The Black Jacobins: Toussaint L’Ouverture and the San Domingo Revolution_eBook and Audiobook with Confronting Black Jacobins, Dr. Gerald Horne (eBook and Auiobook) and The Black Jacobins Reader

December 13, 2024March 12, 2025RBG Street Scholar Leave a comment

Last Updated 12-15-2024

Book Summary

“The Black Jacobins” is a historical account by C.L.R. James that explores the Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) and the role of its leader, Toussaint L’Ouverture. The book examines the interplay of class, race, and power in the struggle for Haitian independence from French colonial rule. James presents a detailed narrative of the events leading to the revolution, the complexity of the social dynamics involved, and the impact of the revolution on the wider world. Through the lens of L’Ouverture’s life and leadership, the book highlights the struggle for freedom and equality, making it a significant work in the study of history, race, and revolution.

The following outline encapsulates the major themes and structure of C.L.R. James’s seminal work, emphasizing the significance of the Haitian Revolution and its leader in the context of world history.

Outline of “The Black Jacobins”

Introduction
- Context of the Haitian Revolution
- Importance of Toussaint L’Ouverture
- Themes of race, class, and revolution
Part I: The Setting
- Colonialism in Saint-Domingue
  - Overview of the plantation economy
  - Social hierarchy: whites, free people of color, and enslaved people
- Influence of the French Revolution
  - Impact of Enlightenment ideas
  - The rise of revolutionary sentiments
Part II: The Revolution Begins
- Initial uprisings of enslaved people
- Toussaint L’Ouverture’s early involvement
- Key figures in the revolution
- The role of external forces (France, Britain, Spain)
Part III: Toussaint L’Ouverture’s Leadership
- Rise to power and political strategies
- Military campaigns and tactics
- Balancing alliances with France and other powers
- Vision for Haiti and abolition of slavery
Part IV: Internal Conflicts
- Tensions among revolutionary leaders
- Class divisions within the revolutionary movement
- The challenge of governance and social order
Part V: The Fall of Toussaint
- Betrayal and capture by the French
- Impact of his leadership on the revolution’s course
- The rise of Jean-Jacques Dessalines and others
Conclusion: The Legacy of the Revolution
- Outcomes of the Haitian Revolution
- Influence on global movements for freedom and equality
- Reflections on race and colonialism

The Black Jacobins_eBook

A classic and impassioned account of the first revolution in the Third World.This powerful, intensely dramatic book is the definitive account of the Haitian Revolution of 1794-1803, a revolution that began in the wake of the Bastille but became the model for the Third World liberation movements from Africa to Cuba. It is the story of the French colony of San Domingo, a place where the brutality of master toward slave was commonplace and ingeniously refined. And it is the story of a barely literate slave named Toussaint L’Ouverture, who led the black people of San Domingo in a successful struggle against successive invasions by overwhelming French, Spanish, and English forces and in the process helped form the first independent nation in the Caribbean.

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The Black Jacobins_Audiobook

Confronting Black Jacobins, Dr. Gerald Horne_eBook

Book Summary

“Confronting Black Jacobins” by Dr. Gerald Horne is an exploration of the historical context and implications of the Haitian Revolution, focusing on the revolutionary figures, particularly Toussaint L’Ouverture, and the broader impact on the Atlantic world.

The following overview and outline provides a structured capsule of the major themes and topics discussed in “Confronting Black Jacobins,” highlighting Dr. Horne’s analysis of the Haitian Revolution and its lasting significance.

Overview

Historical Context: The book situates the Haitian Revolution within the larger scope of the Atlantic slave trade and the French Revolution.
Key Figures: It examines the lives and contributions of important figures, especially Toussaint L’Ouverture, and their roles in challenging colonial power.
Impact of the Revolution: Horne discusses the implications of Haiti’s independence for slavery, colonialism, and race relations in the Americas and Europe.
Racial Dynamics: The narrative addresses the intersection of race, class, and revolution, highlighting how these elements influenced the struggle for freedom.
Legacy and Memory: The book reflects on how the Haitian Revolution has been remembered and misremembered in historical narratives.

