Books by Eugene Brill
Explore the books of Eugene Brill—from coming-of-age historical fiction and travel memoirs to botanical journals inspired by a lifelong curiosity about history, human behavior and nature.
Browse my books below. If you’re reading The Wild Diamond Chronicles, don’t forget to visit the Insiders’ Companion for bonus content and historical background.
Books by author and photographer Eugene Brill. Every book begins with curiosity—whether it’s a diamond mine in South Africa, the centuries-old Camino pilgrimage in Spain, or the quiet beauty of a lizard in the garden.
Diamonds and Destiny
The first book in The Wild Diamond Chronicles.
During the final years of apartheid South Africa, Jacques van Heerden—a gifted but conflicted diamond dealer—is swept into a dangerous world of illicit trading, espionage, and political intrigue.
As criminals, intelligence operatives, and law enforcement close in, Jacques must choose between ambition and the quieter life he longs to build.
From South Africa’s diamond fields to Israel’s cutting factories, and from London’s cobbled streets to Amsterdam’s winding canals, Diamonds and Destiny is a coming-of-age historical adventure about loyalty, betrayal, and discovering where we truly belong.
- Perfect for readers who enjoy historical fiction, international intrigue, and unforgettable coming-of-age journeys.
- For readers of Khaled Hosseini, Anthony Doerr, and Wilbur Smith.
Botanica Obscura Softcover Notebook
Inspired by a personal field journal filled with pressed flowers, charcoal sketches, and fragments of observation, this notebook is designed for those drawn to nature, but not yet fluent in its language.
The pages are intentionally imperfect. Faint botanical images drift beneath the surface. Quotes appear like half-remembered thoughts.
The right-hand pages are left open—just a soft grid to guide your hand—as an invitation to sketch, note, and collect what catches your eye.
For the wannabe naturalist in all of us.
Walking the Camino: Between Destiny and Desperation Photo Book
Over twelve days and more than 400,000 steps, he navigated coastal winds, questionable “easy” routes, mysterious egg dishes, and the occasional slippery moss incident.
Along the way, he met pilgrims, shared stories, and confirmed at least one universal truth: take care of your feet. This photo book captures the journey in all its honesty—rain, wine, wrong turns, and all.
Part adventure. Some reflection. Part well-earned meal at the end of a long walk.
Read the blog posts here.
And yes… he really did walk the whole thing.
Lovable Little Garden Lizards
This book about the anole lizards contains 75+ high-quality photographs and takes a closer look the anole lizard, green and brown. The book covers their habitats, features, courtship, feeding habits and much more.
Green anoles settled in Florida long before humans. Brown anoles, on the other hand, are newcomers. They are Cuban immigrants whose ancestors arrived in the 1940s and 50s. It is believed that they were stowaways on banana boats, on cigar ships, and on lumber lines. In addition, the foreword is written by Robert A. Thomas, Ph.D. Read the official Press Release here. Preview the photobook here: Lovable Lizards Book
Lafreniere Park Photo Book
The Summer of 2020 will have different meanings and memories for people around the world. For me as a photographer and author, The Summer of 2020 will bring to mind walks in the park, that is Lafreniere Park, near New Orleans, Louisiana.
This Coffee Table book features a brief history of New Orleans; and the history, birds and wildlife of Lafreniere Park in the residential suburb of Metairie, on the outskirts of New Orleans, Louisiana. In addition, the foreword is written by Andrew Ward, Ph.D., co-founder HIV Awareness “iKnow” Music Project. Read the official Press Release here. Preview the photobook here: Lafreniere Park Photo Book
Nature Magazines
The relationship between nature, photography, story-telling, and life. Bringing the outdoors in, these publications combine stunning visual storytelling with a passion for conservation and the natural world.
Diamonds and Desperation
The second book in The Wild Diamond Chronicles. In March 2002, Jacques van Heerden walks the Camino de Santiago, seeking clarity after the collapse of ambition, trust, and carefully guarded illusions. As he crosses northern Spain, memories return of diamond speculation, corporate deception, imprisonment, and the unraveling of the Eureka Diamond and Exploration Company in the shadow of September 11, 2001. From southern Africa to Cornwall, St Andrews, and Manhattan, Jacques retraces the choices that shaped him. Along the ancient pilgrim road, he begins to question whether survival alone is enough — and whether nature offers another path.
- Book 2 – Diamonds and Desperation – Coming soon
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