Customer Reviews

Key West: History of an Island of Dreams

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A book on the history of Key West -- with all of its pirates, wreckers, rum runners and assorted scalawags -- should be lively, engaging and colorful. Maureen Ogle has accomplished just that with this readable and fascinating story. I say "story" because it reads that way, as a tale, not a dry recitation of events.

Dry? Hardly. You won't get through this book without your jaw dropping at some of the incidents related in its pages. Ogle's research is thorough with plenty of personal correspondence and colorful firsthand detail that really gives you a resident's eye view of this island.

I'm visiting Key West next year and I can't wait to go. Whether or not you've been there, this book makes for an excellent read. Highly recommended.

History at its finest and most alluring--that's what you'll find when you read Maureen Ogle's, KEY WEST. This book is so well-written that for the first time in my life, I've decided to check out Hemingway-land for myself. I have a feeling I'm going to love it--almost as much as I loved this book! Did I mention the romance & mystery? It's there, along with some fantastic photos of balls and locals and tourists and all sorts of events from days gone-by. This is a really, really special book that will remain in my library forever.

I grew up in the Florida Keys, and this historical account has been my favorite so far! I could feel, smell and see Key West through the author's writings, which were peppered with personal stories of the people who lived there throughout history. Wonderful details were included that enhanced my knowledge of events I've always been curious about. Highly recommended!

Key West has long been relished as a tropical paradise: this provides not just a travelogue of the region, but a history of Key West's many changes; from its Union seizure where citizens lived under martial law for four years, to its technical marvel of a vast overseas railroad which ran from mainland Florida to Key West. Any who relishes the region will want this lively history.

Ogle's use of imagery and language elevate this subject above and beyond your typical scholarly tome. Never dry or overly academic, the author's novelistic treatment makes the history of this magical island come alive. Highly recommended for history buffs, "Papa" devotees, and anyone else who appreciates a masterful blend of information and good old-fashioned storytelling. I eagerly await the author's soon-to-be-published book about beer!

Written with grace and gentle humor, KEY WEST drew me in from the first page. This is not my usual choice for reading but since I'm planning a trip to Key West next year, I wanted to learn about the island's history. This book served it up in perfectly-size proportions, not too academic and yet not frivolous, with old maps and photos and a flowing, easy-to-read narrative that delighted me with splashes of humor when least expected.

In 1924, writer John Dos Passos said Key West was a 'delicious experience.'

I feel the same way about Ogle's lovely book and if the town fathers and mothers haven't given her a key to the city, I sure hope they've given her free lodging whenever she returns for a visit.

This was a very interesting and entertaining history of Key West. Having been there several times, and leaving Sunday for a week there, I thought I would read up on it a bit more. This book does Key West justice on explaining it's past and how it's past has built it to present.
It sorta ended abruptly and could us an update over the last decade.
This is well worth the $$ to learn more about this great place to enjoy.

Maureen Ogle's history of Key West is the best single source for understanding this bizarre and remarkable place. Key West is the product of piracy, salvaging, the Civil War, fishing, sponging, turtling, cigar making, shrimping, military involvement, and tourism -- all this the result of Key West's unique position on a coral reef, adjacent to the Gulf Stream, 90 miles from Cuba, 120 miles off the US coast.

Ogle weaves together all the disparate influences of dreamers and planners, run-aways and con men, sailors and politicians who still shape history here on a daily basis. The best way to enjoy Key West is through frequent visits and a reading, and re-reading, of this most helpful book.

Marsh Muirhead, author of Key West Explained - a guide for the traveler

An entertaining and comprehensive history of Key West, Florida. Maureen Ogle, an historian of note, has captured the essence and spirit of Key West in a fascinating and well-researched history of one of America's most intriguing places. A must read.

Key West History of Island of Dreams is the best resource book for writers to learn the history of Key West and the best history book I have ever read.