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Blood from a Stone: The Quest for the Life Diamonds
The search for the Life Diamonds--the subject of the compelling documentary produced by the History Channel.
They were known as Life Diamonds--rough uncut diamonds of high quality bought by Jews in Eastern Europe to use as passports to safety. After 1939 and the Nazi blitzkrieg, after the extermination camps began belching black smoke into the skies and the railroad station at Auschwitz II-Birkenau became the busiest train station in the world, they became Death Diamonds.
Blood from a Stone is the amazing story of forty of those diamonds, of their journey across continents and oceans, from the mines of South Africa to the diamond centers in Antwerp and Amsterdam, to the Jews of Eastern Europe, to the Death Camps. . . and to the two American soldiers who liberated them from the SS, finally, and buried them in a forest in Alsace on the border between France and Germany.
It is the story of the curse believed to lie over the fabulous wealth of these stones, bringing death and disaster to all who touched them. It is the story of Yaron Svoray, who spent more than a decade in search of one small foxhole somewhere in a thousand square miles of forest...and of his unbelievable success.
Blood from a Stone is a unique story, a story unlike any to come out of World War II. Blood from a Stone will more than over a dozen exclusive photos from the two-hour History Channel documentary.
They were known as Life Diamonds--rough uncut diamonds of high quality bought by Jews in Eastern Europe to use as passports to safety. After 1939 and the Nazi blitzkrieg, after the extermination camps began belching black smoke into the skies and the railroad station at Auschwitz II-Birkenau became the busiest train station in the world, they became Death Diamonds.
Blood from a Stone is the amazing story of forty of those diamonds, of their journey across continents and oceans, from the mines of South Africa to the diamond centers in Antwerp and Amsterdam, to the Jews of Eastern Europe, to the Death Camps. . . and to the two American soldiers who liberated them from the SS, finally, and buried them in a forest in Alsace on the border between France and Germany.
It is the story of the curse believed to lie over the fabulous wealth of these stones, bringing death and disaster to all who touched them. It is the story of Yaron Svoray, who spent more than a decade in search of one small foxhole somewhere in a thousand square miles of forest...and of his unbelievable success.
Blood from a Stone is a unique story, a story unlike any to come out of World War II. Blood from a Stone will more than over a dozen exclusive photos from the two-hour History Channel documentary.
- GenresNonfictionWorld War II
288 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 1, 2010
I read this book a couple years ago and what I remember is that I could not put it down. The true story was completely intriguing to me. It is a unique story of World War II, people that endured the war and diamonds. It was also a 2 hour History Channel documentary special. So if you like stories from World War II, you would like this book.
This book is about "Life Diamonds-rough, uncut diamonds of high quality bought by Jews in Eastern Europe to use as passports to safety. After 1939 and the Nazi blitzkrieg, after the extermination camps began belching black smoke into the skies and the railroad station in Auschwitz II-Birkenau became the busiest train station in the world, they became Death Diamonds.
Blood from a Stone is the amazing story of forty of those diamonds, of their journey across continents and oceans, from the mines of South Africa to the diamonds centers in Antwerp and Amsterdam, to the Jews of Eastern Europe, to the death camps....and to the two American soldiers who liberated them from the SS, finally, and buried them in a forest in Alsace on the border between France and Germany. It is the story of the curse believed to lie over the fabulous wealth of these stones, bringing death and disaster to all who touched them. It is the story of Yaron Svoray, who spent more than a decade in search of one small foxhole somewhere in a thousand square miles of forest... and of his unbelievable success."
This book is about "Life Diamonds-rough, uncut diamonds of high quality bought by Jews in Eastern Europe to use as passports to safety. After 1939 and the Nazi blitzkrieg, after the extermination camps began belching black smoke into the skies and the railroad station in Auschwitz II-Birkenau became the busiest train station in the world, they became Death Diamonds.
Blood from a Stone is the amazing story of forty of those diamonds, of their journey across continents and oceans, from the mines of South Africa to the diamonds centers in Antwerp and Amsterdam, to the Jews of Eastern Europe, to the death camps....and to the two American soldiers who liberated them from the SS, finally, and buried them in a forest in Alsace on the border between France and Germany. It is the story of the curse believed to lie over the fabulous wealth of these stones, bringing death and disaster to all who touched them. It is the story of Yaron Svoray, who spent more than a decade in search of one small foxhole somewhere in a thousand square miles of forest... and of his unbelievable success."
February 26, 2020
This is a fascinating account of the stolen diamonds during WWII. A small portion of the Life Diamonds taken from the Jews by the Nazi's, 40 uncut stones, made their way into a foxhole with Americans, Nyer and DeLion, two scouts, who buried them so he could return someday to retrieve them. Nyer soon decides the diamonds are cursed. The tale becomes sordid and tragic, so he gives up on his find and turns it over to someone else who at first wants riches as well, but who is an Israeli, Yaron Svoray. His twelve year quest for the location of the diamonds is a fascinating story. It also deals with how hearts were changed as the quest moves forward. In the beginning of the book is a short history of the diamond trade which was also interesting. The quest was filmed as a documentary also for the History Channel. Interesting book!
March 25, 2018
I recently heard the author speak about his search for the 40 life diamonds that were hidden in a foxhole during WWII, which was made into a History Channel documentary. The journey of these diamonds from their Jewish owners, to concentration camps, to Nazi hide-outs and of the two soldiers who found them and then hid them during the war is fascinating. Yaron Svoray is quite a character and has been involved in a variety of treasure hunts and infiltrated Neo-Nazi movements in Europe. This book reads like a thriller and Richard Hammer, the co-writer, adds the historical context to both the diamond industry and the Holocaust.
July 24, 2009
Good book! I normally have to force myself to read non-fiction, and then although I appreciate the facts, never really enjoy reading it as well as a good fantasy book, for instance. This book was an exception. It was a good story, well told, definitely worth the read.
November 11, 2008
A real life treasure hunt adventure story. I think there is a documentary, but I can't wait for the movie!
October 16, 2009
still in the wwII phase.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews