Off the Page: "Dreams in the New Century: Instant Cities, Shattered Hopes, and Florida's Turning Point" by Gary Mormino

Eminent historian Gary Mormino discusses his book "Dreams in the New Century: Instant Cities, Shattered Hopes, and Florida's Turning Point," which illuminates early twenty-first-century Florida and its connections to some of the most significant events in contemporary American history, including the Bush v. Gore election, 9/11, the housing bubble and Great Recession, and the election of Barack Obama.

During these years the Elián González story engrossed the country, Tim Tebow rose to football fame, and Donald Trump became a Florida celebrity. From hurricanes to Ponzi schemes, red tides, climate change, the “Stand-Your-Ground” gun law, demographic diversity, and more, Florida offered nonstop news fodder that reflected its extraordinary internal trends and its importance in the nation.

Mormino takes stock of this crucible of change and explains the social, cultural, and political intricacies of a state the world struggles to understand. "Dreams in the New Century" unravels Florida’s complicated recent history in a gripping, informative, and fascinating narrative.

Funding for this program was provided through a grant from Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.