Toussaint Louverture

A Revolutionary Life

By: Philippe Girard

Narrated by: Paul Woodson

Toussaint Louverture's life was one of hardship, triumph, and contradiction. He was born a slave on Saint-Domingue, yet earned his freedom and established himself as a small-scale planter. He even purchased slaves of his own.

Philippe Girard shows how Louverture transformed himself from lowly freedman into revolutionary hero as the mastermind of the bloody slave revolt of 1791. By 1801, Louverture was governor of the colony where he had once been a slave. But his lifelong quest to be accepted as a member of the colonial elite ended in despair: he spent the last year of his life in a French prison cell. His example nevertheless inspired anticolonial and Black nationalist movements well into the 20th century.

Based on voluminous primary-source research, conducted in archives across the world and in multiple languages, Toussaint Louverture is the definitive biography of one of the most influential men in history.

©2016 Philippe Girard (P)2016 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A compelling look at an extraordinary historical figure." (Library Journal)

How the French Ruined Haiti

I not 100% sure if Philippe Girard did his research, I did not fact check him. If his account of life in Haiti under French rule is 70% accurate - it 100% explains why Haiti is the lawless nation today.

I recommend this book to anyone that is interested why Haiti is the way it is today or really any colonized people or place.

Interesting book, fascinating facets of this mans life.

Louverture had to compromise so many ideals to get his end result. He had to be so many different people, frustrated with others lack of vision. In spite of his faith he shed so much blood... all I can say is power corrupts absolute. Over and over the lessons of history shine through.

Fact vs Illusion

The book is a must-read after the Black Jacobins. The man was a challenge for me but his humanity gives me mental rest when I am navigating personal revolution.

Very informative....

All in all this was a good book. Along with other books on the Haitian revolution it elucidated many unknown facts that the other books didn't bring forth. Worth listening to again for sure to better appreciate such a controversial character amidst history's timeline.

motivational

Amazing a man can be born a slave and by the time of death he was the leader of a nation...