James Balzano, born in Italy in 1859, gained some education in South America and the US before joining the gold rush in New Zealand and then Victoria; later moving to Western Australia he travelled some 900km in one journey, his barrow fashioned with a few tools, a tomahawk and some leather thongs.

Now Goldfields' identities George Compton and Ron Manners, whose fathers had a great deal to do with Balzano, have joined forces to produce a book on his barrow travels.

Balzano's journeys are without peer among barrow men.  He pushed his wobbling wheel contraption up hill and down dale, across sand patches, over rocky ridges, into gullies and along dry creek beds, through thickets and every other kind of difficulty, and alone, on very meagre rations.

He had little luck in his gold prospecting but left a treasure for us in the form of his detailed diaries. Each night, by the light of the moon, the flicker of a candle stub or camp fire, he recorded his route and daily experiences, his meals and his menu. He told the tales of the men he met, stories of the finds, the success and tragedies of the various places, the costs, terrain and the weather.

James Balzano lived until 1948, aged 89, with Kanowna his home... his deeds, through his own words, are now set to live on forever.

All Hesperian Press books are printed on quality paper and will not discolour with age.  They are section sewn, the pages will not drop out and the binding will not crack.  This book is made to last.