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For centuries, Florida's natural beauty and resources have caused countless tribes, nations and countries to cast a covetous eye on the verdant peninsula. One of Florida's most attractive natural features, though--its more than one thousand miles of coastline--have made it extremely vulnerable to attack and invasion by these competing influences.

To compensate for this geographic vulnerability, the controlling factions in Florida have, throughout history, set up a wide array of fortifications to reinforce their presence and protect their holdings. Over three hundred camps, batteries, forts and redoubts have been established in Florida, from the earliest days of settlement to the present. Many of these bastions grew steadily in size, and formed the foundation for numerous Florida cities that are named for the original outposts.

Featuring the history of Florida's forts from the colonial period, Seminole Wars, Civil War and twentieth century, Florida's Lonely Outposts--by military historian and Florida author Alejandro M. de Quesada--offers a thorough exploration of the fortifications and strongholds that have played a crucial role in shaping Florida's past.

Few realize what a vital role World War II and Florida played in each other's history. The war helped Florida move past its southern conservative mentality and emerge as a sophisticated society, and thousands of military men were trained under Florida's sunny skies. Here are stories from some of the one hundred military bases, including Tyndall Field, where Clark Gable trained, and Eglin Air Force Base, where Doolittle planned his raid on Tokyo. Read about Camp Gordon Johnston, referred to as "Hell by the Sea," built in a swampy, snake-infested subtropical jungle, and uncover the secrets of "Station J," a base that monitored the transmissions of German U-boats prowling off the coast. This fascinating collaboration between historians Nick Wynne and Richard Moorhead reveals the lasting impact of World War II on Florida as the United States heads into the seventieth anniversary of its entry into the war.

When Florida seceded from the Union in 1861, St. Augustine followed much of the South and widely supported the Confederacy. Many residents rushed to join the Confederate army. Union forces, however, quickly seized the lightly protected town and used it as a rest area for battle-weary troops. Seven Union regiments called the city home during the war. While no major engagement took place in St. Augustine, the city is filled with Civil War history, from supporting the Confederacy to accepting Union generals as respected residents. Join author Robert Redd as he details St. Augustine's rich history during the Civil War and in the postwar years.

Florida was the third Southern state to secede from the United States in 1860-61. With its small population of 140,000 and no manufacturing, few Confederate resources were allocated to protect the state. Some 15,000 Floridians served in the Union and Confederate armies (the highest population percentage of any southern state), but perhaps Florida's greatest contributions came from its production of salt (an essential need for preserving meat and manufacturing gunpowder), its large herds of cattle (which fed two southern armies), and its 1500 mile shoreline (which allowed smugglers to bring critical supplies from Europe and the Carribean). Florida in the Civil War: Blockaders will focus on the men and ships that fought this prolonged battle at sea, along the long and largely vacant coasts of the Sunshine State and on Florida soil. The information will be drawn from official sources, newspaper articles and private accounts. Approximately fifty (50) period photographs and drawings will be incorporated into the text.