Grenadian launches book on 1979 Grenada Revolution

Layne presents a copy of his book to a Dominican
Layne (left) presents a copy of his book to a Dominican

He spent 26 years of his life locked up at the Richmond Hill prison in Grenada for his part in the famous 1983 Grenada Revolution which claimed the life of then prime minister Maurice Bishop.

Now Joseph Ewart Layne has now chronicled what he describes as “the 1979 Grenada Revolution.”

Layne was among the group that participated in the assault on the army barracks that signaled the start of action that led to the removal of Grenadian prime minister Eric Gairy’s regime almost 35 years ago.

He was among 17 government and army officials convicted in the 19 October 1983 events that led to the deaths of revolutionary Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and other Grenadians.

During his stay in prison, Layne earned two law degrees from London University and studied at Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad following his release from jail in 2009. “I am a recent graduate of the Sir Hugh Wooding Law school and I hope to begin a career in law practicing in the Eastern Caribbean, ” Layne said.

Recently, a high court judge rejected Layne’s application to be admitted to the local bar to practice law in Grenada, because of his jail conviction.

Accompanied by his wife, Layne took his first trip to Dominica where he launched his book.

He explained to Dominica News Online that the book, entitled “We move tonight: the making of the Grenada Revolution”, gives an account of the most poignant moment in Caribbean political history when a group of young “revolutionaries led by the late Maurice Bishop and several others risked their lives to establish the English speaking Caribbean’s first and only revolution. “

He said “We Move Tonight,” chronicles the “twists and turns in the struggle against the Eric Gairy regime” and in particular, the strategies and tactics of the leadership of the New Jewel Movement. (NJM).

He said he is happy to be given the opportunity so people can learn more about and better understand the events surrounding March 13, 1979, in the Spice Isle Grenada.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

19 Comments

  1. budman
    April 5, 2014

    I am not going to buy this book. I am not going to put money in the pocket of a man who turned his back on Bishop. talk about stabbing your own in the back. no thanks.

  2. UDOHREADYET
    April 4, 2014

    My uncle along with Dominica Defense force soldiers were sent to Grenada by Eugenia Charles to squeeze out people like mister during their so called revolution. Dominica had its revolution against colonialism long before. I applaud his efforts at education and I wish him well in his future endeavors but If they had had their way Grenada would have been a dictatorship and many more would have died.

    • Shiloh
      April 5, 2014

      There was no Defense Force in time of Eugenia. Think before you write stuff. Police officers under RSS or SSU went to Grenada from Dominica in 1983. Then if you confusing that with 1979, Eugenia was not yet in power. Get your fax right before you embarrass history.

  3. Dave Bertrand
    April 4, 2014

    I am really looking forward to reading this book

  4. Anonymous
    April 4, 2014

    CCJ is that constitutional… “Recently, a high court judge rejected Layne’s application to be admitted to the local bar to practice law in Grenada, because of his jail conviction.”… Privy council is that legal

  5. Lapo Layza
    April 3, 2014

    Where can monsieur Lapo Layza find this book? I’d like a copy to put side by side with another book by the late Cheddi Jagan of Guyana entitled “The Caribbean, Whose Backyard”. Please give me an address or website where i can purchase this book.

  6. April 3, 2014

    ME TOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  7. Kenny
    April 3, 2014

    I remember Lt. Layne who I believe as the yongest high ranking officer in the Grenada Defense Force during when the New Jewel Movement was in power after the overthrow of Gary and the Mongoose squad. I also remember when Layne was captured following the demise of PM Bishop. The Grenada Defense Force was led by a semi illiterate named General Hudson Austin and an NYU graduate named Bernard Cord.
    Layne’s brother was my classmate in College and we spoke about that day when U.S Green Berets stormed the beaches and took St. Geroges.
    I look forward to reading this book.

  8. Marigotian
    April 3, 2014

    ok well hmmm good vibes but up to now!!!

    no one ka sey wa happen to bishop!! where is the body?

    his daughter forgave them for politics and she did not even find out where is bishop buried!

    not good enough for me…..

  9. Great!
    April 3, 2014

    I am so pleased for Joseph Layne. I knew Maurice Bishop and his family, I knew of the struggles of the Grenadian people under Eric Gairy, I knew of his mongoose gang and so much wrongdoing……so I look forward to reading this book. The courage of Bishop and those guys is to be admired, some of them died for their cause, others were imprisioned. They were called revolutionaries, be that as it may, one thing is for sure, they did it for love of country.

    • HMMMMM......
      April 3, 2014

      Marcus Junius Brutus stabbed Ceasar to death for the same reason – love of Country.

  10. artfield
    April 3, 2014

    Noone should buy the book

  11. Great!
    April 3, 2014

    I am so pleased for

  12. Bee
    April 3, 2014

    Got an ecopy from amazon and its very good reading so far. A great eye opener if you ask me. I was a youngster in 1983 and was only privy to what i heard on DBS, reading this book is like being behind the scenes. Makes me wonder about Dominica’s future under present government……. hmmmm

  13. Anonymous
    April 3, 2014

    LEMME SEE how we going to comment on that one

  14. I want it!
    April 3, 2014

    Where on island is this book available? I feel this should be stated in the article.

  15. DC
    April 3, 2014

    I am looking forward to read this book. I have listened to recollections from a few Grenadians, however, it would be rather interesting to be further empowered from the writings of someone who was part of the uprising. I listened to the author on the radio and was quite impressed. He possess a wealth of knowledge. Your view on Dominica’s former PM’s involvement in the decision that led to the Grenada invasion confirmed the stand of many other Grenadians. I am confident that you will prevail and will soon be representing people at the courts. One Caribbean Love!

  16. VISITOR
    April 3, 2014

    would love to read this book…

  17. Positive
    April 3, 2014

    wow….we need to read that book

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available