The Amelia Island Coffee Table Book Launch

Join us for a book signing and reception for Stephen Doster and Benjamin Galland to celebrate the release of their new Amelia Island Coffee Table Book; Palms, Priests, and Pirates: The Epic History of Amelia Island, Florida.

In Palms, Priests, Pirates: The Epic History of Amelia Island, Florida, Stephen

Doster offers the first comprehensive examination of the rich and captivating

history of this unique barrier island off the northeast coast of Florida. Drawing on

extensive research and a deep personal connection to the region, Doster has

chronicled Amelia Island’s remarkable story—from its initial Native American

settlement, through the Spanish colonial era and the founding of Fernandina, to

the island’s tumultuous periods of pirate raids, American “patriot” invasions,

Civil War upheaval, and devastating yellow fever outbreaks.

By weaving together these diverse threads of Amelia Island’s past, with

spectacular images by acclaimed photographer Benjamin Galland, Doster aims

to offer readers an unparalleled understanding of the island’s pivotal role in the

broader history of Florida and the early formation of the United States. From the

cultural clashes between Indigenous populations and European colonizers to the

strategic military significance of this Atlantic coastal outpost, Doster’s book

provides a fresh and illuminating perspective on an often-overlooked corner of

American history. Ultimately, Palms, Priests, and Pirates celebrates the

remarkable resilience and enduring spirit of Amelia Island, a place whose

dramatic saga from its earliest occupation to the present has remained largely

untold—until now.

The ticket includes a signed copy of the book, food, drink, and live music. Reception will take place on the 2nd floor of The Book Loft which is only accessible via stairs. If you need a plus one without a book, please contact us at [email protected]

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