Customer Reviews (1)

Astounding, tough work.
This book is one of the most extraordinary documents I have ever seen. Brave and ferocious and tender all at once. ... Read more

Product Description
The earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010 thrust the nation into the public consciousness as never before. That terrible event piqued interest in a remarkable country with a rich history as both the first black republic in the world and the first country to break free of European imperialism in Latin America. "Haiti Rising" brings together more than 20 of the most prominent authorities on Haiti in to provide both a historical and cultural introduction to Haiti and a chance for earthquake survivors to testify to their experiences. Ranging widely across politics, society, history, art and culture, contributors such as Maryse Conde, Yanick Lahens, Evelyne Trouillot, J. Michael Dash and Laurent Dubois illuminate this most extraordinary of countries and the tragedy that befell it in 2010. "Haiti Rising" will stand as a written document of this cataclysmic event in Haitian history and as a monument to the experiences of those who were in Haiti at the time of the earthquake. It is vital reading for anyone who wants to find out more about Haiti, and the prospects for its future. All royalties from the book will be donated to the Haitian Art Relief Fund. ... Read more

Product Description
Rara is a vibrant annual street festival in Haiti, when followers of the Afro-Creole religion called Vodou march loudly into public space to take an active role in politics. Working deftly with highly original ethnographic material, Elizabeth McAlister shows how Rara bands harness the power of Vodou spirits and the recently dead to broadcast coded points of view with historical, gendered, and transnational dimensions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Interesting
I had never heard of Rara.I am glad I read it.I would encourage those who have a strong interest in Haiti to read it.

Facinating book
This book was written by someone who obviously lives within the Haitian culture. There are so many gems of information, and so much understanding and love of the people and culture of this mysterious land. By the time I had finished reading it, barriers had been removed. I felt as though I had spent time there, had experienced the Rara bands and danced elbow to elbow with them.
The subject matter is enticing, and the writing is enjoyable. I read this several years ago, and intend to reread it often, to increase my understanding of Haitian culture. Heck, I just want to dance with them again!

Great writing, really terrific research
I can't recommend this book highly enough for anyone interested in world music, Afro-Caribbean religion and Haitian culture. Very few academically researched books convey this level of top quality, engaging writing. I couldn't put it down! Rara is a unique, fascinating musical form indigenous to the Caribbean and affiliated with the Haitian peasantry and vodou. It's hard to explain -- a multi-layered, polyphonic music akin to the minimalism of Steve Reich, but much cooler. If you're lucky enough to live in New York or Miami, you can see rara every weekend during the summer in your own city! This book explains the history, culture and significance of the music. And it also includes a CD so you can hear the music for yourself. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Vital research source
What a vital research source this has been. Everything from an interview with Antoine Izmery (assassinated by military attaches in 1993) to Top Secret FOIA reports.I recommend this to anyone researching the 1991-1994 junta period in Haiti and the first coup against Aristide. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

Review by Jean Michel Daudier
I like this book is well documented with pictures. Good to have if you are interested in the history of Haitian music.

Essential
A sweeping and incisive study of the political implications of Haitian popular music, Gage Averill's "A Day for the Hunter, a Day for the Prey: Popular Music and Power in Haiti," lays bare for readers the country's proud tradition of songs both as means to party and protest. My only regret is that the book was published before it could take into the critical role music played in the 2000 until present era.

exceptionally rich
An excellent overview of Haitian popular music in the last century.Strong emphasis on lyrics, rather sparse on music.Attempts to weave ethnographic moments into a sweeping history, but tends to give in to anencyclopedia impulse, leaving the reader slogging tree after tree too muchwithout a view of the forest or knowledge of the shape of the leaves.Buttowers above everything else ever written attempting to give a broad viewof Haitian music, an eye(ear)-opener for salsa fans and others who haven'thad the chance to learn about the penetrating beauty of Haitian musicalculture. ... Read more

