Friendship story is a real page turner

Anniversary book highlights close ties between Bermuda and U.S.A.
A book celebrating the close relationship between Bermuda and the United States hit the shelves this week.

Four Centuries of Friendship: America-Bermuda Relations 1609-2009 highlights the role each country has played throughout our 400-year history.

The book's editors, U.S. consul Gregory Slayton and his wife ­Marina, claim it is purely by chance that the book is being ­released on Bermuda's ­anniversary.

Mrs. Slayton said: "When I first had the idea for the book, almost a 10-year ­period had gone by since the closing of the American base and it seemed like a good moment to reflect on what had occurred and where we are going.

"As it happened this dove-tailed nicely with the 400th anniversary."

Paintings

Mrs. Slayton worked with the State Department, National Archives and the Historical Society to research the book, plus writers such as Edward Harris and ­Rosemary Jones.

The book took 18 months to complete and Mrs. Slayton claims the end result is "better than imagined".

It boasts a selection of paintings and photographs detailing key events in both country's histories.

She added: "I was ­fascinated that at the very conception of Bermuda and Virginia, the two were seen as one entity.

"Until 1615, Bermuda and Virginia were seen as one colony. That kind of ­established the tone of the relationship.

"I saw this book as a way of putting forth diplomatic efforts...I hope the book will reflect Gregory's ­progressive vision."

At a press conference ­yesterday, Mr. Slayton said: "The book is the brainchild of my wife. I am very proud of her.

"One hundred per cent of the proceeds will go to ­benefit the Bermuda ­Maritime Museum as all costs for researching were underwritten by donors - in particular the HSBC Bank of Bermuda.

"We couldn't have done it without the partnership of the people of Bermuda, the government of Bermuda and the many historians - it was a real team effort."

The Slaytons will donate copies of their book to various schools and libraries.

The book costs $35 and is available in most bookstores now.

Courtesy of Bermuda Sun reporter Helen Jardine