The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo (Pulitzer Prize for Biography)
Sep 2012 · Sold by Crown
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PULITZER PRIZE WINNER • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A “richly imagined biography” (The New York Times Book Review) of General Alex Dumas, who rose from slavery to command vast armies in the French Revolutionary Wars—and whose exploits were immortalized in his son’s novels The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers
“Fascinating [and] entertaining.”—The Wall Street Journal
“Remarkable.”—The Boston Globe
“A truly amazing story.”—NPR
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: Time, The New Republic, NPR, Salon, Essence
General Alex Dumas is a man almost unknown today, yet his story is strikingly familiar—because his son, the novelist Alexandre Dumas, used his larger-than-life feats as inspiration for such classics as The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers.
But hidden behind General Dumas’s swashbuckling adventures was an even more incredible secret: he was the son of a black slave—who rose higher in the white world than any man of his race would before our own time. Born in Saint-Domingue (now Haiti), Alex Dumas made his way to Paris, where he rose to command armies of more than 50,000 men at the height of the Revolution.
No matter how high he soared, Dumas continued to live by his blade and his boldness in the face of overwhelming odds. Yet, because of his unwavering principles, he ultimately became a threat to Napoleon himself.
Time magazine called The Black Count “one of those quintessentially human stories of strength and courage that sheds light on the historical moment that made it possible.” It is also a window into the modern world’s first multiracial society and a heartbreaking story of the enduring bonds of love between a father and son.
FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD
“Fascinating [and] entertaining.”—The Wall Street Journal
“Remarkable.”—The Boston Globe
“A truly amazing story.”—NPR
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: Time, The New Republic, NPR, Salon, Essence
General Alex Dumas is a man almost unknown today, yet his story is strikingly familiar—because his son, the novelist Alexandre Dumas, used his larger-than-life feats as inspiration for such classics as The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers.
But hidden behind General Dumas’s swashbuckling adventures was an even more incredible secret: he was the son of a black slave—who rose higher in the white world than any man of his race would before our own time. Born in Saint-Domingue (now Haiti), Alex Dumas made his way to Paris, where he rose to command armies of more than 50,000 men at the height of the Revolution.
No matter how high he soared, Dumas continued to live by his blade and his boldness in the face of overwhelming odds. Yet, because of his unwavering principles, he ultimately became a threat to Napoleon himself.
Time magazine called The Black Count “one of those quintessentially human stories of strength and courage that sheds light on the historical moment that made it possible.” It is also a window into the modern world’s first multiracial society and a heartbreaking story of the enduring bonds of love between a father and son.
FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD
PULITZER PRIZE WINNER • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A “richly imagined biography” (The New York Times Book Review) of General Alex Dumas, who rose from slavery to command vast armies in the French Revolutionary Wars—and whose exploits were immortalized in his son’s novels The Count of Monte Crist...
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Ratings and reviews
74 reviews
Julie Stuart
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April 26, 2013
Beautifully told story that deserves to be shared with everyone. The historical & humanitarian aspects of Dumas' story make this a truly mesmerizing tale. I see a major motion-picture coming.
1 person found this review helpful
Paul Lefebvre
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December 21, 2020
I read this one in print, and it's a really great bio of someone I had not even known existed. Beyond the aspects of French history today I didn't know of, including their abuse of the people of Saint-Domingue, it was also interesting to learn how many aspects of Dumas' famous characters Athos, Aramis and Porthos are inspired by the adventures of his own father.
1 person found this review helpful
Peter Flynn
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December 24, 2012
Being a lover of history and the fun facts u find while studying history I was amazed I didn't know about General Dumas. Excellent story, fascinating to read.
About the author
TOM REISS is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Black Count and the author of the celebrated international bestseller The Orientalist. His biographical pieces have appeared The New Yorker, The New York Times and other publications. He makes his home in New York City.
TOM REISS is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Black Count and the author of the celebrated international bestseller The Orientalist. His biographical pieces have appeared The New Yorker, The New York Times and other publications. He makes his home in New York City.
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