The History of Haiti (The Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations) [Hardcover]

Steeve Coupeau (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 30, 2007 | ISBN-10: 0313340897 | ISBN-13: 978-0313340895

Haiti's long and turbulent history is documented in this comprehensive reference volume, ideal for high school students, undergrads, and general readers. Discovered by Christopher Columbus on his journey across the Atlantic in 1492, Haiti has had a tumultuous past at best. Epidemics, revolutions, slavery, and poverty have plagued this small Latin American country for centuries, and even today its unstable government has prevented Haiti from becoming a popular Caribbean tourist destination. This volume of the Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations series explores Haiti's bloodied past, beginning with Spanish, French, Dutch, and British attempts at colonization up until today's coups and political uprisings. The History of Haiti is the perfect addition to any high school, public, or undergraduate library.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Quick and valuable reference material, such as a timeline of historical events and a synopsis of notable people in the country's history, is available in the featured volumes. In addition, a brief glossary, a bibliographic essay, and an index end each book (Reviewed with The History of Vietnam)."

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MultiCultural Review

Book Description

Explore Haiti's difficult struggle through history in this comprehensive addition to the Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations series.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood (December 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313340897
• ISBN-13: 978-0313340895
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #387,743 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #60 in Books > History > Americas > Caribbean & West Indies > Haiti

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, yet disappointing, March 25, 2009

By 

John Christoffersson (Lake Oswego, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The History of Haiti (The Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations) (Hardcover)

The Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations is a brilliant idea giving non-historians interested in modern politics an overview of the most recent happenings in many nations. The History of Haiti is written according to the standard format of the series and contains much that is well researched and interesting. The main problem is that the book cries out for some serious editing. One should not expect Michener type writing by junior professors but this books reads in many parts like a very rough draft, not a finished book. There are numerous grammatical errors, peculiar word order, statistics that does not make any sense, unnecessary repetitions and time line organizations within chapters that jump around in a disconcerting manner.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Horrible editing ruins book, September 3, 2009

By 

H. Avalos (Ames, IA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The History of Haiti (The Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations) (Hardcover)

Everyone makes mistakes, and I know because I am an author myself. However, when one sees a pattern that should have been noticed by any good editor, then one wonders whether a publisher cares more about having something fast than having something right. This is the case with this book, which covers a sorely needed area (i.e., a brief survey of Haitian history). Some examples:

p. 65: "For instance, during 1959-1910, nine Haitian presidents succeeded each other..."

p. 73: "The Artibonite Valley, where Verrettes is located, reaches to a height between 54.68 yards and 109.36 yards and measures 2,936.60 miles." Yet, the author tells us that the Artibonite river is only 200 miles in length!!!

p. 159: "With so many Haitians in Brooklyn, New York, Eugene Matheiu, the first native of Haiti, was elected to the New York City Council in April 2007."

Surely, Mathieu is not THE FIRST NATIVE OF HAITI. But that is just what is suggested by placing such a complete appositional adjectival phrase in between commas. Rather the author must mean that "in April 2007, Eugene Mathieu became the first native of Haiti to be elected to the New York City Council."

I could continue, but these numerous editorial problems damaged the credibility of the information, and that is a shame. It could have been a great little book.

Since the book is short, there is even less excuse for this lack of thorough editing. The series editors are as much at fault as is the author.