Fifteen hundred miles from the United States’ temporary capital in Philadelphia, a daring uprising of enslaved Haitians sparked the Haitian Revolution and forged their nation's independence in 1793. Amid the ensuing turmoil, Henry Christophe ascended to power, ultimately becoming northern Haiti’s first and only king. In her groundbreaking biography, Marlene L. Daut delves deep into Christophe’s complex legacy, offering fresh insights into why his story has been told, retold, revised, and distorted over time. This compelling work should shape our understanding of global struggles against slavery and colonialism.

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