The Story Of The Jamaican People

A history of the Jamaican people from an Afro-Caribbean rather than a European perspective. Africa is at the centre of the story; for by claiming Africa as homeland, Jamaicans gain a sense of historical continuity, of identity, and of roots.

“In these kaleidoscopic stories of Jamaica and its diaspora we hear many voices at once. All of them convince and sing. All of them shine.”—Zadie Smith An O: The Oprah Magazine “Top 15 Best of the Year” • A Well-Read Black Girl Pick Tenderness and cruelty, loyalty and betrayal, ambition and regret—Alexia Arthurs navigates these tensions to extraordinary effect in her debut collection about Jamaican immigrants and their families back home. Sweeping from close-knit island communities to the streets of New York City and midwestern university towns, these eleven stories form a portrait of a nation, a people, and a way of life. In “Light-Skinned Girls and Kelly Rowlands,” an NYU student befriends a fellow Jamaican whose privileged West Coast upbringing has blinded her to the hard realities of race. In “Mash Up Love,” a twin’s chance sighting of his estranged brother—the prodigal son of the family—stirs up unresolved feelings of resentment. In “Bad Behavior,” a couple leave their wild teenage daughter with her grandmother in Jamaica, hoping the old ways will straighten her out. In “Mermaid River,” a Jamaican teenage boy is reunited with his mother in New York after eight years apart. In “The Ghost of Jia Yi,” a recently murdered student haunts a despairing Jamaican athlete recruited to an Iowa college. And in “Shirley from a Small Place,” a world-famous pop star retreats to her mother’s big new house in Jamaica, which still holds the power to restore something vital. Alexia Arthurs emerges in this vibrant, lyrical, intimate collection as one of fiction’s most dynamic and essential authors. Praise for How to Love a Jamaican “A sublime short-story collection from newcomer Alexia Arthurs that explores, through various characters, a specific strand of the immigrant experience.”—Entertainment Weekly “With its singular mix of psychological precision and sun-kissed lyricism, this dazzling debut marks the emergence of a knockout new voice.”—O: The Oprah Magazine “Gorgeous, tender, heartbreaking stories . . . Arthurs is a witty, perceptive, and generous writer, and this is a book that will last.”—Carmen Maria Machado, author of Her Body and Other Parties “Vivid and exciting . . . every story rings beautifully true.”—Marie Claire

Out of many, One people: The story of Jamaica illustrated is a beautifully illustrated historical picture book by Kavion Robinson. This book documents historical figures throughout the history of Jamaica from the 1400s to the present. This book features over 40 original works of art by Kavion Robinson.

Named the Dolman Travel Book of the Year, The Dead Yard paints an unforgettable portrait of modern Jamaica. Since independence, Jamaica has gradually become associated with twin images--a resort-style travel Eden for foreigners and a new kind of hell for Jamaicans, a society where gangs control the areas where most Jamaicans live and drug lords like Christopher Coke rule elites and the poor alike. Ian Thomson's brave book explores a country of lost promise, where America's hunger for drugs fuels a dependent economy and shadowy politics. The lauded birthplace of reggae and Bob Marley, Jamaica is now sunk in corruption and hopelessness. A synthesis of vital history and unflinching reportage, The Dead Yard is "a fascinating account of a beautiful, treacherous country" (Irish Times).

A description of the period in Jamaica's history that follows the abolition of slavery, up to the introduction of universal adult suffrage. The author analyzes the social, intellectual and political history of the era, including health, law, labour, and the ideas of the black intelligentsia.

Are you a tourist, trying to decide where to spend your next vacation, are you a Jamaican living overseas for quite some time? If you are planning for a vacation in the Caribbean but would like to know more about Jamaica; getting this book is the right choice. Our local Jamaicans are not exempted, especially those who would welcome being reminded of their culture. It's a medium sized book with truly captivating and edifying information. Information which could be valuable for a lifetime and very useful for planning visitors. Learn a secret or two about Jamaica and its people, but be prepared for a few surprises. I can safely say that if you are away, with this book you will feel like you are right here in Jamaica.Hear more about our best all-inclusive resort destinations and some of the top places in Jamaica to go for scintillating fun and unlimited adventures. Learn all about the famous Great houses, the awesome reggae shows, festivals and parties, the dirt biking and mountain adventures, the natures scenes, the intriguing caves, the haunted houses, the adventure tours, rafting on the river and the cascading waterfalls to name a few. Read all about it and explore your options; and if you are planning to get married in Jamaica, then this book will help to connect you with the right people. Learn our patois (patwa) in record time, you will even be given a little test in the end. The book will provide you with both a basic and advanced lesson in patois, plus a history on its origin and how patois has transitioned over the years. We will show you a few differences between some of today's patois, and the patois of the past; that which was being used by our fore parents.Hear all about our very interesting history, culture, the Spanish invasion, the takeover by the British, Port Royal and the Pirates, Sir Henry Morgan, the slave trade and slave rebellions, the maroons, the Abolition of slavery, the Jamaican people, the traditional dances, the religions and religious movements, Rastafarianism, the struggles of Marcus Garvey, the African tribes who came to Jamaica and the places in Africa from which they came. Learn a few secrets common only to Jamaicans and ways they behave when annoyed or upset. If you happen to be living with, working with or dealing with Jamaicans in any way, this book will help you to understand them better. We will explain the hissing of teeth, cutting of the eyes and even the Jamaican bad-words (censored). Learn all about our Street slangs and the ways we love to play on our words to create humor. Know about the transition of the Jamaican music, from Mento, to Ska, to DJ, Toasting, rocksteady, Dub, Sound System, Dance Hall and Reggae. Read about the influence of Jamaica's DJ Toasting which resulted in the forming of the popular North American Rap music. Hear the language Jamaican men use to women during their pursuit of them and learn all about what the Jamaican man calls "Lyrics". Get a comprehensive guide from start to finish on the best ways to apply your word skills to get the best results from the ladies. By following this approach, you will no longer have a problem bonding with the females. Read about the usefulness of the Jamaican Ganja, health conditions it has proven to be effective in treating and a few products we have created from it in Jamaica. We will also be telling you about our very interesting customs, proverbs folklore and traditions as well as ways they have impacted on the lives of our ancestors. See the levels of trust and confidence which our ancestors had instilled in these beliefs.Also included is a listing of first aid emergency health tips which could be helpful in the event of a medical emergency. Lastly, in case you may need it while you are abroad, we have included a contact listing of very important places in Jamaica for you. See all of this and even more by purchasing the book. Much thanks for your support and as we would say in Jamaica; Big-up oonu self.

A tale inspired by the 1976 attempted assassination of Bob Marley spans decades and continents to explore the experiences of journalists, drug dealers, killers, and ghosts against a backdrop of social and political turmoil.