Product Description
In 1791, inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution, the slaves of San Domingo rose in revolt. Despite invasion by a series of British, Spanish and Napoleonic armies, their twelve-year struggle led to the creation of Haiti, the first independent black republic outside Africa. Only three years later, the British and Americans ended the Atlantic slave trade. In this example of vivid, committed and empathetic historical analysis, C.L.R. James illuminates these epoch-making events. He explores the appalling economic realities of the Caribbean economy, the roots of the world's only successful slave revolt and the utterly extraordinary former slave - Toussaint L'Overture -who led them. Explicitly written as part of the fight to end colonialism in Africa, "The Black Jacobins" puts the slaves themselves centre stage, boldly forging their own destiny against nearly impossible odds. It remains one of the essential texts for understanding the Caribbean - and the region's inextricable links with Europe, Africa and the Americas.Amazon.com Review
In 1789 the French colony of Saint Domingue was the most profitable real estate in the world. These profits came at a price: while its sugar plantations supplied two-thirds of France's overseas trade, they also stimulated the greatest individual market for the slave trade. The slaves were brutally treated and died in great numbers, prompting a never-ending influx of new slaves.

The French Revolution sent waves all the way across the Atlantic, dividing the colony's white population in 1791. The elites remained royalist, while the bourgeoisie embraced the revolutionary ideals. The slaves seized the moment and in the confusion rebelled en masse against their owners. The Haitian Slave Revolt had begun. When it ended in 1803, Saint Domingue had become Haiti, the first independent nation in the Caribbean.

C.L.R. James tells the story of the revolt and the events leading up to it in his masterpiece, The Black Jacobins. James's personal beliefs infuse his narrative: in his preface to a 1962 edition of the book, he asserts that , when written in 1938, it was "intended to stimulate the coming emancipation of Africa." James writes passionately about the horrific lives of the slaves and of the man who rose up and led them--a semiliterate slave named François-Dominique Toussaint L'Ouverture. As James notes, however, "Toussaint did not make the revolution. It was the revolution that made Toussaint."

With its appendix, "From Toussaint L'Ouverture to Fidel Castro," The Black Jacobins provides an excellent window into the Haitian Revolution and the worldwide repercussions it caused. --Sunny Delaney ... Read more

Customer Reviews (30)

Racial Revolutionary Politics at Their Best
C.L.R. James has presented a fascinating read. The detail with which he portrays the slave society of St Domingue before the French Revolution enables the reader to envision and almost become one with the scene in all of its horrific gore and misery, where not even the slave owners desired to remain. When it comes to the beginning of the revolts on the island in 1791, the author, although highly sympathetic to the black slaves, is fair in his evaluation of the leaders, supporting but not overly glorifying men like Christophe, Moïse, and Dessalines. Perhaps the most valuable and interesting parts of his coverage up until the late Directory period in France is his treatment of the Parisian sans-culottes and the Terror, the relation of French political developments to the revolts on the island, his arguments justifying revolutionary violence, and the honest evaluation of the abolitionist movements in both France and England, which tended to be for very gradual steps to eliminate slavery, and especially in the latter country tended to be more politically popular for economic rather than humanitarian reasons. But if slavery was found to be profitable, which is seemed to be solely in St. Domingue, then slavery could be accepted, which the author points out was the British policy when they attempted to invade the island during this period.

