Miriam S. (diva99) reviewed The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo on + 19 more book reviews
Fascinating story about the father of the author of The Count of Monte Cristo. From Haiti and half black but descended from nobility, he served with distinction in the French army. Along the way the author brings you up to speed on French history. Highly recommend.
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo on + 1438 more book reviews
When I began this book I found myself wondering why I was reading it but as I turned the pages I found the author drawing me closer and closer to the subject. The novel is not just about an unrecognized general who was successful militarily but about what happened in France after our own Revolutionary War. The country who aided our own found itself without money - quite literally bankrupted! So much had been spent in the American colonies that the political situation in France became unbalanced. Enlisting as a common soldier to spite his aristocratic father and prove himself, Alex Dumas rose steadily through the ranks until he became a respected general. He was honest, cared about his men and the people they conquered, brave and successful. He led at the front of his troops at one time holding a bridge by himself until reinforcements could come. However, his downfall came with Napoleon's rise to power. While Napoleon recognized his talents and put him in charge of many groups, he hated the man. Was it because he was a man of color?
Tall, handsome, and outspoken, he was compared by the author and others to the Romans whose stature he resembled. When he is captured and imprisoned, his health deteriorated and all he wanted was to be home with his beloved wife and daughter. Yet even there he missed military action and asked time and again what he could do for his beloved France. This is an emotionally charged story about a man who was almost forgotten in the history of France in spite of the many brave acts that were documented through letters and buried files. Highly educated, Dumas left a written trail of his life that helped the author untangle much of what happened. This is indeed a fascinating portrayal of a brave brave individual who inspired much of what Alexandre Dumas wrote in the famous novel, The Three Musketeers. Read it and be prepared for an exciting experience.
Tall, handsome, and outspoken, he was compared by the author and others to the Romans whose stature he resembled. When he is captured and imprisoned, his health deteriorated and all he wanted was to be home with his beloved wife and daughter. Yet even there he missed military action and asked time and again what he could do for his beloved France. This is an emotionally charged story about a man who was almost forgotten in the history of France in spite of the many brave acts that were documented through letters and buried files. Highly educated, Dumas left a written trail of his life that helped the author untangle much of what happened. This is indeed a fascinating portrayal of a brave brave individual who inspired much of what Alexandre Dumas wrote in the famous novel, The Three Musketeers. Read it and be prepared for an exciting experience.
