In "Bubble in the Sun," Christopher Knowlton masterfully narrates the intoxicating tale of Florida's 1920s land boom, a period of unparalleled extravagance and eventual catastrophe that preluded the Great Depression. Through vivid storytelling, Knowlton transports readers to a time when Florida transformed into the epitome of the American Dream, attracting moguls, celebrities, and dreamers alike to its sun-kissed shores and newly minted cities rising from the swamps. The book delves into the lives of the era's visionaries and the creation of iconic locales such as Coral Gables and Miami Beach, offering a panoramic view of a society revelling in its own opulence, seemingly oblivious to the impending doom. Yet, "Bubble in the Sun" is more than just a recount of wealth and excess; it is a critical examination of the era's societal and environmental costs. Knowlton exposes the exploitation and racial injustices that underpinned the boom, as well as the ecological devastation inflicted upon the Everglades, revealing the darker underbelly of America's quest for progress. The narrative culminates in the catastrophic hurricane of 1926, a harbinger of the economic collapse that would follow. Through meticulous research and compelling prose, Knowlton not only chronicles the rise and fall of Florida’s land boom but also offers a cautionary tale about the fragility of human ambition and the price of unbridled growth.