The Seminoles of Florida

by James W. Covington

The history of the Seminole Indians in Florida embodies a vital part of the tragic history of native and white American conflict throughout the entire United States. Drawing on widely scattered scholarship, including the oldest documents and recently discovered material, Covington gives us a complete account of the Florida Seminoles from their entrance into the state almost three hundred years ago, through the great chiefdoms of Micanopy, Osceola, and Billy Bowlegs, to the current political reality of democratic elections. (In fact one woman, Betty Mae Jumper, was elected tribal chairperson in both 1967 and 1969.) 

  

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Native American History, American History

392 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1993

Reviews

[Josh Liller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a history of the Seminoles in Florida, from the migration of Creek Indians in the 1700s through the Seminole Wars and 20th century struggles. There are 273 pages of main text (379 overall), with just over half the book covering events up through the end of the Seminole Wars in 1858.

Because this book was published in 1993 it misses some developments since then such as the creation of the Fort Pierce Seminole Reservation, the tribe's acquisition of Hard Rock Casinos, the creation of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, and the important role of Jim Billie. The author makes some curious omissions in the Seminole Wars, skipping over the famous attack on the Cape Florida Lighthouse, the raids on sugar mills in northeast Florida, and the Battles of the Loxahatchee (and manages to erroneously refer to Fort Jupiter as Fort Juniper on one occasion).

Covington presents a neutral look at the Seminoles, presenting the facts without trying to argue who wronged who. I found the writing decent, if a little repetitive in places. I see a number of reviews criticizing the book for being dry, but I have read far duller books from UF Press than this.

While I think the front half of the book could have used a few dozen additional pages, overall I thought this was a good book and a good choice for learning more about the Seminoles. I'd ideally give 3.5 stars, but I'll lean upwards on this one.

[Connor Oswald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly should be taught in Florida's high school social studies

[Phillip · Rating 3 out of 5]

good for lots of detailed facts about the lives of seminoles in florida and associated areas from the early 1700's to the mid-20th cenutry. the writing itself, however, was super dry and just, well, not so very good at all. i agonized through most of it, and put it aside 100 pages from the end.

it's too bad that scholarly folks with all kinds of time to research don't get around to putting much thought into language.