Popular Twitter accounts like “Florida Man,” have helped to spread some of the Sunshine State’s strangest stories and encounters to readers throughout the country and even the world. The unusual (and sometimes criminal) exploits that occur here coupled with the dangers of hurricanes, sinkholes, shark encounters and lightning strikes have helped give the state a reputation that can make Florida seem like a national punchline and prompt outsiders to wonder why so many people continue to relocate to a place that seems bent on killing its residents.
Now, columnist, author and Tampa Bay Times reporter Craig Pittman and Pulitzer Prize winning writer Dave Barry are both out with witty new books exploring the aspects of Florida’s weirder side, but which also set out to defend their beloved home state. Pittman’s book is titled, “Oh Florida! How America’s Weirdest State Influences the Rest of the Country.” Barry’s book is called, “BEST.STATE.EVER.: A Florida Man Defends His Homeland.” We’ll sit down with both authors for a conversation about their take on Florida’s weirdness factor and why they choose to Florida “home.”
Guests:
Dave Barry, Author, Professional Humorist and former Columnist for the Miami Herald
Craig Pittman, Author and reporter/columnist for the Tampa Bay Times
