It's Volume Two!

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

Edward Philip George Seaga was a man destined for greatness, and a man of many firsts. His destiny, however, was not without its trials and tribulations. Along the way he met many whom he embraced and empowered, so that they, too, could have that one moment in life of being more than they thought they could be.

But as some cynics would have us believe - no good deed goes unpunished, so even while Seaga was busy charting his own course and helping many to find their own, many who benefited from his benevolence used this to stymie the light that is Edward Seaga.

Among the many firsts for Seaga is being the first incumbent prime minister and, as opposition leader, constantly to have waged an internecine war with members of his own political party while facing off the challenges of their natural political opponents!

Seaga was vilified, demonised and undermined as much by his political opponents - the People's National Party - as he was by members of his own party. Through it all, he triumphed, rising to the top of the political and social heap and, in the process, the nation is much the better for it. He has bequeathed this nation a legacy of institutions and physical manifestations of an upwardly mobile 'Banana Republic' that has stood and will stand it in good stead for generations.

Autobiography completed

Having served Jamaica in opposition and as head of the government at some critical junctures of history, Seaga has had a very unique vantage point. And for many students of history, it was of critical importance that his perspective be not lost to political observers, scholars or the nation.

Those who hoped that the great and analytical mind that built institutions and forged critical alliances for this country would share its insight before taking leave have had their prayers answered, as Seaga has now completed his autobiography. It is a two-part compendium. The first, My Life And Leadership: A Clash of Ideologies, chronicled the 1930s through to 1980, and was launched on March 8. It went on to become a best-selling first in the history of publishing in Jamaica.

On Monday, November 8, Seaga, launched the much-anticipated second instalment - My Life and Leadership: Volume II Hard Road To Travel 1980-2008.

Hosted at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, the launch was quite the social do, with members of academia, the intelligentsia, politicos, movers and shakers, high society, former constituents, colleagues, well-wishers and admirers, as well as family and friends, in attendance.

With noted advertising giant Arnold Foote as the evening's compère, the official function got under way promptly at 6 p.m. This was not your traditional book launch of a former prime minister and elder statesman. It was devoid of the pious platitudes of former colleagues. There was an overview and introduction of the compendium by its author and introductory excerpts from a documentary on his life produced by the Creative Production and Training Centre, followed by acknowledgements by the très elegant Suzzanne Lee, managing director of Novelty Trading Company.

Formalities out of the way, guests queued for their autographed copies of the book. The signing went well into the evening, but, luvs, with loads of premium libations and delightful finger foods on offer, friends, former political colleagues and a host of well-wishers simply soaked up the occasion. Everyone basked in the afterglow of a successful launch by a much-admired, loved and respected political giant.

Guests

Among those out for the historic occasion were Seaga's s wife Carla and their daughter Gabrielle; first lady Lorna Golding; former wife of the author, Mitsy Seaga, their son Christopher Seaga and her companion Zia Mian; the author's sister Jean Anderson and husband Ron Anderson; his niece Dr Rebecca Tortello Greenland and husband Dr Jonathan Greenland; and cousin Albert Seaga.

Also out were: Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange; Industry Minister Karl Samuda; Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller; Opposition MPs Dr Omar Davis, Dr Peter Phillips; Roger Clarke; and legal luminary Abe Dabdoub; Maurice Facey and wife Valerie; R. Danny Williams; Christopher Bovell; Dorothy Carter-Bradford; and Patricia Foote.

Also spotted: British High Commissioner Howard Drake; Indian High Commissioner Mohinder Grover; French Ambassador Marc-Olivier Gendry; James Hathaway from the United States Embassy; Oliver Jones; Dr Mavis Gilmour-Petersen; Professor Errol Morrison; Dr Dhiru Tanna; Jeannette Grant-Woodham; Robert MacMillan and the lovely Rachael Gore, her mom, Jennifer Gore; Peter Bangerter; the famed and very charming Patrice Wymore-Flynn, who motored in from Port Antonio; Ray Miles Sr; Sue McManus, in from Ocho Rios; Patrick Marzouca, in from Negril; Mary Hanna; noted attorney and international legal consultant Harold Brady; Yola Headcock; the oh-so-charming Lorna Myers; Eddie Shoucair; Janette Stewart; Mignon 'Jean' Anderson Wright; Seragh and Effie Lakasingh; Bev Broderick; Ryland Campbell; regal banker and style monarch Minna Israel; JCC President Milton Samuda; Joy Douglas; Jennifer Lim; Joseph McPherson; Ken and Elaine Chaplin; Henry Rainford; Prudence Kidd-Deans; Johnny Hamilton; Mary Johns; Geoff Cobham.

Lawyer and commentator Patrick Bailey, who had the distinction of being quoted in the tome; Roma Chin; Morin Seymour; Barbara Blake-Hanna; Munair Zacca; Anup and Bina Chandiram; Saleem Lazarus; Kent Gammon; Daphne Hurge; Delroy Thomas; Enid Harrow; Joel Williams; Dawn Heron; Chantal Hylton-Tonnes; Balfour Denniston; and Pat Garel.