Tom Lynch

For the majority of the last two decades, journalist and activist Janine Roberts has investigated the world's diamond trade, from De Beers' mines in Africa to the coasts of Australia. Prohibited from entering such mines, Roberts was often forced to sneak her way inside, habitually leading to the discovery of abused mine workers, some mere children. In her book, she reveals everything she found as she searched across the globe, everything that De Beers and the Oppenheimer family tries to keep secret. On Thursday, she reads and discusses her work, exposing how De Beers hides away rich diamond deposits, how the White House was fooled into purchasing boatloads of unnecessary diamonds that they're now trying to sell, and how a major deposit in the South was sabotaged to stop production. Roberts delivers her information without any apprehension--it is a life's work, a piece to admire.

Janine Roberts reads from "Glitter & Greed: The Secret World of the Diamond Cartel," September 29 at after-words, 23 East Illinois, at 1pm.

(2003-09-25)

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