Reviews
Oh, Florida!: How America's Weirdest State Influences the Rest of the Country by Craig Pittman
atomic_tourist's review against another edition
Oh, Florida was full of bad dad jokes and weird 'Florida liberal' humor, but I guess on the bright side I've already gotten some "wows" for the random Florida facts I've learned from reading it?
springliketheseason's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
I love that he didn't shy away from our not so funny history. I love Florida, and it was so great to read a book from the same perspective- shameless appreciation and acceptance for this whacky state.
sabaileyreads's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars! Craig has an easy writing style and this is an informative, entertaining read. I learned a lot about my home state!
skippy2020's review against another edition
2.0
As a 15 year Florida resident, this was a bunch of fun facts, but I definitely think think this is more of a “it’s me, not you” kind of thing...
I’m not a great reader of non fiction, and I found this topic for me might have been better suited to a stocking stuffer/bathroom kind of book as a list of facts to dip in and out of. I can totally see how people might love this, but it’s just not my thing. I tired of it pretty quickly, reading 300+ in a few sittings for a book club. Not a bad book, but just not the style of book I enjoy to read.
I’m not a great reader of non fiction, and I found this topic for me might have been better suited to a stocking stuffer/bathroom kind of book as a list of facts to dip in and out of. I can totally see how people might love this, but it’s just not my thing. I tired of it pretty quickly, reading 300+ in a few sittings for a book club. Not a bad book, but just not the style of book I enjoy to read.
skyroxy's review against another edition
4.0
Crazy facts and a small, interesting history lesson to go along with it. As someone who lives in Florida, nothing ever surprises us, and if we see a weird headline, we know it's going to be here in our state most famous for throwing a Presidential election with our "hanging chads". The only thing that I didn't like is that Mr. Pittman wrote mostly about the panhandle and the west coast of Florida. Interesting and funny book, I'm not sure if people outside of our state would find it as those of us who live here.
meledits's review against another edition
2.0
This book started out fun with a lot of promise about the wild stories that come out of Florida. I started reading it during a Florida vacation, but after about one-third of the book, I couldn't force myself to read anymore. This book could have been a lot shorter—Pittman would have benefited from a more ruthless editor.
bryceoc's review against another edition
4.0
More like a solid 3.5, but it was entertaining and informative. Craig Pittman clearly has a lot of love for Florida, so even the worst stories of Florida's politics and people are undercut with a sense of affection. It goes beyond what I expected (crazy Florida anecdotes) and actually includes a lot of information about the state's history in a way that's still engaging.
julis's review
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
Fun book, if only it weren't for the transphobia at the tail end. (Vis a vis referring to people by their assigned gender and not their real one.)
This book is 75% horrible Florida stories wrapped in a veneer of explanatory journalism, which is fine. I didn't think it was going to be serious reading, and it kept me occupied and amused on a plane flight (out of Florida...away from Florida...). Pittman does remember that the big reason for Florida Man is Florida's exceptionally broad public records act--and then provides a typically Florida backstory behind it. Otherwise? Be prepared for nudity, alligators, hurricanes, and regrettable financial decisions.
This book is 75% horrible Florida stories wrapped in a veneer of explanatory journalism, which is fine. I didn't think it was going to be serious reading, and it kept me occupied and amused on a plane flight (out of Florida...away from Florida...). Pittman does remember that the big reason for Florida Man is Florida's exceptionally broad public records act--and then provides a typically Florida backstory behind it. Otherwise? Be prepared for nudity, alligators, hurricanes, and regrettable financial decisions.
Content Warnings
Minor: Transphobia