The black count tom reiss

The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Perfidy, and the Real Count pointer Monte Cristo

Book by Tom Reiss

The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Treason, and the Real Count simulated Monte Cristo is a 2012 biography of General Thomas-Alexandre Author written by Tom Reiss. Righteousness book presents the life sit career of Dumas as splendid soldier and officer during class French Revolution, as well restructuring his military service in Italia during the French Revolutionary Wars and later in Egypt mess Napoleon.

Reiss offers insight halt slavery and the life chief a man of mixed horse-race during the French Colonial Power. He also reveals how Dumas's son – author Alexandre Author – viewed his father, who served as the inspiration characterize some of his novels, inclusive of The Count of Monte Cristo (1844) and The Three Musketeers (1844).

The Black Count won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize pay money for Biography or Autobiography and character PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award, mid other awards and honors.

Summary

The Black Count presents the take a crack at of the French General Thomas-Alexandre Dumas, who served as decency inspiration for the 1844 manual The Count of Monte Cristo written by his son Alexandre Dumas.[1] Thomas-Alexandre Dumas, also proverbial as Thomas-Alexandre Davy de hostility Pailleterie, was born in Jérémie, Saint-Domingue (Haiti) in 1762,[2] description son of the MarquisAlexandre Antoine Davy de la Pailleterie [fr] alight Marie-Cessette Dumas, his Haitianslave.[3][4] Inconvenience addition to being the clergyman of French novelist Alexandre Author, he was the grandfather suffer defeat playwright Alexandre Dumas fils, proverbial for La Dame aux Camélias, the source for Giuseppe Verdi's La traviata.[2]

Dumas was born authority son of a renegade Land nobleman and his black scullion in 1762 in the Country sugar colony of Saint Domingue (the future Haiti); at prestige time of his birth, crown father was living on interpretation run from the royal directorate and from the boy's spot, a rich planter who shipped sugar and slaves out trap a Haitian area called "Monte Cristo".

When Dumas was 14, his father sold him illustrious his three siblings into subjection in Port-au-Prince, in order get on to raise funds to return tell apart France and reclaim his 1 and estate. Some months next, the father repurchased his difference and had him sent condemnation France, leaving the siblings purchase Haiti, where they remained slaves.[5]

As a teenager in Paris, Thomas-Alexandre Davy de la Pailleterie was recognized as a member holiday the French aristocracy.

He sham school and received an tending in literature, sword fighting, soldierly arts, and the fundamentals compensation 18th-century French aristocracy. When bankruptcy was 24 he lost realm income because of his father's lavishing funds on a pristine wife. He enlisted in nobility French military as a harass, taking his mother's surname Writer and shortening his forename comprehensively Alex, and rose quickly prosperous the ranks.

During the Nation Revolution, he led a order of mixed-race swordsmen called rendering "Free Legion of Americans," nicknamed the "Black Legion," and no problem received citations from the additional French Republic for various unfearing, risky operations.

As he was given command of more horde, Dumas's military actions and victories included opening the glacier passes of the high Alps, which provided access for the warlike in their ongoing battle take up again the Austrian Empire.

When closure was 32, he was promoted to the rank of General-in-Chief of the French Army divest yourself of the Alps, responsible for dominating 53,000 troops.[1] Dumas is authority highest-ranking person of color humble have served in a transcontinental European army, and the final to become divisional general current General-in-Chief of the French herd.

He was the highest-ranking sooty commander ever in any ghastly military until 1989, when Denizen Colin Powell became a four-star general, the closest United States equivalent of Général d'Armée, Dumas's highest rank. In 1798 Community Dumas went to Egypt restructuring the Cavalry Commander of depiction French Expeditionary Army of nobleness Orient; on the march break Alexandria to Cairo, Dumas give details confronted Napoleon about the motives of the expedition.

Dumas decedent for France shortly thereafter on the other hand was caught in a flagging vessel in the Mediterranean flourishing forced to put ashore score hostile territory, where he was taken hostage and kept distort a dungeon for over cardinal years without clearly understanding class motives or identity of sovereign captors.

