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3rd out of 31 books
—
5 voters
Haiti: The Aftershocks of History
A passionate and insightful account by a leading historian of Haiti that traces the sources of the country's devastating present back to its turbulent and traumatic history
Even before the 2010 earthquake destroyed much of the country, Haiti was known as a benighted place of poverty and corruption. Maligned and misunderstood, the nation has long been blamed by many for its...more
Even before the 2010 earthquake destroyed much of the country, Haiti was known as a benighted place of poverty and corruption. Maligned and misunderstood, the nation has long been blamed by many for its...more
Hardcover, 448 pages
Published
January 3rd 2012
by Metropolitan Books
(first published April 12th 2011)
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Indispensable for anyone seriously interested in Haiti, but also an engrossing. Laurent Dubois is a wonderful storyteller, bringing to life characters I knew little about, including Antenor Firmin, and humanizing figures who had become caricatures, like Henri Christophe. In Dubois' telling, Haiti has been a site of constant struggle; he doesn't answer whether and how its ends might be achieved.
Dubois also weaves in stories about people who have told stories about Haiti; he's ever alert to the w...more
Dubois also weaves in stories about people who have told stories about Haiti; he's ever alert to the w...more
I kept thinking, "Why did I not know this?" There are many lessons for today to be learned. Haiti bled itself dry to pay off the French "debt" ( they "owed" the French for the slaves and plantations that they liberated). This instead of spending on education, public health, housing, communications ... And today neo-liberal capitalists are grinding us down with calls for "Austerity! Rigor! Cut backs!" Haiti tried that, and look how much good it did the people there. Excellent example of illegitim...more
A good overall history of Haiti - starting from way back in the colonial period and taking you all the way through the quake, albeit with most detail focused early on. I enjoyed the focus on the earlier periods, since many other books deal more with recent political events. I also enjoyed the author's incorporation of Haitian writings and speeches, which left me feeling that if I wanted to explore a particular period further I had options. I did find that some era were treated in perhaps more de...more
I wanted to go to Haiti, one of the places that I thought of visiting during my gap year before going up to university. At school I read Graham Greene’s novel The Comedians, set in the Haiti of Papa Doc Duvalier, horrible and fascinating at one and the same time. Add to that my discoveries about Vodou and my subsequent reading into Haiti’s past then the magnetism became compelling. But I was warned against going; it was too dangerous, the place was too unsettled, there were too many risks. I wen...more
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This is a wonderful read for anyone seriously interested in Haiti. It left me with a desire to know more and a lasting fascination with the Haitian people. Dubois is a great writer who captures your attention by properly introducing characters in Haiti's history that have had lasting impacts, whether positive or negative. It is disturbing to learn about the injustice faced by the Haitian people over two centuries but encouraging to hear about their profound resilience and determination. The auth...more
There is a lot to get out of the story of Haiti. Its a nonstop story of sadness. And this book pretty much hits all that. My issue with it was that it's geared way too much towards ancient history. Far too much of the book is focused on the period of history dating back to the 1600's. The worst of course started with the French. They raped they country for all they could and only gave up control of the colony reluctantly. To make things worse, the French then insisted that Haiti pay reparations...more
Even before the 2010 earthquake destroyed much of the country, Haiti was known as a benighted place of poverty and corruption. Maligned and misunderstood, the nation has long been blamed by many for its own wretchedness. But as acclaimed historian Laurent Dubois makes clear, Haiti's troubled present can only be understood by examining its complex past. The country's difficulties are inextricably rooted in its founding revolution—the only successful slave revolt in the history of the world; the h...more
This is an excellent overview of Haitian history. It's very well written and informative, and provides some intriguing insights into the forces that have brought Haiti to its present sad state.
Since this is an authoritative work by a professor at Duke, I can't overlook one of the most egregious editorial errors I've seen in a long time: on page 292 the author refers to an American delegation that arrived in Haiti in 1930 to investigate conditions under the US military occupation as having been...more
Since this is an authoritative work by a professor at Duke, I can't overlook one of the most egregious editorial errors I've seen in a long time: on page 292 the author refers to an American delegation that arrived in Haiti in 1930 to investigate conditions under the US military occupation as having been...more
Started reading this in anticipation of my trip to Haiti with Habitat for Humanity, and took a long break for about a month or so while a blew through Breaking Bad on Netflix.
