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Catch a Fire: The Life of Bob Marley
The classic biography of reggae legend Bob Marley, updated and revised for the twenty-fifth anniversary of his death
Bob Marley left an indelible mark on modern music, both as a reggae pioneer and as an enduring cultural icon. Catch a Fire , now a classic of rock biography, delves into the life of the leader of a musical, spiritual, and political explosion that continues today.
Under the supervision of the author's widow and with the collaboration of a Marley expert, this fourth edition contains a wealth of new material on the Jamaican singer, songwriter and musician , including many revisions made by the author before his untimely death. An appendix to the new edition chronicles Marley's legacy in recent years, as well as the ongoing controversy over the possibility that Marley's remains might be exhumed from Nine Mile, Jamaica, and reburied in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where hundreds of Rastafarians live. The new edition also contains an expanded discography and is factually updated throughout.
"Probably the finest biography ever written about a popular musician." ― San Francisco Chronicle
"As close as rock journalism comes to transcendent literature."
―Playboy
Bob Marley left an indelible mark on modern music, both as a reggae pioneer and as an enduring cultural icon. Catch a Fire , now a classic of rock biography, delves into the life of the leader of a musical, spiritual, and political explosion that continues today.
Under the supervision of the author's widow and with the collaboration of a Marley expert, this fourth edition contains a wealth of new material on the Jamaican singer, songwriter and musician , including many revisions made by the author before his untimely death. An appendix to the new edition chronicles Marley's legacy in recent years, as well as the ongoing controversy over the possibility that Marley's remains might be exhumed from Nine Mile, Jamaica, and reburied in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where hundreds of Rastafarians live. The new edition also contains an expanded discography and is factually updated throughout.
"Probably the finest biography ever written about a popular musician." ― San Francisco Chronicle
"As close as rock journalism comes to transcendent literature."
―Playboy
576 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
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3962 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 228 reviews
April 11, 2011
I always felt like Bob Marley got a raw deal - the only time i ever heard him was when it was walking by stoned out frat boys at Miami University. And it never sat right that this man, who inspired so much loyalty to him and to his movement, should be reduced to party music by people who weren't really listening to it. This biography completely changed the way I thought about not only Bob Marley, and not only about Reggae music, but spirituality and oppression and what it meant to be an agent of cultural change and how to resist cultures. This book does a fantastic job of setting Marley inside of a MUCH larger social context, and will give you a much bigger appreciation for Marley and his music.
It's a bit dry at times, and can be a little slow to get through (but I expect that has much to do with my only cursory knowledge of the subject beforehand), but it's really worth your time, especially if you ever listen to Marley and his music.
It's a bit dry at times, and can be a little slow to get through (but I expect that has much to do with my only cursory knowledge of the subject beforehand), but it's really worth your time, especially if you ever listen to Marley and his music.
October 21, 2019
This is not only a history of Marley but a history of Rastafarianism, a bit of Ethiopia, a lot of Jamaican culture and politics, the overall arc of reggae, the influence of African, English and American music on Jamaica's art and most of all the spiritual influences and elements present in every part of it. This was a lifelong work for the author and is an incredibly well-researched book on one of music's most influential figures.
November 2, 2014
Bob Marley - arguably the most universal musician of the 20th century. Are you interested in knowing more about the man, where he came from and his beliefs?
This book starts with a brief background on the rise of the Rastafarianism in Ethiopia before jumping to Jamaica and Bob Marley's Grandfather and his rural upbringing. Before long he moves to Kingston with his Mother and joins forces with the Wailers - Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh and gathers a following. The book zips through his fame and rapid downfall to cancer and the last quarter of the book regards cleaning up legal battles over his estate.
One thing I like about this book how the writing captures the mood of Jamaica. It is easy to imagine the violence and the poverty, and the hope that music represented while reading.
One thing I dislike about this book is how it gets mired in content that is outside of Marley's music and life. There are long sections of the book on political leaders and power changing hands. It is relevant as Marley became a political peace-maker of sorts but at times it is wordy and difficult to follow for me with no background in Jamaican history.
I gave this book 3 stars because it is an interesting read and worth it for fans. It would have been four stars but that last 100 pages about court cases and Ziggy Marley were just totally unnecessary and a drag. Also in those pages, the author reveals a detail from the court cases where Marley is negotiating a contract and friend comes out with an Uzi or gun of some sort (controversial) and basically forces terms favorable to Marley. Why include that in an afterward? Those are the kind of details I want to read in the context of his career. Overall it felt like the author was striving to lionize Marley with a shroud of mystical power and glazed over inconvenient (and for me interesting) details.
I'd recommend this book for people who want to learn more about Marley's life and upraising. Just skip the last 100 pages.
This book starts with a brief background on the rise of the Rastafarianism in Ethiopia before jumping to Jamaica and Bob Marley's Grandfather and his rural upbringing. Before long he moves to Kingston with his Mother and joins forces with the Wailers - Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh and gathers a following. The book zips through his fame and rapid downfall to cancer and the last quarter of the book regards cleaning up legal battles over his estate.
One thing I like about this book how the writing captures the mood of Jamaica. It is easy to imagine the violence and the poverty, and the hope that music represented while reading.
One thing I dislike about this book is how it gets mired in content that is outside of Marley's music and life. There are long sections of the book on political leaders and power changing hands. It is relevant as Marley became a political peace-maker of sorts but at times it is wordy and difficult to follow for me with no background in Jamaican history.
I gave this book 3 stars because it is an interesting read and worth it for fans. It would have been four stars but that last 100 pages about court cases and Ziggy Marley were just totally unnecessary and a drag. Also in those pages, the author reveals a detail from the court cases where Marley is negotiating a contract and friend comes out with an Uzi or gun of some sort (controversial) and basically forces terms favorable to Marley. Why include that in an afterward? Those are the kind of details I want to read in the context of his career. Overall it felt like the author was striving to lionize Marley with a shroud of mystical power and glazed over inconvenient (and for me interesting) details.