However, despite being very well written and engaging, the book had some set-backs that prohibit me from as enthusiastically embracing it. First of all, the sources cited are sparse and sometimes singular books are made to act as the basis of too large of sections. For instance, the first two chapters, describing the background of the lives of both the slaves and slave owners in society, rely almost singularly on Pierre de Vassière's Saint-Domingue, and throughout the entire book, his fall-back reference is Pamphile de Lacroix's Mémoires. Numerous quotes also lack any form of citation, as do a few rather large claims. On page 269 he writes, "Bonaparte hated black people;" however, his singular evidence is the antagonism between Napoleon and General Dumas, which the author ascribes to racial hatred. There a few problems with this: (1) Dumas also disliked Napoleon, (2) The author specifically described in his previous chapters the intricacies of racial views, and by claiming that Napoleon's opposition to this mulatto general transfers to the blacks would defy the author's own description, and (3) He provides absolutely no evidence as to why this dislike was based on race rather than on personality, especially since this feeling was mutual between the two. This is a weak defense for his needless slander of Napoleon, since by the end of that very same paragraph he writes, "Yet Bonaparte was no colonist, and his anti-Negro bias was far from influencing his major policies." (pg. 270) Another large claim is that Napoleon himself aimed at restoring slavery. There is zero evidence of this. The best evidence is the Decree of 20 May 1802, whereby in the colonies where slavery was not abolished in 1794 because they were controlled by the British, abolition would not be newly extended. As criminal as this was, it was a concession, not a desire, of Napoleon's, and did not re-establish slavery, but rather tolerated it's continued existence in certain areas. The next and really only other suggestive evidence was the actual re-establishment of slavery on Guadeloupe, but that was done locally by Gen. Richepanse, not by Napoleon, although he did nothing to contradict this decision. Consequently, the author's argument should have aimed to demonstrate that Gen. Leclerc had secretly desired the re-establishment of slavery on the island, not Napoleon.

In addition, the author's zealous defense of Toussaint L'Ouverture weakened the final chapters of the book on the French expedition of 1801 and the end of the Haitian Revolution. For one, he never addresses, either to defend or condemn, Toussaint's decision to instate forced labor when he was in command of the island, especially in light of a flimsy economy where although he promised shared profits, he could not do so for long. In effect, with his very restrictive and prohibitive dictatorship, one could argue that it was virtually slavery in all but word. The change was in the treatment of the workers, not in the involuntary state of labor, a distinction that was and is so often ignored or blurred. This is a surprising absence, especially since the author tries to be the empowering defender of the people, who in actuality would have been poorly off as such had not the French expedition ended his reign. In addition, the author fails to address the less pleasant details of Toussaint's 1801 Constitution, focusing solely on the written guarantee of the abolition of slavery, racial equality, and meritocracy, while failing to mention the loss of the revolutionary freedom of worship with the official creation of a solely Catholic state, the prohibition against divorce, the prohibition of any part of government except for the Governor [Toussaint] alone to correspond with the Metropole [France], the political empowerment of the military, and the exemption of the military from civil law. This "Black Jacobin" was a friend of equality and fraternity, but not liberty. Finally, he makes no attempt to demonstrate how Napoleon might have viewed the situation except as part of the bourgeoisie. Nothing was mentioned of Napoleon's significant personal belief in loyalty which was destroyed when he thought that not only did Toussaint want independence but was also felt to be personally betraying him, or even how any of the rough handling and dismissal of mainland French officials and representatives by Toussaint could be interpreted as rebellious behavior, instead solely insisting that slavery was the real motivation, not to any degree a French sense of being betrayed by treasonous colonists.

With these exceptions noted, I nevertheless regard this book as a great source for the topic, especially on the structure of St Domingue society, the influence of the developing French Revolution, and the Haitian Revolution from 1791 through until 1801. Although the book has an open bias, expected from a more famous Marxist author, it is generally well argued, and gives the reader new perspectives and outlooks to consider. The Black Jacobins is well worth the money, and deserves a place on the shelves of any student of French, colonial, or Caribbean history and race relations.

Foundation for Haitian studies
Written in 1938, this historical account has become a reference for most books to follow.It is well-written, flows fairly seemlessly and is therefore hard to put down.It provides a concise and cohesive sudy of the bloody struggle for freedom in St Domingue.I would definitely recommend following it with the trilogy written by Madison Smart Bell, beginning with "All Souls Rising" which will bring this tumultuous history to life."The Black Jacobins" forms the foundation of my Haitian library.

