Customer Reviews

The Florida Keys: A History & Guide, Ninth Edition

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In the last three and one-half years, my husband and I have vacationed in the Keys 9 times (mostly in Key West) and have thoroughly enjoyed our experiences. We usually fly into Fort Lauderdale and drive down Route 1 through the Keys, never exploring the many side roads we have encountered. I recently had minor surgery and was out of work for a few weeks, so I went to the library to find some reading material to keep me occupied, and this was one of the books I checked out. I read it from cover to cover, often showing my husband a passage mentioning something we hadn't yet learned or discovered on our own. We finally got an explanation for the mysterious white blimp we have seen flying over Cudjoe Key. Both of us were delighted to find some of our favorite restaurants (Banana Cafe, Mangoes, Mangrove Mama's and Finnegan's Wake) and bars (Captain Tony's and Schooner Wharf) accurately described. Montego Bay on Big Pine Key isn't mentioned, but we'll forgive the author for the oversight. (Maybe she's not a Green Bay Packers fan. The owners and most of the clientele, us included, are.) We have stayed in several guest houses, but have always returned to our favorite, Westwinds, which is the first the author lists in her chapter reviewing the Guest Houses of Key West. In 7 weeks we will be in the Keys again, and this time we are taking this book along to help us "get off the beaten path," Route 1, and enhance our travels through "Paradise."

Before my last trip to the Keys, I picked up two books: this one and the Insider's Guide to the Keys. The Insider's Guide was less opinionated and had more "tourist" information but it was harder to find what you were looking for.

This book is organized is such a manner that it's very simple to find out the history of each Key as you drive down the Overseas Highway from Florida City to Key West. You'll read about the attractions, the places to stay and the restaurants Key by Key. That's very helpful. There's no flipping from chapter to chapter just to find out about the attractions in one place, dining in another, water activities in yet another place and accomodations elsewhere.

I also liked the opinions that the author expressed. For example, her takes on the Conch Tour Train, the Little White House, Mallory Square and the Key West Aquarium were right in line with our experiences. We happily skipped some other attractions based on this book and we don't believe we missed out on a thing.

If anything, there are some interesting things we saw in the Keys that weren't touched upon in this guidebook. How could the author leave out Robbie's Marina where for $1 you can "SEE the Tarpon" and for an additional $2 you can "FEED the Tarpon"? This "attraction" was mentioned to me at least a dozen times by various people I talked to, including a stranger at the post office in Virginia!

I really enjoyed this guidebook and only wish that it was even more comprehensive.

Key West, the only city in the continental US that NEVER has frost, offers an offbeat combination of rednecks, bohemians, fishermen, Cubans, gays, retirees and artists in a delightfully laid-back setting once you get off the bustling tourist Mecca, Duvall Street. (Both Hemingway and Tennessee Williams had homes in Key West. It's now a popular residence for country singers.) In this delightful book, writer/Key West resident Joy Williams has provided both a work of literature and an extremely practical tour guide, making it ideal for both the active tourist escaping winter and the armchair traveler curled up by the fireplace. In addition to the colorful history of the keys (with Williams' own humorous commentary), the book contains practical information on what to see, what to do, where to eat, and where to stay. Williams' descriptions of the local businesses provide some of the book's zaniest observations. (She points out the most interesting items to be found in the stores, from tourist traps to boutiques to convenience grocers.) I've been to Key West four times now and I always carry this book with me. Although the book focuses on Key West, it does give information all the other major keys, as well as the Dry Tortugas. This book is guaranteed to enhance your Key West experience. Five stars!

I bought this book in anticipation of going to the Keys, but have not done so yet, so I cannot comment on the actual accuracy of her information. But I can say this is one of the more refreshing tour guides I've ever read. Williams' writing style is clear and to the point. She gives a great deal of historical background to each region, as well as the more usual "best hotels, best restaurant" info you'd expect. There is a fair amount of emphasis on the various forms of wildlife found in the area, which I quite appreciated. She tells you the best places to fish and dive, where to shop or swim, she talks about the architecture particular to one area or another. All in all this certainly seems to be a great book for the price, and while I cannot comment on the complete accuracy of her information, the book certainly makes me want to go to the Keys soon!

I live and work in the Florida Keys and found Ms. Williams book to be overly critical and in some cases, grossly inaccurate. Ms Williams seems to be looking to find fault instead of enjoying what is unique and wonderful about this area. Or perhaps it is easier for one to criticize than to appreciate. Ms. Williams is a fiction writer as well...perhaps this is just another work of fiction because her descriptions don't resemble the Keys I know and love.