I'd recommend this book for people who want to learn more about Marley's life and upraising. Just skip the last 100 pages.
May 31, 2016
I would have given this book a 3.5 if I could, but in deference to Bob Marley, I gave it a 4. It really is a fascinating biography, as much a history of Jamaica and the roils of politics in the Caribbean as it is a detailed story of Marley's life. It never ceases to amaze me how genius emerges from dreadful social and cultural conditions. That Marley was one of the sufferahs, a tough gong protege, and the ultimate soul icon of Jah attests to what it means to be your authentic self.
This book weaves an extraordinary fabric of Marley's life as a boy born of a white man who had the decency to marryh is mother, but then disappeared for most of Bob's life. It then follows him through the emergence of his music, the struggle to have his music heard beyond local audiences, the mess that became the production of his albums, including everyone who was taking advantage of him. The underbelly of the music business in Jamaica paralleled the underbelly of the island's politics, a combination that was full of deceit and violence, often felt directly by Marley, his family, band, and hangers on. The fact that Marley was able to emerge to become a global musical figure, to attain significant financial success, and to survive the challenges of the industry was a monumental accomplishment.
My only real struggle with this book as a reader is the almost choking amount of detail, both historical and biographical. Timothy White, the author, was so committed to doing right by Marley whom he idolized, and Marley's legacy, that, in my view, he overstuffed the book with details that interfered with its flow and often obscured the story line. That said, if you want all the pieces that are Marley's story, this book gives it unapologetically.
This book weaves an extraordinary fabric of Marley's life as a boy born of a white man who had the decency to marryh is mother, but then disappeared for most of Bob's life. It then follows him through the emergence of his music, the struggle to have his music heard beyond local audiences, the mess that became the production of his albums, including everyone who was taking advantage of him. The underbelly of the music business in Jamaica paralleled the underbelly of the island's politics, a combination that was full of deceit and violence, often felt directly by Marley, his family, band, and hangers on. The fact that Marley was able to emerge to become a global musical figure, to attain significant financial success, and to survive the challenges of the industry was a monumental accomplishment.
My only real struggle with this book as a reader is the almost choking amount of detail, both historical and biographical. Timothy White, the author, was so committed to doing right by Marley whom he idolized, and Marley's legacy, that, in my view, he overstuffed the book with details that interfered with its flow and often obscured the story line. That said, if you want all the pieces that are Marley's story, this book gives it unapologetically.
August 31, 2007
I was very disappointed with this book. After reading it, I have a pretty good idea of what Marley's childhood was like, a hazy picture of his adult life but no understanding at all of how a poor man from a third-world country was able to popularize a genre of music that was almost universally disdained in most of the world.
I would have expected more discussion of his music; specifically how he and Chris Blackwell changed the arrangement of Marley's reggae songs to appeal to a broader audience, as well as how Marley's music evolved over time. I know from watching VH1's Classic Albums, that process was critical to Marley's success but I don't even get an inkling of that in this book.
Instead the book has way too much on Marley's childhood (140 pages into it, Marley is still only 14!). This book also has too many vague, cryptic references to conspiracy theories about the CIA, Ronald Reagan, the Jamaican government, etc.
On the bright side, the book does a good job of describing the superstititious world of poor Jamaica, full of demons and ghosts, etc., which helps explain the popularity of Rastafarianism.
I would have expected more discussion of his music; specifically how he and Chris Blackwell changed the arrangement of Marley's reggae songs to appeal to a broader audience, as well as how Marley's music evolved over time. I know from watching VH1's Classic Albums, that process was critical to Marley's success but I don't even get an inkling of that in this book.
Instead the book has way too much on Marley's childhood (140 pages into it, Marley is still only 14!). This book also has too many vague, cryptic references to conspiracy theories about the CIA, Ronald Reagan, the Jamaican government, etc.
On the bright side, the book does a good job of describing the superstititious world of poor Jamaica, full of demons and ghosts, etc., which helps explain the popularity of Rastafarianism.
December 24, 2020
As someone who grew up listening to the music of Bob Marley, I put this one on my list as soon as I came across it. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a bit of a mixed bag for me...
Author Timothy White (January 25, 1952 – June 27, 2002) was an American rock music journalist and editor, according to his Wikipedia page.
Timothy White :
Catch a Fire opens with an intro by author Timothy White's widow; White died early (like Marley) at 50 of a heart attack.
White gives the reader a decent amount of historical context here; writing fairly extensively about the history of reggae and Rastafarianism.
The life of Ras Tafari/Haile Selassie is also covered by White. The life story of the Ethiopian Emporer is steeped in mysticism.
Haile Selassie :
The book unfolds in a mostly chronological manner, as author White provides a very detailed account of Marley's young life. Perhaps a bit too much detail, IMHO. I think the author could have trimmed 50 or so pages here for the sake of brevity and clarity.
Bob "Nesta" Marley on his wedding day, February 10, 1966:
Interestingly, the author writes that Marley had a premonition of his own untimely demise:
He writes of Marley's concert in Zimbabwe, exactly a year before his ultimate death:
Catch a Fire starts out with a great pace, and I enjoyed learning about the life of Bob Marley. Unfortunately, the writing loses its "flow" in the subsequent chapters; diving into the weeds for the remainder of the book...
I found my attention wandering numerous times while reading this one, and counting the pages until I could tie a knot in it. The book also doesn't cover Marley's musical career until around page 200. This took away from my overall enjoyment of the book.
White's writing style also tends to be overly dry and long-winded at times, making the books' >600 pages a somewhat arduous trek...
