READERS GUIDE

1. Why is a story about 1950s/1960s Florida relevant to today?

2. If you were to explain this book in a few sentences to someone who hasn’t read it, what would you say it is about?

3. The author argues, throughout the book, that truth recovery is an important historical task. If this author hadn’t attempted to recover this history, would there be significant consequences? Could it be counterargued that, for the sake of state pride, family reputation, or personal well-being, some truths are better off hidden in the past forever? 

4. Who did you find most admirable in the book? 

5. The author presents several sides to Florida State Senator Charley Johns, who orchestrated many of the so-called “Johns Committee” campaigns. What about him did you find sympathetic? What couldn’t you find sympathetic, even after you understood him better? 

6. Shakespeare once wrote, “Men are as the time is.” If you were born and raised in this other time and place, who do you think you would have been in this story: A Johns Committee opponent, a Johns Committee sympathizer, a silent bystander waiting out the storm, or something else?