Dr. Kong's Books
Garnett Myrie came into this world on 27 September 1953 and grew up in the hills of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica.
When his uncle went to the United States as a farm worker in 1960 and brought back Black liberation literature, he became enamored with “Black Power”. He got himself in trouble when he became bold enough to put his fist in the air and shouted for everyone to “I am black and I am proud.” Why should people hate me for loving myself?
But he lived in a very conservative rural community where all the women adored the Queen of England and all the men aspired to become English Gentlemen. Eventually, he got used to being treated harshly, became fearless and refused to cry out in pain. He would rub cow-itch (Mucuna pruriens) and scallion on his palm to deaden the skin whenever he thought he was to get a beating, but he was no longer afraid of pain.
Unfortunately, he occasionally forgot that he was handling cow itch and inadvertently rubbed his eyes with his fingers or take out his penis to pee which lead to several hours of enormous suffering as washing with soap and water did not help.
He was an erasable child, however, each time the people tried to subdue him, like a cork, he would surface again. As he was not getting along in the country, his mother arranged for him to live with her sister in Kingston. While he worked as a security guard, he was introduced to and came under the influence of Dr. Walter Rodney, a radical university professor.
When both he and Dr. Rodney became “Persona non-grata” for their radical activities, they escaped to Cuba. Dr. Rodney subsequently went back to his homeland (Guyana) 1980 to run for political office and was assassinated.
Garnett joined the Cuba Army and was sent by Fidel Castro to fight in the successful war for independence in Angola. As he was fighting against the South African Army, he had orders to kill all white men he encountered. He became a killing machine. He was personally thanked and honored by both Fidel Castro and the First President of a liberated Angola, Agostino Neto.
Having returned to Jamaica, he became a successful husband, businessman and father to a dozen children by ten women while he was happily married. As he grew rich and older, however, he was diagnosed with diabetes and became blind. He became more mellow in his old age and repented his “bad boy” ways to become an influential and beloved leader, husband and father."
The Hero of Fern Gully written by Basil Kong and Glen Laman delivers a fascinating glimpse of Jamaican island life-past and present.
You will be transported to historic Fern Gully, in the parish of St. Ann, and the leafy, meandering hills that shoulder Lovers Leap in Southfield, St. Elizabeth. You will celebrate Christmas in the rustic countryside of Woodlands: feel Mattie's struggles in her quest to build her dream home, be drawn to the treats, the delights of Miss Bailey's Cold Supper Shop, and see tourists through the eyes of an innkeeper.
Adults and teens will enjoy reading this treasure trove of stories celebrating ordinary happenings around ordinary people with an extraordinary legacy.
The Kongs are a diverse family who have traversed the entire globe, mixed and intermingled freely increasing our talent pool, expanded our perspectives, and enriched our collective contribution to humanity along the way.
I can sing you a song—music flows through my veins as naturally as blood. If you wish to sample my wares, just search “I Kong”. Music has been my way of speaking truth to the world, of connecting with people.
And I’m not the only Kong who found expression through music. Our cousin Leslie Kong was an early producer with Bob Marley, helping to shape the sound that would eventually carry the message of reggae and Rastafari to the world.
But my cousin Basil was always the thinker, the seeker, the professor and philosopher, the one who couldn’t rest until he understood not just what things are, but why they are and what they mean. I think he came by it honestly through all these generations of Kong family lineage.
When you have Confucius as your ancestor, when that philosophical DNA has been passed down, it’s bound to express itself. In Basil, it found perhaps its most articulate modern voice. I am a Rastaman living in the hills of Jamaica. My spiritual home is in the traditions of Rastafari, with its emphasis on natural living, on resistance to oppression, on the divinity within all people, on the power of music and herb to open consciousness.
Some might think this puts me at odds with Confucianism, that these are incompatible worldviews. But I’ve found the opposite to be true.
The Rastafari emphasis on “I and I”—the recognition that we are all connected, that the divine spark exists in each person, that what I do to others I do to myself—resonates deeply with Confucian ideas, about the interconnectedness of all people, about our responsibility to each another.
Walk good, my family and friends. This is how we say it in Jamaica—not “goodbye” or “farewell,” but “walk good.” Walk with intention. Walk with awareness. Walk with care for others. Walk the path that leads to your own flourishing and the flourishing of all of mankind.
- I Kong, Reggae Artist
A New Leash on Life is a heartwarming, true story about a brave little puppy who rises from hardship to hope. Born in the lush hills of Jamaica, Tricky the puppy grows up with more pain than any young dog should endure hunger, neglect, fear, and a terrible injury that nearly costs him his life.
But Tricky's story is not one of despair it is a story of second chances.
When he is found sick and weak at the Caymanas Golf Course, a kind family rescues him and shows him the gentle love he never knew existed. Through patience, care, and compassion, Tricky learns to trust again, to play again, and ultimately, to love again. He transforms from a frightened, abandoned pup into a joyful family member and the beloved "Golf Course Dog," bringing smiles, comfort, and encouragement to everyone he meets.
Told with warmth and emotional depth, this inspiring children's book teaches:
The power of kindness
The importance of empathy
How love can heal even the deepest wounds
That every creature deserves dignity, care, and a safe home
Filled with lessons on resilience, hope, and the beauty of second chances, this story encourages young readers to speak up for animals in need and to believe that light always triumphs over darkness.
Perfect for children ages 6-12, families, classrooms, and anyone who believes in the magic of compassion.
Basil Waine Kong's book, Waine's World is an eclectic compilation of his weekly articles published in the Upson Beacon that will make you laugh, make you wonder, and make you think. While the author divulges life-changing advice and food-for-thought on a wide range of topics, he also extols the virtues of his adopted City of Thomaston in Georgia. Underpinning his writings are his core beliefs in faith, fairness, family, and friends. He draws from his life and his travels to tap into universal truths that are essential to our very existence as human beings and the survival of our planet.
Dr. Kong's inspirational outlook is best summed up by the quote from Abraham Lincoln: We can complain because rose bushes have thorns or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses. In this book, you will learn to dwell on the 'roses' of your life and count your blessings, not your woes.
Discover the Body You Live In: The Essential Guide to Health and Wellness by Dr. Basil Waine Kong and Dr. Akram Elamaari is an informative and inspiring journey through the twelve systems of the human body-exploring how they work together to sustain life and how we can maximize their potential for lifelong health and vitality.
Written by two highly respected Healthcare professionals with decades of experience in medicine, education, and public health, this book simplifies complex scientific and medical concepts into clear, easy-to-understand language. Readers will gain a deeper appreciation of how each system-such as the circulatory, respiratory, nervous, immune, and endocrine systems-functions and how to care for them through healthy living practices.
Whether you are a student, parent, healthcare professional, or simply someone curious about how your body works, this essential guide provides practical tools to help you take charge of your well-being. Easy to read, easy to understand, and easy to apply, it offers wisdom that empowers individuals to make informed choices for better health.