This section illustrates the thoughts of two men, both very well-known and both from very different backgrounds concerning the vital importance of coal mining in British History. Richard Burton is interviewed in America and Jeremy Paxman by the 'Sunday Times' (19/09/21) prior to the publication of his book 'Black Gold: The History of How Coal Made Britain' (Wm. Collins, London). Paxman makes no excuse for claiming that you cannot get to grips with British history without the story of coal and it what it could do, but "I have never met a miner who wanted the same for his child. It's a terrible, terrible job and they did it by and large for very little pay. I'm with Harold Macmillan, who said of the miners, 'These are great men'.