To the words of a showman who said he never met a man he didn't like, someone responded with '- probably because he never stayed in one place long enough to get to know anyone'. Possibly true, for while there are some wonderful people around, some are also wonderfully destructive. But from many years travelling, I met far more good people than bad, more kindness and understanding than threatening or harmful. A beautiful nature can be inside many a belying façade. People living simple lives, often have no idea of the beauty of their own nature. They are completely themselves. Perhaps none of us knows what we have to give. But I was always the receiver. The pieces in One Man's Gold are a tribute to some of the people met, who taught me a lot, with no idea of just how much they were giving. In all walks of life and means of living they were a pleasure to know. Joan Baxter hopes you too will enjoy meeting them.