Hope: Adventures of a Diamond

Fowler, Marian

ISBN 10: 0679311203 / ISBN 13: 9780679311201

Published by Random House of Canada, Limited, 2002

About this Item

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Seller Inventory # ERICA79106793112036

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Hope: Adventures of a Diamond
• Publisher: Random House of Canada, Limited
• Publication Date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0679311203
• ISBN 13: 9780679311201
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Good
• Book Type: book

About this title

Synopsis

The Hope Diamond — the largest and most beautiful dark blue diamond ever found — has inspired legends and lies, fabulous superstition and fierce passion. For three centuries it passed from hand to hand, and from country to country. It may have served as all-powerful eye in a Hindu statue, was worn by three French kings amidst the splendours of Versailles and was stolen in a farcical jewel heist during the terrors of the French Revolution. Rescued and adored by a rich Dutch art connoisseur, the diamond later became the subject of a long and bitter London court battle, whose every sensational detail was splashed across the tabloid newspapers of the day. Cartier’s Paris atelier acquired it in 1909 and persuaded Washington society hostess Evalyn Walsh McLean to buy it. She wore the gem —when it wasn’t adorning her dog — almost every day of her Great Gatsby life, and even, once, in an operating room. It was only when diamond master Harry Winston donated this prize to the Smithsonian that the Hope was finally accessible to all who wanted to admire it.

A sweeping saga, Hope: Adventures of a Diamond is at once a page-turning thriller and a glittering social history. Dazzling and delicious, this is a book truly worthy of its flawless, priceless subject.

About the Author

Marian Fowler holds a Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Toronto and was the recipient of the Canadian Biography Award. She has taught at York University and is the author of a number of books, including In a Gilded Cage, Below the Peacock Fan, The Embroidered Tent, Blenheim and The Way She Looks Tonight. She lives in Toronto.