Queen of Diamonds: The Fabled Legacy of Evalyn Walsh McLean (Hardcover)

~ Joseph Gregory (Author) "WHEN I HAD MY HAIR DYED BECAUSE STREAKS OF WHITE were showing in the blackness of it, I went right to the telephone and one..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Queen of Diamonds is the story of Evalyn Walsh McLean, a remarkable and flamboyant woman of the early 20th century. Her husband, Ned McLean, wealthy publisher of the Washington Post, purchased the Hope Diamond for her, and she delighted in flaunting a jewel that many considered to be cursed. She and her husband were close friends with President and Mrs. Warren G. Harding, and the couples attended some of the most glittering parties and social events of their time. Queen of Diamonds tells a tale of rags to riches and back to rags again, for Evalyn lived her last years cash poor. She was forced to sell her fabled stone to jewelry magnate Harry Winston, who donated it to the Smithsonian, where it is now one of the most popular museum exhibits in the world.

Evalyn Walsh McLean originally wrote her autobiography, entitled Father Struck it Rich, with the help of Boyden Sparkes in 1936. Out of print for decades, it is now beautifully edited, updated, revised and reissued. The new book includes additional material about Evalyn's later years and a photo section. It has been produced under the auspices of her great grandson, Joseph Gregory,and his research coauthor and collaborator, Carol Ann Rapp.

About the Author

Joseph Gregory is the grand grandson of Evalyn Walsh McLean. Originally from Louisville, KY, he was educated at Belmont University in Nashville and is president and founder of Hope Diamond Collection Inc., which has created its flagship fragrance, Fable, inspired by his great grandmother. Gregory travels around the world to speak about the Hope Diamond and how its legend has colored his life and the lives of his family. He lives and works in Nashville and New York.

Carol Ann Rapp has published academic materials and poetry, and has served as a copy writer and speech writer. Rapp holds an M.A. in economics and also lectured at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. This is her first entry into biographical writing. She spends her time between Missouri and Colorado.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 382 pages
• Publisher: Hillsboro Press; Cmv edition (September 22, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157736192X
• ISBN-13: 978-1577361923
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #534,029 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars queenof diamonds the fabled legacy of evalyn walsh mclean, November 5, 2000

By A Customer

I have been a biography reader for many years and I can surly say that after reading this wonderful book about a lady who gave more to others then herself must have been to good to be true. Reading stories like this, reminds me when I was a little boy when my mother and grandmother would sit around a table and tell me about their lives. Most of all when their lives went to rags to riches to rags again like Evalyn did. I could not put Queen of Diamonds down. I'm so glad that a great grandson has taken a true story and is able to share his memories to everyone. It's wonderful and I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone who wants to read a good story. I applaude him. A MUST TO READ AND TO HAVE TO SHARE TO OTHERS.