Diamonds, Gold, and War

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

By: Martin Meredith

Narrated by: 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

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.

Great story, eye opener for me

Just a pity the narrator didn't take the trouble to find out how to pronounce the one Afrikaans word that is spoken throughout the book : Boer

Great

Extremely detailed history. One thing that is very annoying is the incorrect pronunciations of all Afrikaans words, names and places. Boer is pronounced "Booor" not "Bowwer" "Van" is pronounced "Fun" and "W" is usually a "V" otherwise really enjoyable.