This really started to grate on me during the last ~100 or so pages. The author details many anti-climactic events that took place after Marley's death, including long transcriptions of court cases. This one could have done well with a more rigorous editing, IMHO.
The story of the life of Bob Marley is an interesting one, but the telling of it here was not up to the task, sadly.
Catch A Fire is not nearly as readable as it could have been...
2.5 stars.
Author Timothy White (January 25, 1952 – June 27, 2002) was an American rock music journalist and editor, according to his Wikipedia page.
Timothy White :
Catch a Fire opens with an intro by author Timothy White's widow; White died early (like Marley) at 50 of a heart attack.
White gives the reader a decent amount of historical context here; writing fairly extensively about the history of reggae and Rastafarianism.
The life of Ras Tafari/Haile Selassie is also covered by White. The life story of the Ethiopian Emporer is steeped in mysticism.
Haile Selassie :
The book unfolds in a mostly chronological manner, as author White provides a very detailed account of Marley's young life. Perhaps a bit too much detail, IMHO. I think the author could have trimmed 50 or so pages here for the sake of brevity and clarity.
Bob "Nesta" Marley on his wedding day, February 10, 1966:
Interestingly, the author writes that Marley had a premonition of his own untimely demise:
"They were sitting in a tree one day, and Bob started to talk about Christ. He said that Christ’s mission began at age thirty-three. “Me gwan die at t’irty-six,” he said quietly, “jus’ like Christ.” “Stop it, Bob!” said Dion, who had been his first buddy in Wilmington when he arrived from Kingston in 1966. “What are you talkin’ about? You got a good career, you makin’ good money. Why you want to die that young?”Catch a Fire talks about Marley's toe injury and collapse one day during a jog, which would ultimately lead to a grim cancer diagnosis for the young and now famous star.
“Next year 1978,” Bob continued, speaking somberly. “Me be t’irtyt’ree in February. From dat month, t’ings tek dere course from den.”
“Come on, Bob, knock it off,” said Ibis, and the moment passed. Both Dion and Ibis told Ciddy about it later. They were disturbed by this kind of talk, but they convinced themselves it was just a temporary fit of depression associated with the troublesome soccer injury..."
He writes of Marley's concert in Zimbabwe, exactly a year before his ultimate death:
"...And now, in Zimbabwe, all his illusions were ebbing away. His ulcerated, nailless right toe ached horribly. He had repeatedly told the press that the bandages he wore concealed a soccer injury, but the throbbing pain was a constant reminder of what doctors had been telling him over the past two years: have the toe amputated or make his peace with life; if he wouldn’t undergo radical treatment for this cancer, he would fly away home to his heavenly reward in Zion a lot sooner than he had planned.Bob "Nesta" Marley. Date unkown:
“Rasta no abide amputation,” he had spat back at them. “I and I [me and my brethren] don’t allow a mon ta be dismantled. Jah, de living God, His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, Ras Tafari, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, two hundred twenty-fifth ruler of the t’ree-t’ousand-year old Ethiopian empire, Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Heir to the Throne of Solomon, He will heal me wit’ de meditations of me ganja chalice, me cutchie [clay hookah pipe], or He will tek me as a son inta His Kingdom. No scalpel shall crease me flesh! Dem cyan’t kill Jah, cyan’t kill Rasta. Rastamon live out.”
Catch a Fire starts out with a great pace, and I enjoyed learning about the life of Bob Marley. Unfortunately, the writing loses its "flow" in the subsequent chapters; diving into the weeds for the remainder of the book...
I found my attention wandering numerous times while reading this one, and counting the pages until I could tie a knot in it. The book also doesn't cover Marley's musical career until around page 200. This took away from my overall enjoyment of the book.
White's writing style also tends to be overly dry and long-winded at times, making the books' >600 pages a somewhat arduous trek...
This really started to grate on me during the last ~100 or so pages. The author details many anti-climactic events that took place after Marley's death, including long transcriptions of court cases. This one could have done well with a more rigorous editing, IMHO.
The story of the life of Bob Marley is an interesting one, but the telling of it here was not up to the task, sadly.
Catch A Fire is not nearly as readable as it could have been...
2.5 stars.
December 31, 2013
I had been looking forward to reading this book for a long time, and I came away only slightly disappointed. In my humble opinion, as a window into a world and a culture virtually unknown to those who live outside it (meaning the struggles of the Jamaican population both against poverty and racism over the last century, as well as a glimpse into the little-understood world of Rastafari), it works wonderfully, As biography, I feel it falls just a bit short. Timothy White does a great job describing the upbringing and environment that helped shape a young Bob Marley's course, but I felt once he got to the point where Bob's music really started to take off, the book was already over and Bob was dead. I would have liked to see a bit more insight into the thoughts and actions that drove him as he wrote and recorded the albums that would ultimately become his legacy, a little more insight into the inner workings and relationships between Bob, his band, his family and friends. His impressions as he rose from gutter poet to international superstar and icon of hope for the downtrodden. The book delves into great detail during Bob's childhood and adolescence, then abruptly turns into "Bob made some records, got famous, got sick, and died. The End. Also, here's what happened to his kids and family during some court battles for his money." Instead of fleshing out and humanizing "Bob Marley, Reggae Prophet", the book seems reluctant to separate Bob from his mythos and show us the real human being behind this amazing and groundbreaking music. Despite his incredible accomplishments, he was just a man, a human being with flaws like the rest of us, and I wanted to hear a little more about that side of him. Still, in the pantheon of great music biographies, this one has definitely earned its place.
January 11, 2021
A very detailed rich bio on not only Bob Marley, but due is given to Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, and Marley's children and extended family. Part Jamaican history lesson and a lot of politics enter the story to open it deep delving into Marley's parents, his poor upbringing, his rise to fame and fortune and all the concerts, travel, violence, and chaos that occur afterwards. The final part of the book becomes court scene drama in regards to Marley's songs and contracts. A very detailed discography encompassed the back of the book.
