The first edition is the product of 9½ years’ research and 6 months of bush travel. It tells the stories of 520 deserted towns and mining camps in North Queensland. Maps, photos, information co-ordinates, and anecdotal stories exist for every town and the book is set out in districts.

The book contains great detail including diagrammatic explanation of gold extraction techniques. It has been described as an encyclopaedic book of deserted towns. At present the book is in its 6th edition ( 2007). Throughout the revisions a further 10 years’ research has been added.