Aimé Césaire Book order

This book is the long-overdue publication in English of Aimé Césaire's account of Toussaint Louverture, the legendary leader of the revolution in Saint-Domingue - a slave revolt against French colonial rule that led to the founding of the independent republic of Haiti.  Saint-Domingue was the first country in modern times to confront the colonial question in practice and in all its complexity.  When Toussaint Louverture burst onto the historical stage, various political movements already existed for political autonomy,  free trade and social equality.  But the French Revolution established a compelling understanding of universal liberty: the Declaration of Human Rights opened up the possibility of claims to liberty and equality by wealthy free Black men in the colony, claims which, when they could not be realized, led to the armed uprising of enslaved Blacks.  A battle for the liberation of one class in colonial society resulted in a revolution to achieve equal rights for all men. And for universal emancipation to be possible, Saint-Domingue itself had to become independent.  Toussaint Louverture put the Declaration into practice unreservedly, demonstrating that there could be no pariah race. He inherited bands of fighters and united them as an army, turning a peasant revolt into a full-scale revolution, a population into a people and a colony into an independent nation-state.  Aimé Césaire's historical and analytical gifts are magnificently displayed in this highly original analysis of the context and actions of the famous revolutionary leader. It will be of great interest to students and scholars of critical and cultural theory and of Latin American history as well as anyone concerned with the nature and impact of colonialism and race.

Set against the backdrop of the Haitian Revolution, this three-act drama explores the life of Toussaint Louverture, portraying him as a multifaceted leader and visionary. Written during the Vichy regime, it captures the poignant encounters between rebels and colonial forces, enriched by a prophetic chorus. The narrative culminates in Louverture's betrayal and imprisonment, presenting a powerful critique of colonialism while celebrating Black resistance and triumph. This bilingual edition offers a fresh perspective on Césaire's dramatic artistry, distinct from his earlier works.

The definitive edition of the complete work of a master Caribbean poetThe Complete Poetry of Aime Cesaire gathers all of Cesaire's celebrated verse into one bilingual edition.

Aimae Caesaire's work is foundational for colonial and postcolonial thought. In this unique volume, his responses to Frandcoise Vergaes' questions range over the origins of his political activism, the legacies of slavery and colonialism, the question of reparation for slavery and the problems of marrying literature to politics--

This play by renowned poet and political activist Aime C sairerecounts the tragic death of Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of the Congo Republic and an African nationalist hero. A Season in the Congofollows Lumumba's efforts to free the Congolese from Belgian rule and the political struggles that led to his assassination in 1961. C saire powerfully depicts Lumumba as a sympathetic, Christ-like figure whose conscious martyrdom reflects his self-sacrificing humanity and commitment to pan-Africanism. Born in Martinique and educated in Paris, C saire was a revolutionary artist and lifelong political activist, who founded the Martinique Independent Revolution Party. C saire's ardent personal opposition to Western imperialism and racism fuels both his profound sympathy for Lumumba and the emotional strength of A Season in the Congo. Now rendered in a lyrical translation by distinguished scholar Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, C saire's play will find a new audience of readers interested in world literature and the vestiges of European colonialism.

Set against the backdrop of post-revolutionary Haiti, the play explores the life of Henri Christophe, a former slave who ascends to power as a general. It delves into themes of ambition, leadership, and the complexities of freedom following the assassination of Jean-Jacques Dessalines. The translation by Paul Breslin and Rachel Ney offers insights through an introduction and explanatory notes, enhancing the understanding of this significant historical narrative crafted by Aimé Césaire.

This unique collection stands out as the sole bilingual edition, showcasing a fresh and innovative approach to its themes. It offers readers an opportunity to engage with the text in two languages, enhancing the experience and accessibility. The work challenges conventional narratives and invites readers to explore diverse perspectives, making it a significant addition to contemporary literature.

Césaire’s rich and insightful adaptation of The Tempest draws on contemporary Caribbean society, the African-American experience and African mythology to raise questions about colonialism, racism and their lasting effects.

Cesaire's masterpiece that reaches the powerful and overlooked aspects of black culture. schovat popis

This classic work, first published in France in 1955, profoundly influenced the generation of scholars and activists at the forefront of liberation struggles in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Nearly twenty years later, when published for the first time in English, Discourse on Colonialism inspired a new generation engaged in the Civil Rights, Black Power, and antiwar movements. Aimé Césaire eloquently describes the brutal impact of capitalism and colonialism on both the colonizer and colonized, exposing the contradictions and hypocrisy implicit in western notions of "progress" and "civilization" upon encountering the "savage," "uncultured," or "primitive." He reaffirms African values, identity, and culture, and their relevance, reminding us that "the relationship between consciousness and reality is extremely complex. . . . It is equally necessary to decolonize our minds, our inner life, at the same time that we decolonize society." An interview with Aimé Césaire by the poet René Depestre is also included.