The imprisoned speak out about the Grenada Revolution
‘We Move Tonight’ by Joseph Ewart Layne and ‘My Mother and I’ by Kamau McBarnette are unique and important books published in the past few weeks, leading up to the 35th anniversary of the Grenada Revolution, 13th March 1979. They both tell stories of Grenada from the perspective of major actors in the Grenada Revolution 1979-1983, who were imprisoned for 26 years after the invasion of Grenada in 1983. Both books were written while in prison, and while they will not be the last word they are substantial contributions to the history of that period and its lessons for today’s struggles and those who fight them. They give many details from the inside of the Grenada Revolution on its making, its achievements and its destruction that have never been revealed before. It is impossible to fully understand the Grenada Revolution both its triumphs and mistakes without reading We Move Tonight and My Mother and I, and in that sense they are books for students and scholars.
Both books are available in the UK, cheques payable to L. Simpson, 18 Avondale Crescent, Shipley BD18 4QS, at £19, including delivery, (£10 if you name just one). All proceeds return to Grenada. Donations will be forwarded to the Grenada Revolution Memorial Foundation. Phone for special requirements: 01274-591935.
We Move Tonight – the Making of the Grenada Revolution, by Joseph Ewart Layne, 2014. St Georges, Grenada: Grenada Revolution Memorial Foundation. 203 pages.
A moving inside account of the New Jewel Movement’s political development and preparation through its National Liberation Army for the attack on the True Blue barracks that ushered in the revolutionary government. Written while on death row, the author has added reflective chapters on the making and the destruction of the revolution. The book debuted as a top one on Caribbean history in the last year and at the same time it is an adventure story written in simple language. Ewart Layne was a senior officer in the Grenada People’s Revolutionary Army, a member of the NJM Central Committee, and while in jail passed two law degrees from London University. All proceeds go to the Grenada Revolution Memorial Foundation, constituted in 2014.
My Mother and I – The Epic Story of Grenada, by Kamau McBarnette. Charlestown, SC: Island Girls Publishers, 2014. 342 pages.A documentary-novel, based on Grenada’s Post-Columbian history, from the Caribs to the USA invasion, including the tragic events of October 1983, which are all vividly narrated. Billed as ‘An informative, riveting, entertaining and sensational read. Guaranteed to grab your attention from its opening chapters!’ Kamau McBarnette He was has been the Captain of Grenada’s successful steel orchestra, Angel Harps, and during the Grenada Revolution of 1979-1983 was at various times a columnist for the Free West Indian newspaper and its editor for a short period, Manager of Radio Free Grenada and the Junior Minister for Information.
See also Joseph Ewart Layne interviewed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gzYrBJUNRI
