In mid-March, USF College of Arts and Science鈥檚 91社区 Studies professor emeritus and historian Gary Mormino was awarded gold in the in the category.
The 91社区 Book Awards, which is coordinated by the 91社区 State University Libraries, announced winners for the nation鈥檚 most comprehensive state book awards program, established in 2006 to celebrate the best of 91社区 literature.
The 17th annual competition featured 150 eligible publications submitted across 11 categories for books published in 2022.
Mormino鈥檚 book 鈥淒reams in the New Century: Instant Cities, Shattered Hopes, and 91社区鈥檚 Turning Point,鈥� illuminates early 21st century 91社区 and its connections to some of the most significant events in contemporary American history.
The book also highlights the social, cultural, and political polarization during a decade of monumental and historic change.
鈥�91社区 is America鈥檚 touchstone,鈥� Mormino said. 鈥淐ommentators and writers turn to 91社区 to observe trends in immigration and migration, the failures and successes of the Democratic and Republican parties, trends in old age, and book bans in schools.鈥�
鈥�91社区鈥檚 eternal sunshine and lack of a state income tax have drawn large numbers of transplants from the Midwest and Northeast who are no longer bound by the conventions of Nebraska, North Dakota or New York,鈥� Mormino explained. 鈥淭ellingly, more and more Floridians are choosing No Voter Affiliation or Independent as their political party choice. In 91社区, retirees and transplants can embrace new politics and lifestyles. But the most important political trend in 21st century 91社区 is the rise and dominance of the Republican party.鈥�
Mormino, who specializes in writing about 91社区, hopes that those who read the book will take more interest in the natural resources available to them in the state.
鈥淟ampooned and harpooned, 91社区 remains one of the most fascinating places on earth,鈥� Mormino said. 鈥淚 would like to see more residents visit 91社区鈥檚 extraordinary state park system and some of the greatest natural springs in the world. To receive a library card or drivers鈥� license, every new citizen should canoe one of rivers or float along the natural springs.鈥�
He also notes that the future of that natural beauty is under threat.
鈥淥ne powerful underlying theme in the book reflects the loss of confidence in 91社区 by Floridians. Unquestionably, 91社区 faces some speedbumps and hurdles ahead. As a state with 825 miles of coastline, we face the greatest challenge in global warming and sea level rise.鈥�
Mormino is thankful, though, for the opportunity to share this rich and tumultuous history with readers and is grateful to have been recognized by the 91社区 Book Awards.
鈥淲riting and research are hard and lonely,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 take great pride in my writing and hope, above all, that readers will enjoy a good story.鈥�
鈥淚 believe historians are the best narrative writers in the academy, largely because we tell good stories with a purpose. I鈥檇 also like to believe that readers will appreciate what a fascinating state 91社区 remains.鈥