The Rise and Fall of Diamonds: The Shattering of a Brilliant Illusion [Hardcover]

Edward Jay Epstein (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 301 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; Book Club ed edition (May 26, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671412892
• ISBN-13: 978-0671412890
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #385,121 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I studied government at Cornell and Harvard, and received a Ph.D from Harvard in 1973. My master's thesis on the search for political truth ("Inquest: The Warren Commission and the Establishment of Truth" and my doctoral dissertation ("News From Nowhere") were both published as books. I taught political science at MIT and UCLA. I have now written 14 books. My website www.edwardjayepstein.com)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars DeBeers' Unveiling February 1, 2003

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book knocks the legs out of the diamond industry. What appears elegant and elite turns out to be a down and dirty industry, selling tainted, overpriced products. And they've maintained a monopoly during generations of anti-trust measures!

This book is very readable and very entertaining. I wrote a report on the subject for a MBA class which got great reviews. I'm inclined to think it was as much for the shocking truths which were revealed as much as my superior writing skills! I'd recommend this book to anyone who has ever considered purchasing a diamond.

10 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An unparallelled insight and history January 3, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

This is an unparallelled history on the account of a most treasured mineral which continues to live on only through the de Beerse's famous and clever phrase: "Diamonds are forever." After so many found, cut, polished and rated by the 3 c's, it's stunning one can still be duped into buying a fake. There is a Statue in Antwerp, Belgium, of Lodewijk Van Berken, Go see it! You will understand!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars RISE AND FALL OF DIAMONDS December 1, 2010

By mountain mama

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I AM HOOKED ON EVERYTHING EPSTEIN HAS WRITTEN, THIS BOOK IS REALLY ABOUT MARKETING IN IT'S MOST BRILLIANT, THE TRUE NATURE OF GREED AND PUBLIC MISINFORMATION EVER CREATED. READ HOW WE HAVE PLAYED THE GAME.