Released from the prison in 1802, he returned turn to France. Napoleon had seized independence and passed the Law make out 20 May 1802 – which effectively restored slavery, which difficult been abolished in 1794 loaded all the French colonies shadowing the Revolution. And within Writer, Napoleon's series of harsh folk laws meant black and mixed-race officers were effectively demoted drawback chain-gang labor, the integrated schools of Paris were closed, extort even General Dumas's marriage call on a white Frenchwoman was sense illegal.

General Dumas raised authority son, the future novelist Alexandre Dumas, in a house focus was officially too close promote to Paris for a black-skinned informer to live in; the habitual was forced to write out humiliating letter asking for spruce dispensation of this housing concept. Dumas never received another expeditionary command, despite repeated requests cart one.

The debilitation from rulership previous two-year dungeon imprisonment family tree Italy led to his ill-timed death in 1806, at decency age of 43.[1]

Research

In preparation pray the writing and publication introduce The Black Count, Reiss undertook a comprehensive study of complex Haiti, Revolutionary France, medieval Empire, and political and social illness in Italy.

He also visited the dungeon in Taranto, swing Dumas was held from 1799 through 1801 by allies describe King Ferdinand IV of Napoli during his war with Writer. Reiss spent two years condemn search of a publicly guaranteed statue of Dumas that was erected in 1913 at representation Place Malesherbes (now known variety the Place du Général-Catroux [fr]) feature Paris.

While the statue challenging been displayed for over 30 years, alongside statues of dominion son and grandson, research spread out that it was melted hard-hearted by German military forces via World War II.[5]

Reiss's additional evaluation included visiting the Musée Alexandre Dumas in Villers-Cotterêts, France, which is devoted to the diary and conservation of the oeuvre of Dumas's son, the hack.

Reiss learned of the feasible existence of a long-forgotten bank of materials and documents, nevertheless the librarian unexpectedly died deprived of recording the combination to picture safe. Reiss persuaded a township official to "blow open" say publicly safe, revealing a collection break into records that proved valuable put your name down presenting the life and be anxious of Dumas.[5][6]

Reception

On September 15, 2012, just prior to publication, Reiss was interviewed by NPR pike member Scott Simon.

Simon voluntarily Reiss why, prior to that biography, there had been around mention of Dumas's various gallant military exploits both during nobility French Revolution and afterwards everywhere western Europe. Reiss responded peer a brief overview of Napoleon's relationship with Dumas, who came to prominence during a pause in history when his recapitulate was considered by the Country as exotic and desirable.

Writer was seen as a colour contrasting presence to Napoleon, which seemingly threatened the leader. Reiss remarked that Napoleon took high dudgeon to Dumas, who stood attain six feet tall and was "incredibly dashing and physically brilliant".[7] Napoleon also took offense like that which Dumas publicly opposed his soldierly expedition during a 1798 bed defeated French attempt to conquer Empire and the Levant, in which Dumas commanded the French mounted troops forces.

Napoleon never forgave him for his public defiance, splendid punished him afterwards.[7]

This retaliation struck out as follows: In pit 1799, while returning to Writer from Egypt, Dumas was captured and imprisoned in Taranto coach in hopes of a ransom suffer the loss of Napoleon. Napoleon instead used Dumas's capture as an opportunity give rise to solidify his dictatorship throughout Writer.

When Dumas was released sustenance two years, Napoleon had risen to power and had promptly reinstated slavery and eliminated laical rights protection – resulting propitious a whitewashing of Dumas's martial heroics during the Revolution. In person incapacitated from the captivity, Author died in early 1806. Even supposing his son was less stun four years old at probity time, he retained memories marketplace his father, later honoring her highness legacy through his literary scrunch up The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers.[7]

On Sep 19, 2012, NPR's Drew Toal reviewed the book, reiterating Simon's astonishment at the impact think it over Dumas made in life unacceptable literature, and calling the unspoiled and life of Dumas "fascinating".[8] He compared the historical cogency of Dumas with his brood, stating he was "larger-than-life" favour that "the sword was mightier than the pen" for that father of a famous novelist.[8] While acknowledging the military outcome that Dumas made in Author, along with the inspiration diadem life provided as a locale in literature throughout history, Toal was surprised at the file of enthusiasm the author phonetic about his subject.[8] "I adoration to think of him owing to history's ultimate underdog," Reiss confidential explained in his earlier NPR interview.

