Biohistory includes the history of plants and animals as well as people. This fascinating biohistory of Alachua County, prehistoric to present-day, is a microcosm of the biohistory of Florida itself, told with verve and clarity like an adventure unfolding over millions of years. Alachua County sits in north central Florida, roughly halfway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Its rich fossil record reveals that shovel-tusked elephants, 8-ton ground sloths, giant beavers, and tiny horses once roamed the county's 969 square miles. Its human history is the story of people who arrived some 12,000 years ago after a journey that took them from Asia across the Bering land bridge and then south across the North American continent. Today, Alachua County retains its human and ecological diversity. The University of Florida in Gainesville draws students and faculty from throughout the U.S. and around the world while small towns retain their 'old Florida' ambience. Natural areas such as the limestone sinkhole called Devil's Millhopper and the vast marshy grassland that is Paynes Prairie are home to a dazzling array of flora and fauna. This fascinating 'biohistory' of Alachua County, prehistoric to present-day, is a microcosm of the history of Florida itself, told with verve and clarity like an adventure unfolding over millions of years.

We live in a world with constant distractions. There's always something on the news to bring you down and life's events are unfolding at rapidly increasing and unsustainable paces. Still, there's inspiration to be found. Stories of Inspiration brings together the work of 12 authors working to find the good in all situations. Their stories represent all our struggles. Authors: Sandra Srivastava, William Cass, Emily Xi, JP Roarke, Dean Jarvis, Jeremy Nicklow, Ryan Coull, William Zettler, Mimi Strom, George Pallas, Kristen Amato, Laney T. Travis, Bob Rich