Lindsey W. Williams in semi-retirement is a columnist for the Daily Herald-News of Charlotte County, Florida. Formerly he was a syndicated columnist serving 24 newspapers in Ohio and Kentucky.

He comments on a wide range of subjects but is most noted for his easy-to-read articles on history and archeology.

He has received the Freedom Foundation George Washington Medal for a series of columns dealing with American history as it relates to current events.

Also, he is the author of three definitive local histories: "Arise Wild Land", "Old Paths In The New Purchase", and "Telephone, Key To An Era."

Williams has been writing for publication since he was 15. During his 50-year career he has been a sports writer for the Flint (Mich.) Daily Journal, reporter for the Detroit (Mich.) Free Press, specialist writer for the U.S. Navy during World War II, public relations assistant for the American Telephone and Telegraph Co., editorial director for the Michigan Bell Telephone Co., and publisher of seven weekly newspapers in Ohio.

In addition to his professional career, Williams has found time to be a district governor and publications chairman for Rotary International, county chairman for his political party, president or director of several history societies and an officer of many service organizations.

This book is the product of many "vacations" to the family apartment on Sanibel Island, Florida, but he now lives in Punta Gorda, Florida. There he continues to write on early American history and participates in the activities of the Southwest Florida Archeological Society as chairman of the historial contact committee.

"Impressively researched. "

— Robert L. Breeden, Director National Geographic Society

"Well reasoned and logical, and fortunately devoid of the emotion and tunnel vision that mar so many presentations on this subject. Demonstrates an excellent command of the historical texts and maps and good judgement in the critical evaluation of them. "

— Jeffrey P. Brain, Curator
Peabody Museum of Archaeology
Harvard University

"Extremely well presented. "

— Kate Slate, Senior Editor American Heritage Publishing Co.

"Lindsey Williams has done the field a service with this challenging study. A DeSoto route from Charlotte Harbor fits both the geography and itinerary of the Journals. Compilation of early Spanish maps by this competent writer provides a framework for 16th century Florida that is unique to this work."

— Michael J. Hansinger, PhD
University of Florida
Ft. Myers, Florida