Without a doubt, given COVID-19, 2020 was, collectively, one of the most trying years of our lives. Our condolences go out to all those who lost family, friends, coworkers, and acquaintances to COVID-19. We urge that given the ongoing spike in COVID-19 infections and death, even as the COVID-19 vaccine is being rolled out, we continue keeping safe and following established protocol.
We hope that with the vaccine, 2021 will be a year of rejuvenation, like Spring after Winter, and that it will be one of the best and most productive years of our lives.
As you may have already guessed, because of COVID-19 Dr. Reynolds had had to abort his 2020 international book tour of My Father Is No Longer There, a memoir on the life and death of his father. However, the author has used the time to write a book on St. Lucian politics titled, No Man’s Land: A Political Introspection of St. Lucia, which will be published and officially launched in February 2021.
The publisher, Jako Books, noted that “In No Man’s Land, economist and award-winning Caribbean author, Dr. Anderson Reynolds, dissects St. Lucian politics and society to pinpoint what is wrong with the country’s political system and how to fix it. It speaks to the hold history has on the country, and how race, partisanship, provincialism, and opportunism cloud the political process. It is a meditation on issues of patrimony, sovereignty, nationhood, corruption, and political empowerment. No Man’s Land provides a window into Caribbean politics and is a must-read for anyone curious about how high the stakes of the 2021 St. Lucia general elections.”
Besides the publisher, No Man’s Land is already garnering praise
CARICOM economist and diplomat, Peter Lansiquot, said, “I heartily embrace Dr. Reynolds’ No Man’s Land … unapologetic, ferocious, take-no-prisoners … masterpiece that descends into the gushing, turbulent, dizzying, de-chlorinated waters of the valley of St. Lucia’s political abyss … stabs and slashes at the entire St. Lucian body politic, exposing the corrupt and their unholy corruption…… reminds all St. Lucians that constitutional reform is vital to the real development of the country … In Dr. Reynolds St. Lucia has produced another writer of the calibre, or of even deeper essence than Nobel Laureate V. S. Naipaul.”
Miami University of Ohio economics professor, Dr. Prosper Raynold, said: “No Man’s Land represents a substantial contribution to the public debate and further cements the author’s place as a serious and thoughtful public intellectual.”
Dr. James Fletcher, a former Cabinet Minister, a Chevening Global Changemaker, and author of Governing in a Small Caribbean Island State, said: “Awesome … profound, informative and thought-provoking.”
And multiple-award-winning Caribbean poet, Modeste Downes, said: “No Man’s Land is an informative, well-researched, and artfully crafted work by a master in his field, arguably St. Lucia’s most prominent writer. Digs deep into the meat of his country’s political system … a pointed and timely work highly recommended for political front liners, academics, students, and all interested in understanding and willing to help shape and re-shape the Caribbean and its attendant institutions.
The publication of No Man’s Land means that Dr. Reynolds’ next international book tour, which God willing will be in 2021, would involve two books—My Father Is No Longer There and No Man’s Land.
As the new year embraces us, Dr. Reynolds and the Jako productions team would like to take the opportunity to thank you, the Jako Productions Family, for continuing to read Dr. Reynolds books and articles, and for supporting, encouraging, promoting, and publicizing his efforts at encouraging the artistic expression of St. Lucian culture and promoting that culture worldwide.
However, we urge you to not let your guard down against the scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic and to be each other’s keeper. And again, we wish to extend our sincere condolences to all those who have lost friends, co-workers, acquaintances and love ones to COVID-19 and other causes in recent and not so recent months.
May God continue to bless and keep you safe.
From the Jako Productions Team
Wishing you a bless and happy New Year