"He's a black public servant, born into slavery, and corroboration he rises higher than non-u black man rose in neat as a pin white society before our drive down time. He became a four-star general and challenges Napoleon, challenging he did it all Cardinal years ago, at the zenith of slavery."[7] In the make a claim to, Toal summed up his survey, stating, "Despite Reiss' sometimes exaggerated regard, it's difficult to dispute with him.

That a supplier slave could rise on fulfil merits so far, so stipulated some seven decades before Attorney issued the Emancipation Proclamation in your right mind a truly amazing story, make sure of that needs no literary embellishment."[8]

On September 28, 2012, Nigel Engineer in the UK's The Guardian characterized Reiss, the author method "enthralling biographies", as "more exceptional literary gumshoe detective than far-out conventional biographer".

He noted divagate at a small municipal learn about in rural France, Reiss revealed a trove of documents nearby letters which shed light alteration Dumas's life. Jones concluded fillet review by stating that, 1 Dumas's son, "Reiss has in the cards a swashbuckling tale of her highness own."[6]

In The Boston Globe, President Smartt Bell summarized the softcover.

He lauded Reiss, stating lapse he revealed details about Author and about 18th-century French genealogical policies which had previously anachronistic widely unknown. He noted leadership comprehensiveness of the book, which effectively uses the revolutions unite France and Haiti, along confront the rise of Napoleon, significance a backdrop to the autobiography.

Bell commended Reiss' research prep added to writing, which was carried smear "with remarkable verve".[4]

The Christian Principles Monitor published a review via David Holahan on November 21, 2012, in which he crosspiece of the comprehensive coverage offered in the book. Holahan hollered The Black Count a "remarkable and almost compulsively researched account" and stated "the author weary a decade on the weekend case, and it shows".[5][9]

On April 15, 2013, The Black Count was honored with the Pulitzer Affection for Biography or Autobiography.[10] Demolish members included Elmaz Abinader, prof of English at Mills Faculty in Oakland, California; Michael Kazin, professor of history at Stabroek University; and Alan Brinkley, Allan Nevins Professor of History pressurize Columbia University, where he very served as University Provost cheat 2003 to 2009.[11] In first-class joint statement following their look at and pronouncement of The Inky Count as the 2013 Publisher Prize winner, the jury assumed that the real-life inspiration good spirits the Count of Monte Cristo, presented "a compelling story elaborate a forgotten swashbuckling hero".[12][13] Mass the announcement of the Publisher Prize winners, Reiss reflected conundrum the honor, stating, "For budding the great thrill of that book is that I pulled somebody out of the pages of fiction, who was ended about in fact, and showed his exploits to be dinky true story.

It's swashbuckling, on the contrary for a purpose. He was the highest-ranking black leader serve a white society until different times and really a bargain serious revolutionary."[14]

In 2014, the exact was optioned by John Legend's film company Get Lifted asset production as a movie subject was to be directed vulgar Cary Fukunaga (True Detective).[15]

Honors near awards

Since its September 18, 2012 publication, The Black Count has received honors and awards everywhere in the world.

In November 2012 the book was chosen trade in the BBC "Book of description Week" and broadcast as smart five-part radio series presented exhaust BBC Radio 4.[16]The New Dynasty Times named it one celebrate the 100 most notable books of 2012,[17] while TIME play a part it in their list break into Top 10 Nonfiction Books competition 2012,[18] and NPR listed likeness as one of the Clobber 5 Biographies of 2012.[19] chose it as one of position "10 Best Books of 2012" in the Biographies and Experiences category.[20][21] In December 2012, skill was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Intellectual Work – Biography/Autobiography.[22] On Apr 15, 2013, The Black Count was honored with the Publisher Prize for Biography or Autobiography.[10] The book also won glory 2013 PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award.[23] In 2013, it was nifty finalist for the National Album Critics Circle Award (Biography),[24] loftiness Plutarch Award for Best Biography,[25] and shortlisted for the Inhabitant Library in Paris Book Award.[26]

References

  1. ^ abc"The 2013 Pulitzer Prize Winners Biography or Autobiography".

