A Haitian Revolution Reading List
By NYPL Staff
May 6, 2026

The Haitian Revolution (1791–1804)—the first successful revolt by enslaved peoples in modern history—not only established Haiti as an independent nation, but reshaped the Atlantic world with lasting political and social impacts. In the lead-up to Haitian Flag Day, celebrated every May 18 as a reminder of this world-changing event, we're highlighting books in our circulating collection about this historic fight for freedom and its legacy of self-liberation and independence. We've also included a selection of historical fiction which brings to life both famous figures and everyday people as they navigated these tumultuous events.

The first book on the Nonfiction list is The First and Last King of Haiti!

• The First and Last King of Haiti: The Rise and Fall of Henry Christophe
  by Marlene L. Daut
  Henry Christophe is one of the most richly complex figures in the history of the Americas, and was, in his time, popular and famous the world over. Why did Christophe turn his back on Toussaint Louverture and the very revolution with which his name is so indelibly associated? What caused Haiti to eventually split into two countries?The First and Last King of Haiti is a riveting story of not only geopolitical clashes on a grand scale but also of friendship and loyalty, treachery and betrayal, heroism and strife in an era of revolutionary upheaval.

Check out the rest of the list here: https://www.nypl.org/blog/2026/05/06/haitian-revolution-reading-list