The Conch That Roared [Paperback]

Gregory W. King (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0965693260 | ISBN-13: 978-0965693264 | Edition: 2

The bizarre, true story of Key West's 1982 secession from the Union, its formation of the Conch Republic, and declaration of war on the United States.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Best Bet ... a delightful recounting of the story of Key West's secession from the United States in 1982, the creation of the Conch Republic, and the subsequent declaration of war on the U.S. Warning: This book is not for those without a strong sense of humor!" -- Ex Libris, newsletter of the Florida Historical Society, Jan. 1998

From the Back Cover

Key West Secedes from Union, Declares War on U.S.! Yes, it really happened in 1982! Key West got mad as hell at the federal government and decided not to take it anymore! Read all about it in The Conch That Roared! The federal government's vilification of the Florida Keys! Its scandalous and illegal treatment of U.S. citizens! The traffic jam from hell! The destruction of Key West's economy! The shocking battle in federal court! The rebellion and formation of the Conch Republic! The "shot" heard round the world! The U.S. Border Patrol under fire from an antique cannon! The invasion of the Summit of the Americas! The siege of Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas! Conch forces nose-to-nose with the U.S. Army! Wild ... zany ... provocative ... exhilarating ... thoroughly entertaining ... The Conch That Roared is a believe-it-or-not adventure you won't be able to put down!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 94 pages
• Publisher: Weston & Wright; 2 edition (March 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965693260
• ISBN-13: 978-0965693264
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,685,766 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gregory King (born in 1940, in Los Angeles, California) has been a reporter, screenwriter, voice-over talent, advertising copywriter, and writer-producer of multimedia educational programs. He and his wife Debra, an artist, live in Lexington, Kentucky. THE EMPEROR OF TIME is his first book for children. Because he is living with metastatic cancer, Mr. King does not grant interviews.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Florida is no longer predictable, thank you!, May 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Conch That Roared (Paperback)

I was getting so tired of stories on Miami. I had almost decided that Florida was now permanently off my personal "place to visit" list. That was before this delightful story, TRUE story, THE CONCH THAT ROARED arrived at my place. The well researched (and well illustrated) book took me on a magical if not bizarre journey to the end of Highway 1 in an explanation of how Key West became the Conch Republic and proceeded to seceed from the Union. Obviously author Gregory King is not only well verse with the place but also a most erudite interpretor of its story. He has made me want to drive (at least once) to Key West and experience what makes these folks so special. A word of warning though: you might have to use the recipe in the back of the book for Key Lime Pie to munch while reading this story. Or maybe drinking the Cuba Libre would be more appropriate?

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A roaring good read, May 9, 2000

By 

Kym Russell (Kentucky) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Conch That Roared (Paperback)

Key West secedes from the Union, declares its independence -- and it's not fiction, it's history. King captures the quirky heart and spirit of Key West and reports from the insider's view the events that led to revolution. I was in Key West to celebrate the secession anniversary a few years ago. This book brings the story to life with a lot grins along the way. It is fun to learn the strategic thinking and ingenuity that went into the battle with the US government -- a credit to Key West islanders and a tribute to the American way! Pick it up, put on Jimmy Buffet and enjoy the ride.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ...It Roared While Drinking Cuba Libre!, November 7, 2001

By 

Gail Savitz - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Conch That Roared (Paperback)

The Conch That Roared is a must-read book if you're traveling to the Florida Keys or are just an armchair reader! Why? This is the only book available which gives the visitor/reader a taste of the real flavor of Key West...and I'm not talking just key lime pie and conch fritters (both recipes and more are included in the back of the book).

Author Gregory King must have visited every bar up and down the the scenic area... from Key West, past Key Largo and to the Last Chance Saloon as well as the politico's to write with such flair and flavor. He captured the essence...the soul and spirits of those citizens who declared war on the United States.

This is a great gift to give to someone visiting the Key West. Include a bottle of Cuban rum (which presently is illegal), two cheap glasses, and Coke, as well as Nellie & Joe's Famous Key West Lime Juice. 1/2 pund of minced conch, or an equal amount of clams. This will make a great going-away gift as well as provide ingredients for wonderful Key West entertaining when your friends return.

Put on your favorite Jimmy Buffett album and read the book.The characters in King's book are delightful and colorful enough to make a movie. King did a wonderful writing job of introducing them all to the rest of us! Thanks for taking a bit of history and bringing it to life for the rest of us conch-heads!