SKU: 1586465325

Diamond Doris: The True Story of the World's Most Notorious Jewel Thief

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Diamond Doris: The True Story of the World's Most Notorious Jewel ThiefSoon to be a Major Motion Picture In the ebullient spirit of Ocean's 8, The Heist, and Thelma & Louise, a sensational and entertaining memoir of the world's most notorious jewel thief a woman who defied society's prejudices and norms to carve her own path, stealing from elite jewelers to live her dreams. Growing up during the Depression in the segregated coal town of Slab Fork, West Virginia, Doris Payne was told her dreams were unattainable for poor

Soon to be a Major Motion Picture

In the ebullient spirit of Ocean's 8, The Heist, and Thelma & Louise, a sensational and entertaining memoir of the world's most notorious jewel thief--a woman who defied society's prejudices and norms to carve her own path, stealing from elite jewelers to live her dreams.

Growing up during the Depression in the segregated coal town of Slab Fork, West Virginia, Doris Payne was told her dreams were unattainable for poor black girls like her. Surrounded by people who sought to limit her potential, Doris vowed to turn the tables after the owner of a jewelry store threw her out when a white customer arrived. Neither racism nor poverty would hold her back; she would get what she wanted and help her mother escape an abusive relationship.

Using her southern charm, quick wit, and fascination with magic as her tools, Payne began shoplifting small pieces of jewelry from local stores. Over the course of six decades, her talents grew with each heist. Becoming an expert world-class jewel thief, she daringly pulled off numerous diamond robberies and her Jewish boyfriend fenced the stolen gems to Hollywood celebrities.

Doris's criminal exploits went unsolved well into the 1970s--partly because the stores did not want to admit that they were duped by a black woman. Eventually realizing Doris was using him, her boyfriend turned her in. She was arrested after stealing a diamond ring in Monte Carlo that was valued at more than half a million dollars. But even prison couldn't contain this larger-than-life personality who cleverly used nuns as well as various ruses to help her break out. With her arrest in 2013 in San Diego, Doris's fame skyrocketed when media coverage of her astonishing escapades exploded.

Today, at eighty-seven, Doris, as bold and vibrant as ever, lives in Atlanta, and is celebrated for her glamorous legacy. She sums up her adventurous career best: "It beat being a teacher or a maid." A rip-roaringly fun and exciting story as captivating and audacious as Catch Me if You Can and Can You Ever Forgive Me?--Diamond Doris is the portrait of a captivating anti-hero who refused to be defined by the prejudices and mores of a hypocritical society.

--Kirkus Reviews

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Amistad Press
Published: 09/10/2019
ISBN: 9780062917997
Pages: 288
Weight: 0.80lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.80w x 1.00d

Review Citations: Kirkus Reviews 08/01/2019
Booklist 08/01/2019 pg. 6
Shelf Awareness 09/13/2019
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SKU: 1586465325

