Flight of the Diamond Smugglers: A Tale of Pigeons, Obsession, and Greed Along Coastal South Africa By: Matthew Gavin Frank [Audiobook]

Author: Matthew Gavin Frank
Narrated by: Jonathan Yen

For nearly 80 years, a huge portion of coastal South Africa was closed off to the public. With many of its pits now deemed “overmined” and abandoned, American journalist Matthew Gavin Frank sets out across the infamous Diamond Coast to investigate an illicit trade that supplies a global market. Immediately, he became intrigued by the ingenious methods used in facilitating smuggling – particularly, the illegal act of sneaking carrier pigeons onto mine property, affixing diamonds to their feet, and sending them into the air.

Entering Die Sperrgebiet (“The Forbidden Zone”) is like entering an eerie ghost town, but Frank is surprised by the number of people willing – even eager – to talk with him. Soon he meets Msizi, a young diamond digger, and his pigeon, Bartholomew, who helps him steal diamonds. It’s a deadly game: Pigeons are shot on sight by mine security, and Msizi knows of smugglers who have disappeared because of their crimes.

From the mining towns of Alexander Bay and Port Nolloth to Kleinzee’s shores littered with shipwrecks, Frank investigates a long overlooked story. Weaving interviews with local diamond miners who raise pigeons in secret with harrowing anecdotes from former heads of security, environmental managers, and vigilante pigeon hunters, Frank reveals how these feathered bandits became outlaws in every mining town.

General Information
===================
Title:   Flight of the Diamond Smugglers
Subtitle:   A Tale of Pigeons, Obsession, and Greed Along Coastal South Africa
Author:   Matthew Gavin Frank
Narrator:   Jonathan Yen
Audiobook Copyright:   2021
Publisher:   HighBridge
ISBN:   9781696603225
Subjects:   Biography & Autobiography, Pets, Technology, Nonfiction
File Information
===================
Media Format:   MP3
Total Files:   7
Total Size:   21 MB
Bitrate:   64 kbps
Sample Rate:   44.1 kHz
Channels:   Stereo
Book Description
===================
For nearly eighty years, a huge portion of coastal South Africa was
closed off to the public. With many of its pits now deemed "overmined"
and abandoned, American journalist Matthew Gavin Frank sets out across
the infamous Diamond Coast to investigate an illicit trade that
supplies a global market. Immediately, he became intrigued by the
ingenious methods used in facilitating smuggling-particularly, the
illegal act of sneaking carrier pigeons onto mine property, affixing
diamonds to their feet, and sending them into the air. Entering Die
Sperrgebiet ("The Forbidden Zone") is like entering an eerie ghost
town, but Frank is surprised by the number of people willing-even
eager-to talk with him. Soon he meets Msizi, a young diamond digger,
and his pigeon, Bartholomew, who helps him steal diamonds. It's a
deadly game: pigeons are shot on sight by mine security, and Msizi
knows of smugglers who have disappeared because of their crimes. From
the mining towns of Alexander Bay and Port Nolloth to Kleinzee's
shores littered with shipwrecks, Frank investigates a long overlooked
story. Weaving interviews with local diamond miners who raise pigeons
in secret with harrowing anecdotes from former heads of security,
environmental managers, and vigilante pigeon hunters, Frank reveals
how these feathered bandits became outlaws in every mining town.

6.5M	Flight of the Diamond Smugglers - 001.mp3
12M	Flight of the Diamond Smugglers - 002.mp3
14M	Flight of the Diamond Smugglers - 003.mp3
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