The Quickie “The Black Count” by Tom Reiss Review

In the riveting biography “The Black Count,” Tom Reiss unveils the extraordinary life of General Alex Dumas, a mixed-race hero whose courage and charisma inspired his son, the renowned author Alexandre Dumas, to create some of literature’s most beloved characters.

A depiction of the French Revolution in full swing.

Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, “The Black Count” delves into the captivating life of General Alex Dumas, a man whose remarkable achievements have long been overshadowed by his son’s literary fame.

Born in Saint-Domingue (present-day Haiti) to a French nobleman and an enslaved African woman, Alex Dumas defied the odds stacked against him to become one of the most celebrated military figures of his time.

Reiss skillfully weaves together historical records, personal letters, and eyewitness accounts to paint a vivid portrait of a man whose courage, intelligence, and unyielding spirit propelled him to greatness. +