The Black Count

Great biography of Alex Dumas, the father of [a:Alexandre Dumas 4785 Alexandre Dumas https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1279049943p2/4785.jpg]. This is the best work of non-fiction I've read since [b:Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln 2199 Team of Rivals The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln Doris Kearns Goodwin https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1347278868s/2199.jpg 2861004].I've always been a fan of Alexandre Dumas and have read a great deal of his work. It was interesting to read about the family history and the amazing things the his father accomplished. The biography starts with Alex Dumas' grandfather a minor son of a noble in France who took off to the new world to make his fortune. It continues through Alex's childhood in Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) and return to France. His participation in the France Revolution and following campaigns. His eventual capture, imprisonment and life after his release. Truly, a rags to riches to rags story. The book is told in an easy to read voice. The footnotes are plentiful and particularly helpful. I'm going to have to check out more by [a:Tom Reiss 63278 Tom Reiss https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1354292860p2/63278.jpg]. If you enjoy a good biography, French History, or the writing of Alexandre Dumas you really should read this book.