Desmond Allen's Greatest Hits
Wondrous Tales of Extraordinary Jamaicans
Limited Gold Edition, Hardcover
Paperback
Immerse yourself in these enchanting stories that define Jamaica’s iconic legacy of greatness. “Desmond Allen’s Greatest Hits: Wondrous Tales of Extraordinary Jamaicans” is not just a book; it’s an exploration of the human spirit and its boundless potential that transcends geographical boundaries. Allen’s captivating prose transports readers into the riveting true-life accounts of 20 exceptional men and women who stand as living testaments to the unwavering Jamaican grit, determination, tenacity, and unyielding will to overcome.
Limited Gold Edition, Hardcover
Paperback
Immerse yourself in these enchanting stories that define Jamaica’s iconic legacy of greatness. “Desmond Allen’s Greatest Hits: Wondrous Tales of Extraordinary Jamaicans” is not just a book; it’s an exploration of the human spirit and its boundless potential that transcends geographical boundaries. Allen’s captivating prose transports readers into the riveting true-life accounts of 20 exceptional men and women who stand as living testaments to the unwavering Jamaican grit, determination, tenacity, and unyielding will to overcome.
DELVE INTO THE LIVES OF JAMAICAN TRAILBLAZERS, VISIONARIES AND EVERYDAY HEROES whose stories will draw you in through the masterful craftsmanship of multi-award-winning journalist Desmond Allen.
Draw inspiration from the soldier who took Jamaica to an unlikely World Cup final, Captain Horace Burrell; the businessman and philanthropist dubbed ‘Mr. Montego Bay’, Tony Hart; the dogged determination of the vision-impaired musical genius and radio disc jockey, Patrick Lafayette; the woman who has had to epitomise courage under fire, Paula Llewellyn; the boy wonder whose athleticism forced authorities to change the rules of the Boys Championships, Lindy Delapenha; the acclaimed poet of the people who still travels the world barefooted, Mutabaruka; to champions of social change like Portia Simpson Miller, the woman who became prime minister of Jamaica and the overwhelming choice of the hungry masses, the poor and indigent, the voiceless and forgotten…
Why You’ll Love “Desmond Allen’s Greatest Hits: Wondrous Tales of Extraordinary Jamaicans”:
- You’ll find it hard to put it down
- It beats with the rhythm of resilience
- It transports you to the heart of Jamaica and creates intersections between culture, history, tragedy, romance, adventure, suspense, and personal journeys
Get your copy of this keep-sake book now and relish the symphony of these wondrous tales.
Chapter 12
Picture this, if you can, a landlady turning out two visually impaired children—Grub and his brother Conroy Cooper—aged seven and 11, to live outside on the sidewalk because their mother was in arrears with the rent; later she ordered that they be put on a bus—destination not important; then a conductor who put them off the bus in a depressed community to wander, hungry and afraid, into the lonely night. What manner of beasts are they in whom the milk of human kindness has ceased to flow… if it ever did?
—From Asley ‘Grub’ Cooper: At Christmas Time Comes a Story of Childhood Stolen
Chapter 2
Portia Simpson Miller became prime minister of Jamaica for the right reason. She was the overwhelming choice of the hungry masses, the poor and indigent, the voiceless and forgotten, the far descendants of beaten slaves, whose only power was to elect themselves a political saviour and rest in her their impatient hope for even temporary relief. History, indeed, does not err
—From Portia Simpson Miller, the 40th Anniversary Interview
Chapter 18
He can’t forget the days when his mother would give him her weekly $25 cheque from the Crash Programme—a job scheme that Manley devised to put thousands of poor Jamaicans to work, with windfall money from the Bauxite Levy—and sent him to the grocery shop, while she went to the market. There were days when, jobless, his mother would walk miles with them to the Chetolah Park school because she did not have the two cents for bus fare. And there are haunting memories of her, leaving out of the house at nights when she had a job on the graveyard shift at a plastic factory, with the children alone at home. Nobody should be that poor
—From Cliff Hughes: Is the Journalist of the Year All That?
Praise
“You are among an illustrious few who have distinguished themselves at such a high level of your profession. Your tireless work ethic and drive are truly exemplary. You have served your profession well. Your style of reporting gives Jamaica quality and credible news.”
—Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, Founder Sandals Resorts International, Jamaica Observer Media Group
About the Author
Desmond Allen was just about to turn nineteen when he beat out hundreds of applicants to grab one of seven rarified positions as a trainee reporter at The Gleaner newspaper in 1973. He had found his calling and begun the climb from the first rung of the ladder to dizzying heights in journalism as Founding Editor of the Jamaica Observer in 1992.
Allen has covered the visits of many heads of state and government, including United States Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. Bush and Barack Obama, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, and British Prime Minister Tony Blair. He has also served as chief media liaison for the state visits of the late Queen Elizabeth II and the current King, then Prince Charles of England.
Order Your Copy Now
The 394-page, hardcover, case laminate, premium paper, full-colour edition.
Pre-order to have your name elegantly embossed on the cover. *Currently available in Jamaica only.
The 394-page paperback, coloured version.
Order on Amazon
The 394-page, hardcover, case laminate, premium paper, full-colour edition.
Pre-order to have your name elegantly embossed on the cover. *Currently available in Jamaica only.
The 394-page paperback, coloured version.
Order on Amazon.
Patron
Adam Stewart — Executive Chairman Sandals Resorts International
More About the Author…
Desmond Allen, recipient of the national honour, the Order of Distinction (OD) for sterling contribution to journalism, is the Founding Editor and Executive Editor – Special Assignment of the Jamaica Observer and a former President of the Press Association of Jamaica.
He began his journalism career at The Gleaner newspaper on October 1, 1973, straight out of Cornwall College in Montego Bay, St James, Jamaica, and later won a French Government Scholarship to the University of Strasbourg in 1979.
His local, regional, and international reach was capped by being chosen to represent the developing world on a team of north-south journalists who produced a thrice-weekly newspaper for the month-long United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in Belgrade, Yugoslavia in 1983.
Allen’s own story is about a man who fell heavily in love with reading from the age of four and became renowned for his elegant and entertaining use of words, colourful prose, apt use of his limitless vocabulary, and masterful story-telling abilities.
Please email the author at desmondallensgreatesthits@gmail.com with your comments or queries.
Dedication
“In memory of the Hon. Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, a colossus of his time, a Caribbean icon, a marketer extraordinaire, a patriot of the highest order and a man who gave his all to kin and country.”