 Questions?!
I read this book several months ago. I don't know. I was not particularly enamored with the writing style. The story was more about Dominica, and Haiti seemed to be a sideline story.
However, I did gain some insights and it prompted me to read more books about the island, particularly Haitian History. I have learned a lot and have a better understanding of why Dominicans who are obviously the descedents of Africans, will curse you out if you call them black or African. I understand the effectiveness of the Trujillo's campaign to whiten his part of the island through screwing with the minds of the citizens.
I also understand why they tend to have some serious hate for Haitians. I am still learning.
 informative
Why the Cocks Fight: Dominicans, Haitians, and the Struggle for Hispaniola
A very good insight into the relationship between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Very interesting reading.
 I'll take this explaination for now
I've been born and raised in Haiti. A few months back I've looked at the reviews of some Haitian and Dominicans, and I thought maybe this book was bias. I relunctantly purchase it because its always good to listen to one side of the story. This book is superb. The arguments which I believe the author produced to explain the situation in haiti and St. Domingo makes perfect sense. Michele Wucker's argument falls hand in hand with that of a Haitian Author called Nicholas Jallot in his book "histoire secrete d'haiti". Although I am skeptical to read what I havent researched myself, I still give this book a 5 star
An Eye Opening experience
In reading this book, I learned many more things that I have not known. The island with all of it inhabitants shares a rich and tortured history. There seem to be many uncovered facts in this book, such as the Dominican Republic actually obtained it's Independence from Haiti, that Haiti actually took the steps that eventually liberated the entire island. Though much of the time seems to have been spent in the Dominican Republic with many oblique references to Haiti, a fair amount of that time illuminating the perverse dislike each has for the other, in some ways the idea of blaming the party that for obvious reasons is unable to counteract the argument. For the most part this book illuminates much more of the history between the Haitians and the Dominicans, more and more about the immigration issues that seem to rear its erstwhile head in many places, and why folks seem to be driven to improve upon their personal life spaces. How some of these enclaves come to be, and remain that way. Little is discussed about Arristede and many of his predecessors, the wasting of the land itself and how it came to be that many Haitians would eventually choose to live in the Dominican Republic or the United States, or why Haiti is the most impoverished country in this hemisphere by far.
Why the Cock Fights...
Well written and informative, an excellent perspective into the relationship between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. A must for anyone interested in traveling to Hispanola with an interest beyond the fancy, secluded, all inclusive resorts!
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