Salustri brings to light lesser-known moments from Florida's history
that help illuminate the state's significance in American and world history. Salustri
tours readers through the hidden-in-plain-sight Florida, the overlooked
treasures, the cultural complexities, the environmental challenges and
successes. Her stories show that with curiosity and an eagerness to learn, it
doesn't take much to discover the spectacular in Florida's past and present.
Author Bio
Cathy Salustri works out of Gulfport, Florida, travels across Florida on foot, bike, boat, or car to places the Interstate bypassed long ago, as well as those spots where natural beauty has survived the onslaught of overpopulation. She attended the University of Central Florida, and earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Tampa finding the Florida Studies MLA program at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Cathy has written travel pieces for USA Today, Visit Florida, regional magazines and local press. You can find all her travel writing at the greatfloridaroadtrip.com.
Under the guidance of Florida scholar and writer Gary Mormino, Cathy wrote what she calls “possibly the least academic master’s thesis ever,” logging almost 5,000 miles retracing driving tours from the WPA Federal Writer’s Project Guide to the Southernmost State in search of Florida’s forgotten destinations. That work became Backroads of Paradise, a travel narrative about her journeys along Florida’s backroads, published by the University Press of Florida in 2016. In 2017, Cathy and her book appeared in the New York Times.
Cathy started freelancing after quitting a government job in a self-described “fit of self-respect” in 2003. Except for a brief few years where she thought she might be suited for office work and thusly took the arts & entertainment editor post at Creative Loafing Tampa, she’s freelanced since then. Her freelance work included 12 years at The Gabber Newspaper, where she covered hyperlocal news. During her tenure at the Gabber, she penned an opinion column, Hard Candy, and wrote a monthly in-state travel piece. For fun (and profit) she attended local city council meetings and aggravated elected and appointed officials.
Cathy’s working on a series of pulp fiction novels about a mythical Florida town, based partially on her time at The Gabber.
Cathy speaks about Florida around the state and, close to home, at Eckerd College’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). She also offers what she calls “casual photography” services for special and everyday events such as bridal showers, birthday parties, and other celebrations.
Source: cathysalustri.com
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