Acres of Diamonds

By: Russell H. Conwell

Narrated by: Gregg Rizzo

Length: 1 hr and 24 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Acres of Diamonds story, "a true one", tells of an African farmer who heard tales about other farmers who had made millions by discovering diamond mines. These tales so excited the farmer that he could hardly wait to sell his farm and go prospecting for diamonds himself. 

He sold the farm and spent the rest of his life wandering the African continent searching unsuccessfully for the gleaming gems that brought such high prices on the markets of the world.

Public Domain (P)2018 Helder Media

A quick and entertaining story

With a good Narrator this Book delivers quick entertainment.

The story and characters are interesting and the book gets to the point in a short time.



This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Powerfully beautiful story and lesson

From Wikipedia:
"Russell Herman Conwell (February 15, 1843 – December 6, 1925) was an American Baptist minister, orator, philanthropist, lawyer, and writer. He is best remembered as the founder and first president of Temple University in Philadelphia, as the Pastor of The Baptist Temple, and for his inspirational lecture, Acres of Diamonds. He was born in South Worthington, Massachusetts."

My review:
Russell Conway's essay "Acres of Diamonds" is an inspirational short about a universal idea to look inside and look around you before you look outward. Sometimes the beauty and gifts of the world are right in front of you, it's not always a classic quest to a faraway land. Sometimes it is, but most things really worth having are closer to you than you think. Very inspirational and lovely idea. I loved the Audible version, very nicely done, I'm so happy to have come across it, I hadn't known of it before. And I'm (originally) from Philadelphia! Shame on me lol! But hey, we have the Super Bowl victory now so.... So, I digress.
This is something everyone should read, listen to, and value. Well done. :)
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Essay that flits from one idea to another

American Baptist minister, orator, philanthropist, lawyer, and writer Russell H. Conwell's 'Acres of Diamond' is the transcript of a lecture he gave thousands of times over his life. The title comes from the idea that you do not need to look elsewhere for opportunity and wealth, as it is all around you. You are surrounded by acres of diamonds.

There is some crazy sounding statements in the book, such as "The men who get rich may be the most honest men you find in the community. Let me say here clearly ... ninety-eight out of one hundred of the rich men of America are honest. That is why they are rich." and "I sympathize with the poor, but the number of poor who are to be sympathized with is very small. To sympathize with a man whom God has punished for his sins ... is to do wrong"

Conwell teaches a very individualistic, pull yourself up by your own bootstraps, approach to life. He states that he is asked why as a minister he does teach the gospel, and basically says that he does when he teaches people to get rich, because he is teaching them to be good and honest people. So it's a prosperity gospel mixed with a legalistic "the gospel is about being good" approach.

As a whole the speech/essay is filled with interesting tidbits, many of which seem quaint now, or just plain wrong. But they are an interesting look at the time. It does not really flow well, as it flits from one idea to the next, never properly resolving discussions of transitioning cleanly. There is random stories, like about how he met the President, that just don't go anywhere or have any real point to them. It is very rambley in places.

Gregg Rizzo does well with the narration. he is well paced and easy to follow. Happy with his work.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Good quick read

Acres of Diamonds by Russell H. Conwell was a good quick read. Conwell speaks of finding fortunes as long as you know where to look. This was a good quick read.