The Power of the Baton

An Inspirational Tale of a Family United

Non-Fiction - Inspirational
198 Pages
Reviewed on 06/01/2016
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Author Biography

Daniel Labossiere was born on July 12, 1967, in Les Cayes, Haiti. He migrated to Brooklyn, NY, in June 1975, where he was reunited with other family members who had migrated there a few years earlier. In 1981 Daniel and his family moved to Miami Florida where he attended American High School. After graduating in 1985, he went on to attend the University of South Florida and received a degree in Accounting in 1989. Within four years of his graduation, his dream of entrepreneurship was realized when he started an IT company, specializing in health-care automation. At the time of this writing, Daniel still lives in South Florida. He has been married for 23 years and has two sons, aged 19 and 17. He still owns and operates his IT company. The Power of the Baton is his first published novel and was inspired by his desire to empower the next generation of his bloodline by sharing his family's struggles, and passing on the life lessons that have helped them to overcome their battles.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

The Power of the Baton: An Inspirational Tale of a Family United by Daniel Labossiere chronicles a family’s struggle to stay alive in their own home country, a heart-wrenching tale of suffering, poverty, betrayal, and the powerful bond that enables this family to survive incredible odds. In a country where those who are supposed to protect the citizens become their nightmares, and where the least opposition could be a powerful motive for execution, one family seeks safety in the US. Migrating to the US can be considered a great leap for many people, but for this family, it is just the beginning of a new battle. And it is interesting to see the kinds of resources and allies they will use in this new combat for survival.

I was drawn into this family story by the powerful historical elements the author begins with. But my curiosity was to lead me into a story that is reminiscent of the suffering of the whole Haitian people under dictatorship and greed. The faith this family has in God, their courage in the face of adversity, and their resilience make the story one of hope for the oppressed. In the heart of this story is a powerful connection to God, whom the author considers to be the author of his family history. “God gives me the knowledge and instructions I need, when I need it. All I have to possess is the wisdom to ask for it in prayer.”

Apart from the powerful social commentary, the author paints a vivid picture of Haiti under the leadership of Francois Duvalier (aka Papa Doc), a picture that is dotted with abject poverty, fear, and uncertainty. “There was no running water, no electricity, and our roads were of dirt,” the author writes. “The neighborhood seemed alive and full of spirit as people went about their business. Women collected water from the stream with buckets that they carried on their head back to their homes for washing and cooking. Children played and bathed by the stream.”

The Power of the Baton: An Inspirational Tale of a Family United by Daniel Labossiere is a story of a family that compellingly depicts the pain and soul of the Haitian people, a tale that will make you cry and smile at its wisdom and the hope it inspires.