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4.5 ★★★★★
Based on 25 reviews
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Charles H. Hooker Jr.
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
Very enlightening for those who truly appreciate creativity more than cleverness!
Format: Paperback
I love how the author almost redefines creativity .and sheds new light (for me, at least!)on what what real-for-true creativity is and how it benefits individuals and society. It's far more than simply brightening up a room with new wallpaper and curtains -- it describes how genuine creativity requires a thorough working knowledge of the fundamentals of any given field before one can truly create something new or better, and it reveals how those of us who aren't capable of creating something ourselves can yet be part of the process by demonstrating appreciation and support for those who create, whether as sponsors, patrons, or even just ardent fans!
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Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2023
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Donald Walker
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 3
instructive but limited
The testimonies of creative people that give this book its flesh and blood provide fascinating examples of creative people at work. That said, if a journalist had written the book, it would be more readable, and I don't think any less of an intellectual contribution. Moreover, the definition of creativity is elitist and stunts the topic (as observed by other reviewers): "Creativity is any act, idea, or product that changes an existing domain, or that transforms an existing domain into a new one. And the definition of a creative person is: someone whose thoughts or actions change a domain, or establish a new domain. It is important to remember, however, that a domain cannot be changed without the explicit or implicit consent of a field responsible for it." Given the people interviewed, much more needs to be said about the function of social institutions in promoting creativity. Many of the accomplishments lauded in this book would never have happened without grant-making agencies (e.g., NSF, NIH, HHMI) or non-profit employers like research universities and hospitals. To offer just one obvious example of the difference made by one's institutional context, the author had advanced students to help him do his research for this book. The elitism of the definition is even clearer in the role that marketplace plays as a judge of creativity. None of us buys books from amazon.com because some official group validated amazon.com as a good idea. We didn't wait for computer programers to affirm and certify it. Amazon.com is not deemed successful because it impressed its peers. It is successful because millions of us purchase goods through it. Similarly, auto-executives did not make the minivan a successful idea, millions of shoppers did. (Obviously I don't think the marketplace fits into the author's definition of creativity. If 300 million American consumers comprise a domain with 300 million judges, then the word no longer has any useful meaning.) The definition also precludes that countless ephemeral acts of creativity that take place daily. I think instantly of two women I have worked with who were great at holidays. Their clever costumes or decorations brightened my day, adding a little element of surprise and delight. Their acts of creativity don't meet the definitions of this book. The way that creativity is defined in this book is simply a filtering mechanism by which the author selected the people he would interview. It is not a definition of creativity. It is only a description of a subsection of creativity, the kind where institutions provide paychecks to highly practiced individuals to work hard at what they love. I also found little new to take away and apply to my own social existence inside the organization where I work. Perhaps I can summarize my dissatisfaction by observing that the subtitle sets out an agenda for the psychology of creativity, but the definitional filter is intrinsically social. This disconnection sets the book up to fail. So, count this as a negative review, yes, but I did enjoy reading the testimonies of the people interviewed, and the author adds some value in the generalizations he draws. Still, much, much more could have been said.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2012
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Judith R. Hert
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
Wise and Complete
Format: Paperback
I've read a lot of books, too many, on creativity, and this is by far the best, the most complete, the most interesting. The idea that creativity comes out of immersion in a domain or field seems absolutely right and the idea missed by so many other writers. I'm a writer and a painter and I've learned that I'm not going to be any better than the work I've come to know and love, that I have to live in that work. If you want to be a better string player, play with a better ensemble. In many ways a creative person is someone who is in a conversation with what has come before, with work that excites her, teaches her, challenges her. This book makes that plain. But he has other insights as well, especially about the creative personality, the interesting dichotomies. Just read the book.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2015
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Common Arts Farm
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 4
Creativity which has the power to change the world
A few caveats to those who are generally interested in creativity studies: Csikszentmihalyi's analysis and discussion of creativity does not directly relate to those who are personally creative. People who enjoy engaging in creative activities are not demoted, in his terms, but are simply not a part of the study. It is unfortunate that his language makes it seem this way; he distinguishes between the two by saying that Creativity has the power to shape a domain or the world, while creativity applies to those who enjoy coming up with new recipes, who are engaged in research that may not change a domain, but may "tweak" it, etc. What he is trying to discover are the underlying principles and traits of creativity in those whose work has made a significant change. Think Albert Einstein, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mark Strand: people who are either widely known for their influence, or who have been influential within their area or domain. This book provides an interesting view into the minds and work habits of Creative individuals, and concludes by offering general advice to those who wish to make their own lives and work more creative. It is a useful book, but one which requires a great deal of supplemental reading, in order to truly engage in creativity studies.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2003
T
Verified Purchase
Tracy Carvalho
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 5
Fun easy to read way to see how the wealthy stay wealthy
Format: Paperback
Mark Quann’s Be Smart Pay Zero Taxes is an eye-opening, engaging, and highly informative guide that challenges everything most of us think we know about taxes, wealth, and the financial system. With his "Buy, Borrow, Die" strategy, Quann presents a bold new way to build and preserve wealth—legally and ethically—while minimizing tax liability. One of the things that really stands out about this book is how approachable and enjoyable it is to read. Quann has a knack for breaking down complex financial concepts into bite-sized, digestible pieces. Whether you're a finance newbie or have been managing your own portfolio for years, you'll find the material easy to grasp and even fun to read. The tone is conversational, and the author's humor and wit shine through, making the book a far cry from the dry, overly technical finance books out there. What I loved most was how Quann exposes the ways in which the banking industry and the government have duped ordinary people into believing we have no choice but to pay exorbitant taxes. He takes a deep dive into the financial system and reveals how the wealthiest individuals have been using clever strategies for years to legally avoid paying significant taxes. The “Buy, Borrow, Die” method isn’t just some gimmick; it’s a smart and effective way to sidestep the tax traps most of us fall into. Quann’s perspective will make you question everything from your investment strategies to the way you think about saving and building wealth. This book empowers you with a strategy that not only helps you protect your wealth but also ensures that you're making the most of what you've worked so hard for. By the end, you’ll realize that we’ve been sold a false narrative about taxes and money, and there’s a much smarter way to approach wealth-building. Overall, Be Smart Pay Zero Taxes is a must-read for anyone who wants to get ahead financially. It’s a wake-up call wrapped in a fun and easy-to-read package. If you're ready to take control of your financial future and start building wealth like the ultra-wealthy, this book is the perfect place to start. Highly recommended!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2025

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