Jonathan Dickinson

A shipwreck and a perilous trek through Spanish Florida during the dying days of its Native Americans.

Jonathan Dickinson's heroic tale of shipwreck survivors struggling amid "cannibals" and "savages" on Florida's east coast became a 17th century best seller, But Dickinson was also witness to the last days of Spanish Florida and its Native Americans. In this revealing book, journalist-historian James D. Snyder narrates the journey in modern English then sheds light on some critical questions: Why did the Spanish come to Florida? Why did they fail? Why did the Indian population literally disappear after thriving for over 5,000 years? Why were the English hated in Florida? Why did Dickinson, an abolitionist Quaker, own many slaves? What became of them - and of Dickinson himself?

Jim Snyder lives on the Loxahatchee River near Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Tequesta, Florida. He has served on the boards of the Loxahatchee River Historical Society and Loxahatchee River District. After graduating from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Snyder spent many years as a Washington correspondent and publisher of business magazines before resettling in South Florida and continuing his love of writing as an author. "Jonathan Dickinson" is his ninth book.