From Dessalines to Duvalier Race, Colour, and National Independence in Haiti

Beginning with a brief consideration of the colonial period, this book discusses the part played by ideas of race and colour in Haiti since 1804, and their relationship to national independence. The basic thesis is that, while race has been a factor uniting Haitians in a determination to maintain their independence, colour prejudice has led to divisions and has been among the most important causes of the erosion of independence. This third edition of a work which has become a classic in the field, has a substantial new Preface dealing with the post-Duvalier years up to the return of President Aristide in 1994. It concludes with a comprehensive and critical bibliography of works published since the first edition appeared in 1979. Probably the best book written about Haitian history after its independence, a thorough, thoughtful, extremely well-researched work ...'