I'm From Slipe: A Testament to Family and Community: A Memoir

The author Phillip Daley was born and grew up in the small and obscure village of Slipe in Jamaica. Until he was a young teenager, that little hamlet of about 500 souls was the only world he knew. He could not even dream of a different future, because didn't know what to dream about. But cuddled in the insularity of his circumscribed environment, he found love and encouragement in his family, church and community. It was generally recognized at an early age that he was a gifted child, even though he suffered from a debilitating fear of public speaking as a result of a speech impediment, which started after he recovered a severe childhood illness. The story traces his life from carefree days to toilsome days, from the drudgery and fatigue of the rice field to the relaxing, panoramic summit of Mt. Nebo, Jordan. He describes his unexpected success in the highly competitive high school entrance examination, which marked an inflection point in his life. In high school, despite enduring rigorous daily commute, lack of resources, and absence of any role model, he attained academic excellence. Through amusing anecdotes, he describes his foray into the work world, and the spark that lit his interest to pursue tertiary education. His university career was full of forbidding challenges but he persevered to graduate top of his class. He further describes the tremendous positive impact his achievements had on his hometown, which initiated a revolution in educational advancement and community self-esteem. Although his love for his native village in evident throughout the narrative, he is honest and forthright in critiquing some of the negative aspects he observes today. He migrated to the United States in 1990, and after some initial hurdles, he rapidly assimilated into the new culture, but he never forgets his past. His life stateside has been anything but predictable, and he takes us into each episode with poignancy and humor. The author loves to travel and he shares his amazing and exotic adventures with the reader. The story is told with profound authority, deep passion and in vivid prose. It pulsates with love for family, church and community, and ends with a surprising and unexpected twist. His story is one that many will be readily able to identify with.