The Haitian journalist Roberson Alphonse published this great write-up of my August 14 book talk at the Haitian Embassy in Washington, D.C.: Marlene L. Daut’s Book Brings Henry Christophe to Life at Haiti’s Washington Embassy
Here is a little excerpt: The host, Ambassador Lionel Delatour, in renewing the tradition of cultural gatherings instituted by his predecessors, seeks to make the embassy a place of encounters around Haiti, our land, our ancestors, their history, and their legacy to us and to the world. His guest, Marlene L. Daut, Haitian-American, “yon fanm move”, a leading academic, professor of French and African Diaspora Studies at Yale University, and author of several works including Awakening the Ashes: An Intellectual History of the Haitian Revolution, and her recent book The First and Last King of Haiti: The Rise and Fall of Henry Christophe, 630 pages, published in 2025 by Alfred A. Knopf.
The ambassador also assumes—through and alongside Marlene L. Daut’s latest book—the choice of organizing more than just a cultural event. History is probed to seek keys, to learn from the mistakes and achievements of our ancestors. “It is entirely appropriate that we turn toward the one we call the ‘builder king’ as we reflect on the different ways to emerge from the crisis,” said the Haitian diplomat, praising Marlene Daut’s book.
“This book,” continued Lionel Delatour, “is more than just a biography. It is a powerful story that speaks of resilience, ambition, vision, and legacy. Through her work, we not only have the opportunity to learn more closely about the life of King Henry Christophe, but also to reflect on the foundations of Haitian sovereignty and identity. In this period of profound challenges for our country, his example reminds us that leadership grounded in objectives and vision can chart the path forward, even in the face of formidable obstacles,” Delatour affirmed.
“However,” he emphasized, “history also warns us of the consequences of internal divisions and neglect of the well-being of our people. The tragic end of Christophe’s reign reminds us soberly that if we fail to resolve our fractures, if we do not invest in improving the living conditions of our population, we risk repeating the mistakes that led to conflict, unrest, and instability. It is by learning from these errors that we will be able to break the cycles that weigh on our nation,” said the Haitian ambassador in welcoming Marlene Daut.