Martin Meredith, paperback, new.

The story of how the discovery of diamonds and then of gold transformed the agrarian backwater of South Africa has been told many times before, but never with such vividness, clarity and verve than in this engrossing book .. Filled with colourful characters and fascinating events, this book has an energy and authority that will engage readers who want to find this corner of history.

Paperback, new. 570 pages, with photographs.