-- Full of essays dealing with Florida's history in Gene Burnett's easygoing style
-- Careful research and eclectic choice of topics make history good reading that educates and entertains
-- Each volume divides Florida's people and events into Achievers and Pioneers, Villains and Characters, Heroes and Heroines, War and Peace, and Calamities and Social Turbulence
-- Many essays were originally published in Florida Trend -- a bit of Florida history in each issue for over 15 years -- a tribute to Burnett's appeal
-- A course in Florida history and a good read too
Gene Burnett was raised in Tampa and educated in Tallahassee at Florida State University. He served as a reporter and editor with a number of newspapers throughout the state―ranging in size from a small country weekly to the Miami Herald―and was also a freelance writer for many Florida magazines.