ISBN: 1429910127 9781429910125

Category: Business & Economics / Industries / Manufacturing

Page count: 316

<p><b>“Sparkling debut from adventuresome journalist...who traveled the world to tell the dirty, glorious and sometime bloody story of diamonds” (</b><i><b>Kirkus</b></i><b>, starred).</b></p><p><b>“Still want a diamond? Before laying out your cash, Zoelnner advises that you first understand its origins. . . . An informative book that’s equal parts history and travelogue.” —</b><i><b>Rocky Mountain News</b></i></p><p><b>An American Library Association Notable Book</b></p><p>When he proposed to his girlfriend, Tom Zoellner gave what is expected of every American man—a diamond engagement ring. But when the relationship broke apart, he was left with a used diamond that began to haunt him. His obsession carried him around the globe: from the “blood diamond” rings of Africa; to the sweltering polishing factories of India; to mines above the Arctic Circle; to illegal diggings in Brazil; to the London headquarters of De Beers, the secretive global colossus that has dominated the industry for more than a century and permanently carved the phrase “A diamond is forever” on the psyche. An adventure story in the tradition of Susan Orlean's <i>The Orchid Thief,</i> <i>The Heartless Stone</i> is a voyage into the cold heart of the world's most unyielding gem.<br><br> </p><p><b>“Exhaustively researched and beautifully written.” —</b><i><b>The Atlanta Journal-Constitution</b></i></p><p><b>“Zoellner has an eye for the telling detail, a nose for trouble, and an ability to quickly re-create a scene’s mood and sense of place. Wherever he is, he puts you there. . . . A graceful, well-documented tour through decades of diamond-related lore.” —</b><i><b>Salon.com</b></i></p><p><b>“An illuminating exposé of a mineral and an industry.” —</b><i><b>The Wall Street Journal</b></i></p><p><b>“[A] dazzling display of intrepid reporting.” —</b><i><b>Entertainment Weekly</b></i></p>