Bibliograph

Stones of contention, a history of Africa's diamonds, Todd Cleveland

Type

Label

Stones of contention, a history of Africa's diamonds, Todd Cleveland

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages 201-212) and index

Illustrations

maps

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Stones of contention

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

861676525

Responsibility statement

Todd Cleveland

Series statement

Africa in world history

Sub title

a history of Africa's diamonds

Summary

"Africa supplies the majority of the world's diamonds, yet consumers generally know little about the origins and history of these precious stones beyond sensationalized media accounts of so-called blood diamonds. Stones of Contention explores the major developments in the remarkable history of Africa's diamonds, from the first stirrings of international interest in the continent's mineral wealth in the first millennium A.D. to the present day. In the European colonial period, the discovery of diamonds in South Africa ushered in an era of unprecedented greed during which monopolistic enterprises exploited both the mineral resources and the indigenous workforce. In the aftermath of World War II, the governments of newly independent African states, both democratic and despotic, joined industry giant De Beers and other corporations to oversee and profit from mining activity on the continent. The book also considers the experiences of a wide array of Africans - from informal artisanal miners, company mineworkers, and indigenous authorities to armed rebels, mining executives, and premiers of mineral-rich states - and their relationships to the stones that have the power to bring both wealth and misery. With photos and maps, Stones of Contention illustrates the scope and complexity of the African diamond trade as well as its impact on individuals and societies."--Back cover

Table Of Contents

An introduction to Africa's diamonds -- Africa's mineral wealth : material and mythical -- From illusion to reality : the Kimberley discoveries, the diamond "rush," and the "Wild West" in Africa -- Consolidation and control : the birth and growth of the cartel -- Creating "New Kimberleys" elsewhere in Africa -- The experiences of African workers on Colonial-era mines -- A resource curse : "blood diamonds," state oppression, and violence -- Mineral assets : diamonds and the development of democratic states -- Africa's diamonds : a rough past with a brighter future -- Study guide and selected readings : digging deeper

Classification