Format: ebook
Published: September 3rd, 2020
Age: Adult
Genre: Non-Fiction – History
Goodreads
Rating: 3/5 Stars
I really wanted to like this one much more than I did. But my reading experience was less because it’s not a great book and more, I think, that I am not the target audience for this. This book is not for more ‘casual’ readers, and reads more like it’s aimed for an academic audience.
The book is a detailed account of Toussaint Louverture’s life, with a heavy focus on his career as a revolutionary, leader, and politician. A fascinating figure, who was ultimately captured and imprisoned by Napoleon, cementing him as a martyr. We get detailed accounts of his battles, his dealings with the Americans, British, and French, and a comprehensive idea of what he would come to represent. It did feel, however, like the book was missing just a bit more about his personal life, though it does include the basic details of his family.
It was very detailed, however, and read as fairly balanced, pointing out his successes and failures, showing enough of both in writing that read as objective, allowing the reader to make up their own mind. It’s a good approach, but it also meant the book overall read as very dry. There are a lot of names, dates and battles, which I know others will appreciate much, much more than me.
I came out of this book glad to have learnt a lot about Toussaint Louverture and Haiti, but conscious of the fact a lot of it kind of went over my head, though I feel more aware of what the gaps in my knowledge are. He is definitely a very fascinating figure; complicated, intelligent, and with an ability to draw together the different fractions, classes and races living on Haiti at the time, as well as dancing around various diplomats to ensure his own way was followed.
I think if you know more about Toussaint Louverture himself, Haiti and the revolution, and the history of French colonies, and want to discover more about this man, you would get a lot out of it. Similarly, if your history focus is more academic based, and you don’t mind dry text, this is a well put together biography of a key figure in history, and does an excellent job of outlining the important moments of his life.
Reading Challenge
Musicals Reading Challenge 2024
Prompt: Les Misérables – Do You Hear the People Sing – A book featuring a rebellion or revolution
Progress: 1/24 Completed
Unwrapping Words 