The epic film James Cameron should have made.
C.L.R. James was a very honest writer and historian. In this book the historical narrative never strays into tedious academic postures of neutrality. However James research is de rigeur and he interprets it as is his ideological bent. This makes The Black Jacobins very readable. Some reviewers portray The Black Jacobins as an anachronistic and crude materialist analysis. This is to me a misreading of both, James and Marx. James makes it absolutely clear that his subject is primarily set with in a mercantile economy. However, his focus is not simply set on the economic foundations of racism but also the totally absurd and depraved vicissitudes of this social pathology. Toussaint L'Ouverture is an absolutely fascinating subject who's sagacity, energy and leadership reveal him to be be one of the most audacious and effective generals in military history. An absolutely brilliant book. After watching Cameron's Avatar I feel confident in saying that this historical narrative is more fascinating than anything yet conjured up in science fiction.

Haiti and Colonial Hardships
I sent for this book after getting involved in the aftermath of Haiti and so I learned a great deal about how the sophisticated and wealthy nations used the colonies and the people there. Not only can we afford to help reconstruction and quality of life for that nation so hurt by the earthquake, but we surely do owe them for hundreds of years of enjoying their products while they mainly lived in poverty. This book is biased in a good way so it is probably not history's only or last word on the times of the French Revolution when colonial slaves first felt their interest in freedom and self governance. I recommend the book for anyone who likes their history vivid and personal. It's not just a good idea for us to help the people of Haiti. It's not just good brother's keeper impulses. It's necessary for us to play a role in emotional social justice. So good for us when we do. People with a better grasp on the early history of the colonies can probably review the book in a different way.

Black Jacobins
This was a great overview of the history of Haiti and Toussaint L'Ouverture. It makes sense of modern day Haiti. Short, easy reading with loads of reference material. A must read if interested in Haiti history. ... Read more

Product Description
Col. Lawrence E. Casper (U.S. Army-Ret.) narrates the first documented account by a military officer of the harrowing U.S. operations in Somalia and Haiti.

As commander of the Falcon Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, and the UN Quick Reaction Force (QRF), Casper experienced Operation Continue Hope first-hand. Falcon Brigade and Special Operations aviators shared the skies over Mogadishu on October 3, 1993, providing cover as the Quick Reaction Force fought block by block to reach the stranded troops and remove them to safety. Casper's candid account of Operation Continue Hope, and the brigade's continuing involvement in Somalia until the U.S. withdrawal from the war-torn region some five months later, showcases the leadership skills and courage necessary for troop survival under beleaguered circumstances.

Just six months after their return from Somalia, Casper and Falcon Brigade were on the flight deck of the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower, preparing to air-assault 10th Mountain Division Lightfighters onto the shores of Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy. Casper brings to life the frustrations and challenges the brigade soldiers experienced as they worked around the clock for thirty days, and he captures the untiring cooperation between soldiers and sailors as they joined together to ensure the success of the operation. His account concludes with the brigade's subsequent four-month involvement in Haiti.

Not only a telling and vivid history, Falcon Brigade is an insightful—and rare—discussion of what did and did not work, and what went on behind the scenes at the operational level. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Somalia and Haiti as seen from a helicopter at night
I have six years experience in the U.S. Army, in light infantry, special forces and as a linguist (translating Haitian Creole, amongst other languages). I have worked with and flown in most of the helicopters mentioned in Falcon Brigade. Col. (ret) Casper did an excellent job discussing attack helicopter fire support to MOUT and staff operations for a joint/multinational task force. I especially liked his discussion of using hand-drawn sketches of the cityscape for controlling close air support and the use of snipers in helicopters for counter battery fire against mortars and his account of flag- and cabinet-level politics.

