Greg Madonna to Sign Florida Man Book at New River Inn Museum

Greg Madonna to Sign Florida Man Book at New River Inn Museum

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History Fort Lauderdale will host a free book signing with author Greg Madonna on Tuesday, December 8, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The New River Inn Museum of History, located at 231 SW Second Avenue.

The event is part of the organization’s “Florida Scribes & Stories” series, which invites literary and history enthusiasts to engage with local authors and explore the region’s historical narrative.

Madonna, a retired United Airlines 787 captain and Florida Atlantic University economics graduate, brings a distinct perspective to the local literary scene. His latest work, “Florida Man: An Insider’s Guide to the People Who Made Paradise,” serves as an exploration of South Florida’s evolution from a remote and forbidden frontier into one of the world’s most unlikely urban success stories.

The author’s connection to the region is deeply rooted, spanning nearly a century of family history. His grandparents began vacationing in Miami in 1928, and his parents were later married in Allapattah. This long-standing residency informs the book’s focus on the geology, ecosystems, and the diverse cast of pioneers, visionaries, scoundrels, and stubborn optimists who shaped the Gold Coast.

“Florida Man” is Madonna’s second publication, following his memoir “The Learjet Diaries,” which detailed his travel experiences in South America in the 1980s. In his latest release, he documents the notorious episodes and overlooked personalities that contributed to the area’s development. By blending local knowledge and a dry sense of humor with personal anecdotes gathered during his years boating across the Keys and South Florida, Madonna examines the stubborn optimism required to build a city in such a challenging environment.

The event at The New River Inn Museum of History offers attendees the opportunity to purchase the book and have it signed by the author. History Fort Lauderdale continues to utilize this series to foster historical literacy and encourage community stewardship of the region’s unique heritage.

The signing represents a bridge between South Florida’s past and its current status. As the region continues to grow, works like Madonna’s provide a look at the human stakes involved in transforming a forbidden frontier into a permanent home.

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