Florida has history as diverse as its residents, and much of that is still hidden. Since the arrival of the Spanish in 1513, the state has played host to strange stories. A heartbroken senator entered a mental institution over unrequited love for an heiress. Thousands of British pilots trained in flight schools across the state. Also, the true, and darker, story of Pocahontas is linked with the "first barbecue." Author and historian James C. Clark unearths a history hidden beneath swamps and sand for years.--Book cover.

Creating Florida -- The Spanish are coming -- The bad luck expeditions -- The Spanish come to stay -- Passing Florida to the British -- Back to Spanish -- The slave trade -- Spain versus the United States -- Finally, Florida joins the United States -- The Seminole Wars -- Statehood for Florida -- Leaving the Union -- Putting Florida back together -- The first tourists -- War with Spain -- Own a piece of paradise -- Denying democracy -- One bib military base -- The Civil Rights Movement -- A mouse and his creator arrive -- a political powerhouse -- The celebrities of Florida.