More books about the Miami area.

Knights of the Fourth Estate

Very well written story of The Miami Herald. Smiley covers the beginnings of The Herald in the early 1900s to the early 60s. The profiles are very well done of staff and owners. Better still are the various stories behind the stories throughout. This book is out of print.

The Hell with Politics

Very good set of stories of Jane Wood Reno, mother of former US Attorney General Janet Reno, amongst other successful children. It’s obvious, though, in this set of nearly disjointed stories that Janet, or Janny Baby, was Jane Wood Reno’s very favorite. Oddly a real fleshing out of her relationship with her children is not included. Jane Wood Reno could be considered a more modern day pioneer in south Florida as she blazed trails in journalism, interaction with the Seminole and Miccosukee indian tribes, etc. The writing of her experience in the disastrous 1926 hurricane is particularly interesting and haunting. The last chapter is a short biography of her life. The author to this is not mentioned, but would assume it’s her grandson and editor of the book. Not just the lack of this credit, but placing dates on the essays included are missing, making it difficult to associate the stories and their place in time. Otherwise well written and lots of south Florida history!

The Executioner – Miami Massacre

Though you would think this book is of pretty predictable stuff, it’s not. A whole other element comes in and becomes a solid part of the adventure of Mack Bolan wiping out the mob at an electric pace. Pendleton really did a good job pacing a story and creating characters. Though, rather forgettable characters and most who don’t survive the story. Thus making the character creation a practical effort that still gives way to not knowing who lives and dies. As always, an exciting time with Mr. Bolan. By the way, on the Miami side, Pendleton did more than a cursory glance to the area. He even mentions the well known Crime Commission effort by Dade County. Though that really was more in force in the ’50s. Also, adding an element to the story that well illustrates a current mood at the time of the late ’60s of a certain people in Dade County. Compared to others, Pendelton does a very nice job of getting a sense of place and being rather accurate.

A rather varied collection read through the past few weeks. Ronald Kessler’s The Bureau is a follow-up to his earlier book ‘Inside the FBI’. It’s a very good history of this government department.

‘She Woke to Darkness’ is a Mike Shayne entry with Mike making a trip to New York. The difference is that most of the story is told through the eyes of Brett Halliday, A.K.A. David Dresser in real life. Not one of the best stories Cresser assembled. The bad guy is a bit too obvious.

Former Mayor Carl T. Langford’s 1976 book, ‘Hizzoner the Mayor is probably the best book I read this year and certainly is one of my favorites. Full of wit and wisdom, I’ve not read a book that has better to lay out the needs to be a politician and a leader. Langofrd, as is his style, doesn’t mess around and tells it like is it. It’s sad that it’s so hard to find that today.