Black Diamonds
The Rise and Fall of an English Dynasty
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Black Diamonds
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Narrated by:
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Gareth Armstrong
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By:
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Catherine Bailey
About this listen
Brought to you by Penguin.
An extraordinary tale of family feuds, forbidden love, civil unrest and the downfall of a mining dynasty
Wentworth in Yorkshire was surrounded by 70 collieries employing tens of thousands of men. It is the finest and largest Georgian house in Britain and belonged to the Fitzwilliam family.
England's forgotten palace, it belonged to Britain's richest aristocrats. Black Diamonds tells the story of its demise: family feuds, forbidden love, class war, and a tragic and violent death played their part. But coal, one of the most emotive issues in twentieth century British politics, lies at its heart.
This is the extraordinary story of how the fabric of English society shifted beyond recognition in fifty turbulent years in the twentieth century.
©2022 Catherine Bailey (P)2022 Penguin AudioListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
"Magnificent...peels back the grand façade of Wentworth to reveal a family riven with fueds, mental illness and forbidden love." (Tatler)
"A compelling new history...fascinating insights into the dynasty that once ruled this Yorkshire roost." (Daily Mail)
"An aristocratic tale of epic proportions, this gripping novel cleverly interweaves interviews, letters and historical fact...Fascinating." (Easy Living)
What listeners say about Black Diamonds
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lynne Haywood
- 02-09-24
Excellent wish I had found this title earlier.
This book is about Wentworth House, the people who lived there and the people who worked for them and lived in the surrounding area.
Having spent some time at Wentworth in my early teens, it was good to hear about the history of the house and family. Familiar village names are mentioned along with Sheffield where I was born. Since listening to this book, I have been back to Wentworth House after discovering it now belongs to the nation and is open to the public. It is possible to take a special tour of the house that relates to the book.
Wentworth House gift shop sells the book Black Diamonds, along with Black Diamonds Gin!
I highly recommend this book and a visit to Wentworth House.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- microlyn
- 24-07-24
Family relationships - how they have changed
Good story, well written and well told by the narrator. It feels like it was as true to real life history as it could be.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- AZ
- 14-02-24
Interesting
Although the author starts by promising the resolution of a family mystery, but the mystery remains unresolved. However, the author does provide a captivating account of a social system long since gone, of the socio-economic tensions of the times and the way of life of aristocratic grandees and their dependents.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jemma
- 16-04-24
Local history
I really enjoyed this book and will now visit Wentworth Castle with interest this summer. I have recommended this book to friends and family.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- ID
- 28-01-23
Enthralling weaving of story and social history
My family lived through this era in Barnsley and its pit villages and the story rings true.
The local and society accents are very well-performed. Only a few mis-speakings - some local names like Elsecar and Hoyland defeated the narrator!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- BeeBeeGeeGee
- 08-11-23
Enjoyed every word
This books charters through the Fitzwilliam family’s history with engaging analysis and anecdotes
Loved it!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Miss L J Drake
- 14-01-24
Truly amazing
Brilliantly researched and told. A tale of an era that is long gone, a remarkable family and a house that has survived. Read this book and visit the house. You will not be disappointed.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- JIb
- 30-11-23
Just brilliant
There was nothing to dislike, it thoroughly engaged, educated and entertained me for hours! Story of Kick Kennedy an unexpected bonus. I need to visit Wentworth ASAP
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs Louise Morritt
- 14-01-23
Brilliant listen
Really interesting, well written and read. Can’t wait to go on the Black diamonds tour of the house in a few weeks.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Peter W.
- 10-01-23
a real insight into social history
very interesting. Well written and narrated. wonderful to take steps into the past - intriguing events but also very sad.
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