4.0
The Black Jacobins
ByPublisher Description
A powerful and impassioned historical account of the largest successful revolt by enslaved people in history: the Haitian Revolution of 1791–1803
“One of the seminal texts about the history of slavery and abolition.... Provocative and empowering.” —The New York Times Book Review
The Black Jacobins, by Trinidadian historian C. L. R. James, was the first major analysis of the uprising that began in the wake of the storming of the Bastille in France and became the model for liberation movements from Africa to Cuba. It is the story of the French colony of San Domingo, a place where the brutality of plantation owners toward enslaved people was horrifyingly severe.
And it is the story of a charismatic and barely literate enslaved person named Toussaint L’Ouverture, who successfully led the Black people of San Domingo against successive invasions by overwhelming French, Spanish, and English forces—and in the process helped form the first independent post-colonial nation in the Caribbean.
With a new introduction (2023) by Professor David Scott.
“One of the seminal texts about the history of slavery and abolition.... Provocative and empowering.” —The New York Times Book Review
The Black Jacobins, by Trinidadian historian C. L. R. James, was the first major analysis of the uprising that began in the wake of the storming of the Bastille in France and became the model for liberation movements from Africa to Cuba. It is the story of the French colony of San Domingo, a place where the brutality of plantation owners toward enslaved people was horrifyingly severe.
And it is the story of a charismatic and barely literate enslaved person named Toussaint L’Ouverture, who successfully led the Black people of San Domingo against successive invasions by overwhelming French, Spanish, and English forces—and in the process helped form the first independent post-colonial nation in the Caribbean.
With a new introduction (2023) by Professor David Scott.
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4.0
Ahmad Alexander
Created 12 days agoShare
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“"Yet Toussaint did not make the revolution. It was the revolution that made Toussaint. And even that is not the whole truth." C.L.R. James’ The Black Jacobins is not simply a history of the Haitian Revolution, but a story of revolution itself. More than just a rebellion against slavery, it was a world shattering upheaval that dismantled colonial rule and redefined the notion of freedom. James places the revolution within a broader historical framework, drawing connections across time and space to underscore its global significance. At the heart of this transformation is Toussaint Louverture, whom James portrays as both a brilliant strategist and a leader ensnared by the contradictions of the revolution, contradictions that ultimately led to his downfall.
One of James’ key arguments is that the revolution was driven from below, by the masses. While Toussaint played an undeniably crucial role, it was the collective action of the formerly enslaved people that turned them into a revolutionary force capable of defeating Bonaparte’s army. Under the leadership of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, they would go on to secure Haiti’s independence in 1804.
Though James holds Toussaint in high regard, he does not shy away from critiquing him. Toussaint’s steadfast allegiance to France clouded his understanding of the evolving dynamics of the revolution. While he skillfully outmaneuvered European powers, including the French and the British, and abolished slavery, his leadership often distanced him from the very people he sought to liberate. His focus on diplomacy and governance led him to rely on a small circle of advisors, and his top-down approach alienated the masses. Rather than engaging directly with the masses, he assumed they would accept his vision without question or explanation.
This disconnect made him vulnerable. When Napoleon Bonaparte sought to reclaim Saint-Domingue, Toussaint miscalculated both the loyalty of his generals and the true intentions of the French. Lured into negotiations, he was captured without resistance and exiled to France, where he died in a prison cell. Yet, despite his fall, the revolution did not die with him. His subordinates, particularly Dessalines, continued the fight, leading to Haiti’s eventual victory and independence.
James makes a compelling case for the Haitian Revolution as one of the most radical and transformative uprisings in modern history. The Black Jacobins is essential reading, not only for understanding Haiti's past but also for understanding the broader struggles against colonialism and racial capitalism that echo throughout later movements. Through his very detailed analysis, James explores the complexities of leadership, the dynamics of power, and the challenges of achieving true liberation. The book remains a powerful reminder of how revolutions are shaped by both individual actions and collective forces, and how their outcomes depend on navigating the contradictions inherent in the pursuit of freedom.
I’d highly recommend this book to anyone, especially if you want a detailed account of the Haitian Revolution or want to understand the general struggles of guiding a revolution from start to finish. 10/10!!”Channell Walker
Created 15 days agoShare
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“If you want to learn about a slave rebellion in the 1790s then this is the book for you.
Up until I saw this book at B&N I had not heard of The Black Jacobins. It makes me think of the Jacobites from Scottish history and the Outlander series.
This book is full of historical nuggets. The views on white supremacy, fear of Black people who outnumbered the whites, and the handling of the mixed race people who became too rich. It also covers the diplomacy of the time. It did not go the way I was expecting. Specifically, Toussaint L’Ouverture is a good example of how important communication is to the masses. He was a military man who gave orders and assumed people would obey without question. That hurt his campaign more than anything else.”Neena Albarus
Created 15 days agoShare
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Lyn M
Created 25 days agoShare
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Amber🌿
Created 28 days agoShare
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“This book provided me with my first real glimpse into the Haitian Revolution, offering a thorough account of the events that led to it and fueled the movement. While the focus is primarily on Toussaint Louverture's personal involvement, the author also includes broader context beyond this key figure. However, I should note that the book can be quite dense, especially if you are not familiar with the background of the events. I recommend watching a short documentary to understand the chronological timeline before diving into this book. This background will help you appreciate the author's analysis of how class, race, and revolution played crucial roles in this conflict. Ultimately, this was an inspiring revolt, and I believe it is essential reading for everyone, as it encourages future generations to stand against those who use power to oppress others.”
About C.L.R. James
C. L. R. JAMES (1901-1989) was a Trinidadian-born historian, literary critic, and philosopher, and a leader of the pan-African movement. A prodigious and eclectic intellectual, he debated Marcus Garvey in England, confronted Trotsky in Mexico, and influenced leaders of African revolutions including Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana. He is perhaps best remembered for his 1938 masterwork, The Black Jacobins, the first major analysis of the Haitian Revolution in the context of the French Revolution. In addition to his works of history and his political activism, he was known for sports writing, playwriting, and fiction; his novel Minty Alley, written in 1927, was the first by a Black person from the West Indies to be published in Britain and his 1963 book, Beyond a Boundary, has been hailed as the best book on cricket ever written.
Other books by C.L.R. James
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