A much-loved Florida writer chronicles the quirky, touching, and thought-provoking stories of the Sunshine State today



In Welcome to Florida,
award-winning investigative journalist and New York Times bestselling
author Craig Pittman introduces readers to the people, creatures,
places, and issues that make up the Florida of today. Through lively
stories told with cutting insight and always with a joke at the ready,
Pittman captures the heart of what he calls "The Most Interesting
State."



From threats to Florida's environment
to a hippo that became an official state citizen, these tales range
from the moving to the bizarre. Pittman follows the escapades of crime
writers, hungry predators, politicians, and developers across the state.
At the core of this collection is a deep sense of admiration for the
resilience of those who live here. Again and again, this book showcases
the power of "ordinary Floridians fighting to save some part of the
state that they hold dear." Often, that means folks rallying to protect
the state's unique natural landscape; sometimes it means former CIA
agents incorporating their own island community.



Welcome
to Florida is both a love letter to and hilarious deep dive into the
nation's fastest-growing state. Imbued with Pittman's characteristic
humor and undeniable fondness for both the weird and wonderful parts of
his home, this book shows why, despite some of its reputations, Florida
continues to prove irresistible.