Diamonds in the Rough

Reviews / Votes

"This meticulous study is a must read for scholars and graduate students interested in African labor history and Portuguese colonialism. Those with an interest in (diamond) mining will take away as much as those reading for information on forced labor or on the interplay between the Portuguese colonial state and concessional companies. However, those keen to learn about the rich texture of workers' experiences, both on and o the mine, stand to gain the most." (H-Net) "Diamonds in the Rough is a significant contribution to Angolan historiography and to the literature on mining on the continent. Cleveland persuasively argues that laborers on Angolan mines were active participants in shaping the stable conditions that made Diamang profitable, and, ironically, helped further the Portuguese regime in Angola." "[Cleveland] is particularly strong on African workers' experiences and perceptions of the mines and its Janus-faced character: getting well paid while being exploited. ... [Diamonds in the Rough] is balanced, showing that there are no facile answers and the Appendix, entitled "Digging Deeper," contains useful discussion questions and suggestions for further reading, all of which enhances its quality for the educated layperson and its obvious audience, students." (International Journal of African Historical Studies) "[Cleveland] appropriately and generously acknowledges the many people who shepherded him through these challenge, but, in the end, his own patience and determination were crucial for the appearance of this remarkable work." (Journal of Interdisciplinary History) "This book is relevant, rich, and interesting for people who are interested in the histories of mining in colonial settings, the relationship between the colonial state and companies, the role of companies in the pacification of native peoples, and the emergence and reflections of the working class in the colonies." (Canadian Journal of History)