Book Review Reviewer Marcy Shortuse
Florida’s Rivers: A Celebration of Over 40 of the Sunshine State’s
Dynamic Waterways
By Doug Alderson
While it isn’t frequently advertised,
Florida has a lot more to offer as
far as water is concerned than the
saltwater at the beach. There are many who
prefer coconut palms, bright beaches and
the turquoise water of the Gulf of Mexico,
or the tourist meccas and wild surf of the
Atlantic Ocean. There is, however, another
group of people who have fallen in love
with the interior of Florida and its jungle-like
waterways – some as blue as the sky, some
as dark red as blood – and the abundance of
wildlife that lives in those water systems.
It is obvious when looking at the extensive
list of books and periodicals that author
Doug Alderson has writtenthat he has
a deep passion for nature, especially in
the Sunshine State. It has been said that
he prefers a kayak to a desk, in fact. He is
the fi rst to agree with that sentiment, and
admitted his favorite subjects are those from
his home state of Florida.
One of his latest books that came out this
year, titled “Florida’s Rivers: A Celebration
of Over 40 of the Sunshine State’s Dynamic
Waterways,” celebrates the bodies of water
20 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE • November/December • 2021
that make up the
state (excluding
the beaches).
From the mighty
rivers to springfed
creeks and
streams, to
some of the
most beautiful
swampland in the
country, Alderson’s book not only gives
vivid, descriptive detail to the readers, the
photography is amazing.
One of Alderson’s favorite sayings is
“Meditation and water are wedded forever,”
but it goes even past that for this wildlife
adventurer. “An unspoiled river is a sacred
place where I often feel pure and even holy,
so yes, it is like a church or temple to me and
the week just seems to fl ow better after a trip
down a wild river,” he said. “Florida’s Rivers
is a result of many years of river journeys
throughout the state with some great people
and groups and trying to steady a camera on
a kayak. And so, it is very satisfying to put my
descriptions, observations and photographs
together into this volume.”