The Pinellas Puzzle: A History of Tierra Verde, Mullet Key, and the New Uplands of the Lower Boca Ciega Bay Paperback – June 11, 2020

A most interesting and well-written book!!!

Somewhat of a disappointment. Too many tedious accounts of meetings, commissions, legislation, etc. Some good maps showing the historical evolution of "dredge and fill" would have greatly improved the book. Not a bad book but could have been much better.

I am not going to disagree with any comment(s) about the book being tedious. It is, but it has to be to tell the story of the back room dope deals that allowed Tierra Verde to become Tierra Verde.Disclaimer, I live in TV, and had often wondered how this area could have possibly been developed. It sure couldn't happen today!So, if you like to dig into the weeds, appreciate politics (at its worst) then you will find this an interesting book. If you live in Pinellas County, you will likely like the book.

Mr. Whelen has written a very detailed and researched history of Tierra Verde. The Chronology of Events provides a bigger picture summary while the texts provide more in depth history on all the inner workings and business deals. The maps on the book cover were helpful, and I referred back to them often. It would have been great to have more maps throughout the text to help illustrate the developments and progress. A good read for anyone interested in St Pete and Florida history. I enjoyed it and read it over a weekend while at Ft Desoto beach (Mullet Key).

Book was really interesting with lots of historical details about the building of the Skyway Bridge and Tierra Verde that I simply would never have known had I not read it. Very enjoyable

This is a very well researched book about the development of Isla del Sol and Tierra Verde. It starts with a historical background of the area and talks about the early residents, Native American and European. The data and archeological record is sparse but the reader gets a sense of who moved through the area and when they did so. Developers eyed the area in the inter-war years, first focusing on a bridge from Pinellas to Manatee and the later on what became Tierra Verde. It is an interesting story of the political machinations and legal struggles that represent so much of Florida development. I appreciated the detail of meetings, who was there, what they said, what was the nature of the evolving conflicts and stress points. I agree with another reviewer that some detailed maps would sure be a help. Names like Cunningham Key, Panama Key and Dummer Resort Key suddenly appear and it is a little unclear exactly where these are. I lived for 40 years on two dredge and fill properties so found the history of my homes interesring. I would have like to learn more about the Broadwaters dredge and fill, also a 1960s project, but unrelated, I think, to the Isla interests.