However, although quite a bit could have changed between 1992, when the events in Falcon Brigade occurred, and 1995, when I joined, it seemed obvious that Col. Casper was "not read in" (one of Col. Casper's favorite turns of phrase in this book) to special operations: his familiarity extended only as far as necessary for him to provide helicopter support. For example, his few references to SOF in Haiti usually evolve around his use of his helicopters for their re-supply. The further you get from the helicopter, the more sketchy his knowledge becomes: on pg 35 he claims soldiers are "attached" to the rope when fast roping. As someone who has fast roped, I can tell you that there was nothing attaching me to the rope except my steely grip. (although fast roping is done from a helicopter, these were SOAR helicopters and not under Col. Casper's control)

I enjoyed Col. Casper's discussion of clan geopolitics in Somalia. On the U.S. side, he does show insight (but does not elaborate) into U.S. foreign policy as far as it relates to the role of the U.S. military at the flag officer and cabinet level. The description of garrison life was also interesting. It seemed that Col. Casper had a few axes to grind with some of the generals who (mis)managed the campaign in Somalia. Unlike SOF and ground combat, Col. Casper seemed well acquainted with problems at the flag level. I just wish that he hadn't pulled his punches the way I have a feeling that he did.

I was put off, though, by Col. Casper's annoying use of the word 'crony.' According to Col. Casper, the "Crony" clan must be the largest and most prestigious clan in Somalia: every important Somali in the book is surrounded by Cronies. Why is it that Americans have assistants, aides, XO's, etc., but Somalis only have cronies? And, why is it wrong for Somalis to get through battle chewing khat, but not wrong for Rangers to get through battle chewing Skoal? Why the double standard?

Unfortunately, Col. Casper's description of Haiti and the Haitian people was rather ignorant. The Crony clan seems to be equally widespread and well placed in Haiti: every Haitian leader has the perequisite entourage of cronies. I'd really like to get 'read in' to this Crony clan! Then, on pg 201 he claims Port-au-Prince is a city of 1 million, but on pg 208 the population suddenly grows to 2 million. Either Port-au-Prince experienced some pretty intense activity nine months previously, or there is a mistake here.

His description of Voodoo on page 209 shows the typical American condescension for this religion. Why is Catholicism capitalized but "voodoo" is in lower case? Why is Catholicism acknowledged as a religion but Voodoo is just "magic"? Why do Catholics pray and Voodoo adherents 'cast spells'? Contrary to his claim that Voodoo lacks theology or clergy, Voodoo has a very well developed pantheon (the Loas) and clergy (the Hougans). Then, on page 221, Col. Casper claims that clairin, an alcoholic beverage, is the national drink and the 'sole pleasure' of the Haitian peasant's life. This is a rather skewed and unwarranted representation of the Haitian peasant. Why the double standard? I believe American per capita consumption of beer is far greated that Haitian per capita consumption of clairin, but I would certainly object to America being characterized as a nation of beer-swillers. If we are to believe Col. Casper, then it may have been a hiccup in the clairin supply that led to the sudden increase in population noted above.

On a more serious note, I believe that, regardless of military might, any U.S. peace keeping operation is doomed to failure unless Americans acquire a knowledge of the local people beyond the bare minimum necessary for combat operations. If we knew the people better we probably wouldn't have to fight them. As Col. Casper noted, U.A.E. had good rapport with locals and were able to accomplish the same tasks that severely tasked American military ability peacefully. Col. Casper's stereotypes of Somalis and Haitians as of khat-chewing, clairin-drinking, spell-casting, cronies will not help to establish that rapport.

Seeing as this book is entitled 'Falcon Brigade: Combat and Command in Somalia and Haiti,' I expected a balanced account of the U.S. involvement in Haiti (and Somalia) tempered by Col. Casper's personal experiences. Unfortunately, the account was largely about helicopters and I didn't find a lot of detail on Somalia or Haiti beyond what was visible from the door of Col. Casper's hooch or through NVGs from Col. Casper's cockpit at night. If you can't get enough 'Black Hawk Down' and are already 'read in' to the special forces portion, this may be the book for you. Stylistically, this is an enjoyable page turner with little complexity to slow you down. However, if you want true grit on the situation in Haiti or Somalia, this book may be somewhat of a pricey disappointment.

I was assigned with Col. Casper
When we were at Ft Ord with the 7th Infantry Division and
D Company, 7th Combat Aviation Battalion, from 1981 through 1984.

