Holiday Gift Guide 2015

‘Twas nearing the holidays, so the UPF staff

Put together a wish list on your family and friends’ behalf.

There’s something for everyone to find in this guide,

So sit back, buckle up, and enjoy the ride!

Sorghum’s Savor by RONNI LUNDY.

The Allure of Immortality: An American Cult, a Florida Swamp, and a Renegade Prophet by LYN MILLNER.

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Mission Control: Inventing the Groundwork of Spaceflight by MICHAEL PETER JOHNSON.

For the aspiring astronaut: There’s much more to space flight and exploration than the space shuttles, as your friend with the telescope will frequently remind you. Give them Mission Control this holiday season to show them you’ve been listening; Johnson’s examination of three major space operation centers reveals behind-the-scenes details of the iconic rockets.

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Fruits of Eden: David Fairchild and America’s Plant Hunters by AMANDA HARRIS.

For the foodie/adventure seeker: Not everyone who loves food can cook; some just enjoy the experience of new tastes, and no gift could be better than Fruits of Eden, a biography that follows David Fairchild’s quest to bring exotic fruits, vegetables, and grains to the American diet.

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The Minibook of Minigolf by TIM HOLLIS.

For the putt-putt master: Have a friend or relative who waxes nostalgic about the good ol’ days of putt-putt? Give them The Minibook of Minigolf, a colorful love letter to the sport beloved by children and adults alike.

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Privacy in the New Media Age by JON L. MILLS.

For that person who untags themselves from every picture on social media: Do you know how much of your private life is really private? Mills breaks down all the new privacy concerns and laws in this title, advocating the adoption of new laws to fit our new media world. An essential read for pretty much any Internet user.

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Hotel Ponce de Leon: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Flagler’s Gilded Age Palace by LESLEE KEYS.

Walking St. Augustine: An Illustrated Guide and Pocket History to America’s Oldest City by ELSBETH “BUFF” GORDON.

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George Merrick, Son of the South Wind: Visionary Creator of Coral Gables by ARVA MOORE PARKS.

Remembering Paradise Park: Tourism and Segregation at Silver Springs by LU VICKERS and CYNTHIA WILSON-GRAHAM.

Remembering Paradise Park documents the story of Paradise Park, the segregated section of Silver Springs that drew tourists from 1949 to 1969. By reflecting on the before and after of Paradise Park, Vickers and Wilson-Graham give context to the park that divided its river along a color line.

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Alligators in B-Flat: Improbable Tales from the Files of Real Florida by JEFF KLINKENBERG.

Have a friend considering making their first trip to Florida, but is a tad wary of the headlines coming out of the state lately? Wrap up Alligators in B-Flat for them, and be happy to see their face light up after reading Klinkenberg’s ode to the strange and wondrous side of the Sunshine State.

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They Dared to Dream: Florida Women Who Shaped History by DORIS WEATHERFORD.

Have a friend who dreams of changing the world? Consider gifting them They Dared to Dream, a title that follows the lives of the many women from Florida who changed society from as early as the prehistoric era all the way to the present day. Weatherford, in a collaboration with the Florida Commission on the Status of Women Foundation, Inc., writes about such women as Mary Martha Reid and Harriet Beecher Stowe, who risked it all to affect positive social change for women everywhere.

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Saving Florida: Women’s Fight for the Environment in the Twentieth Century by LESLIE KEMP POOLE.

The environmentalist in your circle will find certain inspiration in Saving Florida. Poole recounts the formidable group of women who fought many battles to improve how Florida protects and reveres its unique natural resources. They set the foundation for this century’s environmental agenda, which came to include the idea of sustainable development.

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The War Worth Fighting: Abraham Lincoln’s Presidency and Civil War America, edited by STEPHEN D. ENGLE.

For the Civil War history buff:The War Worth Fighting is essential reading for Lincoln fans. This collection of original essays centers on Honest Abe and how he defined not only the Civil War but also the presidency itself.

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Becoming Virginia Woolf: Her Early Diaries and the Diaries She Read by BARBARA LOUNSBERRY.

For the literary-minded: Any passing bookworm can name-drop Virginia Woolf, but it takes a special reader to commit to knowing every facet of the author’s life. Give them Becoming Virginia Woolf, which traces Woolf’s development from fourteen-year-old diary writer to ubiquitous modern author, with enough content for any fan to wolf down (pun definitely intended).

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Embracing Cuba by BYRON MOTLEY.

For the budding photographer/world traveler: Embracing Cuba, a collection of 180 color photos that capture Cuba’s cultural character, will captivate the imagination of photographers and armchair travelers alike. Motley provides a lens to understand a country once ostracized by the U.S., and his photos should prove to be plenty of inspiration for any friend ready to hone their photography skills or travel to new destinations.
Cuba: A History in Art by GARY R. LIBBY with JUAN A. MARTÍNEZ is also a great gift for the art aficionado.

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Havana Hardball: Spring Training, Jackie Robinson, and the Cuban League by CÉSAR BRIOSO.

For the sports fan: Havana Hardball examines baseball history through the eyes of the Cuban League and legendary player Jackie Robinson. Any sports fan can appreciate this tale that not only describes baseball in loving detail but also portrays the political and cultural climate of the era.

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The Art of Maintaining a Florida Native Landscape by GINNY STIBOLT

This book is perfect for any Florida gardener. In this easy-to-read, practical, and honest approach to native plant landscaping, botanist and experienced gardener Ginny Stibolt shares techniques for living with a native landscape and personal lessons learned over the years.

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Native Florida Plants for Shady Landscapes by CRAIG N. HUEGEL

Discussing the many variables and complexities of shade gardening in Florida, Craig Huegel explores options for canopy, shrubs, and the colorful annuals and perennials that can tolerate even the darkest of areas.

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Sustainable Gardening for the Southeast by SUSAN M. VARLAMOFF

This vividly illustrated guide offers simple techniques to help conserve water, reduce pollutants, and mitigate climate change while increasing biodiversity and attracting pollinators and wildlife.

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Madame Lalaurie, Mistress of the Haunted House by CAROLYN MORROW LONG.

For the horror junkie: A few seasons ago, American Horror Story mixed fiction with reality by introducing Madame Lalaurie, a real-life monster who captured and tortured slaves at her New Orleans home. Louisiana historians and horror fans everywhere will appreciate Long’s gripping tale of the real woman behind Kathy Bates’ portrayal.

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Calling Me Home: Gram Parsons and the Roots of Country Rock by BOB KEALING.

For the southern rock lover or country music fan: Before pop country ruined everything, the country genre, influenced by rock and roll, stood toe-to-toe with many of its contemporaries. Next time your music-loving uncle lectures you on the fine days of country music, pay it forward by giving him Calling Me Home. He will value Kealing’s account of Gram Parsons and the crossover of the country and rock genres.

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On Technique by DEAN SPEER.

For the dancer: Ballet dancers really do put their best feet forward, as evidenced by Speer’s On Technique. Enlighten your favorite balletomane with On Technique, which follows eighteen ballet masters and draws many comparisons among the dancers who set the benchmark for master-class dancing.

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All UPF books are on sale now through December 17!

Get 20-40% off and $1 per book shipping.

Order $50 or more and get a free UPF tote bag!

Visit http://www.upf.com and use code XM15 checkout.

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