Stan Zimmerman

A History of Smuggling in Florida: Rum Runners and Cocaine Cowboys Stan Zimmerman

Marc Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [123]-125) and index. Publisher Marketing: Think you're a smuggler? With that box of Cuban cigars or those unclaimed duty-free souvenirs from last summer's trip to Paris? Untaxed and untraced commerce--call it contraband--is a trillion-dollar-per-year global business. New technologies to discover and curb smuggling are met by equally well-equipped perpetrators determined to stay below the radar. With its long coastline, hundreds of remote landing strips and airports clogged with sun-seeking tourists, Florida is a superhighway of smuggling. It has been the passageway for illegal goods like weapons, drugs, slaves and exotic (but forbidden) birds and flowers since its earliest days. Who does this smuggling? Well, one Florida governor and the wife of another, for starters. Spanish explorers, hardscrabble commercial fishermen, mafia mobsters, crew chiefs for fruit pickers--just about everybody. And there is no end in sight. Every major episode in Florida's history is touched by smuggling. The state's discovery and settlement, the Seminole Wars and the Civil War were shaped by smugglers. Florida's repeated land booms--including today's--are heavily influenced by smuggler profits. The current business economy is warped by smugglers laundering their profits. Stan Zimmerman means neither to vilify nor glorify these entrepreneurs. Nor does he intend to leave any stone unturned--or rather, suitcase unopened. With stories of drug runners and prostitute pushers alongside the exploits and follies of Florida's elite, we are able to see why Florida is a true "smuggler's paradise." Contributor Bio:  Zimmerman, Stan Stan Zimmerman served in the U. S. Army from 1970 to 1973, earning the basic parachute badge, German parachute wings and qualifying as a jumpmaster while serving in a special operations unit. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Northern Illinois University, and a Master of Arts in Journalism and Public Affairs from the American University in Washington, D. C. He has reported for radio and television stations, newspapers and newsletters. His essays have appeared in the "Almanac of Seapower, "and the "Naval Institute Proceedings."He was editor of "Navy News & Undersea Technology"between 1988 and 1994. During that period, he was elected chairman of the Washington Maritime and Naval Correspondents Circle, and secretary of the Congressional Periodical Press Gallery. He has won awards for his writing and broadcasting from the Society of Professional Journalists, the National Press Club, and the U. S. Naval Institute. He is author of the first edition of this book, as well as "Submarine Design for the 21st Century." He lives with his wife and son in Sarasota, Fla. An avid sailor, he also serves on the Southwest Florida Regional Harbor Board, and can be reached on Email at stan4sarasota@mindspring.com Book Reviews Reviewed by Captain John P. Prisley, U. S. Navy (retired) This small, but fact filled book should be required reading for everyone involved in submarine and antisubmarine warfare - both ashore and afloat, and makes an unusually good desk-top reference for day-to-day use. Stan Zimmerman was editor of Navy News & Undersea Technology from 1988 to 1994, covering current developments in the field, winning a number of awards as journalist, reporter, and correspondent, and has had a number of his articles published in Proceedings. This second edition (first edition 1990) stands by itself to bring submarine technology up to date. Zimmerman also has written a companion piece, Submarine Design for the 21st Century. It is clear from his coverage of all the subjects, and his obvious understanding and appreciation of them, that he is competent in this field. This is a remarkably complete and well-researched handbook that details all aspects of submarine technology, with easy-to-understand explanations of the broad, esoteric, and complex technologies involved, making it relatively easy for laymen to follow. Zimmerman stresses the significance of submarines not only in today's world, but also in the 21st century. He explains the basics of nuclear propulsion: diesels and air-independent propulsion (AIP); batteries and fuel cells. There is comprehensive coverage of submarine torpedoes, and missiles, hydrodynamics, acoustics, and enough attention to non-acoustic phenomena to understand their significance in submarine warfare. Each relevant subject is covered in detail as is the importance of modern combat systems for submarines today-and in the future. Extensive end notes for each chapter provide sources and references for all of Zimmerman's statements and discussion. He includes tables to show relevant statistics, and figures to clarify such complex systems as nuclear power, AIP systems, and submarine fire control techniques, while ample side bars emphasize and highlight various issues like non acoustic antisubmarine warfare. Technical information is up-to-date, with details about Russian weapons and submarines, as well as U. S. navy developments of interest. Much of this information will be new to many readers who do not follow professional journals or technical intelligence matters. When Zimmerman was editing t