In 1791, inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution, the slaves of San Domingo rose in revolt. Despite invasion by a series of British, Spanish and Napoleonic armies, their
twelve-year struggle led to the creation of Haiti, the first independent black republic outside Africa. C.L.R. James illuminates these epoch-making events. He explores the appalling
economic realities of the Caribbean economy, the roots of the world's only successful slave revolt and the utterly extraordinary former slave - Toussaint L'Overture - who led them.