Blood Diamonds: Tracing the Path of the World’s Most Precious Stones Audiobook

" Don't read this without a box of tissues and an ability to seperate yourself from the reality of what diamonds have done to thos living on so much of the western African continent. "

" The world behind diamond procurement was an eye-opener and the violence detailed made me squirm, especially the amputation happy RUF. Interesting read but tough one to internalize. "

" An interesting look at the war in Sierra Leon (and Liberia's influence in). As Campbell concludes, the war was not geographically isolated. Rather, as was unexpectedly discovered late in his research for this book, there were clear links between illegal diamond mining in Sierra Leone and the 9/11 attacks in the United States. Gruesome (I had to skip over some details of the amputations), but informative. "

" I went back and forth from liking some of this book to feeling bogged down in detail by other parts of it. Not being familiar with the geography didn't help either. The history of the diamond trade in general and in Sierra Leone in particular are interesting, and the ruthlessness of the various gov'ts/rebels is hard to even comprehend. I guess the logistics of the money transfers and amounts involved, althouogh necessary to make his point, made the story a little dry at times. I want Simon Winchester to write about Cecil Rhodes, the founder of DeBeers! "

" Quite eye opening, but hard to get through. "

" The book is just as bloody as the movie but much, much more history about Sierra Leone and DeBeers. I'd like more history and less of people getting their arms chopped off. But, I guess, that is the story, too. Sad but I'm glad I don't own any diamonds. "

" Quite the graphic book, and opened my eyes to events about I'd not previously known. This book provides some of the fire behind why I can't ever see myself buying a diamond. Great read. "

" Probably 3.5 stars. Well written, scary, insightful stories. Learned a lot about diamond industry too. "

" This is a very important book about the diamond trade world-wide and specific tragedy created by diamond mining in Sierra Leone. It is so well-written that it pulls you along through the book. Nice work, Greg. "

" More about the civil problems in Sierra Leone in the 1990s than conflict diamonds. This is tough reading: the first quarter of the book covers some particularly gruesome subject matter. One will be guaranteed to think rather differently about diamonds after reading this book. "

" Distressing and nauseating non-fiction. "

" I've never been very interested in owning a diamond, but now I think I'd return it if given one. Cubic zirconia sounds just fine if such a need were to arise. "

" Well researched book. Difficult to keep track of all the acronyms! "

" Good book, but a tough, disturbing subject. "

" Very informative- it is written in a very journalistic manner. it addresses a number of issues- not just about the Civil War in Sierra Leone- but I found the history and insight to the diamond and jewelry business very interesting. The book addresses a grim reality but I learned a lot. "

" Very interesting but "

" Very Good!!!! Diamonds are Evil..... "

" Simply could not take another chapter about the violence - I got the picture and dangling hacked off limbs in front of my emotions will not make me more aware. "

" Well-told, but just an awful story about the origins of diamonds. I was probably most interested (and least disgusted) by the history of African diamond mining and the monopoly De Beers created. "

" This was an excruciating and often brutally graphic account of this mysterious stone's journey from west African mines to the global marketplace. The intersection of politics, money and beauty was never more horrific. Well researched and compelling. "

" Excellent narrative that pulls together tough reporting. Opening sentence is a stunner. Really well done. "

" wow, what a great book. I really enjoyed the narration of the author and him taking you on the heart-breaking and shocking story! I enjoyed the tales and not being too bogged down with facts (even though the book IS fact-heavy). I couldn't put the book down! "

" A real eye-opener for me about diamonds and the trade in them. "

" An incredible story about how something beautiful has been twisted into something horrible.. I am never buying a diamond ever again. Ever. "

" The world behind diamond procurement was an eye-opener and the violence detailed made me squirm, especially the amputation happy RUF. Interesting read but tough one to internalize. "

" The book is just as bloody as the movie but much, much more history about Sierra Leone and DeBeers. I'd like more history and less of people getting their arms chopped off. But, I guess, that is the story, too. Sad but I'm glad I don't own any diamonds. "

" If you own diamonds of any sort, this book will certainly make you think twice before purchasing anymore at the cost of human lives... "