Citizen Toussaint

by Ralph Korngold

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Summary

A figure of importance, as military leader, governor & administrator, as Negro leader of a just cause, this is an understanding & intelligent biography of the Haitian patriot & martyr, Toussaint Louverture, whose rise from slavery to ruler of his country was marked by the worldwide interest in freedom. Haitian history backgrounds his life with its interplay of Spanish, French & English forces, & the internal struggle between the upper & lower class whites, the mulattoes & the Negroes. Self-taught, Toussaint made no break from slavery until spark of insurrection was fanned, & then, rose rapidly to power. He disciplined his troops in guerilla tactics, joined with Spain, only to become France's ally against the British. The slaves emancipated, he battled Napoleon who wished to restore slavery. Deserted by his officers, treacherously betrayed, Toussaint died in a French prison without any kind of honor. Instructive & informative reading for these days.--Kirkus (edited)

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