HGirard_The Slaves Who Defeated Napoleon - Toussant Louverture & the Haitian War of Independence

"In the aftermath of January's horrific earthquake, the world's attention is focused on Haiti. In this full narrative history of the Caribbean nation, historian Philippe Girard offers insight into Haiti's complex and layered past, showing that its current state as the poorest country in the western hemisphere was not inevitable. This highly readable and accessible history takes the reader back two hundred years to a time when Haiti was so prosperous it was known as the Pearl of the Antilles. Haiti was the only country in the Americas to pull off a successful slave revolution, yet today its survival is completely dependent on foreign aid. As all eyes turn to watch what happens to Haiti, author Girard provides the necessary context for envisioning its future--including a detailed account of the quake's consequences, an assessment of the benefit and cost of an American intervention, and commentary on what Haiti must do to rebuild for a brighter future"--;Introduction: Haiti in ruins -- The pearl of the Caribbean: Haiti in colonial times (1492-1791) -- The slaves who defeated Napoléon: the Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) -- Missed opportunities: Haiti after independence (1804-1915) -- Benevolent imperialism: Haiti during the first U.S. occupation (1915-1934) -- Hearts of darkness: the Duvaliers' Black Revolution (1957-1986) -- A glimmer of hope: Aristide's rise to power (1988-1991) -- The Haitian invasion of the United States: Haitian boat people (Octover 1991-October 1993) -- Invasion on demand: the second U.S. invasion of Haiti (October 1993-October 1994) -- Gratitude is the heart's (short-term) memory: the second Aristide presidency (October 1994-February 1996) -- Divide and founder: the Préval presidency (1996-2001) -- Boss Titid: the third Aristide presidency (2001-2004) -- Settling down: the second Préval presidency (2006-2010) -- Conclusion: Is there any hope for Haiti? -- Epilogue: Where are they now?