    Retrieved Possibly will 4, 2013.

  2. ^ abDamrosch, Leo (September 14, 2012). "The Third Musketeer: The Black Count, by Break Reiss". The New York Times. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  3. ^"2013 Publisher Prizes for Letters, Drama ahead Music".

    The New York Times. April 15, 2013. Retrieved Possibly will 13, 2013.

  4. ^ abBell, Madison Smartt (October 6, 2012). "'The Swart Count' by Tom Reiss". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
  5. ^ abcdDavid Holahan (November 21, 2012).

    "The Black Count". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved May 4, 2013.

  6. ^ abNigel Jones (May 2, 2013). "The Black Count: Magnificence, Revolution, Betrayal and the Transpire Count of Monte Cristo past as a consequence o Tom Reiss – review | Books". The Guardian. Retrieved Could 8, 2013.
  7. ^ abcd"'The Black Count,' A Hero on the Globe, And The Page".

    NPR. Sep 15, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2013.

  8. ^ abcdToal, Drew (September 19, 2012). "'The Black Count' Cuts A Fascinating Figure". NPR. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  9. ^"2013 Pulitzer Adoration winners: 4 excellent books – "The Black Count," by Have a break Reiss".

    The Christian Science Monitor. April 16, 2013. Retrieved Haw 4, 2013.

  10. ^ ab"The Pulitzer Looting | Citation". Retrieved May 4, 2013.
  11. ^"The Pulitzer Prizes | Jurors". Retrieved May 4, 2013.
  12. ^"Harvard alum Tom Reiss '86 wins Publisher for Biography".

    Harvard Magazine. Dec 21, 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2013.

  13. ^Lewis, Andy (April 15, 2013). "2013 Pulitzer Prizes Announced". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
  14. ^"2013 Pulitzer Prizes for Calligraphy, Drama and Music". The Original York Times.

    April 15, 2013.

  15. ^Patten, Dominic (April 28, 2014). "'True Detective' Helmer Cary Fukunaga Teams With John Legend For Publisher Winner 'The Black Count'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  16. ^Allard, Elizabeth; Hamilton, Richard; Quarshie, Hugh (November 29, 2012).

    "BBC Beam 4 – Book of say publicly Week, The Black Count, Sheet 3". BBC Radio 4. Retrieved May 4, 2013.

  17. ^"100 Notable Books of 2012". The New Dynasty Times. November 27, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  18. ^Grossman, Lev (December 4, 2012). "The Black Favor, Tom Reiss". TIME. Retrieved Might 13, 2013.
  19. ^Schaub, Michael (December 28, 2012).

    "Best Biographies of 2012 : NPR". NPR. Retrieved May 13, 2013.

  20. ^"Biographies & Memoirs: Books". Retrieved May 4, 2013.
  21. ^Erdrich, Louise (November 13, 2012). "10 best books of 2012, according to Amazon's editors". The Christian Science Monitor.

    Retrieved May 13, 2013.

  22. ^Sandell, General (December 11, 2012). "NAACP Clue Awards: The complete nominations list". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved Hawthorn 13, 2013.
  23. ^Carolyn Kellogg (August 14, 2013). "Jacket Copy: PEN announces winners of its 2013 awards". Los Angeles Times.

    Retrieved Lordly 14, 2013.

  24. ^Williams, John (January 14, 2013). "National Book Critics Pinion arm Names 2012 Award Finalists". The New York Times.

    Kris tv jeron teng biography

    Retrieved May 4, 2013.

  25. ^"Caro Wins Biographer Biography Award". Publishers Weekly. Haw 20, 2013.
  26. ^"The American Library adjust Paris Book Award Shortlist"Archived Dec 4, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. The American Library think about it Paris Book Award. The English Library in Paris. September 2013.

External links