January 2025 Nonfiction: Fresh Reads for the New Year | Bookstr →

The First and Last King of Haiti: The Rise and Fall of Henry Christophe by Marlene L. Daut

The First and Last King of Haiti: The Rise and Fall of Henry Christophe by Marlene L. Daut, out January 7, is a gripping historical biography. Born into enslavement, Christophe became a revolutionary hero, and then Haiti’s first and only king. His story is one of fierce ambition, disloyalty, and ultimate tragedy, including fighting for and against his fellow revolutionaries. As King Henry I, he ruled with vision and controversy, shaping Haiti’s post-revolutionary identity before his dramatic fall. Daut unpacks Christophe’s complex legacy amid Haiti’s split into rival nations. This book brings a turbulent era of friendship, grand deception, and rebellious chaos to life. Perfect for readers fascinated by Caribbean history and larger-than-life figures.