"[A] detailed and lively environmental history of the Everglades. Those interested in anthropology, geology, and American history will also find much to fascinate them as McCally traces the ecosystem's development from its geologic origins through the first human habitation to today's threats by development and agriculture."-- Library Journal

"Admirable . . . an interesting and informative historical account of the Everglades."--Journal of Economic History

"A powerful book that might disturb some and energize others." -- St. Petersburg Times

"An engaging, fascinating, and fine-grained narrative that is good history with an activist edge. It will change the way we think about the Everglades."--Mart A. Stewart, Western Washington University, author of "What Nature Suffers to Groe": Life, Labor, and Landscape on the Georgia Coast

This important work for general readers and environmentalists alike offers the first major discussion of the formation, development, and history of the Everglades, considered by many to be the most endangered ecosystem in North America. Comprehensive in scope, it begins with South Florida's geologic origins--before the Everglades became wetlands--and continues through the 20th century, when sugar reigned as king of the Everglades Agricultural Area.

Urging restoration of the Everglades, McCally argues that agriculture, especially sugar growing, must be abandoned or altered. Sure to be influential in all discussions of Florida's future, The Everglades also will be significant for environmentalists focused on any area of North America.

David McCally teaches U.S. history at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg campus, and environmental history at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg.

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Awards
Rembert Patrick Book Award - 2000

"An important addition to Florida's historical literature. An important book." - Florida Historical Quarterly
--Florida Historical Quarterly

"Readers don't have to be environmentalists to enjoy this detailed and lively environmental history of the Everglades. Those interested in anthropology, geology, and American history will also find much to fascinate them." -- Library Journal
--Library Journal

"This is a powerful book that might disturb some and energize others." -- St. Petersburg Times
--St. Petersburg Times

"An admirable job of focusing the reader on the importance of environmental history in the plight of the Everglades. . . , an interesting and informal account."-- Journal of Economic History
--Journal of Economic History

"At once both an incisive history of the sugar industry in the Everglades and a powerful argument for safeguarding the most endangered ecosystem in North America."-- World Commodity Report
--World Commodity Report

"A highly credible synthesis of material from many sources."-- Quarterly Review of Biology
--Quarterly Review of Biology

"Explores the fascinating social and environmental ramifications of flood control, drainage, and agriculture in Florida's swampy Everglades. The book is a welcome addition to the environmental history of the South. Swamps rival plantations and mint juleps as cultural icons for the region, yet southern historiography has been mostly silent on the subject. McCally's book is a step toward giving the South's swamps their due." -- Georgia Historical Quarterly
--Georgia Historical Quarterly

"McCally's informed vision of pre-drainage ecology and its transformation by agriculture makes his fine book a must read for anyone seeking to better understand the history of the Everglades." -Environmental History
--Environmental History

"A passionate biography of the Everglades." - The Journal of American History
--Journal of American History

"A good and useful book about a difficult and important subject. It deserves a wide reading audience."- The Journal of Southern History
--The Journal of Southern History

A fascinating and well-written account…"
--Southeastern Naturalist

Recommended for anyone interested in the Everglades, and as a case history of landscape degradation.
--Southeastern Naturalist