Dr. John Gorrie changed the world with his invention, but many people have never heard of him. After taking the Hippocratic Oath, he vowed to do what no other physician of his day had done: cure malaria and yellow fever. Realizing that temperature affected how likely epidemics would occur, Dr. Gorrie set off on his journey that would bring medicine, and the world, into the future. With little money and even less public support, Dr. Gorrie became a well-known face in the South, producing artificial ice in the dead of summer. Once big corporations took over operations, Dr. Gorrie's new ice machine was making more ice than ever before, and people started to take notice everywhere. Though, Dr. Gorrie's legacy didn't end there; he'd start applying his technology in his medical practice, leading to the increased comfort and overall health of countless diseased victims suffering from the fevers, as tropical diseases were then called. Today, Dr. Gorrie's artificial ice has changed lives and made modern convenience possible. Although he's still underrated in the media, his life and legacy live on through various medical journals, memorials, statues, and people who are passionate about his contribution to the world. It's definitely not far fetched to say that Dr. Gorrie really left his mark. Even though I am a lifelong resident of Jacksonville, Fl and a physician, I had no idea about the historical significance of Dr John Gorrie s contributions not far from my hometown. Dr Gorrie was a physician, scientist, inventor and humanitarian. In 1844, Dr. Gorrie officially invented the first air conditioner and his original design for the first ice machine that can still be seen as part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. Although he specifically invented the ice machine to offer cooler air as treatment for his patients with Yellow fever, his invention failed to be recognized as useful. He died without any recognition for his inventions and died penniless. Linda Caldwell has cleverly entwined her personal experience as a teacher at John Gorrie Jr. High School in the 1980 s when there was no air conditioning in most classrooms. Most of us who grew up in Florida during that era remember growing without air conditioning in homes and many older public facilities. The irony here was that the building named in honor of the inventor of air conditioning was one of the last public schools to have it installed. These anecdotes at Linda s classroom serve as a perfect lead into the biography of Dr Gorrie. The book details Dr Gorrie s early life and his eventual arrival in Apalachicola, FL where he practiced all of his life. The story is told with great insight into his personal trials and tribulations not only while practicing medicine but also trying to implement his inventions. He was also very actively involved in public health and carried his message directly to the public as member of the city council and mayor. Many of the citations in the book are accompanied by archival photographs and illustrations. The final chapter is a wonderful summary of Dr Gorrie s legacy with copious photographs and illustrations. The book is easy to read and will be appreciated by readers of all ages. It will be a great book for students for supplemental reading in history and science classes. I wish I had known about the importance of Dr Gorrie and his invaluable contributions to all of mankind when I was a student in the publicschool system in Jacksonville. Now due to the diligence and wonderful story telling by Linda Caldwell, I am so happy that this book by Linda Caldwell will keep the memory of Dr John Gorrie alive for all of us. --Shyam Paryani, MD, MHA, FACHE, Clinical Professor, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, F Readers will enjoy learning [about] the accomplishments of Floridian Dr. John Gorrie, an outstanding humanitarian that unselfishly served his fellow man. With a platform as an elected official, he became one of Florida s first public health educators. Recognized as the father of refrigeration and air conditioning, his inventions, quite literally, changed our world. --Mrs. Jean Powell, John Gorrie Jr. High School Media Specialist and faculty member, 1954-1992 Linda Caldwell has transformed a nearly forgotten slice of American history into an informative told tale. This well documented and historic account of an overlooked man and his discovery is a tribute to Dr. Gorrie. If you are looking for a better understanding of the historic roots of this important invention and its impact on our world today, you must read this book. --Toni C. Collins, Florida Historic Researcher and Author A lifetime Floridian and identical twin, Linda Hansen Caldwell, was born in Jacksonville, Florida. As a child, she always loved science. She collected insects that she proudly shared with others, although some of her friends were a little squeamish. Her father, Harold Hansen, taught her to play horsesho