Infintely High, Abysmally Deep! Kibo Books, P.O. Box 21442, Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 11202 · Phone-Fax: 718-858-5881 · INFORMATION: kibobooks@aol.com
(J. Ashton Brathwaite)
 A poor young teenager in 1960, still known as John A. Brathwaite
-- who later would be Odimumba Kwamdela --somehow made it from his native Barbados to the
so-very-different metropolis London, where he became a man overnight. He became a soldier while still a teenager; served in the Middle East. Though liking and fitting in as a "tough" British soldier, the same racial prejudice he faced as a civilian he also faced in the army and resented it so much, it eventually turned him against serving the full 9 years he signed on for. Reaching his mid-20's age mark, he was surprised that the not-so-easy-to-deal-with War Office accepted his complaints, released him from the Regular Army, but to serve out his time in the Reserves. Back in London -- as a "temporary civilian" he became a postman at the country's main post office -- huge, numerous employees, so endlessly busy to be shocking. Yet he liked it because of the"pretty-good" wages and much extra pay from the overtime always available to all those willing to undertake the task. The army's rights to demand his occasional presence for reservist training, or back to regular service, also forbidding his leaving England without its permission, bothered him. However, a year later, ignoring all, he was residing in Ontario, Canada. There, by day, he was employed in the lithography industry, school by night, freelance -- plus his own -- writings. In time, he was founder, editor and co-publisher of Spear, reputed to be the first Black magazine published in Canada. In time, though, his major roles with Spear ended (early 1970s) when his writing moniker J. Ashton Brathwaite had taken on some popularity. The mainstream media were labeling his writings thus: militant, black power, controversial; at the time of the publication of his third book Niggers, This Is Canada. He strongly believed he was becoming the object of government harassment. With a reputation of having a very strong obsession with writing since as a school-boy in Barbados, obviously nothing could separate him and such an engrained passion. Certainly not his self-imposed exile to New York City. And so it continued there under his new African name Odimumba Kwamdela. Engaged in full-time day employment in the lithography-printing industry, by night, he attended the City University of New York, then New York Institute of Technology, earning undergraduate and graduate degrees: Literature and Journalism and Science-Instructional Technology, respectively. He has authored 14 books of nonfiction, fiction, poetry and essays; from his poetry books were produced 3 CDs of musically dubbed (fundamental) poetry. Having not returned to residency in Canada, Kwamdela went on to serve 20 years as a New York City high school teacher of Writing and Graphic Arts at various schools, even one in so-very-volatile Rikers Island Jail for the many adolescents locked down there. While so busily engaged he also edited and published the monthly pocket-sized magazine The ROOT for some years. Add to the above-mentioned experiences his independent travels to Africa -- and other nations -- there can be no surprise about his writing of such captivating, poignantly-detailed books. |
Books by Author
Odimumba Kwamdela
(J. Ashton Brathwaite)
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"Mighty Sparrow: Calypso King of the World"
The Mighty Sparrow's impact in the calypso arena contains many issues that cry out to be hotly debated: Is this "Nat King Cole of calypso" indeed the greatest calypsonian of all time? Read about the Mighty Sparrow's rise from poor boy in Trinidad to becoming the undisputed Calypso King of the World. $15
"Black British Soldier"
$10
"Soul in the Wilderness"
Reprint of the 1971 book. Just out of Her Majesty's Army, back to civilian life in London, no longer the gullible teen when he signed on for nine years, but aware and angry. He struggles with the present, looks back on the past, and contemplates the future. $10
"Niggers This Is Canada"
Reprint of the 1972 reality-based fiction book. The original version labeled was "controversial" for some time after its release in Canada, but as years passed, this book's timeless theme eventually garnered it the label "underground classic".
$ 12
"Soul in the Wilderness"
The reprint of the 1971 book just out of Her Majesty's Army, back to civilian life in London, no longer the gullible teen when he sign on for nine years, but aware and angry, he struggles with the present, looks back on the past, and contemplates the future. $10
Niggers This Is Canada
Reprint of the 1972 reality-based fiction book. The original version labeled was "controversial" for some time after its release in Canada, but as years passed, this book's timeless theme eventually garnered it the label "underground classic". $12
Raining Ruins, Roses & Rockstones
Four novellas about Caribbean immigrants in the USA and Canada that will make you laugh hysterically one minute and crying the next. $12.
"Back to Penny Hole Forever"
"Searching Soul Down
Inna Southern Africa"
The author documents his 1998 sojourn in South Africa and neighboring countries in such a manner that gives readers the feeling of being there with sharing in this most interesting experience. $8.
"The Small Black Book
of Mighty Thoughts"
The author presents some of his Afrocentric philosophies in a manner that says he is indeed the Prophet with the solutions to the unique problems faced by people of African ancestry.
$8.
"Grassroots Philosopher &
The Prophet Next Door"
Utilizing his usual poetic style, Kwamdela, who way back in the 70s and 80s, before rap came to prominence, was label as the "rap session" poet. Hence, this book of poetry is written with fire, passion, perception and pride. $10
"Blood-Boiling Black Blues"
"Behold! The Grassroots Poet-Philosopher"
"Behold! The Grassroots Philosopher-Poet! "
"Afro Poet - Prophet Next Door "
Kibo Books, P.O. Box 21442,
Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 11202
No matter how you order, all items are mailed promptly!
