I became aware of The Black Count via my Facebook feed. Information regarding this non-fiction work was continuously shared for a few weeks and it sparked my curiosity.
I found myself wondering,who was The Black Count and what made this book noteworthy enough to be nominated for a NAACP Image Award in category "Best Literary Work-Biography-Autobiography"?
The Black Count is General Alex Dumas. General Dumas is the father of author Alexandre Dumas who wrote The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo.
Tom Reiss has written a book that is based on historical facts but it is far from being a tedious read. There is a lot of excitement and action in General Alex Dumas' story. This was one of France's important military figures who won some key battles during the French Revolution and also during Napoleon's campaign's in Africa.
Through the telling of General Dumas' story we are able to see how the abolitionist movement swept through France and what occurred once enslaved Africans were free. Reiss also provides a perspective on how France's role in the world at that time was one of power and influence.
The Black Count is one of those historical books that will grab your attention and hold it from the beginning until the end.
You can read about the NAACP Image Award Nomination here.
1 comment:
love this!
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