Toussaint L'Ouverture: a biography and autobiography.

by John R. Beard, Toussaint Louverture

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Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction

378 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1863

About the author

John Relly Beard was an English Unitarian minister and was a co-founder of Unitarian College, Manchester. Beard published over 30 books which included popular education manuals, biographies and theological works.

Reviews

[kobushi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slavery is bad and it’s a good thing we have had revolts to end it. A statement obviously most (I hope, gosh I hope!) agree with but the reality of today points to a different picture. Nevertheless, learning from the past—seeing how truly oppressive societies where slavery not only existed, but was an absolutely integral and open part of life getting their just desserts is both a feast for the historical appetite and a learning experience all in one. America in the mid 1800’s may be the example most turn to, but if one wanted to stay within the Eurosphere, going back some decades and still remaining within America one could find an almost more powerful, more explosive, and obviously more violent precursor in Haiti where a hell on earth thanks to Toussaint Louverture went from a hell on earth to...well, these revolutions rarely turn out to be entirely clean affairs and nobody is going to doubt Haiti today is in the best of places. However, can the actions of one man have led to current events? A book written in 1863 at the height of the American Civil War is no source of real prophetic knowledge, but salient material it has in droves.

The island of Hispanola, we are told, was a boon to France and Spain as well. It was also a land where conflicts were bound to happen. Thus, if slavery was the driving point to turning an otherwise paradise to that hell on earth, it also was the wedge that led to revolution. What began in America spread and Louverture in some ways was in the perfect place at the perfect time. Our book covers his time leading up to revolution, and what came during, and later, after. Most engaging for me, a fan of source texts, are those source texts. John Relly Beard goes heavy on them and those who prefer battles only need to stick around to get past the halfway point where I feel the book is at its weakest: it may not be for everyone, but simply writing about wars from a birds eye view in spite of the action on the ground can be rather dreadful. But it should be kept in mind this was a book penned literally during the Civil War and an intention for sure of the author was reminding his readers why what happened in Haiti not too long ago matters now more than ever. A bias? Yes. Beard was against slavery and if one wants to discredit the book for leaning into that, then have at it.

Is there a theme to this book? Perhaps something Louverture is known for—perhaps something he said—more than anything else? Our author thinks so and I’m inclined to agree: three quarters in when the revolution is in full swing, we get this: “The justice of heaven will avenge my cause.” Hindsight helps us see what may have been harder to see then when the words were spoken and even decades later when the biography was penned. The first then, the events themselves, Haiti’s freeing itself from one pair of shackles only to put in another and Beard’s account written when there still stood a greater than zero chance slavery would remain America’s “peculiar institution”.

The book concludes on two interesting fronts with a—and I’m sorry to say, but a somewhat boring of an autobiography covering minute accounts of battle plans: the surprising similarities and contrasting elements between Louverture and Napoleon that I will let the book speak for itself below:

Similarities:

“Both born in a humble position, they raised to the height of power by the force of their genius and the intense energy of their character. Both gained renown in legislation and government as well as in war. Both fell the moment they had attained supreme authority. Both were betrayed by pretended friends and delivered into the hands of embittered foes. Both were severed from their families. Both finished their lives on a barren rock.”

Contrasts:

“Toussaint Louverture fought for liberty, Bonaparte fought for himself. Toussaint Louverture gained fame and power by leading an oppressed and injured race to the successful vindication of their rights. Bonaparte made himself a name and acquired a scepter by supplanting liberty and destroying nationalities in order to substitute his own illegitimate despotism. The fall of Toussaint Louverture was a voluntary retirement from power accompanied by voluntary renunciation of authority under circumstances which seemed to guarantee that freedom that attainment of which had been the sole object of his efforts. The fall of Bonaparte was the forced abdication of a throne which was regarded as a European nuisance and a dissent from which was a virtual acknowledgment that he had utterly failed in the purposes of his life.”

Secondly, the last section of the book after the autobiography features various third-party accounts of the man from a variety of sources. That this section is almost blandly titled ‘Notes and Testimonies’ may turn off readers thinking it’s nothing more than reference material (and in a way, it may be), but it’s definitely worth reading in full. Nevertheless, I feel while this is a very good biography, though it’s not a great one. The human element falls a bit flat, but given the time period it was written, getting it out as soon as possible was probably a very pressing concern.

[Jordan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fascinating subject but not the volume to read for literary or historical insight.

[David Anusontarangkul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never knew anything about Toussaint L'ouverture before reading this book. It was interesting to read about the history of French and Haiti and how skin color affected everything.

[Dayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toussaint L’ouverture s most famous quote: “By overthrowing me, you have only defeated the trunk of the tree of freedom; it will grow back because its roots are deep, numerous, and vivacious."

He stated this near his death, arguing that Haiti would become independent even after he died. If there is a reason to give praise to great men, then Toussaint L’ouverture should be first among men.

Toussaint L’ouverture (20 May 1743 – 7 April 1803), was a Haitian general and the most prominent leader of the Haitian Revolution.

During his life, L’ouverture first fought and allied with Spanish forces against Saint-Domingue (Haitian Royalists) then was elected Governor-General-for-life of Saint-Domingue, and lastly fought against Bonaparte's republican troops.

As a revolutionary leader, L’ouverture displayed military and political acumen that helped transform the fledgling slave rebellion into a revolutionary movement. Along with Jean-Jacques Dessalines, L’ouverture is now known as one of the "Fathers of Haiti".

Tribute in 1861 of Toussaint L’ouverture by the American, Wendell Phillips.

https://schlegiathanpost.wordpress.co...

[Lynette Caulkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

James K White is a fantastic narrator for this important historical selection. There are instances where the author exhibits patronizing word choices that were common at that time, but this is a far more balanced account than was typical of the era it was written in, and provides an understanding of Haiti that most people do not have.