The only album and CD I own of Marley's is Legend, which is a greatest hits and something that every music lover seems to own in their own collection at this point.
This book had been sitting on our library shelves for years and I decided to give it a read. Very rich and vibrant writing by White puts the reader right there. One can almost smell the ganja and jerk chicken wafting in the Jamaican breeze.
The only album and CD I own of Marley's is Legend, which is a greatest hits and something that every music lover seems to own in their own collection at this point.
This book had been sitting on our library shelves for years and I decided to give it a read. Very rich and vibrant writing by White puts the reader right there. One can almost smell the ganja and jerk chicken wafting in the Jamaican breeze.
March 1, 2022
For someone whose knowledge of Caribbean history ends in the 19th century, this is a crash course in 20th century Jamaican politics and the evolution of Jamaican musical styles almost as much as it is an exploration of Bob Marley's life, because they're fundamentally entwined. White also blends factual information with fiction-style anecdotes that hint at Marley's otherworldly powers, which is an unusual take for a biography.
I learned a lot, but for a beginner the continual barrage of names was overwhelming. The book also feels heavily weighted towards Marley's early life, leaving the last few years feeling rushed. I wanted to know more about the later members of the Wailers and how they came to join the group.
I'm glad I read it, though, and have a far greater appreciation of Bob Marley's influence and an admiration for his musicianship, spirituality and drive. And I also feel better prepared to read "A Brief History of Seven Killings," which was the original intent. :-)
I learned a lot, but for a beginner the continual barrage of names was overwhelming. The book also feels heavily weighted towards Marley's early life, leaving the last few years feeling rushed. I wanted to know more about the later members of the Wailers and how they came to join the group.
I'm glad I read it, though, and have a far greater appreciation of Bob Marley's influence and an admiration for his musicianship, spirituality and drive. And I also feel better prepared to read "A Brief History of Seven Killings," which was the original intent. :-)
Read
April 1, 202417 hours. Seventeen hours! I ate this book up as it was filled with fascinating facts about a history I thought I knew. And behold, I gained so much insight into the life of Bob Marley, history and shaping of Jamaica, as well as my own family history. I listened to this book and I would have chosen a different t narrator. Not only were there errors in the patois but there were inconsistencies in the pronunciation of words, both standard English and patois, making it hard to understand at times. I enjoyed listening to songs mentioned in the book, then finding them on YouTube. I thought I knew every Bob song. I don’t. I also learned why I think the music of Peter Tosh scared me as a child. He’s such a fascinating figure. I just want to learn more about reggae history now. I thought I knew it all but I really didn’t.
January 26, 2013
Like a breath of fresh air, even with the rich aroma of mountain 'erb. Timothy White's 'Catch a Fire-The Life of Bob Marley' is wholly, and perhaps holy, unlike any other biography in the 'poptastic' genre that I have ever read.
White not only provides intimate insights to Marley, his life, family and musical journey, but also documents the history of Jamaica and its people, the politics and the fascinating origins of the Rastafarian religion. The broad sweep of this book, written with authority and eloquence by the one time editor of 'Billboard' magazine, should delight all who read it. A short review from the San Francisco Chronicle says it all, "Probably the finest biography ever written about a popular musician."
Although this author passed away in 2002, the original copyright of 1983 had seen seven editions up to his death, and now we have this 2006 revised and enlarged 'Marley bible' of over five hundred pages. A vital and highly informative tome that grows from the shanty of Trench Town, with its hoodlums, higglers and rude boys with the musical accompaniment of jazz,calypso,ska and reggae. The musical magic is infused by the cultural African magic of the obeahmen and the duppy. The physical journey that was the life of Bob Marley rises from his Nine Miles childhood to international stardom. Along the way, from Smokey Robinson look-alike, 'Tuff Gong' pricked up ears, became the soul rebel and dodged bullets in an assassination attempt. Like John Lennon, he was monitored by the twisted tentacles of the CIA. The spiritual journey also emanated out of Jamaica and travelled back to the Old Testament, the Egyptian Book of the Dead and into Ethiopia via New Testament and Coptic scripts.
Timothy White's extensive research, not just on the man and his culture, also includes the Marley family, their musical development through Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers and their court wrangles after Bobs death. Also the sad murder of Peter Tosh is documented along with the career of Bunny Wailer. A discography of over seventy pages with added Appendices. A fitting tribute, just like its subject, 'Catch a Fire' is fantastic.
White not only provides intimate insights to Marley, his life, family and musical journey, but also documents the history of Jamaica and its people, the politics and the fascinating origins of the Rastafarian religion. The broad sweep of this book, written with authority and eloquence by the one time editor of 'Billboard' magazine, should delight all who read it. A short review from the San Francisco Chronicle says it all, "Probably the finest biography ever written about a popular musician."
Although this author passed away in 2002, the original copyright of 1983 had seen seven editions up to his death, and now we have this 2006 revised and enlarged 'Marley bible' of over five hundred pages. A vital and highly informative tome that grows from the shanty of Trench Town, with its hoodlums, higglers and rude boys with the musical accompaniment of jazz,calypso,ska and reggae. The musical magic is infused by the cultural African magic of the obeahmen and the duppy. The physical journey that was the life of Bob Marley rises from his Nine Miles childhood to international stardom. Along the way, from Smokey Robinson look-alike, 'Tuff Gong' pricked up ears, became the soul rebel and dodged bullets in an assassination attempt. Like John Lennon, he was monitored by the twisted tentacles of the CIA. The spiritual journey also emanated out of Jamaica and travelled back to the Old Testament, the Egyptian Book of the Dead and into Ethiopia via New Testament and Coptic scripts.
