'Tabloid' review of Seaga book

The Editor, Sir:

Given Carolyn Cooper's incisive commentary on Jamaican culture and politics, I was disappointed in her review of Edward Seaga's autobiography. Professor Cooper's tone ("sophisticated strip tease", "juicy details") was more suited to a tabloid personality magazine than to a review of a serious non-fiction book.

She focused not on the period of Jamaican history during which Mr Seaga grew up, entered politics and led the country, but on the lack of information about his private life. After all, no one questioned Frederick Douglass' decision to omit personal details from his autobiographies, or his emphasis on the historical events of his life as an abolitionist.

I am, etc.,

Cynthia Davis, P h D

cdavis-sbaschnig@umuc.edu

Academic Director,

Dept of English

University of Maryland/University College