Author Rebecca Tortello-Greenland signs a copy of her book 'Pieces of the Past' for Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller at the launch held at Queensway, last week Sunday. - Winston Sill/ Freelance Photographer

Tesi Johnson, Gleaner Writer

Since June 2001, Dr. Rebecca Tortello-Greenland has been providing an eye into Jamaica's rich history, through her series 'Pieces of the Past', published monthly in The Gleaner newspaper.

She compiled those articles published from 2001 to 2005, to form a book of the same name, Pieces of the Past, which was launched on Sunday April 1, in Queensway.

Professor Verene Shepherd, professor of social history at the University of the West Indies, Mona, described the works as "a fine reservoir of Jamaica's collective memory", when she spoke at the launch. She labelled the book, "a veritable potpourri of Jamaican life and a must-read for all those interested in Caribbean history".

Jamaican heritage

Dr. Tortello-Greenland herself spoke, revealing that the Gleaner's own Oliver Clarke came up with the idea for the series. As she explained, they would often share discussions focusing on Jamaican heritage and she "agreed to write the series without knowing what she was getting herself into", she said with a laugh. "I never imagined it would become a book", she continued before thanking her mother, Fay Tortello, and a number of other persons who she said provided support for her in writing the series.

Among the guests were Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller; Dr. Tortello's 'Uncle Eddie', former Opposition Leader, Edward Seaga, whom she credits as a major source of information and inspiration for her pieces; also his wife, Carla, and their sprightly little girl, Gabrielle; Dr. Tortello's doting husband of course, Dr. Jonathan Greenland; Christine Randle, managing director of Ian Randle Publishers, who are handling the logistics of publishing the title; Sheila Barrett, Dr. Tortello's high school history teacher; Heather Kong, who designed the layout of the book; Prof. Patrick Bryan; Senator Deika Morrison; Norma Harrack; Lois Lake-Sherwood; Shirley O. Henry; William Mahfood; Rosie Mahfood; Merrick Needham; Dr. Alfred Sangster; Paul Hanna; Becky Stockhousen and Bruce Levy.