[.ca] The Diamond Makers (ISBN 0521654742)

Science writing at its best:
This is an absolutly riviting books documenting the science and the people behind the centuries-old pursuit to make the first synthetic diamonds, as well as the new science of ultra-high-pressure that was developoed along the way. You'll leanr how peanut butter can be made into diamonds, how bombs are exploded underground to make ultra-fine diamond crystals, and how the highest pressures ever obtained by science are done with an apparatus that can fit in the palm of your hand. An absolute must for students of science and technology.

Informative history of man-made diamond:
In this book Mr. Hazen presents a comprehensive, interesting, and fair history of the development of synthetic diamond. His treatment of some of the controversial historic elements is even-handed and accurate and he presents complex scientific information in a way that is easy to understand. This book is a must read for anyone interested in high pressure research and a you'll-be-glad-you-did for anyone interested in science at all.