Timothy White's extensive research, not just on the man and his culture, also includes the Marley family, their musical development through Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers and their court wrangles after Bobs death. Also the sad murder of Peter Tosh is documented along with the career of Bunny Wailer. A discography of over seventy pages with added Appendices. A fitting tribute, just like its subject, 'Catch a Fire' is fantastic.
April 26, 2013
Well written biography, White is (was, RIP) a talented writer. He probably could have been a good novelist. Catch A Fire is certainly an outstanding contribution to the field, i.e. study of the life of Bob Marley and his times. Is it the definitive work? No, just like the recent Marley documentary is not the definitive film account of Marley's life. That is not necessarily a criticism of the book, as there is just so much to Bob and his story. Furthermore, I argue that Bob is largely dismissed by mainstream Western society as a "freaky dread" when IMHO he was a world hero. White hints at that too but I would take it further. I read/studied Catch A Fire as part of my research for my own book on the subject. Stir It Up: The CIA Targets Jamaica, Bob Marley and the Progressive Manley Government
July 5, 2018
This read feels as though you are at a Wailers' concert in a large stadium, and you can't really see Bob Marley, so you have to watch the concert on the JumboTron. For such a long, tedious biography you never really get a sense of who this man was. The 300 or so pages of this book read like microfiche, unending lists of names, dates, locations. I learned a lot of information about Jamaica during the 1970s, and about the dry facts of his life. This reads more like a textbook about Bob Marley than an intimate look at who he was and the motivations behind the music and lifestyle. I am glad I pushed through it, but it was an effort not unlike wading through a required literature book over the summer.
April 11, 2024
I appreciate the author's love for Bob Marley, but I feel like we learned about everything EXCEPT Bob Marley in this book. It's stated that the author continues to add to the story and I don't think that helps. It seemed like only 20% of the book was truly about Bob Marley.
April 17, 2022
Nije ovo prva knjiga o Bobu Marliju koju sam pročitao, ali je prva koja ga stavlja u jedan tako širok kontekst - toliko širok, da mi je na momente bilo čak i opterećujuće.
Autor demonstrira zavidno znanje o političkim, ekonomskim i društvenim prilikama na Jamajci, ne samo tokom Bobovog života, nego i mnogo pre i posle njega. Ako vas sve to zanima, pored njegovog života i stvaralaštva, onda preporučujem.
Autor demonstrira zavidno znanje o političkim, ekonomskim i društvenim prilikama na Jamajci, ne samo tokom Bobovog života, nego i mnogo pre i posle njega. Ako vas sve to zanima, pored njegovog života i stvaralaštva, onda preporučujem.
April 8, 2024
I really enjoyed this biography - especially that the author spent a good deal of time describing the roots of Rastafarians, culture of Trench Town, politics of Jamaica and current events in the Caribbean.
December 26, 2024
I've been thinking a lot about his book recently. I think this book genuinely took me from being a pos sheltered suburban high schooler to genuinely being curious about history and religion that was not my own. I would read it today, I would give it to anybody. Really great reporting.
April 18, 2020
Loved it.
November 30, 2018
Lika delar biografi och magisk-realistisk roman. Jag har aldrig läst något likande i biografi-genren.
March 2, 2023
Black History Month book 2. ✊ I recommend the audiobook for the patois pronunciation.
Like any good biography or documentary, the central character is only present about 60% of the time. A large portion of setup and the third act are devoted to breaking down the context of the central figure's life and the significance of their impact.
This extensive biography therefore gives us not only the interesting details of Marley's childhood, upbringing, rise in the Jamaican music underground, and eventual international success, it also gives us a thorough depiction of the history of the Jamaican island and its politics, the spirituality and politics of Haile Selassie, the particulars of rastafarian practices, a full accounting of Marley's parents and their families, and a down-and-dirty play-by-play of the legal and familial ripples that carried Marley's legacy into the future after his death. ❤️
It's not just the life of Robert Nesta Marley, it's the full significance of him as a symbol of a people, of a time, and of a philosophy. White makes a point to emphasize that some figures become symbols that embody more than they as a person exemplify. Such is the case with Marley. 🎸
Like all good music writers, White spends a decent amount of time nerding out on the specifics of Marley's music. I know very little about music theory but love reading writers who elaborate on the subtleties of melodies or the emotional edge to vocals in a specific performance. Good music writers put some kind of poetry into the discussion of what makes the music "great;" it's the poetry i understand better than the message. 🤓
White also hits the nail on the head when describing what i myself have always loved about marley's lyrics: they are personal while being universal. They are timeless and open for interpretation. They are tender and meaningful. They are authentic.
Caribbean history is American history. It's a damn shame that the US continues to ignore the significance and humanity of the island nations and peoples so close to us. It's not up to me, obviously, but I see great value in teaching US students, especially those in near-Caribbean states, the connections between US and Caribbean history. 🌎
Like any good biography or documentary, the central character is only present about 60% of the time. A large portion of setup and the third act are devoted to breaking down the context of the central figure's life and the significance of their impact.
This extensive biography therefore gives us not only the interesting details of Marley's childhood, upbringing, rise in the Jamaican music underground, and eventual international success, it also gives us a thorough depiction of the history of the Jamaican island and its politics, the spirituality and politics of Haile Selassie, the particulars of rastafarian practices, a full accounting of Marley's parents and their families, and a down-and-dirty play-by-play of the legal and familial ripples that carried Marley's legacy into the future after his death. ❤️
It's not just the life of Robert Nesta Marley, it's the full significance of him as a symbol of a people, of a time, and of a philosophy. White makes a point to emphasize that some figures become symbols that embody more than they as a person exemplify. Such is the case with Marley. 🎸
Like all good music writers, White spends a decent amount of time nerding out on the specifics of Marley's music. I know very little about music theory but love reading writers who elaborate on the subtleties of melodies or the emotional edge to vocals in a specific performance. Good music writers put some kind of poetry into the discussion of what makes the music "great;" it's the poetry i understand better than the message. 🤓
White also hits the nail on the head when describing what i myself have always loved about marley's lyrics: they are personal while being universal. They are timeless and open for interpretation. They are tender and meaningful. They are authentic.
