Book, Greatest Revolutionary of the Americas, O: Toussaint Louverture[LS]

The extraordinary story of the former slave who faced the main forces of his time and inspired generations in the anti-colonial and anti-racist struggle. Toussaint Louverture, the most emblematic figure of the Haitian Revolution, dedicated his life to building a society based on equality. A self-taught man who became a scholar and general in the French army, Toussaint led the immense revolt of enslaved people that freed the French-Caribbean colony of Saint-Domingue in 1791 — and culminated in the proclamation of the first free and independent black republic in the world. He was the guide of his people, commander of the republican army and, finally, their governor. In The Greatest Revolutionary of the Americas, Sudhir Hazareesingh follows every step of this memorable character's journey: from his triumphs against French, Spanish, and British troops to his bold promulgation of an autonomous Constitution. Toussaint became a beacon for the enslaved people of the Atlantic and for many generations of Republican progressives, having inspired figures such as Frederick Douglass, anti-colonial and anti-racist movements, and the seminal ideas of blackness of the 20th century. * One of the books of the year in The Economist, Times Literary Supplement and New Statesman. * Winner of the Wolfson History Prize, England's most important non-fiction prize