Veteran journalist and Jamaica Observer founding editor Desmond Allen will dedicate his first book, Desmond Allen’s Greatest Hits: Wondrous Tales of Extraordinary Jamaicans, honouring the memory of the late founder and chairman of the newspaper, Gordon “Butch” Stewart who would have been 82 today.

Allen will celebrate 50 years in journalism on October 1, 2023, when the book will be launched as the main activity commemorating his long career as one of Jamaica’s pre-eminent writers, rising from a trainee reporter at The Gleaner in 1973 to the pinnacle of journalism as the founding editor of the Observer in 1992.

“The idea of publishing a book of my works that helps to preserve the awesome legacy of great Jamaicans has been something that Mr Stewart used to encourage me to do but I have never found the right time to do so,” Allen said.

Stewart, the larger-than-life chairman of the Caribbean’s leading hotel chain, Sandals Resorts International, died on January 4, 2021.

“I will always regret that I did not do it in time for him to see his wish come true, but I am sure he would have found great satisfaction in its accomplishment,” the journalist said. “But what better time to do it as I complete 50 years as a journalist.

“I will be dedicating this special golden anniversary compendium of Desmond Allen’s Greatest Hits to our beloved Butch Stewart who will be its main feature, in honour of his founding of the Jamaica Observer Media Group.”

Allen also announced that the son of the late founder and current executive chairman of the Observer, Adam Stewart, has agreed to be patron and main sponsor of the 50th anniversary celebrations.

“There could be no better person to be patron than Adam Stewart who has shown as much devotion to the Observer as his great father. The speed with which he agreed to associate his considerable status with the celebrations has been personally very heartening to me,” Allen said.

Explaining his endorsement, Adam Stewart said: “The published work is about more than just journalism. My father truly respected Desmond’s exceptional talent as a journalist and considered him a great friend and an awesome human being, with the same ability to create amazing relationships across the entire nation.

“I am truly honoured and so proud to support this milestone compilation which no doubt will have a special place in Jamaican history for all to learn, appreciate and enjoy.

Congratulations Desmond!”

In addition to a soft cover and electronic versions, Allen will publish an exclusive limited gold edition which will be available to select purchasers with their names exquisitely embossed on the cover. Copies must be pre-ordered.

“The inspiring and heroic accounts of how ordinary people overcame frequently dreadful odds to rise to dizzying heights will serve as a template for both present and future generations,” Allen suggested.

The compilation will feature 20 profiles from the award-winning series The Desmond Allen Interviews, Families in Business and other celebrated pieces that have flowed from his exceptionally prodigious pen during those golden years.

His outstanding interviewees over the years have included Butch Stewart; Governor General Sir Patrick Allen; former prime minister of Jamaica Portia Simpson Miller; Antony “Tony” Hart; Oliver Clarke; Mike Fennell; Olivia “Babsy” Grange; Thalia Lyn; Glen Christian; Paula Llewellyn; Captain Horace Burrell; Beverly Anderson-Manley; Rev Dr Aaron Dumas; Lisa Hanna; Vincent Chang; Earl Jarrett; Senior Superintendent of Police Reneto Adams; Orville ”Shaggy” Burrell; Mutabaruka; Astley “Grub” Cooper; and veteran journalist Cliff Hughes, among others.

By way of giving back to the profession and imparting his half-a-century of experience to the present and next generation of journalists, Allen will also offer a series of guest lectures called ‘The Desmond Allen Master Class in Journalism’ to select journalism students.

In addition, 50 book grants — one for each year of the period — will be distributed to needy journalism students among university campuses.

Collaborating with Allen in the production of the book is long-time friend and communications guru Dr Grace Silvera of Red Stripe fame. Publisher of the book is Extra MILE Innovators Limited, trading as BambuSparks which is headed by Cameka “Ruth” Taylor, CEO and chief publishing consultant.

– To pre-order copies of Desmond Allen’s Greatest Hits, please contact Desmond Allen at riffraph54@gmail.com