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 and spouses the world over. Blood Diamonds is the gripping tale of how the 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. These repercussions of diamond smuggling are felt far beyond the borders of the poor and war-ridden country of Sierra Leone, and the consequences of overlooking this African tragedy are both shockingly deadly and unquestionably global. Updated with a new epilogue.
Greg Campbell Book order (chronological)
Since 1993, my journalistic work has taken me from wartime Sarajevo to the diamond district of Antwerp, encountering fascinating people in exceptional circumstances and bringing their stories to readers. My specialty is narrative nonfiction, where I tell true stories with an observant, fast-paced style. My writing is crisp, clear, and often witty, aiming to combine the highest journalistic standards with colorful storytelling. My goal is always to get the story and tell it better than anyone.
