Starting a book club

[Blackford Oakes]

I like Blueprint of an Eden by Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. and Michelle Oka Donner.

Isn't that the book I already have ? I have it sitting on a coffee table in Miami.

I'll finally knock off Babylon this weekend for my beach read at Vilano in NE FL. Hopefully RK can name me another good one for my beach read next time I get down there. Otherwise, it'sa re-read of another @BlackfordOakes novel. Perhaps, See you later Alligator, where blacky screws Che.

CNBC is supposed to have a special feature on Cuban Migration to FL Thursday night. They usually produce good stuff with a business tint to it.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/37062515

[rk]

UTS, the book I read last month is "Billion Dollar Sandbar" by Polly Redford (E.P.Dutton, 1970). It is an excellent account of the first 50 years of Miami Beach, from about 1915 to 1965. There are no pictures, but the book has good flow to it, and I found it easy to read and remember. It covers a period often ignored in more recent books, and does it well. You will definitely know a lot more about Carl Fisher after reading it. On the downside, it is out of print, though most libraries should have a copy, and it is available used from Amazon for $20+.

If you're looking for something more recent, and more gripping, then look into "Sins of South Beach" by Alex Daoud. Matt reviewed it here last year. [Here's the link: http://www.miamibeach411.com/news/in...f-south-beach/ ]

I have "Blueprint of Eden" that Maria mentioned. It is an excellent book with many historical photos from the 40's and 50's, but is quite hefty and probably not suitable for reading on the beach. It's the type of book where I learn something every time I glance at a few pages.

A book of similar type, i.e. with lots of photos and covering the period from the 20's to the 60's, is "Miami Beach Memories" by Joann Biondi. It is hardcover but a lot smaller and lighter than Blueprint of Eden. I see it is available for $5 (and free shipping if you order $25 total) from Amazon, which is a deal.

If you would like to read more about the history of Florida and the Everglades, a must read is "Everglades - River of Grass" by Marjory Stoneman Douglas. It was published in 1947, the same year the Natl Park was dedicated by Truman, and reprinted many times. The 60'th anniversary edition is currently available.

If you'd like to read about art deco architecture then you may find "South Beach, America's Riviera" by Bill Wisser (Arcade 1995) quite interesting. It is a good mix of text and photos, and has made me look at many buildings, which I formerly passed by and sometimes even photographed, in a new light.

Happy reading!

[fredgarvin]

Sunshine, Stone Crabs and Cheesecake, The Story of Miami Beach, by Seth A Bramson, The History Press, 2009

[Blackford Oakes]

Thanks Guys.

I have that Blueprint of Eden book already. Maria turned me on to that one months ago

I'll hunt those other one's down.

[Blackford Oakes]

Read a piece today that Babylon could possibly turn out to be a TV series.

I bet you we have plenty of characters here on this site to fill up the casting. I'd cast Garvin as the man running the town from his SoFi inner sanctum.

Miller would perfectly fill the role as the cop on the beat and take.

[fredgarvin]

Read a piece today that Babylon could possibly turn out to be a TV series.

I bet you we have plenty of characters here on this site to fill up the casting. I'd cast Garvin as the man running the town from his SoFi inner sanctum.

Miller would perfectly fill the role as the cop on the beat and take.

.................................................. .................................................. .how do you know I'm not???????

[rk]

.................................................. .................................................. .how do you know I'm not???????

All becomes clear now....

[Blackford Oakes]

.................................................. .................................................. .how do you know I'm not???????

I know you are, but a small screen cover is not a bad idea to have to keep them guessing.

GandJ would be cast as the boat runner between Norman Cay and the mainland.