Synopses & Reviews
Haiti is the definitive inside account of the Duvaliers--father and son--and their legacy. In 1803, the enslaved people of Haiti vanquished their French masters after a bloody war that left tens of thousands dead. In 1986, Haitians celebrated victory, as Baby Doc Duvalier fled to France, ending three decades of brutal dictatorship. The Duvalier regime slaughtered at least 50,000 people, many in the infamous Fort Dimanche. Duvalierism drove a million people into exile, cowed the six million who remained, and tortured hundreds of thousands.
In this updated edition, Abbott ably shows how the Duvaliers' legacy shaped modern Haiti as she traces the repercussions of their actions to the present day, and the disastrous earthquake that shook the world.
Synopsis
Haiti: A Shattered Nation is the definitive inside account of a country perpetually in headlines and in conflict.
Synopsis
Renowned author Elizabeth Abbott, who lived and wrote in Haiti, begins with the notorious Duvaliers--father and son--and explores their legacy to the present day. In 1803, the enslaved people of Haiti vanquished their French masters after a bloody war which left tens of thousands dead. Since then, the Haitian people have endured more than one corrupt regime that drove millions into exile, cowed those who remained, and tortured hundreds of thousands. In this revised and updated edition, Abbott ably shows how the early dictators' legacy shaped modern Haiti as she traces the repercussions of their actions to the present day, and the disastrous earthquake that shook the world.
About the Author
Elizabeth Abbott is Research Associate at Trinity College, University of Toronto, and, from 1991 to 2004, was Dean of Women. She is the author of several books, including Sugar and Haiti, also published by Overlook. She lives in Toronto.