Blood Diamonds

Campbell, Greg

ISBN 10: 0786158328 ISBN 13: 9780786158324

Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks, 2006

Synopsis

The true story of the events that inspired the feature film Blood Diamond First discovered in 1930, the diamonds of Sierra Leone have funded one of the most savage rebel campaigns in modern history. These "blood diamonds" are smuggled out of West Africa and sold to legitimate diamond merchants in London, Antwerp, and New York, often with the complicity of the international diamond industry. Eventually, these very diamonds find their way into the rings and necklaces of brides the world over. Blood Diamonds is the gripping story of how diamond smuggling works, how the rebel war has effectively destroyed Sierra Leone and its people, and how the policies of the diamond industry--institutionalized in the 1880s by the De Beers cartel--have allowed it to happen. Award-winning journalist Greg Campbell traces the deadly trail of these diamonds, many of which are brought to the world market by fanatical enemies. The repercussions of diamond smuggling are felt far beyond the poor and war-ridden country of Sierra Leone, and the consequences of overlooking this African tragedy are both shockingly deadly and unquestionably global.

About this title

About the Author

Greg Campbell is an award-winning freelance journalist and editor of the Fort Collins Weekly. His work has appeared in the Christian Science Monitor, San Francisco Chronicle, and the fifth edition of Lonely Planet's West Africa guidebook. He was consultant to the film, Blood Diamond.

From AudioFile

Even Tom Weiner's warm, rich voice can't soften this exposé of the diamond trade, which flourishes in unstable countries like Sierra Leone, results in death or dismemberment for many innocents, and benefits revolutionaries and terrorists like Al Qaeda. Though he steps into the vocal cadence of African leaders, Weiner wisely doesn't overdramatize. His pace, clarity, and compelling tone work to keep listener attention throughout a detailed explanation of how the diamond market works. If he occasionally telegraphs skepticism at what the De Beers people say, it is apparently well deserved. This audio, on which the movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio was based, might cause you to take a new look at "a girl's best friend." J.B.G. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

About this edition

• Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0786158328
• ISBN 13: 9780786158324
• Binding: Audio CD