Diamonds, Gold, and War

The British, the Boers, and the Making of South Africa

De: Martin Meredith

Narrado por: Matthew Waterson

Southern Africa was once regarded as a worthless jumble of British colonies, Boer republics, and African chiefdoms, a troublesome region of little interest to the outside world. But then prospectors chanced upon the world’s richest deposits of diamonds and gold, setting off a titanic struggle between the British and the Boers for control of the land. The result was the costliest, bloodiest, and most humiliating war that Britain had waged in nearly a century, and the devastation of the Boer republics.

The New Yorker calls this magisterial account of those years “[an] astute history.…Meredith expertly shows how the exigencies of the diamond (and then gold) rush laid the foundation for apartheid.”

©2007 Martin Meredith (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Amazing Audiobook

Was Diamonds, Gold, and War worth the listening time?

Its an amazing book, full of stories that describe lots of missing pieces of the history of south africa

About the best audio book I have listened to!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

this book is just very well written and very well narrated!

What did you like best about this story?

the characters are very well portrayed , described and the setting as well

Have you listened to any of Matthew Waterson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

his narration was very well done, I think he is one of the best narrators out of three I have thus far listened to on Audible

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

listened to it actually numerous times1

Any additional comments?

great book and narration!

Martin Meredith never disappoints

Comprehensive in scope but well written in the view of many perspectives portrayed in the complexity of their environment.

Shocking and absorbing

Fascinating account of the early years of white South Africa. The writer does a remarkable job of bringing the major players to life through quotes, communications, and anecdotes. The two major players, Cecil Rhodes and Paul Kruger, come across as tragic figures who ignore their own salvation: The integration of the African natives into their new society. Lots of parallels to the US, but apparently the British weren't able to deploy smallpox on the population. Highly recommend to those who think our current politics is brutal. We've got a long way to go.

A Diamond Of A Book

The story of south Africa told through its diamond trade. I found it very interesting and it is a subject not often covered.