If when you think "Florida" you don't think "spectacular," Cathy Salustri is determined to change your mind. Explaining why the state is more than the "Florida Man" stories and the politics that so often make national news, and looking beyond the crowded beaches and theme parks, Salustri celebrates what makes the state worth a deeper understanding in this lively trip through its natural beauty and fascinating history.



Florida Spectacular lifts the curtain on multiple facets, including the legacy of Zora Neale Hurston and the Black community at Eatonville; the bravery of Emateloye Estenletkvte, a Seminole woman who escaped from captivity back to her homeland; the two "frenemy" Henrys, Flagler and Plant, and their projects in transportation and tourism; the three "Marjories," the influential environmentalists and writers; and people working to solve issues facing the state today, such as those who have used Florida's hurricanes to make storm forecasting better for the whole world.



Along the way, Salustri brings to light lesser-known moments from Florida's history that help illuminate the state's significance in American and world history. Salustri tours listeners through the hidden-in-plain-sight Florida, the overlooked treasures, the cultural complexities, the environmental challenges and successes.