This book isn't a novel. It's a weapon. Published in 1808, it's a direct, furious response from a colonist in Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti) to a French abolitionist.

The Story

Bishop Henri Grégoire, a senator, wrote a work arguing for the rights of Black people and against slavery. François-Richard de Tussac, living in the colony, wrote this 'Cri' (Cry or Outcry) to attack Grégoire's ideas. The 'plot' is the argument itself. Tussac defends the plantation system, attacks abolition as a dangerous fantasy, and tries to paint Grégoire as naive and destructive. It's a one-sided, passionate monologue against change.

Why You Should Read It

It's uncomfortable but vital. You don't read this to agree with Tussac. You read it to understand the mindset of privilege under threat. His anger, his fear, his racist justifications are all laid bare. There's no filter. It shows the real human emotion—ugly as it is—behind historical systems. It makes the past feel immediate and human, not just a paragraph in a textbook.

Final Verdict

This is for readers who want to go beyond simple historical facts and feel the heat of a real argument. It's perfect for anyone interested in the Haitian Revolution, colonial history, or the psychology of racism. It's a short, brutal, and primary source that reminds us history is made by people shouting, defending, and fearing for their world.