Haiti's dramatic history, pressing social problems, and rich culture make it one of the most fascinating nations in the Americas. This book aims to reflect some of Haiti's extraordinary diversity through the best of writing. While many journalistic accounts are rapidly overtaken by events, this collection reveals the more deep-rooted reality of the 'magic' island's people and society. Mixing contributions from anthropologists, historians, and novelists, Libète is arranged thematically, offering sections on a wide range of historical and contemporary issues. Each section contains an introductory essay on a particular theme, extracts from differing authors and full bibliographical information. Contributions include previously unavailable work from Haitians, translated from Creole, as well as excerpts from such authors as C.L.R. James, Alejo Carpentier, Jacques Roumain, and Edwidge Danticat.