Sample
  • 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
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (2,090 ratings)

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The Black Count

By: Tom Reiss
Narrated by: Paul Michael
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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 familiarbecause 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 slavewho 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 Revolutionuntil 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)

What listeners say about The Black Count

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The count

One of the best I have ever read proving truth is stranger and more powerful than fiction

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Great

This is a very good story about a man who deserves much more credit in France. His treatment after his service was trully heart breaking.

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Great book

Would you listen to The Black Count again? Why?

Amazing true stiry

What other book might you compare The Black Count to and why?

The Count of Monti Cristois the only book that can compare.

What about Paul Michael’s performance did you like?

pretty good

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

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Fabulous

A compelling and fast-paced book that touches on a huge number of topics — the French Revolution, colonialism, the Napoleonic Wars, even capsule histories of Naples, voodoo, and Egypt. Both an adventure story and a devastating account of France’s civic rot under Napoleon. Strong recommendation.

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The French Black General Excluded From History

A striking and reveting account of the birth of the French republic, the death and rebirth of race laws and the Black French general who lived, fought and died for his country. A tremendous story showing human nature and how soon nations forget their heros

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This was an excellent book.

Any additional comments?

I had just gotten done with "The Count of Monte Cristo" and had just learned about Dumas' interesting ancestry when this came out so it was perfect timing. I liked learning about the history of the time period in France and the Caribbean as well as the biographical details. Dumas' time spent in Egypt with the French forces was especially interesting to me. Very interesting and narrated expertly.

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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.

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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!

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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

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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.

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