- Hardcover: 256 pages
- Publisher: Constable; First Edition, First Impression edition (10 May 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0094788308
- ISBN-13: 978-0094788305
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 16.2 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,376,519 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
‘This is a book about gems that is also a gem of a book’
Sunday Times
Product Description
The Koh-i-Noor is the greatest diamond of India and one of the most famous stones in the world. Supposedly cursed, the stone can now be seen in the Tower of London. Here, Kevin Rushby tells of his journey to discover the history behind the stone.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
After his debut book, the excellent Eating the Flowers of Paradise, Kevin Rushby has set himself a very hard act to follow. The author is now on less well-known territory as he sets out to trace the origin diamonds in India, in particular the world famous Koh-i-nor diamond. True to his adventurous spirit, he soon ventures off the beaten track in Southern India, where he injures his elbow in a bus crash in which the passengers force the bus driver to continue the journey despite causing the crash through his falling asleep, because 'it is his duty'. This book has a sense of crime fiction about it, as the author investigates through various channels where diamonds were historically mined. He encounters many people who appear unprepared to talk about diamonds, and has difficulties being unable to speak the local language, but manages to ascertain that there is some small scale prospecting and possibly illicit dealing taking place. While journeying northwards, he meets many colourful Indian characters, takes part in a Jain pilgrimage and goes in search of the rare and endangered Asian lion with a former maharajah. The story, packed with historical insights into India, takes a surreal twist when the author is mugged and drugged in Delhi, which he accepts so philosophically that the reader is obliged to remind himself that he is reading factual travelogue and not crime fiction. This book takes you well off the tourist trail and puts things in an enlightening historical context. The author does not attempt to make this into an adventure travel book, but he scratches below the surface of Indian life while being culturally sensitive, and his modesty ensures a refreshing lack of hyperbole.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
If you are into ancient curses and legends this is a great travel book. Kevin rushby is always an interesting and readable travel writer, but with this book he has picked a perfect background story for his book. The legend of the Kohi noor would make a great movie or piece of historical fiction, and it is surprising that it has only been the focus of travel writing, but that aside, rusby has done it justice. As others have said below, the book could have stood more historical facts, but the other more detailed travel aspects are still entralling - buy it.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
so0me things kind of pass you by, like the fact that there is a diamond in the crown jewels apparently cursing the british royal family. Still Mr Rushby illuminated me in this fascinating travel book
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
What a fascinating story
I love this travel book, but, like a good meal it left me hungry for more. Where can i find out more about the Koh-i-Noor diamond?
Published on 21 Nov 2001 by J. Nimmo
take me next time
next time rushby goes on one of his travels i'd like him to pack me in his rucksack. This was an enthralling book, and i don't read alot of travel writing. Read more
Published on 17 May 2000
A weird but amazing reason to pack your bags
I can't think of a more unusual reason for packing a bag and going off to India, but I can identify with Rushby. Read more
Published on 13 April 2000
The only book on the kohi-noor?
more history and less travel might have improved this book, but i still very much enjoyed it. I have since looked everywhere for more information on the kohi noor diamond, but... Read more
Published on 12 April 2000
a refreshing change
it's hard to write a decent travel book these days, there are so few places which haven't been inundated by tourists. Read more
Published on 11 April 2000
another great journey
kevin rushby certainly gets up to some odd stuff, i read his last book about qat chewing in the yemen and enjoyed this one just as much, particularly all the history about the... Read more
Published on 5 April 2000
Extraordinary history, great travel writing
I was told about the koh-i-Noor when i visited the Taj Mahal with my wife last year, but couldn't find any books about it until now. Read more
Published on 4 April 2000
very interesting
i enjoyed this strange travelogue about the authors investigation of the diamond industry in india, and his tracing of the koh-i-noor diamond's history, (the legendary jewel... Read more
Published on 28 Mar 2000 by lizneser@aol.com
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