In 1789 the West Indian colony of San Domingo supplied two-thirds of the overseas trade of France. The entire structure of what was arguably the most profitable colony in the world rested on the labour of half a million slaves. In 1791 the waves of unrest inspired by the French Revolution reached across the Atlantic dividing the loyalties of the white population of the island. The brutally treated slaves of Saint Domingo seized at this confusion and rose up in rebellion against masters. In thisclassic work, CLR James chronicles the only successful slave revolt in history and provides a critical portrait of their leader, Toussaint L'Ouverture, 'one of the most remarkable men of a period rich in remarkable men'.
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From the Back Cover
The Black Jacobins is introduced by Professor James Walvin whose other books include Black Ivory, An African's Life, Making the Black Atlantic and Britain's Slave Empire.
'A starting point and an intellectual inspiration ... a classic of masterly historical writing.' James Walvin
'One of the last great polymaths ... has gained worldwide recognition for The Black Jacobins, his study of the slave revolt in Haiti.' Sunday Times
'The black Plato of our generation ... the founding father of African emancipation.' The Times
'Contains some of the finest and most deeply felt polemical writing against slavery and racism ever to be published, and it locates the Caribbean and Caribbean society firmly on the world stage.' Time Out
About the Author
C L R James was born in Trinidad in 1901 and was one of the prominent figures in the West Indian diaspora. He wrote extensively on Caribbean history, Marxist theory, literary criticism, Western civilisation, African politics, cricket and popular culture. He died in 1989.
James Walvin is Professor of modern history at the University of York and is co-editor of the journal 'Slavery and Abolition'.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Simply, this is one of THE MOST IMPORTANT books to be written on the colonial history of the Caribbean and on the (little discussed) defeat of the most powerful European nations of the day - by Africans - in the creation of HAITI, which may be the first African state to be created outside of mainland Africa, in the modern age.
The book would appeal to any reader as it is written in a lucid and narrative style by one of the Caribbean's greatest writers and thinkers - the highly acclaimed Mr CLR James, who took great care to research the evidence contained in the book. I cannot thank and honour him enough for this achievement he left to add to our great heritage.
The book would appeal to any reader as it is written in a lucid and narrative style by one of the Caribbean's greatest writers and thinkers - the highly acclaimed Mr CLR James, who took great care to research the evidence contained in the book. I cannot thank and honour him enough for this achievement he left to add to our great heritage.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By alexcamelbag
Format:Paperback
This book opens with a graphic description of the horrors of the slave trade.It brings to life the terrible images from the era which i thought i comprehended in some small way. The barbarity of the times and the conditions of everyday life not only for the african victims but the vile way of life that the europeans created for themselves is shocking.The book describes a world in which life had very little value and often ended in the most awful ways-disease,murder,starvation claimed many more peope than old age. It is an amazing story of the staggering wealth the west indies brought europe and france in particular. As an insight of what lay behind the great pomp and grandeur of the french state and its betrayal and double dealing with its foriegn colonies it is af real interest.Its parralleling of the french revolution and how it played out in the colonies brings to light a lot of the underlying forces of the revolution and the politics of the new society being molded.the betrayel of the french masses and their support for the freeing of black slaves and all the oppressed reveals how the revolutionary cause was undermined by the elites with little concern for morality or human decency. It is a real shame how the great sacrifices made on both sides of the atlantic seldom benifitted those that made them.The author describes with great sympathy and understanding the central characters,introducing this reader to a cast of characters i new absolutely nothing about.. And although it does read like a book from the 30's it is rigourous in its attempt to be faithful to the past and also be relevant to our present.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Outside of Haiti, Toussaint L'Ouverture's historical exploits have largely gone unnoticed, mainly because
he stood up to Europes most formidable armies (the British, the French & the Spainiards).
