In his 50 years in journalism, Jamaica Observer founding editor Desmond Allen has interviewed scores of outstanding Jamaicans whose stories have helped to define his own career for which he received the Order of Distinction for sterling contribution to the profession. It’s perhaps fitting that his debut novel, Desmond Allen’s Greatest Hits: Wondrous Tales of Jamaicans, honours the lives of some of those prominent sons and daughters of the soil.

Speaking with Observer Online at the launch of the book last week at the AC Hotel Kingston, the 75-year-old said, “I decided that the best thing that represents what I do as a journalist are people, and those who have contributed through the lives they have led to the building of Jamaica.

“In a nutshell really, it’s me trying to honour my own years in journalism, but in a way that justifies it with the kind of lives that these people have lived, which demonstrates who the true Jamaican is,” Allen said.

The book, which hit the Amazon Best Seller list shortly after its publication on October 1, is a celebration of Allen’s five decades as a journalist through a compilation of his outstanding interviewees over the years.

It features 20 outstanding Jamaicans, including the Jamaica Observer’s late founder, Gordon “Butch” Stewart. Also featured are Jamaica’s first female prime minister, Portia Simpson Miller; the Jamaica Labour Party’s veteran politician, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange; the country’s first female Director of Public Prosecution, Paula Llewellyn; musician Orville ”Shaggy” Burrell; poet and musician, Mutabaruka; and veteran journalist Cliff Hughes.

Despite a downpour, scores of guests gathered to celebrate with Allen, including those who were featured in the book.

“The thing with Desmond, when I met him, he was beguiling in a way that I was not prepared for, and I found myself talking and talking, and he had this very subtle way of just making me feel alright… But I was happy,” Llewellyn said.

Grange, who was nursing a hoarse voice, did not let that stop her from expressing her gratitude for being featured in the book.

“I’m honoured to be featured in this publication. I am looking forward to reading my story and the different stories… He was able to pull out of me what others have not been able to,” she said.

A major part of the book is dedicated to the late business titan, Stewart. His son, Adam, the chairman of the Jamaica Observer, said his dad would have been proud of Allen, who was the first employee of the Observer when it was established 30 years ago.

“Desmond was more of a brother [to me] than an employee. Desmond has been a part of my family since I was a child,” Adam Stewart, who is also executive chairman of the Sandals Resorts International (SRI), said.

Allen’s long-time friend and communications guru, Dr Grace Silvera, collaborated with him in the production of the book.

The publisher of the book is Extra MILE Innovators Limited, trading as BambuSparks, which is headed by Cameka “Ruth” Taylor.