{"product_id":"the-florida-keys-a-history-of-the-pioneers","title":"The Florida Keys: A History of the Pioneers","description":"\u003cp\u003eToday  on the Keys between Key West and the mainland  some 40 000 residents and thousands of visitors fish  swim  sail  and dive in the crystal clear waters off a tropical reef; relax in the sun and cooling trade wind breezes; and sleep in the air-conditioned comfort of their homes and hotel rooms. On these same islands  as short a time as 80 years ago  fewer than 300 inhabitants tried to eke out a living without benefit of electricity  running water  radios  or telephones. Tormented by clouds of voracious mosquitoes and no-see-ums  broiled by the tropical sun  they lived in thatched-roof homes regularly flattened by hurricane winds. Weeks would go by before some passing sailboat brought them news of the outside world or their relatives. The stories of these hardy pioneers and their predecessors  as far back as the Native Americans who lived on the Keys at least 1 000 years ago  are told  many for the first time  in this book. As vividly portrayed as if they were characters in a novel  these true-life inhabitants of the Florida Keys will capture your admiration as you share in the dreams and realities of their daily lives. Occupations included salvaging wrecks  growing sponges  planting pineapples  making charcoal  and skinning sharks. A History of the Pioneers includes fascinating accounts taken from old newspapers  letters  diaries  and government records  as well as interviews with old-time Keys natives.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44964102406197,"sku":"ByrdShop_1561641014","price":27.82,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9781561641017.jpg?v=1770449013","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-florida-keys-a-history-of-the-pioneers","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}