Peter Hancock is a seasoned author having published 'Cornwall at War' in 2002. He has since written two books about his home town; 'St Austell: The Golden Years' (2004), and 'The Book of St Austell' (2005). What might be considered a companion volume to this present book, 'The Mining Heritage of Cornwall and West Devon', appeared in 2008. When not writing he works as a teacher, and has produced three school text books. He enjoys walking, photography and delving in to the region's past. Other interests include classic cars, and he is a regular contributor to car magazines.