Sailor Dance: John Stanley Donaldson - The Story

"When I completed the reading of Eleanor Joye Donaldson's Sailor Dance: John Stanley Donaldson - The Story, I certainly felt that she had written the primer for successful black and poor families in Trinidad and Tobago. Perhaps that was not her intent, but invariably biographies reveal the distances individuals travel and the obstacles they overcome.

The Donaldson name was already in Trinidad and Tobago's history, placed there indelibly by three generations of Donaldson elders. And John

Stanley Donaldson has made his own significant contribution to that history. Choosing the Foreign Service as a career, he became the Head of Mission (High Commissioner to Nigeria) at the relatively young age of 37. After his rapid ascent in the Foreign Service, he was drafted into political life and

became a minister of government holding the portfolios of Foreign Affairs, National Security, and Labour. On completion of his public life he became a farmer and also practiced law.

This biography touches on the disciplines of history, politics, sociology, law, and economics. There is just enough of everything to titillate a reader's interests in the subjects covered in depth elsewhere. Politics is a rough and tumble exercise and I know of few politicians who have escaped

being tarred after successful tenures. John Stanley Donaldson had an outstanding career as a diplomat and held his own during his political career.

Joye Donaldson responds to some of her father's detractors making this volume a must read for political buffs. Congratulations must be offered to

Eleanor Joye Donaldson who has cleared the path for other political family members to speak their piece."

Basil A. Ince

Retired Professor of International Relations & former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trinidad & Tobago