Craig Pittman
Award-winning author of "Oh, Florida!" "The Scent of Scandal" and "Manatee Insanity," and co-author of "Paving Paradise."
Books
Coming in 2021:
Craig is currently working on The State You're In: Florida Men, Florida Women, and Other Wildlife.
The University Press of Florida will publish this collection 2021.


Now On Sale:

"In this delightful blend of scientific writing and good old-fashioned muckraking, award-winning journalist Pittman pens the absorbing tale of how the Florida panther was brought back from near-extinction. ... The ups-and-downs in this tale of survival, coupled with the charisma of the panther, make Pittman's 'cat tale' hard to put down."Booklist Starred Review

“With a mixture of science, politics, personalities and the Endangered Species Act, Craig Pittman weaves an intriguing story, following the efforts to recover the Florida Panther from extinction. This captivating book builds a story around the science and touched on my own experiences with defending cougars and wolves. It drew me in with its humor, frustrated me with all the bureaucracy and forcefully presented a path for those who care to join and fight back before it’s too late.” —Jim Dutcher, coauthor of The Wisdom of Wolves

“Craig Pittman has a remarkable talent for telling stories set in the Sunshine State that never fail to fascinate and entertain. Sure, Cat Tale has plenty of laughs and Florida weirdness, but Pittman has written a truly inspirational story about the panther’s brush with extinction, and the human beings who were determined to save the species. You won’t be able to put Cat Tale down.” —Gilbert King, author of the Pulitzer prize-winning Devil in the Grove

"A fun, informative, and engaging read, [Cat Tale] is the definitive book on one of America's least understood apex predators. The story of how Florida's panthers were saved from extinction is one that both deserves and needs to be told." —Dane Huckelbridge, author of No Beast So Fierce




Painstakingly reported and researched...compulsively readable. As much as his book is a celebration of Florida, it is also a celebration of journalism."The New York Times

"An extraordinary catalog of 'weird Florida' . . . the definitive guide. [T]his fast-roving narrative has a rollicking pace that readers will enjoy."Los Angeles Times

"Oh, Florida! is hilarious, creepy, and sobering. Craig Pittman makes the compelling argument that all of America is being warped by Florida's off-the-chart weirdness, which we eagerly export." —Carl Hiaasen, New York Times bestselling author

"Craig Pittman delivers a convincing case that Florida’s reputation for off-the-chain zaniness is not only historically accurate but an evolving carnival of delight."The Washington Post



“FANTASTIC. If I did not know most of the main players I would have thought the author had a vivid and twisted imagination..” —Paul Martin Brown, author of Wild Orchids of Florida

“A fascinating true story of obsession, greed, and lust for the unobtainable. Reminds me a great deal of The Maltese Falcon. This rare flower is definitely the stuff that dreams are made of.” —Ace Atkins, author of Devil's Garden and Infamous

"Even if you’ve never come closer to these exotic blooms than a prom corsage, The Scent of Scandal is irresistible." —Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"His best book yet, fusing investigative reporting and true-crime writing to create the pace and tension of a great detective novel." —Sarasota Herald-Tribune

"If you love orchids or true-crime stories, this fast-paced mystery will certainly appeal to you. ." —The Guardian (UK)