Libete: A Haiti anthology - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 189936529X ISBN 13: 9781899365296

Publisher: Latin America Bureau, 1999

Synopsis

Haiti's dramatic history, pressing social problems and rich culture make it one of the most fascinating nations in the Americas. This book reflects Haiti's diversity through the best writing, both from and about the country. While many journalistic accounts are rapidly overtaken by events, this collection reveals the more deep-rooted reality of the "magic island"'s people and society. Mixing contributions from anthropologists, historians and novelists, the book is arranged thematically. It offers sections on a wide range of historical and contemporary issues--from foreign intervention and human rights, to popular culture, and the Haitian diaspora. Each section contains an introductory essay on a particular theme, extracts from differing authors and full bibliographic information. Contributions include previously unavailable work from Haitians, translated from Creole, as well as excerpts from such authors as C.L.R James, Aime Cesaire, Jacques Roumain and Edwige Danticat.

About this title

From the Author:

A comprehensive and lively introduction to Haiti.
Libète: A Haiti Anthology aims to introduce readers to a vast range of insights and opinions about Haiti - the Caribbean republic that never ceases to engage and fascinate.

As editor of eight of the ten chapters, I have tried to include extracts by Haitian writers wherever possible, and managed to do so with almost half of the 189 extracts. However as less than half of the Haitian population can read or write, inevitably the majority of published work on Haiti by Haitians has been written by members of the upper and middle class. In an effort to allow poorer Haitians to participate in the telling of their own story, I have included numerous extracts from journalists' reports that use quotes, and from interviews with the protagonists in the continuing struggle for social change.

The book is divided into 10 themes, with each chapter containing between 15-20 short readings. The themes are:

1. Colonialism and Revolution

2. The Status Quo: Elites, Soldiers and Dictators

3. Rural Haiti: Peasants, Land and the Environment

4. Poverty and Urban Life

5. Forces for Change

6. Refugees and the Diaspora

7. Foreign Interventions

8. Popular Religion and Culture

9. Literature and Language

10. The View from Abroad

There are also eight black and white portraits of Haitians by photographer Leah Gordon.

I include below two reviews of Libète: A Haiti Anthology.

The first is by Bob Corbett who runs an email list on Haiti, and teaches at Webster University in the US:

"Finally, a great textbook for Haiti!!! Yesterday I received a copy of LIBETE: A HAITI ANTHOLOGY. This is an extraordinary book, and one that fills a great gap in what's available. It is a series of many, many short pieces, sort of a Haiti reader, a sampler. Most readings are from well-known names in Haiti literature, from voices of a century or more ago to most contemporary writers.

This would make a wonderful book to have around for those moments when one has a few minutes to kill and doesn't want to daydream!

I highly recommend the book. It is sending me back to the drawing board with my fall on-line Haiti course. I'm going to redo the syllabus and use this as a textbook.

Editor Charles Arthur is a long-time list member living in England and heading up a group of people concerned with Haiti. He has been a frequent contributor to the group and has published the booklet AFTER THE DANCE, THE DRUM IS HEAVY. The other editor, Michael Dash has published two books on Haiti which I know of, HAITI AND THE UNITED STATES: NATIONAL STEREOTYPES AND THE LITERATRY IMAGINATION, and LITERATURE AND IDEOLOGY IN HAITI 1915-1961.

However you order it, don't wait on this one. It's a must for any household with an interest in Haiti!!!" by Robert Corbett, 26th June 1999.

The second review appears in the new "Lonely Planet Guide to the Dominican Republic and Haiti".

"An essential companion for any visitor to Haiti, "Libète: A Haiti Anthology", edited by Charles Arthur and Michael Dash, covers Haitian history from the Arawaks to Aristide. This immensely readable collection of short extracts, many by Haitian authors, is breathtaking in its scope and detail. Ten chapters, each with an introductory essay, provide a thorough and colorful background on the colonial period, the trials and tribulations of independence and foreign intervention, the struggle for democracy and development, and the culture, literature, and way of life of the Haitian people." by Leah Gordon in "The Lonely Planet - Dominican Republic and Haiti" 1999.

About this edition

• Publisher: Latin America Bureau
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 189936529X
• ISBN 13: 9781899365296
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 354
• Editor: Arthur Charles, Dash Michael