Colonel Casper was a consumate leader in all regards, and if I had a chance to serve with him again, I would not hesitate one moment.

Great book on military history
This is an outstanding book to have in one's library if you have an interest on American military involvements. COL Casper book is well written and you get to see the picture of what happened not only from a soldiers perspective but from a BRIGADE COMMANDERS view. A must for any soldier or military historian.

Not just for the military!
Outstanding! Well written insights from the man who lived it. The leadership knowledge shared is valuable for military and civilian alike. Colonel Caspers military training was tested to the core as he takes command of the Falcon Brigade already deployed in Somalia.The Colonel and his soldiers quickly find themselves in the thick of it.He shares many leadership lessons learned over 25+ years of service and how he uses those lessons in critical situations.He shows us the good, the bad and the ugly without holding back. Personal stories and thoughts intwined with the facts make this a great read that accurately records historic events and grabs your attention.I couldn't wait to get to the next page.Well done!

A must for all military personnel.
Finally! A great book written about 2 events of military history that I was a part of.Col. Casper tells my tale from a commanders perspective in a straight, to the point fashion.This book is 100% proof of the great care that the military commanders have for their soldiers.There wasn't a decision made that didn't involve or address the issues of soldier safety.Although, Inever understood the military decision making process then (I was a buck private), I certainly have to give my respects to people such as Col. Casper, who always thought of the troops.The book is well written, at a nice pace(It doesn't stagnate or wander off), and is a MUST read for any and all people who lead soldiers in the military. From the young NCO to the brass, this book is an invaluable training tool. ... Read more

Product Description
Aims to explain the reality of Haiti under the Duvaliers and the causes of the regime's violent collapse. Tracing major patterns and forces within the country's often turbulent history, the text examines the nature of Duvalierism, its historic roots and the conflicts which toppled it. It also analyses subsequent events in "liberated Haiti" and assesses future prospects for this unsettled country. Using eyewitness reports and first-hand recollections, the author has reconstructed the events surrounding Baby Doc's last weeks in power. He discusses the role of the Catholic Church and the US Government in his demise, and examines the nature of the spontaneous revolt which lacked orthodox political leadership. A new chapter brings the story further up to date with coverage of the chaotic, disrupted elections in February 1988. The author reported on events in Haiti for "The Independent". ... Read more

Product Description
Title : Colorful Dreams of Haiti/Rêver d'Haïti en CouleurBilingual : French / EnglishType : Beaux ArtsSize : 11" x 13" . 240 pagesContent : Paintings by Haitian artists. Photographs of many corners of Haiti, Haitian artists, major personalities in the world of Haitian art and culture. History of Haitian art. Historical and literary points.Colorful Dreams of Haiti is a new bilingual title masterfully written by the physician and writer Dr Jean-Robert Léonidas to accompany the unsurpassed shots professionally presented by photographer Frantz Michaud. The book is prepared with great care and the finest publishing techniques. It is a large and beautiful Fine Arts book such has never been offered before about Haiti. Extremely well done, it is meant to value the artistic glory of Haiti and to deservingly honor Haitian artists and sculptors. Next to beautiful art pieces done by our best artists; marvelous photographs mingle with history of art, with some segments of our history and literature in a book of rare beauty. The whole world is looking for it. ... Read more

Product Description

As a priest and a physician, Richard Frechette has known the body, heart, and soul of many people in the most anguishing of circumstances, when they faced the biggest challenges to their life and the meaning of it. To make the situation more dramatic, he has carried out his double ministry over the past twenty-five years in settings of extreme poverty, violence, social upheaval, and natural disasters. The backdrop of his profound encounters with other people has often been the crucible. This personal experience of tough realities has been at once a descent into chaos and an ascent into compassion.

