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

Really interesting Very cool

Was so looking forward to learning about DeBeers, but the writing is so bad, I did not finish the book.

A very informative book that gives a very clear background as to what Black South Africans are up against in South Africa. Social and political apartheid has been "Pushed Back". The economic apartheid is very much in place, and Mandela did not fight hard enough to even place a dent into it. Where is the land reform, where is the much needed housing development, when shall the shanties be replaced by livable permanent housing...?!?!? That Is The Question!!!

The first 3/4 of the book was very captivating but rows the end it became very monotonous I didn’t care what happened just wanted to finish it. All in all very informative book touched on all the points I was interested in learning and more,definitely worth the read.

I really enjoyed this book and recommend it regularly to friends and family. It is not an easy read, but it is a worthwhile one, if you are interested in business dynamics across unique industries and non-fiction. Where some of the other reviewers have suggested that the book falls flat either in terms of information or entertainment, I believe The Last Empire strikes this balance quite well, especially with regard to the biopic portions of the book, devoted to the most important early pioneers of the diamond trade in South Africa.

Beginning at the very start of diamond discovery in Africa, this book takes the reader along the process that made DeBeers the cartel it is today, controlling 90% of the diamonds on the market. Although it is entirely factual, it is not a boring textbook-style read. It is a wonderfully-written story about the people involved in the diamond industry from its very roots to what it has become today. It leaves out no detail of the violence, abuse, and dishonesty that brought DeBeers to the forefront of the diamond market. A fantastic read.

Well written and very readable. Excellent history about De Beers and the mining industry of South Africa. Excellent read I highly endorse it.

Very interesting and well written. Filled with surprising and fun stuff. A must for anyone interested in Diamonds and their history!

A fascinating book on the South African diamond industry that sheds a light of the political history of South Africa as a whole.Well worth a read for anyone with the slightest interest in South Africa or the diamond industry.

comprehensive , well researched history of diamonds and gold and the figureheads driving the industry