Caribbean history is American history. It's a damn shame that the US continues to ignore the significance and humanity of the island nations and peoples so close to us. It's not up to me, obviously, but I see great value in teaching US students, especially those in near-Caribbean states, the connections between US and Caribbean history. 🌎
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June 5, 2012The best artists with in our world are the ones who have pasted, but there work still lives on. For generations, Bob Marley has been known as a reggae superstar and pop culture icon. Its been a little over twenty year since Bob Marley departed our world, but his music is still honored. Bob Marleys brilliance and talent will live on for generations. In this biography, Catch a Fire The life of Bob Marley, written by Timothy White encaptures Bob and his many memories. Taking readers into the life of the lionized musician. Bob Marley was born in a one-room shack on February 6, 1945 on the island of Jamaica to unwed parents Cedella and Captain Norval Sinclair Marley. The author describes the events leading to the death of Bob Marley from cancer on May 11, 1981. The cancer started in his foot and spread throughout his body. It could have been stopped and his life saved by having an amputation, but Marley refused treatment because he felt this was against his Rastafarian religion. His death left the world mourning, and more than 100,000 people attended his state- sponsored funeral.
I listen to Bob Marley everyday on my ipod. This biography digs deep into the life of the leader of a musical, spiritual, and political explosion that continues today. Bob Marley is one of the biggest names in rock/reggae history, Catch a Fire provides a complete examination of Bob Marley’s life and his tremendous influence on music and culture. He touched people all over the planet with his songs about struggle, repression, freedom, and triumph.
Bob Marley is the godfather of reggae- the man responsible for developing this style of music in his native country of Jamaica and successfully exporting it all over the world. That is the first reason I picked up this book. As I read more and more it was the younger Bob Marley that caught my attention. Young Bob Marley was like other kids in some ways, but he was also a little different in the sense that he was often involved in the politics of the island and he voiced his opinions on matters without hesitation. He was also educated in a private school, even though his family was not very wealthy. His interest in music developed during the 1950’s, and he and his friends often spent hours listening to music at Coxsone’s Musik City. It was there that Marley made his first recording in 1961, as a teenager. I find this so neat, Bob Marley had been passionate about music, passionate about his country when he was so young. By the end of the story I had fallen in love with Bob Marley wishing he was still alive, wishing I could see one of his outstanding performances. Wanting to listen to him pour out his passion into my ears. It’s interesting to read about him and his personal beliefs about the world and social justice.
This book is a long one, containing 556 pages...419 pages of it are his actual biography the rest are filled with notes, appendixes, discography, bibliography, and index.These additions help to complete the book and back it up with reliable sources. What makes this book so great is that its not out of date in anyway, it actually keeps expanding and has been over the years. I can say that it is the most factual bio on Bob Marley to this day. Besides being a biography, this book is also a history text. It covers the political history of Jamaica, the history of Rastafarianism, and other relevant topics. White wanted to make sure the reader had a solid background of the Jamaican past in order to better understand the topics covered. His added history lessons helped me better comprehend what the book is talking about. It helps place things in better perspective as a reader.
I absolutely loved this book, sometimes it was hard following up with the content but it was worth reading and completing. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning about this musical giant. It is by far the best Bob Marley source you can read. It is more than just another biography, it is a complete book. I enjoyed reading every chapter
I listen to Bob Marley everyday on my ipod. This biography digs deep into the life of the leader of a musical, spiritual, and political explosion that continues today. Bob Marley is one of the biggest names in rock/reggae history, Catch a Fire provides a complete examination of Bob Marley’s life and his tremendous influence on music and culture. He touched people all over the planet with his songs about struggle, repression, freedom, and triumph.
Bob Marley is the godfather of reggae- the man responsible for developing this style of music in his native country of Jamaica and successfully exporting it all over the world. That is the first reason I picked up this book. As I read more and more it was the younger Bob Marley that caught my attention. Young Bob Marley was like other kids in some ways, but he was also a little different in the sense that he was often involved in the politics of the island and he voiced his opinions on matters without hesitation. He was also educated in a private school, even though his family was not very wealthy. His interest in music developed during the 1950’s, and he and his friends often spent hours listening to music at Coxsone’s Musik City. It was there that Marley made his first recording in 1961, as a teenager. I find this so neat, Bob Marley had been passionate about music, passionate about his country when he was so young. By the end of the story I had fallen in love with Bob Marley wishing he was still alive, wishing I could see one of his outstanding performances. Wanting to listen to him pour out his passion into my ears. It’s interesting to read about him and his personal beliefs about the world and social justice.
This book is a long one, containing 556 pages...419 pages of it are his actual biography the rest are filled with notes, appendixes, discography, bibliography, and index.These additions help to complete the book and back it up with reliable sources. What makes this book so great is that its not out of date in anyway, it actually keeps expanding and has been over the years. I can say that it is the most factual bio on Bob Marley to this day. Besides being a biography, this book is also a history text. It covers the political history of Jamaica, the history of Rastafarianism, and other relevant topics. White wanted to make sure the reader had a solid background of the Jamaican past in order to better understand the topics covered. His added history lessons helped me better comprehend what the book is talking about. It helps place things in better perspective as a reader.
