Messengers of Liberty

About the Book

People uprooted from Africa and brought to the French colony of St. Dominique as slaves were able to defeat their masters. After expelling those battle hardened veterans of European wars from the land they created the first black republic in the world and the second independent nation in America in January 1804. On the threshold of this bicentennial even to take place on January 1st 2004 in Haiti, their saga is retold in this book.

About the Author

Dr. Rodrigue Francois is a graduate from the State University of Haiti Medical School. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. But he has a passion for poetry and history that even five years of post doctorate studies were not able to extinguish.

To wit a variety of his poems, published by the International Library of Poetry in the Internet:

I "A Dream From Space 12" now archived by the International Library of Poetry. It drew editor C.S. comments "Wonderful verse. Select for the sound of poetry." It was subsequently featured on high quality cassette tapes and compact discs and sold to the public.

II "E-mail from Quasar III" (ISBN-158 235-510x) Published in America at the Millenium under the title "Best Poems and Poets of the 20th Century." On his comment, editor Howard Ely wrote him "We are truly impressed by the unique talent and artistic vision you have displayed in your work."

III "Ode to Joy" (ISBNI-582-35-1406) Published under the heading "Outstanding Poets of 1998."

IV "The Dilemma in Truxigone" (ISBNO 7951-5160-8) Published in Poetry's Elite, "Best Poems of 2000."

V "Images of Despair" (ISBNO 7951-516B-8) His second poem selected for the Sound of Poetry.

In this present book "Messengers of Liberty" he revealed how thousands of ex-slaves, using the right blend of guerilla warfare and French military strategy were able to defeat a segment of Napolean Bonaparte's army dubbed at that time the greatest in the world. In January 1804 they created the first black republic in the world and the second independant nation in America.

On the threshold of this bicentennial event in January 2004, it is befitting that their saga should be told to the world. And this saga is told in a style reminiscent of the Dumas, Victor Hugo and Dostoievski. The action is dense and unfolds at a dizzying pace, until the final sequence.

The chapters are arranged in small plates, easy to read. One may hear the clanking of the bayonets, the roar of the cannons, smell the gun powder and even see a soldier pick up the flag from a fallen comrade. With its brilliant metaphores and the sparkling dialogues, this book is the kind of material movie makers use to produce great technicolors.