The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, & the Real Count of Monte Cristo

The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, & the Real Count of Monte Cristo is by Tom Reiss. Lovers of The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers will be entranced by this wonderful biography of the father of General Alexandre Dumas, father of the famous author. The General was the son of a French nobleman and a black slave woman. Brought back to France by his father and raised and educated as befitted his class, the General became one of the most famous soldiers of his day. Many of the events in his father's life were used by Alexandre Dumas the author in his classic novels. A really interesting book and a relatively easy read for those whose wheelhouse is not nonfiction. It is slightly confusing that the noble sire, the General, the author (son), and the playwright (grandson) were all named Alexandre Dumas. This book is an interesting look at race in the world of the 19th century. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10.