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Audiobooks > Political Science >  General Political Science > Blood Diamonds: Tracing the Path of the World’s Most Precious Stones
Blood Diamonds: Tracing the Path of the World’s Most Precious Stones Audiobook, by Greg Campbell Play Audiobook Sample

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

3.00346020761246 out of 53.00346020761246 out of 53.00346020761246 out of 53.00346020761246 out of 53.00346020761246 out of 5 (3.00) - 578 customer ratings
Blood Diamonds: Tracing the Path of the World’s Most Precious Stones Audiobook, by Greg Campbell Play Audiobook Sample
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Author: Greg Campbell Narrator: Tom Weiner Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Audio Length: Release Date: January 2006 Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download ISBN: 9781481565370
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Publisher Description

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.

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Quotes

  • “Campbell…reminds us that there is no longer any such thing as an isolated conflict that governments and corporations can ignore with impunity.”

    - New York Times

  • “A vivid, hair-raising tale of brutal proportions that outdistances any fictional tale of derring-do.”

    - Washington Times

  • “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’s attention throughout a detailed explanation of how the diamond market works…This audio…might cause you to take a new look at ‘a girl’s best friend.’”

    - AudioFile

  • “Campbell has spoken with individuals all along the pipeline, from miners to soldiers to smugglers…This focused study of the catastrophic effect of blood diamonds on Sierra Leone belongs in all libraries.”

    - Library Journal

  • “Campbell takes the reader on a journey to the dark side of the glittering image of diamonds, a darkness too long out of sight of Euro-American consciousness.”

    - Booklist

Awards

  • An ALA Notable Book in Nonfiction

Customer Reviews

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  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Lindsey, 2/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Mike, 2/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " What an absolutely compelling story that Greg Campbell took initiative and drive to tell. It disgusts me that his journey led him to witness the destruction of a country and the mutilations and murders of innocent countrymen. The Western world succeeds in keeping these horrific acts out of the mainstream media when instead it should showing these topics daily bringing awareness to those who are unaware and uninformed. It amazes me how business people in the United States, and other 1st world countries, can know this information first hand, yet continue with their billion dollar a year industry businesses with no remorse. Have we as society lost all ethics and morality as a whole? Diamonds are definitely NOT a girls best friend! "

    - Kim, 2/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Michelle, 2/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " 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! "

    - Kim, 2/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

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

    - Kasey, 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Cheri, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Corey, 1/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

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

    - Jannell, 12/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Tim, 12/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - David, 12/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Distressing and nauseating non-fiction. "

    - Lori, 1/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Lauren, 12/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

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

    - Justinesu, 8/6/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

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

    - Ray, 7/13/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Natalie, 4/11/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Very interesting but "

    - Lorri, 3/30/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

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

    - Pete, 2/24/2012
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Diane, 10/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Don, 7/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - N, 2/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

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

    - Juli, 2/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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! "

    - Trisha, 1/29/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

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

    - Jeff, 11/25/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

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

    - Ruth, 10/10/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Mike, 8/17/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Cheri, 8/5/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

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

    - Sandy, 6/23/2010

About the Author

Don Hagen has been behind the microphone since fifth grade. He is a nine-time winner of the Peer Award for narration/voice-over and twice winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award. He has also been heard in radio and television commercials and documentaries. In addition to his freelance voice work, he is a member of the audiobook narration team at the Library of Congress.

About the Narrator

Tom Weiner, a dialogue director and voice artist best known for his roles in video games and television shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Transformers, is the winner of eight Earphones Awards and Audie Award finalist. He is a former member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.