The Black Count

Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo

By: Tom Reiss

Narrated by: Paul Michael

Length: 13 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR BIOGRAPHY • ONE OF ESQUIRE’S BEST BIOGRAPHIES OF ALL TIME

General Alex Dumas is a man almost unknown today, yet his story is strikingly familiar—because his son, the novelist Alexandre Dumas, used his larger-than-life feats as inspiration for such classics as The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers.

But, hidden behind General Dumas's swashbuckling adventures was an even more incredible secret: he was the son of a black slave—who rose higher in the white world than any man of his race would before our own time. Born in Saint-Domingue (now Haiti), Alex Dumas made his way to Paris, where he rose to command armies at the height of the Revolution—until he met an implacable enemy he could not defeat.

The Black Count is simultaneously a riveting adventure story, a lushly textured evocation of 18th-century France, and a window into the modern world’s first multi-racial society. TIME magazine called The Black Count "one of those quintessentially human stories of strength and courage that sheds light on the historical moment that made it possible." But it is also a heartbreaking story of the enduring bonds of love between a father and son.

©2012 Tom Reiss (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"From pike-wielding mobs to prisoners locked in a fortress tower, The Black Count, a fascinating, detailed account of the life of Alexandre Dumas' father, is as action packed as The Count of Monte Cristo. Unlike Dumas' famous adventure novel, however, Reiss' incredible tale is true." (Candice Millard, New York Times best-selling author of The River of Doubt and Destiny of the Republic)

2013, NAACP Image Award, Nominated

2012, National Book Critics Circle Awards, Finalist

2013, PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for Biography, Short-listed

2013, Phillis Wheatley Book Award, Short-listed

2012, Plutarch Award, Finalist

2013, Pulitzer Prize, Winner

“Rousing and thought-provoking, The Black Count is an adventure like no other. I marveled at every twist and turn of this remarkable true story, brought to life with the charm and personal touch that has become the trademark of Tom Reiss.” (Laurence Bergreen, New York Times bestselling author of Columbus and Over the Edge of the World)

Great research of history

A wonderful story of a great man based on research and documentation. A sad story of racism. Well written. Provides the history of the French Revolution in context with other world events.

The real story behind The Count of Monte Christo

The novel takes on new life when you know that Alexander Dumas’ own father’s exploits fueled much of the history and backdrop for his novel, The Count of Monte Christo. The real count’s life was a swashbuckling affair.

excellent

Turns out I like historical novels more than I would have thought. this was such a fantastic listen.

a must read

This story of an 18th century Hercules should be one that all are the world's people are familiar with.

Great Story!

I can’t believe I’d never heard of this story before! Not only that, it actually does a great job going over the chronology and pivotal moments of the French Revolution.

Enlightening

I was glad to have come across this book. I appreciate the historical super sleuths who seek to find truths that have been disregarded or hidden and bring them to light for the greater good. I enjoyed hearing historical facts about General Dumas.

History Discovered

Any additional comments?

Wow! This book opened insights I never had to the "3 Musketeer's" author and his father. I thought the book got off to a slow start, with the author spending a good deal of time as to his gathering of the information, but once it got into the story, it was fascinating.

Wow -- How did I know about this guy???

This is, frankly, a really weird, inspiring, and surprising story. The most surprising thing is .. HOW HAVE I NOT HEARD OF THIS GUY?? A real life swashbuckler, born a slave, raised an aristocrat, a superhero soldier, a commander of armies, a key player in some of the most important events in French History and father to one of the most famous authors.

Extraordinary

The author did a wonderful job in telling the story of Alex Dumas through the lenses of his son and certain historical counts. I loved the way the author provided a history lesson of certain events in France, Haiti, Egypt, et.Wonderfully read. This book is a must. Learn history of aa great figure in black history.

Simply remarkable

I never thought a non-fiction book could make me cry. This one moved me more deeply than any other I’ve read.