In Focus Haiti: A Guide to the People, Politics and Culture

by Charles Arthur

During two centuries of independence from colonial rule, Haiti has developed into a society quite distinct from those found in the rest of the region. Hollywood-derived images of black magic and Graham Greene-inspired conceptions of a "nightmare republic" do scant justice to the reality of life for those who make up the third largest population in the Caribbean. How did the slaves of France's most prosperous colony defeat the armies of Napoleon, Spain, and Britain? Why did the U.S. occupation of 1915-34 fail to establish a plantation economy in Haiti? Haiti in Focus is an authoritative and up-to-date guide to this fascinating country. The guide explores the land, history and politics, economy, society and people, culture and environment, and includes tips on where to go and what to see.

99 pages, Paperback

First published January 18, 2002

Reviews

[Elagabalus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't consider this a book meant for touring the country or reading in preparation of a vacation in Haiti. Instead, I consider it a well-rounded and concise analysis of the country and its history, the people and their culture, and the fight for this complex place and its people to continue existing. In Focus: Haiti as authored by Charles Arthur provides an excellent view into the long and revolutionary history of Haiti, along with vital class analysis, historical clarity, and criticism of ignorance toward Haiti - such as how AIDS in Haiti was actually spread by American sex tourists, and how the current state of Haiti's socio-economic troubles have been mostly caused by slave-owning empires wanting to eliminate the revolutionary nation of these freed slaves.

While the first two-thirds summarize the intense struggles for the only successful slave revolution to continue (a struggle which continues today), the last third goes very comfortably into showing readers how beautiful the country can be, too. Wonderful artists, writers, music, and other cultural heart are shown in an exciting way. In the last pages, there is even a list of suggested reading and bookstores from and within Haiti. This short book has me very interested in further discovering more about Haiti as a society and culture, which luckily contrasts to the virulent racist perspective I was raised to hold. The intentions of the author to be educating and enlightening have seemed to be highly successful, and I recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about the country and people.

[Chase · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very impressed with the depth and accessibility of this book. I bought it before going to Haiti for a week in order to learn about the country.

I would compare it to the background chapter in the Lonely Planet book, but much deeper. I think it is part of a series of books on countries in Latin America and the Caribbean published by Interlink, so I'd recommend them to anyone traveling to any of the countries in the region for the first time.

[Evamaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this in preparation for two months in Haiti, this book gives a good, detailed overview over history, politics and culture of Haiti. The fact that it's from before the earthquake makes it especially obvious that this was a troubled country even before, but it also highlights the vibrancy and beauty that can be found.