Gregg M. Turner

The quality of regional histories run the gamut from poor to excellent. “The Florida Land Bom of the 1920s” is among the best. Its subject is the tremendous interest in Florida land during the Roaring Twenties. It was an era of conspicuous consumption during which developers built railroads and hotels and whole cites, such as Coral Gables, Hialeah, Boca Raton and Venice were plated and constricted. It was also an era of unregulated trading of flooded land and fraudulent deeds.

There are two ways to enjoy this book. One is as a local history. In its text, supplemented by black and white pictures of the period, one familiar with the area will learn the backgrounds of many of the locales he or she passes daily. The origins of highways we traverse are fascinating. I read this during a visit to the Biltmore in Coral Gables, both mentioned in this work. Residents will find even more references of interest.

The second way to appreciate this tome is as a binocular view of a slice of the American history of the Roaring Twenties. Readers are led through a boom that preceded a collapse and are shown how the Great Depression caused and was reflected in the deflation of the Florida Land Boom. Names recognized in other contexts, such as William Jennings Bryan, who was hired to promote Coral Gables, Ransom Olds (Oldsmobile), Dr. John Kellogg (cereal) and John Ringling (circus) all find their places on these pages.

Author Gregg M. Turner has crafted a quick, entertaining and educational read for Floridians, visitors and anyone interested in the America of the Roaring Twenties.… (mer)

A recent transplant to Florida, I was thrilled to be able to receive this book. I love living in Florida and found reading Professor Turner's The Florida Land Boom of the 1920's about the early development of Florida in the 20's absolutely fascinating. The writing and research is thorough and the pictures are a wonderful bonus. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning about the Florida land boom of the 1920's, you won't be disappointed.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.… (mer)