The Black Count, By Tom Reiss

 

Boyd Tonkin
Thursday 30 May 2013 10:05 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Alex Dumas, the mixed-race son of French aristocrat and his slave-born mistress, was born on Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) in 1762.

The charismatic hero of French revolutionary armies, he had the bad luck to fall out with a scheming runt called Bonaparte.

Napoleon did his utmost to scupper his rival. General Alex had good fortune too: first, to father one of the world's most popular novelists, the second Alexandre, who idolised his dad; and now, in Reiss, to find a biographer with the dash and flair both Dumases would cheer.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in