With its rich culture and sublime scenery, Jamaica has inspired countless artists and creatives. The nation’s pride is reflected in the music, dance, cuisine and literature that originated in Jamaica, but has since influenced people across the globe. The legacy of Bob Marley is intricately linked with the image of Jamaica; and for novelist Ian Fleming, Jamaica was his creative incubator. Now, the most stylish Caribbean nation has inspired Assouline’s newest title, Jamaica Vibes, written by Lisa Lovatt-Smith and Novia McDonald Whyte, with a foreword by music industry legend and Island Outpost founder Chris Blackwell. The book, launching in August 2023, is part of Assouline’s iconic Travel Series and retails for $105.

Born to a family that made its fortune in Jamaica growing sugar cane and making rum, Blackwell grew up on the island. By the 1960s, he entered the music business and launched the careers of Bob Marley and U2. He is credited for popularizing reggae throughout the world and has since been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But Blackwell is just as well-known for his passion for Jamaica and its people, and his collection of celebrity-favorite boutique hotels as part of the Island Outpost portfolio. These include the legendary GoldenEye, previously owned by Bond creator Ian Fleming, who penned his best-selling spy series from the property’s famed waterfront villa. Blackwell also owns the Strawberry Hill mountain estate (where he grew up having Sunday tea), and the honeymoon-favorite The Caves.

Blackwell contributed a forward to Jamaica Vibes, presenting an intimate, insider portrait of this vibrant island nation and its mesmerizing power. The book was written by Lisa Lovatt-Smith, former editor and fashion director at various editions of Vogue; and Novia McDonald-Whyte, senior associate lifestyle editor and social content at the Jamaica Observer Media group.

Throughout the book are over 200 glossy photos taken by photographers including Slim Aarons and Adrian Boot and feature images of the nation’s colorful culture. Over the decades, Jamaica has hosted a never-ending parade of glamorous guests, including the likes of Harry Belafonte and Kate Moss, who have also shared quotes for the book.

For more information, visit Assouline.com.

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