I absolutely loved this book, sometimes it was hard following up with the content but it was worth reading and completing. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning about this musical giant. It is by far the best Bob Marley source you can read. It is more than just another biography, it is a complete book. I enjoyed reading every chapter
April 23, 2018
This book is simply awful.
More than the first third is about Marley's childhood and the last twenty percent takes place after his death. That leaves precious little time to talk about the man himself. And, unfortunately, much of that is taken up with topic after topic many of which were only vaguely related to Bob Marley. Paragraph upon paragraph is taken up with exposition about Haile Selassie and Ethiopia and even more about the (often insane) beliefs of the Rastafarian religion. Rarely, though does all this blather ever really tie back to specific songs or albums of Marley's in any specific way. We're just meant to understand that if you decide as a child that some other guy is a god, smoke pot all day every day and believe things like Africa being heaven on earth (but with no clear explanation why (a) they didn't all just move to...you know...heaven or (b) why it's not filled with everyone's dead ancestors) your music is somehow special.
For most people, Bob Marley's music is special because it is often perfectly-constructed and performed pop songs with beautiful lyrics and wonderful vocals backed by exceptional performances. This book gives Marley no credit for these achievements.
It's a shame--I've had this book in my to-read stack for (literally) years and one reason I never quite got to it was that I was so looking forward to it that I didn't want to rush in, read it, and then never have that joy again. What a disappointment that was.
In the end, if you want to know more about Bob Marley's artistry and musicianship this is most assuredly not the book to read.
I'm giving it two stars. One for the book itself. It is mostly readable and you can pick up a nugget or two. The second star is in recognition that this middle-aged white guy from an American suburb might not be all plugged in to what's going on here. That is a definite possibility. A better author could have resolved that, though.
More than the first third is about Marley's childhood and the last twenty percent takes place after his death. That leaves precious little time to talk about the man himself. And, unfortunately, much of that is taken up with topic after topic many of which were only vaguely related to Bob Marley. Paragraph upon paragraph is taken up with exposition about Haile Selassie and Ethiopia and even more about the (often insane) beliefs of the Rastafarian religion. Rarely, though does all this blather ever really tie back to specific songs or albums of Marley's in any specific way. We're just meant to understand that if you decide as a child that some other guy is a god, smoke pot all day every day and believe things like Africa being heaven on earth (but with no clear explanation why (a) they didn't all just move to...you know...heaven or (b) why it's not filled with everyone's dead ancestors) your music is somehow special.
For most people, Bob Marley's music is special because it is often perfectly-constructed and performed pop songs with beautiful lyrics and wonderful vocals backed by exceptional performances. This book gives Marley no credit for these achievements.
It's a shame--I've had this book in my to-read stack for (literally) years and one reason I never quite got to it was that I was so looking forward to it that I didn't want to rush in, read it, and then never have that joy again. What a disappointment that was.
In the end, if you want to know more about Bob Marley's artistry and musicianship this is most assuredly not the book to read.
I'm giving it two stars. One for the book itself. It is mostly readable and you can pick up a nugget or two. The second star is in recognition that this middle-aged white guy from an American suburb might not be all plugged in to what's going on here. That is a definite possibility. A better author could have resolved that, though.
March 25, 2015
An exhaustively researched yet staggeringly incomplete book, it's much more valuable as a look into Jamaican and Rastafarian history than it is about the man it proposes to immortalize.
Throughout the book, the author contradicts himself (sometimes within just a couple of pages) and gets information wrong, making it difficult to know what actually is and isn't true without further research. Additionally, the book bounces between historical infodumps and a narrative that is partially invented to make it read more like a novel and less like a biography, making the whole thing feel like it was built haphazardly.
Because it is a biography, it gets average marks for the sheer amount of data available, especially in the appendices, but readers should practice skepticism when reading it. Unfortunately, it's largest negative comes from the fact that most of the story ignores Marley's musical inspiration and methodology in favor of secondary stories full of obvious speculation, making one wonder if the author actually cared about the musician's music in the first place.
A good starting point for data rats, but a poorly developed biography.
Throughout the book, the author contradicts himself (sometimes within just a couple of pages) and gets information wrong, making it difficult to know what actually is and isn't true without further research. Additionally, the book bounces between historical infodumps and a narrative that is partially invented to make it read more like a novel and less like a biography, making the whole thing feel like it was built haphazardly.
Because it is a biography, it gets average marks for the sheer amount of data available, especially in the appendices, but readers should practice skepticism when reading it. Unfortunately, it's largest negative comes from the fact that most of the story ignores Marley's musical inspiration and methodology in favor of secondary stories full of obvious speculation, making one wonder if the author actually cared about the musician's music in the first place.
A good starting point for data rats, but a poorly developed biography.
January 26, 2021
I started this book with high hopes but had to give up on it before I finished. It is a SLOG to read this and only the most die hard Bob fan would enjoy this level of detail. The first third of the book is about the origins of the Rastafarian religion and Bob’s childhood before he even plays a note of music.
I wanted the story of Bob the musician, this is much more the story of Bob the person and where he came from. I think my main issue with this book is that it reads like a novel, which in this case isn’t a compliment. It’s well written but rather than just telling the reader what happened, the author is painting an in depth picture of each scenario with details about surroundings, dialogue, even emotions of the folks involved; details which would be impossible for the author to know. So was he just embellishing a flowery tale based on actual events? Or did he somehow manage to get details about people’s clothing and the weather conditions via secondhand sources? Hmm..
In any case, this book is not for the casual Marley fan in my opinion and since that is what I am, it was a no go for me.
I wanted the story of Bob the musician, this is much more the story of Bob the person and where he came from. I think my main issue with this book is that it reads like a novel, which in this case isn’t a compliment. It’s well written but rather than just telling the reader what happened, the author is painting an in depth picture of each scenario with details about surroundings, dialogue, even emotions of the folks involved; details which would be impossible for the author to know. So was he just embellishing a flowery tale based on actual events? Or did he somehow manage to get details about people’s clothing and the weather conditions via secondhand sources? Hmm..
