Written in Blood: The Story of the Haitian People 1492-1995

by Nancy Gordon Heinl, Michael Heinl, Robert Debs Heinl, et al.

Book Overview

This newly revised edition of Written in Blood, expanded by Michael Heinl, includes new research and an updated version of the 1996 edition's orthography of Creole. Written in Blood remains the most complete history of Haiti ever written in English and one of the most complete in any language.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0761831770
• ISBN13: 9780761831778
• Release Date: November 2005
• Publisher: Globe Pequot Publishing Group Inc/Bloomsbury
• Length: 882 Pages
• Weight: 2.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.8" x 6.7" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Awesome book of tragic Haitian history

This book is awesome. It is a wonderful piece of work. My perspective is as someone who spent 9 months working in Haiti, however, I am not sure how appreciated it would be by someone who is less familiar with the country. It terrificly explains the tragic history of Haiti and ties in somewhat current events. I enjoyed reading it with the familiarity of knowing the places the author descibes. The only negative to this book may be that recent history isn't included due to it's publication date. As those familiar with Haiti well know, the political situation can quickly change in such a fragile country.

Written In Blood

This is an excellent book. I have yet to read a more unbiassed detailed book on the history of Haiti, wheter in the French or English language.The book details with precision the lives of the many players that have affected Haiti's political landscape in one way or another.I recommend this book to all Haitians, or to anyone who's interested in knowing the reasons behind the current horrific political and social situation of Haiti.You'll be suprised to learn who the true heroes of Haiti are.

Ranks with Churchill, Gibbon and Maculay as Timeless Classic

Very fair, with great detailed understanding of the convolutions of Haiti's tragic history. Glossary provides definitions of French and Creole terms. Photos and maps, along with a very helpful chronology .I've read Churchill, Gibbon and Maculay's histories and say this book belongs in their company. The compassion for the suffering peoples and the trenchant and bitting comments about the selfish and deluded men and women who usually gain power, is very easy to read and hard to put down.Living in Miami, having Haitian friends, I now understand why thse people are immagrants, and most of the Cubans who live here are "exiles"; eternal foreigners dreaming about a land with no Fidel. I also reccommend "Continental Drift", a novel about Haiti and the US, as well. Also a very good read. "Written In Blood" is a giant and great book that will leave you with one sure thing: congratulating yourself for reading it and your feeling anger at the poor leaders of Haiti, and compassion for the ordinary people who flee and those who remain.

Excellent, thorough history of the Haitian politics

Having lived in Haiti for 5 months in 1996, I was quite eager to find this title. The author truly painted a vivid picture of a country that really grew on me. The early years from Columbus were very interesting as of course the last fifty years of this decade with the Duvaliers. Keen writing and explaination of voodoo was also appreciated in the appendix. A must read for anyone truly interested in the history of Haiti or the Caribbean nations.

Excellent reading , well written , and thorough

As a lawyer representing Haitian refugees , I was looking for a book that could put into historical context the experiences that I daily hear from my clients . This book , which I chose by pure happestance , is one of the best historical books that I have read. ( as a history buff I have read many). It exhaustively covers the whole history of the Haitian people in exquisite detail (1492 to 1995 ) and has definitely helped me better represent my clients in a very hostile asylum process. I highly recommend it.