Other editions of book Acres of Diamonds

Acres of Diamonds is essentially an enlightening speech written by Russell H. Conwell (1843 - 1925), founder of Temple University in Philadelphia, American Baptist minister and renowned orator. Conwell was more than just a philanthropist who had a passing interest in helping people on the path to education and prosperity. He was, in fact, known as an educational entrepreneur, and his principles, as well as the principles upon which the university and hospitals he founded are based, can be found in this short but exceptional document.The speech entitled Acres of Diamonds is an address that Conwell made at more than 6,000 lectures. The examples and stories included in the document were groundbreaking and eye-opening at the time, and they can still give you a sense of inspiration and enlightenment today that can be compared with the timelessness of Buddhist Zen Koans.A Buddhist priest was the incipient of the main story included in Acres of Diamonds. In it, a Persian farmer by the name of Al Hafed is inspired by the priest to set off on a worldwide journey in search of diamonds and riches. The story has many uncommon twists, and includes numerous examples and lessons designed to teach people that the ultimate key to prosperity is spiritual in nature, and the path to finding the shiniest diamonds has to first start with finding the riches hidden within oneself.The deep and elegantly presented teachings of Russell Conwell are still held in high regard today, and are still extremely useful even almost a century after the author's death. In fact, many would claim that the principles and stories in Acres of Diamonds are even more accurate and worth looking into today, since there are many more opportunities for finding prosperity, as well as for touching the lives of many others through both our spiritual and material richness.

In "Acres of Diamonds," Russell Conwell shows success is a spiritual idea--the result of spiritual principles. Though not a "get rich guide," Conwell's book shows how to find a fortune-if you know where to look. There are as many opportunities for success today as in Conwell's time, if not more so, because they are found first and foremost in one's own conscience. Through his ministry and philosophy that "all good things are possible," Conwell opened the doors of opportunity for untold millions. "Acres of Diamonds" echoes his core belief-that each of us is placed here on earth for the primary purpose of helping others. Conwell was a minister, the founder of Temple University, and two hospitals where no one was ever turned away for lack of money. He was also a famous lecturer. In his lecture, the story is told of a man who sells his farm to travel far and wide in search of diamonds. There is a moral to the story in "Acres of Diamonds," a story which Conwell presented as a lecture more than 6,000 and to untold numbers of people.

The Acres of Diamonds story ”a true one” is told of an African farmer who heard tales about other farmers who had made millions by discovering diamond mines. These tales so excited the farmer that he could hardly wait to sell his farm and go prospecting for diamonds himself. He sold the farm and spent the rest of his life wandering the African continent searching unsuccessfully for the gleaming gems that brought such high prices on the markets of the world.

Acres of DiamondsBy Russell H. ConwellFounder of Temple University PhiladelphiaHis Life and Achievement by Robert ShackletonTHOUGH Russell H. Conwell’s Acres of Diamonds have been spread all over the United States, time and care have made them more valuable, and now that they have been reset in black and white by their discoverer, they are to be laid in the hands of a multitude for their enrichment.In the same case with these gems there is a fascinating story of the Master Jeweler’s life-work which splendidly illustrates the ultimate unit of power by showing what one man can do in one day and what one life is worth to the world.From the beginning of his career he has been a credible witness in the Court of Public Works to the truth of the strong language of the New Testament Parable where it says, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard-seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, ‘Remove hence to yonder place,’ AND IT SHALL REMOVE AND NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE UNTO YOU.”CONTENTSAN APPRECIATIONACRES OF DIAMONDSHIS LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTSI. THE STORY OF THE SWORDII. THE BEGINNING AT OLD LEXINGTONIII. STORY OF THE FIFTY-SEVEN CENTSIV. HIS POWER AS ORATOR AND PREACHERV. GIFT FOR INSPIRING OTHERSVI. MILLIONS OF HEARERSVII. HOW A UNIVERSITY WAS FOUNDEDVIII. HIS SPLENDID EFFICIENCYIX. THE STORY OF ACRES OF DIAMONDS FIFTY YEARS ON THE LECTURE PLATFORM