From the pit to the market : politics and the diamond economy in Sierra Leone /

Though this volume focuses on Sierra Leone, the larger discussion relates to various aspects of poorer countries' dependence on mineral wealth. Frost (Univ. of Liverpool, UK) provides detailed information about mining concessions, license holders, and diamond exports for Sierra Leone. War, private armies, and criminal networks connected to the country receive considerable attention as well. Efforts of citizens of the country to influence events are recounted. While multinational corporations and well-placed individuals reap much benefit from mining activities, the communities directly affected and the general population see little gain; this is a frequent theme in the development literature. Throughout the book, Frost diverts attention from Sierra Leone to the situation in lower-income, mineral-rich countries in general. Better organization and a clearer focus would improve the book. Readers should not expect any economic analysis. This work is a more general take on what unfortunately is likely to occur in the global economy to a lower-income country with poor governance and a commodity small in size but high in value. Footnotes, appendixes. Summing Up: Recommended. Comprehensive academic collections, upper-division undergraduate and up. J. E. Weaver Drake University