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)

Master piece

This is an amazing book. The author did a great job describing the trials and tribulations one of the most gifted French general was subjected to just of his skin color. A must read.

History well written, The Black Count is extraordinary!!!

I loved this book. I ended up buying a hard copy because I liked listening to it so much. While unraveling the life of General Dumas a wonderful homage to the historical battles and conquest of the French Revolution is beautifully woven into this story. It is not a dull biography of facts and details, but a well told story of the triumphs and trials of an 18th century Frenchman/ “American.” While his many accomplishments are celebrated the details relating to the French Revolution are part of the story. It’s not the whole story though and that’s what makes the novel so interesting. The life of a biracial aristocrat in France is another caveat to the extraordinary life of General Dumas. Race and race relations are laid out in a less poignant, more matter of fact fashion that makes it clear how color lines were drawn.
The frame story is a tale of adventure, mystery, and intrigue in itself. I’d recommend this book to any reader, but especially those that like historical nonfiction!

What a magnificent man told in a spectacular fashion

I would highly recommend for anyone who has an interest in historical stories of amazing individuals. The author does an excellent job of describing both the story of General Dumas and the times in which he lived. The struggles and triumphs he experienced were monumental and the way the story is told is fantastic. A must read

Accessible book packed with stories and knowledge

The Black Count is a quick read packed with a lot of interesting information.

First of all, this book is the most accurate depiction of the life of Alex Dumas, the first black European general. Why no one was interested in learning more about the General is baffling. He lives the life of a hero in a novel, acting boldly in a changing world.

Dumas’ life also touches many parts of European history. The European and Arab slave trade, the French Revolution, the Haitian revolution, the origins of modern Italy, European medicine, race relations in Europe, Egyptian culture and even revolutionaries in India cross path with Dumas. How the author gives out so much information without feeling tedious is amazing.

Enlightening!!

This was a fascinating look into the forgotten history of one of France’s true republican heroes! It also serves as a stark reminder of the degree to which humanity has deprived itself due to racist attitudes and beliefs. It also reminds us that the enlightened principles which undergirded the French Revolution, just like those for the American Revolution, were mere lofty words on paper in light of the way that each of those societies treated their most marginalized members thereafter—in direct contradiction to those lofty words!

My personal takeaway: In a world of Napoleons, be a Dumas!

Also, the narration may be the best I have heard from any narrator—he was outstanding!

The story behind the greatest novelist of all time

The Black Count starts off as a marvelous, brave tale describing the way blacks were treated in France the 2 centuries before before Napoleon Bonaparte came into power, and the influence thereafter on the unlikely man who would become Alexander Dumas who would then give us the magnificent Count of Monte Cristo and it's more famous brother, The Three Musketeers.

The author masterfully gives us 2 hours of background in the centuries leading up to the birth of Dumas' father known as "The Black Count" and then the unlikely story of Dumas' rise to fame, not only because he was a genius of a writer. He was a grand character (both men, really) in this snappy rendition of the slightly mysterious Alexander Dumas... a huge celebrity during his time here who left this world at much too young of an age.

I don't like to give away everything in a review, and I'll continue that tradition here, but if you are a lover of Dumas' books as I am (TCOMC is my favorite book of all time), then you will love this well told story of how it came to be that an obese mulatto becomes one of the most cherished authors of all time and a major celebrity during his all too brief life in Paris.

This is a great book for history lovers, biography lovers and really, anyone interested in black culture or in ancient France (and how their policies toward blacks may have shaped our own 200 years ago) and just about anyone else. It is a joyous, intriguing story of how one of how this great, great author came to be and lived his life and how his father's life shaped his own. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It's one of the best books I have listened to in so long. I am giving 5 stars for narration, but it's nothing special, except that it is expertly done. It's a straightforward read, since there are no "characters" to play. It's the story that really shines here.

By all means, treat yourself to this wonderful little known bit of history. You will be a richer person for doing it. And if you haven't read the unabridged The Count of Monte Cristo yet, you won't be able to resist after this. I'll probably have to re-listen to it now. Be sure to look for the one read by John Lee, available on Audible.com, which is so masterfully read and executed.

~~ML

Excellent historical perspective

If you could sum up The Black Count in three words, what would they be?

History made palpable.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Black Count?

The most poignantly memorable story in the book was of the Alex Dumas statue in Paris being paid for by Sarah Bernhardt and another individual (whose name escapes me) to honor the memory Alex Dumas. It almost mirrored the sad history of the man himself. The statue was built, but was not officially opened and was ultimately destroyed by Nazi despots during WWII.

Which scene was your favorite?

Alex Dumas holding off the Austrians at the pass.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

It doesn't need a tagline, as the title is perfect!

Any additional comments?

I don't know what possessed Tom Reiss to research this book so carefully and write it, but I thank him for doing so. If I taught history, I would use this book in my class!

An important historical portrait

Where does The Black Count rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The best history I've listened to on Audible.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Count

What does Paul Michael bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Clarity and pronunciation of the French names, places and words.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The book's tag line is great.

Any additional comments?

Would love to discover other untold stories of historical characters of color.

The Real Count of Monte Cristino

Outstanding research and presentation of the story of a great French hero who, as the son of a white French nobleman and his black slave, overcame racism. A touching story of the famous French novelist Alexandre Dumas’s father. General Thomas-Alexandre Dumas’ strength and courage became part of the characters in many of his son’s wonderful novels, especially “The Count of Monte Christo.” This is a must read for those interested in history, especially the French Revolution, the Napoleonic wars, and France’s lead in the abolition of slavery. In 2013 this book was awarded the Pulitzer Prize.

Nourishing and informative

Fascinating recounting of history, war, slavery, race, and one remarkable man amidst it all. Excellent and nourishing book well read and amazingly researched