The reflections in this volume are less about Haiti than they are about real-life incidents that happened there, during a particular time in history. In a fuller sense, these reflections shed light on what happens in any place, at any time, to people of any race or class, who live out an assault on their human dignity. Whenever the dignity of human beings is marred, the human spirit finds itself in threatened conditions, and seeks desperately to preserve what is human about it. It is amaing how the human spirit finds light and hope in the most despairing darkness. This is the unfailing light of Gods grace, ever present and faithful, fiercely persistent in trying to renew the face of the earth and the pilgrim human heart.

Grounded in space and time, and yet speaking of universal concerns, these essays show how the ancient human scourges of poverty, ignorance, illness, and violence desecrate humanity and weaken the spirit. Yet Frechette shows that from these ashes many people, with the help of God, valiantly rise. This is a stunning work that crosses all conventional barriers between the personal and the political, between degradation by others and elevation by selves.

Richard Frechette is a medical doctor and Catholic priest who directs the Haiti programs of Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos International, and of his religious community, The Passionists. These programs include orphanages, schools, a children’s hospital, and mobile clinics in and around Port-au- Prince. He did similar work previously in Mexico and Honduras.

Customer Reviews (4)

Haiti
I read this book after returning from Honduras, I was part of a medical mission group and our surgeon knew Father Frechette personally and had gone to Haiti after the earthquake.
I was moved by Fathers writing and loved the way he wrote about finding good with the bad. I could feel his despair at times, his frustation and his test of faith. It sheds light on a country that is one of the poorest in the world.
It will want to make you read more, and also become involved in NPH which is the orphange that he works with.

All human beings are entitled to respect and dignity
Father Rick is consumed by God's special love for the poor, the outcast, the most vulnerable, and makes no difference between enemies and friends.For him, all are friends, treated with dignity, respect and compassion.From the orphanage in the mountains above Kenskoff to the beautiful new hospital in Tabarre for children who cannot pay, to the hospitals for the dying run by Mother Teresa's Sisters of Charity, to the gangs of Cite Soleil, Fr. Rick's quiet determination makes itself felt and changes lives.

In this book, which I highly recommend, he lets you join him in these places, and shares his faith in God's loving presence in every person and every situation.How he does it all is beyond comprehension, but the fire in his heart is contagious and challenging; his writing is clear and his juxtaposition of images can be startling.He neither romanticizes nor demonizes Haiti; he just accepts it as it is as the field where God has called him.

Haiti the god of tough places the lord of burnt men
Very excellent book.Reminds me of the book of Tobit & feel sure Fr Rick will become an official saint, but to all who know him, he already is a saint!

Great Book about Tough Places by a Great Man
One of the very best works in 2010.Read this slender memoir and witness the heroic feats of Father Rick Frechette and his co-workers in Friends of the Orphans/Our Little Brothers & Sisters.A truly remarkable person whose work, rooted in faith, has dramatically impacted, not thousands, but tens-of-thousands of lives of Haiti's poorest. Written and published before the devastating earthquakes in Haiti, the work of Father Rick and Friends of the Orphans are all the more important and all the more awe inspiring. ... Read more

Product Description
This book looks at UN Peace Operations in Haiti and why they went so dramatically wrong first time around, resulting in much deep-seated conflict, in order that these lessons can be taken into account in future operations elsewhere. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

One of the best accounts yet of Papa Doc's Haiti
Until now, the most read accounts of events in Haiti from the election of Francois Duvalier in 1957 until the tragic events of April 1963 were Diederich's and Burt's, "Papa Doc: Haiti and Its Dictator", andthe Heinls' comprehensive 785 page history of Haiti, "Written inBlood". The former barely covered the military advisory missions,while the latter could afford just a few pages to this era.

No matter,because Colonel Charles T. Williamson's "The U.S. Naval Mission ToHaiti 1959-1963" is now without doubt the definitive record of thatepisode in U.S and Haitian history.

Colonel Williamson has masterfullyresearched, organized and presented a story of foreign policy that startedwith good intentions, gung ho American military advisors. and Haitian armedforces (FAdH) officers eager for military assistance, all of which soonturned into disastrous foreign policy, disenchanted American advisors, andyoung Haitian officers and soldiers and their families fighting for theirvery lives. The author makes clear that the times were challenging,exciting, sometimes dangerous for Americans in Haiti and, sadly, alwaysdangerous, often tragic for the Haitians.

