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Toussaint Louverture:The Story of the Only Successful Slave Revolt in History
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Longlisted for the American Library in Paris Book Award
Winner of the American Book Award
Winner of the PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Award
PERHAPS THE GREATEST VICTORY OF THE OPPRESSED OVER THEIR OPPRESSORS IN ALL HISTORY
The end of slavery started in what was then San Domingo. In 1791, the enslaved people of the most prized French sugar plantation colony revolted against their masters. For over twelve years, against a backdrop of the French Revolution, they fought an epic black liberation struggle for control of the island. Theirs was the first and only successful slave revolution. It was the creation of Haiti as a nation, the first independent black republic outside of Africa, and an international inspiration to the persecuted and enslaved. This is the impassioned and beautifully drawn story of the Haitian Revolution and its incredible leader: Toussaint Louverture.
The text of this graphic novel is a play by C. L. R. James that opened in London in 1936 with Paul Robeson in the title role. For the first time, black actors appeared on the British stage in a work by a black playwright. The script had been lost for almost seventy years when a draft copy was discovered among James’s archives. Now this extraordinary drama has been reimagined by artists Nic Watts and Sakina Karimjee.
Reviews
One of the year's top works of nonfiction.
A very intense treatment of the uprising in Haiti that paralleled and deeply involved the French Revolution.
The adaptation is exciting, educational, and the perfect gift for the lefties in your life.
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The drawings are fantastic and the energy palpable on every page.
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A marvellous adaptation of one of the most important black history and slave history books ever written. C.L.R. James would be delighted.
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An epic work of graphic history – a compelling, dramatic, detailed, delicate, and human rendition of this incredible tale of resistance
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The inspiring spirit of the men, women and children who made the Haitian Revolution has been beautifully and vividly brought to life as never before. This extraordinary work is a wonderful tribute to not only C. L. R. James but also to the greatest ever movement to demand Black Lives Matter.
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A historically important story, cinematic drawings, a powerful work.
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The basis for this graphic novel is C. L. R. James' 1934 play, adapted by Watts and Karimjee; readers who don't know what to expect from the graphic-novel adaptation of a play will be pleased with the result...An important piece of history that shouldn't be forgotten.
Booklist -
Adapting C.L.R. James's 1934 play, Karimjee and Watts's evocative black-and-white drawings channel the rebellious spirit of the Haitian Revolution in its fight for Black liberation.
The New York Times Book Review -
This fiery primer offers education and insights into Haiti's fight for independence.
Publishers Weekly -
This is the impassioned and beautifully drawn story of the Haitian Revolution and its incredible leader: Toussaint Louverture
Comics Beat -
Their illustrations do justice to the original work, beautifully rendered and depicting dynamic characters and exciting drama.
Keith Harris History -
The comic book format, constantly zooming out to the big picture and in on the details, proves immensely suited to the complex parallels between personal and universal struggles around which James's play revolves.
, Art Review -
This is quite a comic! A very intense treatment of the uprising in Haiti that paralleled and deeply involved the French Revolution and yet was treated for centuries as a mere sidebar to world events. Readers will need to think hard, even now, about the reasons why.
, Comics Grinder -
The caricaturing at work in Toussaint Louverture is impressive. Each character has a distinct, stylized, expressive face ... While the aim of this volume is educational, entertainment is not forgotten.
The Comics Journal -
Nic Watts and Sakina Karimjee's brilliant graphic novelisation of CLR James own stage adaptation of his book The Black Jacobins will both inspire and convince that, whatever the circumstances, change is possible.
Philosophy Football -
Packed with powerful symbols and imagery that build a rich picture of the strategies and tactics that led to the uprising’s eventual victory.
, The Conversation