Jacksonville - Florida History and Culture by James B Crooks Paperback

About the Book

The decision to consolidate with surrounding Duval County began the transformation of this conservative, Deep South, backwater city into a prosperous, mainstream metropolis.

Book Synopsis

The decision to consolidate with surrounding Duval County began the transformation of this conservative, Deep South, backwater city into a prosperous, mainstream metropolis.

Review Quotes

"A well-crafted case study of urban rebirth in the South. . . . Balanced and thoughtful."--Choice "A brilliant narrative that explains how the city has grown from a small cow town on the narrowest portion of the St. Johns River to a major metropolis in the sun belt."--H-Net "Crooks, the historian-in-residence during the administration of Jacksonville mayor Tommy Hazouri (1987-1991), was in an excellent position to observe community development at close range. His experiences and insights are quite evident in this solidly researched study."--Journal of American History "A reminder of just how backward a city Jacksonville was in many ways in the 1950s and 1960s."--Florida Times-Union "Particularly useful for its examination of how blacks viewed their prospects in this 'Bold New City' and how civil rights activists pressed their claims within the new consolidated government. . . . A primer for those concerned about southern growth in the twenty-first century."--Journal of Southern History "In 1967, voters in Jacksonville and the suburban areas of Duval County supported a successful city-county consolidation that transformed Jacksonville into Florida's largest city. James Crook's detailed study of Jacksonville before and after the consolidation provides a wealth of information and insight about the community."--Florida Historical Quarterly

About the Author

James B. Crooks, emeritus professor of history at the University of North Florida, is the author of Jacksonville After the Fire, 1901-1919: A New South City and Politics and Progress: The Rise of Urban Progressivism in Baltimore.