Outline

Introduction
- Overview of the Haitian Revolution
- Significance in world history
Historical Background
- The Atlantic slave trade and its impact
- The role of colonial powers, especially France
Key Figures
- Toussaint L’Ouverture
  - Early life and rise to power
  - Military strategies and leadership
- Other notable leaders
  - Jean-Jacques Dessalines
  - Henri Christophe
The Revolution Begins
- Factors leading to the uprising
- Initial revolts and their suppression
French Revolution Influence
- Connection to the French Revolution
- Ideological underpinnings and inspirations
International Reactions
- Responses from colonial powers
- The impact on slave societies in the Americas
Struggles for Control
- Internal conflicts among revolutionary leaders
- The role of external forces, including the U.S. and Britain
Haiti’s Independence
- Declaration of independence and its significance
- Immediate consequences for Haiti and the region
Legacy of the Haitian Revolution
- Influence on abolitionist movements
- Ongoing struggles for racial equality and social justice
Conclusion
- Reflection on the memory of the Haitian Revolution
- Its relevance to contemporary issues of race and freedom

Confronting Black Jacobins, Dr. Gerald Horne_Audiobook

Audio start in earnest (Introduction) and corresponds to page 8 of the above Reader.

Part 1

Part 2

The Black Jacobins Reader

Containing a wealth of new scholarship and rare primary documents, The Black Jacobins Reader provides a comprehensive analysis of C. L. R. James’s classic history of the Haitian Revolution. In addition to considering the book’s literary qualities and its role in James’s emergence as a writer and thinker, the contributors discuss its production, context, and enduring importance in relation to debates about decolonization, globalization, postcolonialism, and the emergence of neocolonial modernity. The Reader also includes the reflections of activists and novelists on the book’s influence and a transcript of James’s 1970 interview with Studs Terkel.

Learn more in RBG Communiversity Knowledge Media eLibrary:

C. L. R. James Studies Folder
Dr. Gerald Horne History Education Collection Folder
BPM | BLM Audiobooks Folder
BPM | BLM eBooks Folder

SUPPLEMENTAL: CLR JAMES VS MARCUS GARVEY

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A Revolutionary for Our Time: The Walter Rodney Story by Leo Zeilig_eBook and Audiobook, with HAP 123-History Teaches Us- Walter Rodney

November 30, 2024December 2, 2024RBG Street Scholar Leave a comment

Book Summary

A Revolutionary for Our Time: The Walter Rodney Story by Leo Zeilig is a biography that delves into the life and legacy of Walter Rodney, a prominent Guyanese historian, political activist, and revolutionary. The book highlights Rodney’s contributions to Caribbean intellectual thought, his critiques of colonialism and imperialism, and his dedication to social justice and the empowerment of the oppressed. Through Rodney’s story, Zeilig explores broader themes of race, class, and resistance in the Caribbean, as well as the impact of Rodney’s work on contemporary movements for social change.

Key Themes and Historical Context:

Introduction to Walter Rodney
- Overview of Rodney’s significance in Caribbean history
- Brief introduction to his early life and background
Early Life and Education
- Rodney’s upbringing in British Guiana
- Educational experiences and early influences
- Development of his political consciousness
Academic Career and Historical Contributions
- Rodney’s work as a historian and scholar
- Key publications and their impact (e.g., “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa”)
- Methodological approaches and critiques of traditional historiography
Political Activism and Leader of the People’s Movement
- Involvement in political movements in Guyana
- Formation of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA)
- Advocacy for the rights of marginalized communities
Colonialism and Imperialism
- Rodney’s critique of colonial structures
- Analysis of the effects of colonialism on Caribbean societies
- Advocacy for decolonization and self-determination
Exile and International Influence
- Rodney’s experiences of exile and its impact on his work
- Connections with other revolutionary movements in the Caribbean and globally
- Participation in international forums and discussions
Legacy and Impact
- Rodney’s influence on subsequent generations of activists and scholars
- The continuing relevance of his ideas in contemporary struggles
- Commemoration of Rodney’s life and work in cultural memory
Conclusion
- Reflection on Walter Rodney’s contributions as a revolutionary thinker
- The importance of his legacy in the fight for social justice and equality

