Global Reggae, the book edited by UWI Mona Professor Carolyn Cooper and published by UWI Press, has received international recognition at the American Library Association Meeting in Chicago, Illinois. 

The book, a compilation of lectures from the 2008 ‘Global Reggae Conference’ convened at The UWI Mona, was named as a ForeWord 2012 Book of the Year.  ForeWord awards represent independent publishing at its finest and are selected from thousands of books by librarians and booksellers based on editorial excellence, professional production, originality, author credentials relative to the book, and the value the book adds to its genre. 

Global Reggae has been described as eloquently exemplifying the breadth and depth of current scholarship on Jamaican popular music. Publishing house, The UWI Press, has expressed delight that Global Reggae has reached the winner’s circle. General Manager Linda Speth said, “I know you will join with me in congratulating our editors and authors on their successes.  We are very pleased with the recognition given UWI, its Press and its authors.”

During the last twenty years, UWI Press books and authors have received forty-five local, national and international book awards; during the last five years alone, the Press has garnered thirty-two book awards for editorial and production excellence.

The American Library Association meeting at which the Global Reggae book was recognized had more than 25,000 attendees. The award-winning book will be promoted at the international Frankfurt Book Fair in October.