The People and Places that made a Paradise, by local historian and member of the HSoSC Board Jeff LaHurd, is the newest addition to his remarkable series of Sarasota County historical references. This 17th book from LaHurd is a compilation of many of his articles that have appeared in newspapers and magazines which you might have missed.

When in doubt as to whether some iota of our history is fact or fiction, you can trust Jeff’s painstaking research. He’s been researching and writing about Sarasota for 35 years.

He moved here as a young boy with his family, went

to local schools, majored in History in college and became Sarasota County History Specialist. He has never stopped talking and writing about the places that he has such deep and abiding affection for. But in this book there is an edge to LaHurd’s writing which takes on rampant development and the city’s often irresponsible and cavalier approach to preserving icons of the past. 

In 2015 The Historical Society of Sarasota County officially named a LaHurd Hero of History for his long and continuing career in history research, writing, publication and lecturing. 

People and Places will be available at all HSoSC events at a special members-only pricing. Your next opportunity to complete your LaHurd bookshelf comes on Saturday October 18. Check out our Calendar events here.