What started as a concisemonograph that might serve as an "official history" of the U.S.Naval Mission To Haiti grew rapidly as the author sifted through nationalarchives, daily reports, contingency plans, and old military records. Allthe while he searched for Haitian and American friends and acquaintances offour decades ago to rekindle memories of their experiences and perceptionsof the period. The book is an interesting, easy-reading chronologicalnarrative, punctuated with anecdotal material about events and people, bothHaitian and American. Williamson lists every member that served in thenaval mission, even noting what a few are doing now. He presents his ownincisive analyses of the U.S. foreign policy for Haiti, (especiallyshortcomings), the successes and frustrations of the American advisors andmany of their FAdH counterparts, and the motives and intentions of Papa Docand others. The author's commentary continually emphasizes the never-endingplight of the Haitian people.

Admittedly, it is very easy to be biasedtoward a book that accurately, interestingly, and minutely recounts a partof history that one has lived through. The plain fact is that ColonelWilliamson has given us a great read. Graham Greene would have liked it.

An insider's view -debunks myth U.S."trained" Duvalier thugs
Now retired Marine Corps Colonel Williamson was a young officer when he first went to Haiti in 1958. One of the few still alive who took part in the ill-fated effort to professionalize the Haitian "Army", whichwas what Papa Doc Duvalier asked the U.S. to do, he is uniquely qualifiedto chronicle the events of a group of Marines trying to carry out theirorders in a byzantine situation.

The US Naval Mission, begun with suchhigh hopes, gradually came face to face with the reality that Duvalier'smotives in asking the US to his country were anything but simple, and thata professional, well trained corps of officers and soldiers was the lastthing he wanted.

As the US Mission labored to do what it had been sentto do, Duvalier, like Penelope at her loom, seemed determined to counteractevery US action, cashiering the most promising officers, allowing graft,killing when he deemed necessary.

While encountering resistance fromDuvalier, the Marines were also charged by Haitians opposed to Duvalierwith being midwives to the birth of the feared Haitian secret police - the"Ton Ton Makouts". Drawing on many heretofore classifieddocuments, Williamson chronicles in great detail the frustrationsencountered by a highly motivated group of professionals who came to loveHaiti even as their eyes were opened to the havoc wrought upon it by itsMachiavellian Dictator. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Highly Disappointed
The author has deeply rooted issues regarding the existence of a black republic.He confuses wealth and freedom, unable to make a distinction between the two.He is pessimistic and it is obvious he approached his trip to Haiti with the wrong attitude.Realistically, Haiti is in need of much improvement. However, Franklin's attitude is that Haitians are incapable of improvement.This book just proves that ignorance manifests itself in many different ways. ... Read more

Product Description
Pratt's indexed bibliography is a welcome addition to the scholarship on Haiti. Dedicated to the systematic compilation of periodical articles in English, it contains more than 5,000 citations, arranged in chronological order by subject, and grouped within nine categories. It is a boon to those concerned with and interested in the specifics of Haitian life, as it covers practically all aspects of that existence from 1800 through 1990. ... Read more

Product Description
An inside account of U.S. military operations to restore Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to power, this study demonstrates the progress made in joint warfighting since the end of the Cold War, including improvements in command and control, joint force integration, and techniques for successful humanitarian operations. With ties to Haiti that date back over one hundred years, the United States could not stand by when a coup ousted Aristide in 1990. When coup leaders refused to leave peacefully, forces authorized by the U.N. Security Council deployed toward Haiti. Diplomatic efforts by former President Carter, General Powell, and Senator Nunn obtained cooperation of coup leaders in the final hour, and on September 19, 1994, the first of over 50,000 U.S. military personnel arrived in Port-au-Prince to ensure security, facilitate Aristide's return, and professionalize the Haitian security forces. ... Read more