A history of the tumultuous period leading up to the 1910 founding of the modern state of South Africa explores how the discovery of vast diamond and gold deposits led to a fierce struggle between the British and the Boers for control of the region.

Map -- Author's note -- Introduction -- pt. 1. Diamond fever -- Blue ground -- Kimberley -- The diggers' revolt -- Enter the magnates -- pt. 2. The imperial factor -- Oom Paul -- The washing of spears -- Majuba -- pt. 3. The diamond bubble -- The stripping clause -- Dreams and fantasies -- The road to the north -- The German spectre -- The most powerful company in the world -- pt. 4. A chosen people -- Johannesburg -- The corner house -- A marriage of convenience -- pt. 5. The place of slaughter -- The balance of Africa -- To Ophir direct -- Kruger's protectorate -- pt. 6 -- Groote Schuur -- A bill for Africa -- Not for posterity -- The Loot Committee -- pt. 7. A tale of two towns -- The randlords -- The Rhodes conspiracy -- Jameson's raid -- Missing telegrams -- By right of conquest -- pt. 8. The richest spot on earth -- Nemesis -- The great game -- The drumbeat for war -- Ultimatums -- pt. 9. The fortunes of war -- Marching to Pretoria -- Scorched earth -- The bitter end -- Envoi -- pt. 10. The Sunnyside strategy -- Vukani Bantu! -- The Black Ordinance -- The sphinx problem -- Epilogue -- Chapter notes -- Select bibliography -- Index.