In any case, this book is not for the casual Marley fan in my opinion and since that is what I am, it was a no go for me.
March 28, 2021
I'm familiar with Bob Marley and have always enjoyed his music. But when it came to reading this book, I don't know....it just didn't grab me by the boo boo. The author spends much of the book in the beginning connecting some mystical meaning and importance to Marley that never seems to pan out in the book. While he does give a good overview of Bob Marley, I finished the book feeling like I still didn't understand the man himself. The politics of Jamaica was pertinent to Marley's life but again, the author spends too much time getting into the political personalities and less so on Marley's connection to the political landscape. Too much of the book was spend post-mortem immersed in the legal battles over his estate which I found quite irrelevant to Marley and his message. If Bob Marley is really what you're looking for, this may be a good addition to your library but perhaps not a primary source. As far as the style, it was well written and easy to read. It was broken up nicely and didn't leave the reader wondering how long this chapter is going to go on and on but the content just wasn't what I was looking for in a book about Bob Marley. 2-2 1/2 stars on this book.
July 18, 2012
As a reggae lover and a Bob Marley fanatic, I thoroughly enjoyed this biography.
Unfortunately, I have to take one star away from this beautiful book because Timothy White's work occasionally flirts with hagiography. In addition, I found that there was a lack of scepticism toward reported speech. I've heard and read multiple versions of some of the stories White reports as fact in his book. This is a small criticism, but it would have been helpful if he could have weighed some of the differing accounts and explained which ones were the most likely. Of course, the book probably would not have flowed as well as it did if he had done this.
"Wait Johnny," you are no doubt saying to yourself at this point, "you said that you are taking one star away from your review, yet I count five stars still in appearance. What is up with that?"
I'm glad you asked. My enthusiasm for the subject matter has caused me to give this particular book six stars. Taking one star away thus renders it a five star book. Don't worry, my maths are good on this one.
Unfortunately, I have to take one star away from this beautiful book because Timothy White's work occasionally flirts with hagiography. In addition, I found that there was a lack of scepticism toward reported speech. I've heard and read multiple versions of some of the stories White reports as fact in his book. This is a small criticism, but it would have been helpful if he could have weighed some of the differing accounts and explained which ones were the most likely. Of course, the book probably would not have flowed as well as it did if he had done this.
"Wait Johnny," you are no doubt saying to yourself at this point, "you said that you are taking one star away from your review, yet I count five stars still in appearance. What is up with that?"
I'm glad you asked. My enthusiasm for the subject matter has caused me to give this particular book six stars. Taking one star away thus renders it a five star book. Don't worry, my maths are good on this one.
January 6, 2014
I really liked this book because it went into great detail about Bob Marley's life. I learned a lot about Bob Marley that I had not known before I read this book. I enjoyed reading about how he became successful by making reggae music become popular throughout the world. I liked the fact that Bob Marley was dedicated to his beliefs and his faith. He expressed these things in his music, and he wanted people to understand the deep message built into his lyrics.
I gave this book four out of five stars because I really liked this book and thought the author did a good job with going into detail about Bob Marley's life. The reason I didn't give it a five out of five is because I thought the book was slow and boring at some points, but other than that it was a fun read. Reading about his religion and his beliefs was the most interesting part of the book to me. Bob Marley was a very unique individual, and reading about him was pretty cool. He was a strong believer in peace, freedom, and equality and he expressed these beliefs within his music.
I gave this book four out of five stars because I really liked this book and thought the author did a good job with going into detail about Bob Marley's life. The reason I didn't give it a five out of five is because I thought the book was slow and boring at some points, but other than that it was a fun read. Reading about his religion and his beliefs was the most interesting part of the book to me. Bob Marley was a very unique individual, and reading about him was pretty cool. He was a strong believer in peace, freedom, and equality and he expressed these beliefs within his music.
May 3, 2013
I notice I give a lot of high ratings, and imagine that's due to my enthusiasm for the subject matter. In this case I am a little in awe of this book. When I taught General Music, I had a sign on my wall that read "Music always reflects the culture it is created in." What I like about this took is that it dives headfirst into Jamaican life, the culture, the politics, the daily struggles, the music, the technology, making you feel as if you are there in the moment watching the whole thing emerge. It gave me a much more intimate understanding of the music and the man that your average documentary/biography. If you are a reggae fan this is an excellent read.
One pleasant warning: Bob dies about 2/3's of the way through. His legend doesn't end there and there's a great deal of research into the nuances of the growth of his "empire."
If there IS a negative, I wish there were just as much research into the actual recording/writing of the tunes.
One pleasant warning: Bob dies about 2/3's of the way through. His legend doesn't end there and there's a great deal of research into the nuances of the growth of his "empire."
If there IS a negative, I wish there were just as much research into the actual recording/writing of the tunes.
July 3, 2014
Really thorough and comprehensive. A little too much for me. But I my respect for Bob being in my top people I looked up to a kid of all time was solidified. He's amazing, a musician who just spoke his heart. Whether it was politics, love, religion, or how you view and act with another human, I agree with all it. Politicians suck, plain and simple. They are just out for themselves, in the end. They don't care about the people, their #1 motivation is to stay in office, everything else comes secondary. I love that his thoughts on love and religion intertwined. It just makes me feel like my beliefs were always similar.
June 23, 2008
At times I found this book hard to read, the language was written with the Jamacia slang if you will and I was stoned half the time I read it, so I had to keep coming back and re-reading it. But despite all that it was an incrediable journey inside the life of a ledgend! A must read if you have any interest in Bob!
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