I loved this book! I bought it as a child and I still treasure it. It tells the story of the everyday life of a young Haitian girl who one day meets a man who encourages her to use her 'magination. The illustrations are lovely also.

A leader in travel guides, Lonely Plant once again proves it self as the leader in the industry with this excellent guide to traveling to/throughout the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Although Haiti's tourism industry is nearly nonexistent, the guide still provides the readers with information on attractions, accommodations, and safety issues.

In covering the neighboring Dominican Republic, the book provides much more information for this country which has seen a major boom in its' tourism industry since the late 1980s. Always informative with tidbits if information, history, maps, and information for singles and gay & lesbian travelers, the "Lonely Planet Dominican Republic and Haiti" is the best book for anyone planning a trip to the island of Hispaniola. Excellent guide for an excellent price.

It's been more than thirty years since I first read "Lydia Bailey" and I'm glad to see it available again after years out of print. Kenneth Roberts was a terrific writer and he has a terrific story to tell, with action ranging from New England in the early 1800's, to Haiti during Toussaint L'Ouverture's rebellion, to the Barbary Coast. This novel is a little bit detective story, a whole lot of rousing adventure and just the right amount of romance, mixed in with plenty of pointed observations along the way about political shenanigans and the highs and lows of human nature. They really don't write 'em this way any more--which is a shame. Very highly recommended!

I have been a student of Dr. Rey's at Florida International University and his knowledge of Haitian religion and social climate is extensive. He is a bonifide expert. Not only has his research come from books, but his understanding is from his first hand experience living in Haiti for a time. This book is rich with history of the Caribbean slave trade, Haitian independence, and the social/political/religious turmoil of the 20th century. All these factors contribute to the way relationship between the Virgin and the Haitian people is percieved and how the Virgin is used by the elite and the underpriviledged. At the same time, there is the undeniable influence of the vibrant and empowering religion of Vodou, which fuses the Virgin with Ezili, "lwa" of sex, love, and beauty. To outsiders who frequently misunderstand or are outright prejudiced against the people poorer countries and/or African religion, this book provides an accurate picture of Haiti and teaches that one of the world's most beautiful, poetic, colorful, and life-affirming religions came from a people who suffered through great atrocities and oppression because all they had was their creativity and spirituality to sustain them.

Wow.... This books depicts a harsh reality.. it is amazingly real, and accurate. I was born in Haiti and I am a witness to this reality. If you want to know about Haiti, and US policy read it. I enjoyed it.

I read this when it was first on the internet. Before he wrote the book. It gave me the insentive to find my Toussaint roots. It is the best thing that happen to me. My grandfather always tolds us stories of our heritage. Edna Toussaint Scott. Before most families came to Louisiana; we were here as Free People of Color. My Book is on The Louisiana Toussaint. We are Proud People; because of Toussaint L'ouverture. Thank you Mr. Gillespie.

I can't recommend this book highly enough for anyone interested in world music, Afro-Caribbean religion and Haitian culture. Very few academically researched books convey this level of top quality, engaging writing. I couldn't put it down! Rara is a unique, fascinating musical form indigenous to the Caribbean and affiliated with the Haitian peasantry and vodou. It's hard to explain -- a multi-layered, polyphonic music akin to the minimalism of Steve Reich, but much cooler. If you're lucky enough to live in New York or Miami, you can see rara every weekend during the summer in your own city! This book explains the history, culture and significance of the music. And it also includes a CD so you can hear the music for yourself. Highly recommended!

This book is a must read for not only haitian americans but anyone interested in understanding the cruel system of slavery that is still in place today in Haiti. The author takes us through his painful youth as a child slave, or restavec, into his adulthood.

Although this book was sad in many respects, I really enjoyed reading it as it really opened my eyes to abuses in Haiti I had no idea existed. The author also spends time dealing with his experience with "black America" and how as a haiitan man he had difficulties in relating to the black experience/culture of the U.S, and the inherent racisim that comes with the skin color from whites, and the prejuduice that comes from blacks.

GOOD READ!

After spending three years in London, Colorado private investigator Mitch Roberts begins the trek home. On the way to Miami, Mitch flirts with stewardess Rosemary Collins, who suggests he meet her at the Tropical Lounge, just off the Miami-Dade International Airport. However, once in the lounge's parking lot, a masked dude holds Mitch up taking his money and credit cards. Mitch's efforts to obtain a replacement credit card fails so feeling stranded he calls former minor league baseball teammate Bobby Hilliard, a crazy person, for help.

Bobby assists Mitch with some cash, new clothing, and a place to bonefish in the Keys. Bobby later offers Mitch a deal of several thousand dollars to take care of something on Hispaniola. Apparently, someone stole Haitian art that was headed to one of Bobby's Florida galleries. Bobby wants Mitch to find the thief. Reluctantly, Mitch agrees not aware the danger he will face in Haiti.

The latest Mitch Gaylord mystery, SAMEDI'S KNAPSACK, is an exciting tale that moves rather quickly forward. The key (no pun intended) to the tale is that author Gaylord Dold insures his prime characters seem genuine though a bit flaky, which in turn adds essence, reality, and enjoyment to the plot. Fans of a fun to read private sleuth series will want to try other Gaylord stories as well as other novels by Mr. Dold who is solid gold when it comes to novels.

Harriet Klausner

Gibbons was the UNICEF representative during the period of the de facto government (1991-1994). She faced a difficult moral, practical and political difficulty in supporting the United Nations economic sanctions against Haiti. While she recognized the purpose of the sanctions was to force the de factor government out of office, in fact the result of the sanctions threated the basic human rights of Haitian children. This was a great dilemma for Gibbons, since the UN, her boss, was supporting both the sanctions AND the universal human rights for children. One or the other had to be violated in the practical situation in Haiti. Gibbons was caught in a terribly difficult situation between her sponsoring organization and ITS own rules, and her own moral conscience. There was no clear and decent solution, so she took a middle ground. While keeping the strict letter of the sanctions she managed to aid children as much as she could.

Perhaps the most difficult single issue for her was the measles epidemic between 1991-1993. Give the prohibition she faced on working with the de facto government, children faced dying from this preventable disease if only UNICEF could mount a nation-wide vaccination program. She worked outside the de facto government as best she could, but she was convinced hundreds, if not thousands, of children died in violation of their basic human rights.

Gibbons goes on to raise the moral and political problems with sanctions in general, spinning off from her work in Haiti.

The book is well documented and well argued. It has the touch of a moral philosopher as much as a caring director of UNICEF's program.

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