CLR James' excellent book tells us how this great general inspired the slaves of San Domingo to rise up in revolt against
the murderous regime of slavery. He defeated - time after time - Europe's elite armies, including standing up to Napoleon's
formidable military forces (many of L'Ouverture's military tactics were then copied throughout the century).
When the French army where about to invade the island of Haiti, L'Ouverture gave a rousing speech to his indomitable troops:
'My children, France comes to make us slaves [again]. God gave us liberty; France has no right to take
it away. Burn the cities, destroy the harvests, tear up the roads with cannon, poison the wells, show
the white man the hell he comes to make'.
L'Ouverture's tactical nous in the battle field was so good that he had to be tricked into a cowardly capture.
Like one reviewer has already mentioned, I am also surprised that no major film company hasn't made a movie about this puissant general to-date.
L'Ouverture's exploits were so good, that Europe - and to some extent America - made sure that the people of Haiti
suffered through economic sanctions, that today, they are now one of the poorest nations in the world, and will always go
cap in hand to other countries for financial help.
I would recommend 'The Black Jacobins' to anyone who wants to read about a man who had principles, and stood
his ground against the evils of bondage, and held out against all the odds ... a riveting page turning read!
he stood up to Europes most formidable armies (the British, the French & the Spainiards).
CLR James' excellent book tells us how this great general inspired the slaves of San Domingo to rise up in revolt against
the murderous regime of slavery. He defeated - time after time - Europe's elite armies, including standing up to Napoleon's
formidable military forces (many of L'Ouverture's military tactics were then copied throughout the century).
When the French army where about to invade the island of Haiti, L'Ouverture gave a rousing speech to his indomitable troops:
'My children, France comes to make us slaves [again]. God gave us liberty; France has no right to take
it away. Burn the cities, destroy the harvests, tear up the roads with cannon, poison the wells, show
the white man the hell he comes to make'.
L'Ouverture's tactical nous in the battle field was so good that he had to be tricked into a cowardly capture.
Like one reviewer has already mentioned, I am also surprised that no major film company hasn't made a movie about this puissant general to-date.
L'Ouverture's exploits were so good, that Europe - and to some extent America - made sure that the people of Haiti
suffered through economic sanctions, that today, they are now one of the poorest nations in the world, and will always go
cap in hand to other countries for financial help.
I would recommend 'The Black Jacobins' to anyone who wants to read about a man who had principles, and stood
his ground against the evils of bondage, and held out against all the odds ... a riveting page turning read!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
well written historical book
this is a well written history of struggle for justice
Book arrived safely and was well packed.....as usual.
Very interesting.reading.
Book arrived safely and was well packed.....as usual.
Very interesting.reading.
Published 2 months ago by welsh_webb
4.0 out of 5 stars
From St. Dominigue to Haiti via Toussant L'Ouverture
This is a great book by a great author. It concerns the French colony of St. Dominique, how it was affected by the French Revolution and how it became Haiti. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mac McAleer
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Black Jacobins:Toussaint L'Ouverture and the San Domingo...
This book is a must for anyone who is interested in the history of the transportation of slaves between continents. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Amonavis
4.0 out of 5 stars
Important but aged
When this was published in 1938 it was a like a landmine went off in the historical world and it opened a treasure trove in to Carabbean history. Read more
Published 21 months ago by D. J. Andrews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Historical treasure for all Caribbeans and Africans to behold
This is one of the, if not the most, important books to be written concerning the 'Atlantic Slave Trade' and European imperialism/colonisation in the 'West Indies'/Caribbean. Read more
Published on 26 July 2009 by Joan Tustain
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read it, you won't regret it!
Fantastic book. The revolt led by Toussaint de L'Ouverture is the only successful slave revolt in history. Read more
Published on 30 Oct 2007 by Andrew Ford
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- Books > History > Countries & Regions > Central America & Caribbean > Caribbean Islands > Dominican Republic
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- Books > History > Countries & Regions > South America
- Books > History > Other Historical Subjects > Slavery
- Books > History > World History > 1751-1900
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