The Diamond Smugglers Paperback – March 26, 2013

Very pleased

The story takes place in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Sierra Leone is about the size of Rhode Island.There are about 4 million people living there. The life expectancy is for men 37 years old. The people manage to live on about one dollar a day.The Diamond Smugglers is a good book to read if you want to understand the connection between diamonds andthe "civil war" in 1990's, during which time diamonds financed the killing, maiming and destruction throughoutSierra Leone. Diamonds are definitely not a Sierra Leoneans' best friends. Diamonds are probablythe killers of Sierra Leone.

After reading the description I was under the impression it was a detailed and exciting chronicle. It turned out to be some sort of a reminiscence of a long interview, with some vague events and characters, not very exciting. It also seems to be rather incomplete, because the magazine that published it back in the day had to remove loads of "sensitive" information for the diamonds industry, for what they say in the introduction.It was more or less entertaining, but not at all what I was expecting. Rather short too.

Good Fleming writing....not his most interesting topic. Happy that after reading Casino Royale in 1962 I have finally read all of Mr. Fleming’s works.

My least favorite thing Ian Fleming had ever written was Quantum of Solace -- a James Bond story where Bond is irrelevant to the story, he is a mere recipient of another person's story. Unfortunately, The Diamond Smugglers takes the lame conceit of an oral history and strips whatever interest you could have from it.Ian Fleming is the author of this story in a way, but, taking him at his word, he's really more of a scrivener. The story is supposed to be conversations with a pseudonymed spy working to secure diamond mines. There's no effort to convert this conversation into a story or a narrative, the vast majority of the book is just a dry recounting of the security efforts and attempts to trap diamond smugglers and those involved in illicit diamond buying. There's nary an action sequence, no characters, nor much in the way of suspense.

Taking a break from writing James bond novels, Ian Fleming, using a series of interviews on the side of the law, wrote anonfiction account about the illegal diamond trade. As exciting as his novels are, the added fillip of being a true storyadds to the reading of "The Diamond Smugglers."

Ian Fleming's 'The Diamond Smugglers' is a unique view into the world of diamond smugglers in the 1950s. I happen to love diamonds, so this non-fiction piece of journalism caught my eye. I also happen to be an Ian Fleming, James Bond fan. I loved stepping back into the mid-1950s and learning a bit of history about the diamond trade. Ian Fleming's writing style brings the story to life. I found it to be a fast-paced and interesting read. My only complaint, I would have liked to know more about this aspect of the diamond industry.

This book follows Ian in Africa as he writes essentially a biography of a diamond detective. It does not have the action as the Bond Series. There is much more historical in analytical information in this book than his other writings.

This book was written by Fleming as a result of being approached by an ex-MI5 agent who wanted to tell of his experiences in the Diamond trade. I believe it came about due to this agent reading Diamonds are Forever and makes an interesting contrast to that totally fictitious work. If you are a fan of Fleming and Bond get this book.

Interesting background to Diamonds are Forever.Fleming was paid by the de Beers cartel to support their monopoly and help to put down what they saw as smuggling of Sierra Leone and other diamonds.

Very interesting book for Ian Flemming fans but be warned it is very short and not really worth the cover price. I was a bit disappointed as I had paid nearly full price for this book and it could easily be included as an extra to Diamonds are forever.

Fairly interesting although not thrilling read of real life diamond smuggling

Those looking for another Bond adventure should look elsewhere. This lacks the narrative drive, compelling characters and descriptive writing to be found in the Bond books. Nevertheless, it is a curiosity, and the committed fan will find something of interest.