I am a German journalist and became aware of my Jamaican colleague Morris Cargill while first visiting his country in the 1980s. When I started to read his columns in the Jamaican Gleaner newspaper, I knew nothing about him - I just found his polemics extremely refreshing. Many columnists just offer wimpy and bland recitals of the news they're supposed to comment on, while Morris Cargill's approach has been best described by "Discover Jamaica": "Provoking Pompous People".
I recently looked for articles I had read on the Gleaner's website around 1997. To my dismay, I found out that they aren't available online anymore. I was even sadder to read that Morris Cargill died on April 8, 2000 at age 85. But his writing lives on.
Since even those articles by Morris Cargill which can still be found on the website of the Jamaican Gleaner are pretty much hidden away (it takes a lot of searching to find them), I decided to share the results of my recent search in the following link list. For older columns, check out the books by Morris Cargill.
I should add that I don't agree with all of Cargill's views (e.g., on Jamaican patois or against reggae music). But even those rants that strike me as uncharacteristically closed-minded are fun to read. I hope you enjoy them as well!
CARGILL,
Morris, C.D.; Retired Attorney-at-Law,
Writer. Born: St. Andrew, Jamaica,
June 10, 1914, son of John Henry Cargill,
Attorney-at-Law, and Isobel Halton Morris-Cargill,
House wife (both dec’d.). Educated:
Munro College, Stowe School (England).
Career: Law (admitted 1937); Business
Manager, Crown Film Unit (England); Newspaper
Editor (Trinidad); Newspaper Columnist (Jamaica);
Member Federal House of Representatives
1958-62; Novelist, Broadcaster, Farmer,
Writer. Publications: A Gallery
of Nazis 1977, Jamaica Farewell 1977,
and other books. Religion: Buddhist.
Children: 1 daughter. Interests:
Provoking Pompous People.
Most of Morris Cargill's book are out of print. Used copies of some titles are available at Half.com.
Ian Fleming Introduces Jamaica (edited by Morris Cargill) Hardcover
(June 1965)
E P Dutton;
ISBN: 9997555716
A Gallery of Nazis Hardcover
(May 1978)
Lyle Stuart;
ISBN: 0818402563
Description on page http://www.militaryhistorybooks.com/catnx.htm (doesn't seem to exist anymore): NX-1187 Cargill M ~A GALLERY OF NAZIS~ 1978. Lyle Stuart 224
pages, 250 photos (19134) A powerful photo study of the leadership of the
Third Reich and a number of war criminals. The illustrations portray the
individuals often at the height of their power and also at the time of their
trials. Includes a selection of horrific photographs of the inmates of the
concentration camps. dw wn, ow vg £35.00
Jamaica Farewell Paperback
(March 1995)
Barricade Books;
ISBN: 1569800316
Description from Barnes & Noble's Reader Catalog:
Personal memoir of leave-taking from a widely respected Jamaican newspaper columnist whose family has lived on the island for three centuries
Public Disturbances Description on page http://www.demercado.com/millpressbooklist.htm:
Collection of Gleaner Writings 1986-1996, edited by David D'Costa
A continuation of reprints of testy, zesty, unabashed and well-informed comments by Jamaica's incorrigible tailtwister, Morris Cargill; superbly edited by his loyal and learned friend, David D'Costa: softcover 6" x 9"
Published March 1998, US $18.00 Description on page http://www.commanders.com/flemings_jamaica/incidental.htm:
Morris' latest book of columns is called "Public Disturbances". He is one of the last remaining writers beloved enough to be a nation's conscience.
