A life-long friend of Cecil Rhodes, Garner F. Williams (1842–1922) was the first general manager of the De Beers Consolidated Mines, which once produced 95% of the diamond yield of the world. First published in 1902, this work opens with a chapter on notable historical diamonds, and goes on to describe the initial discovery of diamonds in South Africa, the development of mines, the mining methods adopted, the welfare of the miners and a history of the whole diamond-producing region. Williams also includes an appendix, which describes the mechanical workings of winding engines and pumps, and the value of different types of coals, and provides a table listing the yearly yield of the mines since 1888. Nearly 700 pages long, The Diamond Mines of South Africa contains over 500 illustrations and maps.