Blood, Sweat and Earth

Name: Blood, Sweat and Earth
Brand: NewSouth Books
SKU: 9781789144352
Price: 59.99 NZD
Availability: InStock

The Struggle for Control over the World’s Diamonds Throughout History

By Tijl Vanneste

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Summary

Blood, Sweat and Earth by Tijl Vanneste explores the historical impact of mining precious minerals and stones. Delving into an intricate tapestry of global trade, colonial exploitation, and environmental consequences, it examines how the pursuit of wealth shaped civilisations and ecosystems. Through vivid detail, the book illuminates the enduring legacy of humanity's quest to harness the Earth's treasures.
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Format: Hardback

$59⁹⁹

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Blood, Sweat and Earth

$59⁹⁹

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by the intricate connections between mining, trade, and society throughout history. It offers a compelling exploration of how resources like metals and minerals have shaped the course of civilisation, influencing everything from economics to politics. Ideal for those interested in understanding the profound impact of natural resources on global development and historical events.

A hard-hitting historical exposé of the diamond industry.

Description

Blood, Sweat and Earth is a hard-hitting historical exposé of the diamond industry, focusing on the exploitation of workers and the environment, the monopolisation of uncut diamonds, and how little this has changed over time.

It describes the use of forced labour and political oppression by Indian sultans, the Portuguese in Brazil, and South African industrialists, as well as the hoarding of diamonds to maintain high prices, from the English East India Company to De Beers.

While recent discoveries of diamond deposits in Siberia, Canada, and Australia have brought an end to monopolisation, the book shows that advances in the production of synthetic diamonds have not yet been able to eradicate the exploitation caused by the world's unquenchable thirst for sparkle.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Blood, Sweat and Earth by Tijl Vanneste is praised for its thorough exploration of the history of diamonds, tracing their journey from ancient myths to modern monopolies. The book delves into how diamonds have influenced trade patterns, reflecting the rise of colonialism and ethical concerns. Vanneste's ability to make extensive research accessible and engaging is highlighted, offering a comprehensive look at the intertwining stories of trade, race, gender, and geopolitics across centuries and continents.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781789144352

Publisher: Reaktion Books

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 11 October 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Reaktion Books

Illustration: 105 illustrations

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 156.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 432

Collections

History & Archaeology History & Military Non-Fiction Tijl Vanneste

About the Author

Tijl Vanneste is a researcher at the Portuguese Institute of International Relations at the Universidade Nova in Lisbon. He is author of Global Trade and Commercial Networks: Eighteenth-Century Diamond Merchants (2011).