The Last Empire: de Beers, Diamonds, and the World

Fascinating history of both the country and the diamond business. Fast paced, interesting, makes you look at diamonds in a whole new light.

Of the books I've recently read on the subject of diamonds, "The Last Empire" is without peer. It's more a history of the diamond fields during the early years than a study of the diamond industry as a whole, but it offers many captivating stories of those times and Kanfer's writing brings them alive. I won't use the usual "I couldn't put it down" cliche (it's a bit big to read at one sitting) but I couldn't wait to start reading it again. It explains in great detail the convoluted shenanigans of those early "pioneers", how greed made South Africa into a land of woe and strife, and how one man managed to gain a diamond monopoly and turn it into a huge industry. I learned quite a bit from reading it, and I only wish an updated edition were available.

Thank you Mr. Stefan Kanfer for tackling the project on the diamond empire. The subject matter is not easy to write, but Mr. Kanfer managed to tell a story in a way that portrays a business biography in an academic yet exciting tone. "The Last Empire" is a very thoroughly researched and extremely well written book. I've learnt so much about the history of the most powerful diamond organization in the world (The DeBeers), its operation, structures, system, human interaction and the people behind the industry. Lots of great pictures and the stories of old Africa is filled with romantic images it makes reading a pleasure. Truly inspiring!

Kanfer has done an outstanding job of making the past come to life. The book is an excellent study of a country, a company and the uneasy relationship between government and the people. A wonderful combination of history, biography, and business.

I thought this book was very informative and one of the easiest reading non-fiction books out there. I was surprised to find out just how many different people were involved with the diamond trade in South Africa: Cecil Rhodes (the only person to have a country named directly after him), Queen Victoria, Winston Churchill...the list goes on. This book is one I had to add to my own shelf.