Guests were keen to get a copy and once they did, they could evidently hardly wait to leaf through, especially after hearing Mr Michel talk about its contents, how he dared go ahead to write it knowing his time constraints, how he overcame this by working late, and the research he had to do to find out about his early years.

 The President has dedicated the book – James Michel: Distant Horizons, My Reflections –to his mother Simone Michel, to whom he presented the first copy.

The 250-page book talks about Mr Michel’s childhood, school life, entry into politics, the high office, family matters and the country’s future seen through his vision.

It carries pictures never published before and the compelling testimonies of his mother, First Lady Natalie Michel, his first wife Ninette Michel, son Jean-Claude, brothers, other family members, teachers and former presidents France Albert Rene and James Mancham, vice-president Danny Faure, former VP Joseph Belmont , Foreign Affairs minister Jean-Paul Adam, former ministers, and top government officials.

When making his remarks, Mr Michel referred to his late son, Jude, with emotions that swept across the hall as the guests audibly empathised with him.

The book carries a picture of Jude getting a fatherly pat on the shoulder a few days before he passed away.

Nation will publish further details about the book and the launch ceremony tomorrow.