Welcome to Florida

“Craig Pittman is not just a gifted writer; he is a superb historian with a quirky, insightful sense of humor that at times rivals Mark Twain. Welcome to Florida is destined to become a classic; a Blue Highways guide to the backcountry places and characters that reflect the complexities of this unusual state.”—Randy Wayne White, New York Times bestselling author of the Doc Ford series

“A wonderfully entertaining and informative book by a deft and deeply knowledgeable writer. Florida abounds with fascinating stories, and nobody tells them better than Craig Pittman.”—Dave Barry, New York Times bestselling author of Best. State. Ever.: A Florida Man Defends His Homeland

“Craig Pittman is a Florida treasure, a truly gifted author and journalist with an eye for the absurd. Whether you love or hate the Sunshine State, you’re gonna dig this book!”—Jason Vuic, author of The Swamp Peddlers: How Lot Sellers, Land Scammers, and Retirees Built Modern Florida and Transformed the American Dream

“This Florida tell-all covers all the bases—the good, the bad, and the outrageous. It should be passed out, along with the free orange juice, at the state’s welcome centers and assigned to anyone making decisions about Florida’s future.”—Janine Farver, former executive director of Florida Humanities

“Demonstrates what many of us have known for years: Craig Pittman is Florida’s best environmental journalist.”—Art Levy, author of Made in Florida: Artists, Celebrities, Activists, Educators, and Other Icons in the Sunshine State

“A sharp snapshot of the current state of the state as well as a deep dive into some of the darker corners of its past. . . . Whether you’re a native Floridian or you just landed in the state, you’ll learn a lot you didn’t know from Welcome to Florida from a writer whose frequent, funny exasperation with the place comes from his deep love for it.”—Bay Magazine

“Showcases the many varieties of flora, fauna, and interesting characters that inhabit our state.”—Miami New Times

“Pittman’s writing is breezy, tempered only by his intensive research, obvious love of history (and irony) and an urge to offer the well-rounded perspective of someone as comfortable on the back roads as in the heart of a big city.”—SEJournal