The book is ostensibly a review of the history of Haitian independence, and an examination of how that history shapes the country today, but Dubois does not really get into the latter, glossing over the last twenty years of Haitian history in the last 10 pages of the book. Maybe that's by design, though - as though the rea...more
The book is ostensibly a review of the history of Haitian independence, and an examination of how that history shapes the country today, but Dubois does not really get into the latter, glossing over the last twenty years of Haitian history in the last 10 pages of the book. Maybe that's by design, though - as though the rea...more
This carefully researched and finely written book will be the standard for all future historians of Haiti. Laurent Dubois, Professor of Romance Studies and History at Duke University, provided the foundation for this narrative with his widely acclaimed "Avengers of the New World.” Now he has written a searing account of this nation born in liberation and facing relentless obstacles to true democracy, among them the United States. Dubois uncovers the social and political movements that have influ...more
I recommend this to ANYONE who wants to learn how Haiti became the country it is today and why. It is not a boring historical tome, but a very interesting and enlightening read. It should be required reading for EVERYONE considering going to Haiti, especially mission groups and aid groups. They should also read Dambisa Moyo's book, "Dead Aid: Why Aid is Not Working." Not because either is a perfect book, but both provide clues as to how to better help these struggling countries.
As an outsider who only had a basic knowledge of Haiti's history, I found the book to be interesting and informative. Dubois certainly attempts to avoid, or to complicate, the usual poverty/helplessness/Vodou lens with which Haiti is typically viewed. But I'm interested to learn how readers with a stronger sense of Haiti's history feel about his judgments of various political decisions and leaders - too harsh, too lenient or appropriate?
This review of the history of Haiti is mainly through a political history viewpoint but as well tries to give a explanation for the psyche of the Haitian peopleAlthough he mentions the brutalization of the people throughout their history and in particular mentions women as targets of sexual aggression he does not single out a male based culture as culprit.Still a good book especially if you can read what is not there.
It's interesting to me to read all these reviews about how wonderful and thrilling this book is. I mean, I understand why, it is superbly written, but it is also a very depressing and sobering read. It helps to understand Haitian history, but also the histories of France, England, and the US. I mean, the chapter on the US occupation... I wish similar writings were included in American history texts. It might help people understand why American soldiers are not always happily greeted when they sh...more
My son is in Haiti and has been for over a year. I wanted a book that would give me some history of the country before I went to visit him. This book definitely did that. Quite the political struggle. I would have to reread it and make a diagram of all the rulers to fully remember it.
Poorly put together, I felt like he jumped around a lot and the book could have been improved by sticking to a more strictly chronological telling.
Stressed me out reading it. They've been through the ringer. Made me think twice about "helping" there. And convinced me more than i'm already convinced that people just need to mind their own damn business.
Pages365 to 370 are especially thought provoking and worth a read.
Stressed me out reading it. They've been through the ringer. Made me think twice about "helping" there. And convinced me more than i'm already convinced that people just need to mind their own damn business.
Pages365 to 370 are especially thought provoking and worth a read.
Mar 11, 2013
Phyllis
added it
Dubois provides a much more positive review of Haiti through a historical review of its colonial history and its revolution.--the only successful slave revolt in the history of the world. Even after its independence France continue to strangle Haiti financially into the next century. "Colonial Saint-Dominque had been constructed around a hierarchical social order, an autocratic and militarized political system and an export-oriented economy. From the moment of its founding to the present day, Ha...more
Really good balanced histortical overview of Haiti. Fascinating to read the legacies in Haiti that seem to plague Haiti over and over again.
Very interesting. Wish there had been more about the last. 50 years. Perhaps that's for the next book or maybe people are afraid to talk
Best and most comprehensive book on Haitian history I have read. Thank you, Mr. Dubois.
A great and highly readable history of Haiti that explains a lot.
This is a must read if you are interested in Haitian history. (I also recommend The Black Jacobins). Dubois does a great job of unravelling and reweaving the complexity of actors and events that have shaped what we find today in Haiti. I learned a lot from this book and really enjoyed reading it.
Fantastic! This book is a fascinating, entertaining read. It reads like a thriller and you learn all kinds of things about Haiti and the world, during all different time periods. You feel as if you're actually there. You absorb the experience.
A must read for anyone legitimately curious about the fundamental reasons behind Haiti's ongoing struggles. Also an effective example of what happens when a democracy is perverted in one way or another.
The introduction alone is so informative that I read it aloud to our group of 20 in Haiti last week! Can't wait to read more.
This is a good book if you are like, "What is the deal with Haiti?"
Great book! Learned alot about Haiti.
May 23, 2013
Diane Vermette
marked it as to-read
May 22, 2013
Emily Wilson
added it
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