A Revolutionary for Our Time: The Walter Rodney Story_eBook

Walter Rodney was a scholar, working class militant, and revolutionary from Guyana. Strongly influenced by Marxist ideas, he remains central to radical Pan-Africanist thought for large numbers of activists’ today. Rodney lived through the failed –though immensely hopeful -socialist experiments in the 1960s and 1970s, in Tanzania and elsewhere. The book critically considers Rodney’s contribution to Marxist theory and history, his relationship to dependency theory and the contemporary significance of his work in the context of movements and politics today. The first full-length study of Rodney’s life, this book is an essential introduction to Rodney’s work.

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A Revolutionary for Our Time: The Walter Rodney Story_Audiobook

Part 1

Part 2 HAP 123-History Teaches Us- Walter Rodney

Learn more in RBG Communiversity Knowledge Media eLibrary:

Walter Rodney Folder
BPM | BLM Audiobooks Folder
BPM | BLM eBooks Folder
History of African Philosophy (HAP Podcast) Folder

Mau Mau in Harlem?_The U.S. and the Liberation of Kenya, Gerald Horne|eBook and Audiobook| (Contemporary Black History), with Mau Mau Warrior Illustrated eBook, by Abiodun Alao (Author), Christa Hook (Illustrator).

November 29, 2024January 14, 2025Frolinan Scholar Leave a comment

Book Summary:

“Mau Mau in Harlem?: The U.S. and the Liberation of Kenya” is a book by historian Gerald Horne which explores the connections between the African-American Civil Rights movement in the United States and the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya, specifically how the struggle for Kenyan independence resonated with African Americans, leading to a sense of solidarity and even the idea of a “Mau Mau” movement within Harlem and other Black communities in the U.S.

Key points about the book:

Focus on the Mau Mau: The book delves into the Mau Mau Uprising, a violent guerrilla campaign by Kenyan Kikuyu people against British colonial rule in the 1950s, primarily focused on land rights and self-determination.
Harlem connection: It analyzes how the struggles of the Mau Mau movement were closely followed and supported by African Americans in Harlem, New York, who saw parallels with their own fight for civil rights in the United States.
Scholarly research: Horne draws on extensive archival research conducted in the US, UK, and Kenya to provide a nuanced understanding of the interconnectedness between the two movements.
Impact on Black consciousness: The book argues that the Mau Mau rebellion contributed to a growing sense of Black consciousness and solidarity among African Americans, further fueling the civil rights movement.
The Mau Mau Uprising: This was a violent resistance movement against British colonial rule in Kenya, primarily led by the Kikuyu tribe, during the 1950s.
African (American) Solidarity: The book argues that African Americans saw parallels between the Kenyan struggle against British colonialism and their own fight for civil rights in the U.S., leading to significant support for the Mau Mau movement within the Black community.
Malcolm X’s “Mau Mau in Harlem” reference: A prominent example of this connection is Malcolm X’s statement about the potential need for a “Mau Mau” style uprising in Harlem, signifying a willingness to use more militant tactics to achieve racial equality.
Historical Context: The book examines the broader historical context of the Cold War, where the U.S. was keen to demonstrate its anti-colonial stance, leading to some level of support for Kenyan independence.

Mau Mau in Harlem, Gerald Horne?_eBook

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Mau Mau in Harlem, Gerald Horne?_Audiobook

Audio start in earnest (Introduction @ 4 mins. 45 sec.) and corresponds to page 12 of the above Reader.

Part 1

Part 2 Mau Mau Warrior Illustrated eBook, by Abiodun Alao (Author), Christa Hook (Illustrator).

Amazon Books: “Osprey’s study of the Mau Mau Rebellion (1952-1960) in Kenya and its fighters. The Mau Mau Freedom Fighters waged a guerrilla war for eight years against their British colonial rulers, which became known as the Mau Mau Uprising. The Mau Mau sought to win back their land and independence. This underground militia was an extremely powerful force employing tactics, which included the assassination of British settlers and the Africans who collaborated with the British, as well as raiding colonial prisons for weapons and staging daring ambushes in the Kenyan forests and mountains. The conflict saw these untrained warriors, deemed by many to be terrorists employ an innovative mix of traditional African warfare tactics, counterinsurgency methods and European firepower. The uprising ended in failure but set the stage for Kenyan independence in 1963. This title will explore their unique motivations, training and tactics, as well as their battle experience.”

