005 - Vaudoux

This captivating book blends history and travelogue, recounting a brief visit by a wealthy U.S. politician during a tumultuous era in Haiti’s past, marked by American invasion and occupation. Through Dryden’s eyes, we explore various facets of Haitian culture, including education, religion, and commerce, revealing a mix of optimism and the limitations of a casual observers perspective. One memorable chapter details his duck hunting expedition, illustrating the disconnect between privilege and the lived realities of the Haitian people. Despite its shortcomings, this account sheds light on how many perceived Haiti’s complex situation in the early twentieth century. Summary by Larry Wilson.