Men make their own history, and the black Jacobins of San Domingo were to make history which would alter the fate of millions of men and shift the economic currents of three continents.”
-- CLR James (Chapter I)

Importance: In this quote, James describes the revolutionary nature of the Haitian Revolution, and how it was an event that would change the course of history forevermore.

Reaction triumphed. But phases of a revolution are not decided in parliaments, they are only registered there."
-- CLR James (Chapter III )

Importance: Here, James explains that revolution and historical change comes from below rather than above—from the actions and decisions of the masses, not from the decisions of the political leaders.

We have clearly stated the impersonal forces at work in the crisis of San Domino. But men make history, and Toussaint made the history that he made because he was the man he was.”
-- CLR James (Chapter IV)

Importance: In this quote, James navigates the tricky balance between a...