Farmers faced disaster when the 1984 Labour government's policies scrapped extensive economic support until learning that feral goats grew cashmere with international buyer interest and support. It blazed across farm skies like a comet, growing from nothing to a $4.3m export industry in six years in a huge learning curve about fibres, markets, goat breeding policies and farming a new animal, supported by a resolute professional producer organisation and research. Get-rich sharemarket schemes in the mid-1980s included goat investments, also benefitting cashmere population genetics breeding policies. Total goat numbers grew over seven years from 7000 to 1.3m, but investors disappeared with the October 1987 crash and changes in tax policy. Other cashmere problems included outside influences on fibre buyers and internal tensions from different philosophies, objectives, and practices of other goat fibre producers. The industry disintegrated, and internal and external forces exposed structural and operational flaws. Rapid growth and naive enthusiasm missed some key points during the 1980s decade. Outside influences, internal trust, communication, education, technologies, common philosophies in a cooperative business, and skills necessary for a small export business isolated from its markets were significant. In 16 chapters, 61 sections, and 49,000 words, the book covers farmers facing a crisis and producing valuable, unique cashmere for a world market, other fibre producers, and the roles of buyers/processors. Physical, technical and operational details about people, goats, fibres, markets, industry, business, and politics record industry progress and problems using the analogy of constructing a building. Details of the industry collapse and reasons for its eventual liquidation are outlined. Thousands of farmers and goat boom investors can read about that NZ history paralleled in Australia before it is lost forever. The final part reflects on that, leaving lessons for understanding, attitudes, and perceptions should the comet return.