Learn more in RBG Communiversity Knowledge Media eLibrary:

Dr. Gerald Horne History Education Collection Folder
BPM | BLM Audiobooks Folder
BPM | BLM eBooks Folder

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse: The Story of Leonard Peltier and the FBI’s War on the American Indian Movement, by Peter Matthiessen| eBook and Audiobook, with FREE Leonard Peltier Video Player

November 28, 2024October 8, 2025Frolinan Scholar Leave a comment

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse is a chronicle of a fatal gun-battle between FBI agents and American Indian Movement activists by renowned writer Peter Matthiessen (1927-2014).

Book Summary

“In the Spirit of Crazy Horse: The Story of Leonard Peltier and the FBI’s War on the American Indian Movement” by Peter Matthiessen is a profound examination of the life of Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist and a key figure in the American Indian Movement (AIM). The book details the events surrounding the 1975 shootout at Wounded Knee, the subsequent FBI investigation, and the controversial trial of Peltier, who was convicted of murder in the deaths of two FBI agents. Matthiessen’s narrative provides insights into the systemic oppression faced by Native Americans, the FBI’s aggressive tactics against AIM, and the broader struggles for Indigenous rights in the United States.

Essential Themes and Historical Context:

Introduction to Leonard Peltier
- Overview of Peltier’s significance within the American Indian Movement
- Introduction to the themes of oppression and resistance in Native American history
Historical Context of the American Indian Movement
- The formation of AIM and its goals
- Key events leading to the rise of Native activism in the 1960s and 1970s
- The impact of historical injustices on Indigenous communities
The Wounded Knee Incident
- Description of the 1973 occupation of Wounded Knee
- Tensions between AIM activists and federal authorities
- Major events and confrontations during the occupation
The Shootout and Its Aftermath
- Detailed account of the 1975 shootout that led to the deaths of FBI agents
- The immediate aftermath and the FBI’s response to the incident
- The portrayal of Peltier in the media and by the authorities
The FBI’s Campaign Against AIM
- Examination of the FBI’s surveillance and counterintelligence operations targeting AIM
- Analysis of tactics used by the FBI to infiltrate and undermine the movement
- The broader implications of the FBI’s actions on Native American activism
Trial and Conviction of Leonard Peltier
- Overview of Peltier’s arrest and the legal proceedings that followed
- Discussion of the evidence presented during the trial and its controversies
- Examination of claims regarding the fairness of the trial and the judicial system
Public Support and Advocacy
- Overview of the grassroots movements and public campaigns advocating for Peltier
- The role of various organizations in raising awareness of his case
- The significance of international attention and support for Indigenous rights
Legacy and Ongoing Struggles
- Reflection on Peltier’s impact on the fight for Indigenous rights and justice
- Discussion of the continuing issues faced by Native Americans today
- The importance of remembering and honoring the struggles of Indigenous peoples
Conclusion
- Summary of key themes and insights from Matthiessen’s narrative
- Final reflections on the significance of Leonard Peltier’s story in the context of American history

In the Spirit of Crazy_eBook

“On a hot June morning in 1975, a desperate shoot-out between FBI agents and Native Americans near Wounded Knee, South Dakota, left an Indian and two federal agents dead. Four members of the American Indian Movement were indicted on murder charges, and one, Leonard Peltier, was convicted and is now serving consecutive life sentences in a federal penitentiary. Behind this violent chain of events lie issues of great complexity and profound historical resonance, brilliantly explicated by Peter Matthiessen in this controversial book. Kept off the shelves for eight years because of one of the most protracted and bitterly fought legal cases in publishing history, In the Spirit of Crazy Horse reveals the Lakota tribe’s long struggle with the U.S. government, and makes clear why the traditional Indian concept of the earth is so important at a time when increasing populations are destroying the precious resources of our world.”

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