Library Journal August 2004
"A great read for casual readers and longtime fans."


Nashville City Paper 8/13/04
"Often illuminating...never dull or boring."


Relix August 2004
"Offers a rich variety of angles on the Marley legend."


Goldmine 12/10/04
"An intriguing collection...absolutely fascinating...Every entry tells the reader something of interest."


Kliatt January 2005
"Readers will be both entertained and informed. This book will definitely hold the attention of music lovers."


Dirty Linen February / March 2005
"This book clearly demonstrates that Robert Nesta Marley was and is an enigma."


Book Description
A gathering of stellar writings on the life, legend, music, and meaning of Bob Marley, international voice of dissent and freedom. Throughout Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and America, Bob Marley represents far more than just the musician who translated spiritual and political beliefs into hypnotic, hard-hitting songs such as "Get Up, Stand Up," "No Woman, No Cry," and "Jammin'." Marley was born in rural Jamaica and reared in the mean streets of Kingston's Trenchtown; his ascent to worldwide acclaim, first with The Wailers--Peter Tosh and Bunny Livingstone--and later as a solo artist, is a riveting story of the spiritual awakening of a uniquely talented individual. Now, for the first time, a symphony of voices has joined together to offer perspective on one of this century's most compelling figures. Dealing with Bob Marley as a man and myth, from his "rude boy" teens to international fame and his tragic death at the age of thirty-six, Every Little Thing Gonna Be Alright then explores the larger picture, examining Marley as the spokesman for Jamaica's homegrown religion of Rastafarianism, as a flash point for the pressure cooker of Jamaican politics, and his unique status as the first pop musical superstar of the so-called "Third World."

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Throughout Africa, Europe, and the Americas, Bob Marley represents far more than just the musician who translated spiritual and political beliefs into hypnotic, hard-hitting songs such as "Get Up, Stand Up," "No Woman, No Cry," and "Jammin'." Born in rural Jamaica, reared in the mean streets of Kingston's Trenchtown, Marley rose to worldwide acclaim, first with the original Wailers (Peter Tosh and Bunny Livingstone) and later with a reconfigured lineup that included the I-Threes -- and his story embodies the spiritual awakening of a uniquely talented individual. Now, for the first time, the voices of Alice Walker, Rita Marley, Lester Bangs, and many others join together to offer a new perspective on one of the twentieth century's most compelling figures. From Marley's "rude boy" teens to international fame and his tragic death at the age of thirty-six, Every Little Thing Gonna Be Alright explores the larger picture -- Marley as the spokesman for Jamaica's homegrown religion of Rastafarianism, as a flash point for the pressure cooker of Jamaican politics, and as the first pop music superstar of the Third World.

FROM THE CRITICS

KLIATT - KaaVonia Hinton

There is no denying that Marley is an icon. His music is on commercials and featured on the soundtrack of children's films; at least one young adult literary character has been named after him (in Angela Johnson's Heaven), not to mention the success of his posthumously released CD, Legend. In this book academicians and journalists share the same terrain with well-known writer Alice Walker and Marley's widow, Rita Marley. Each short essay explains how the varied authors came to know Robert Nesta Marley and his music. In addition to personal essays, the six sections of the book include previously published articles, interviews and book excerpts. A brief introduction by the book's editor, Hank Bordowitz, the editor of The UR Reader: A Quarter Century of Commentary, Criticism, and Review, prefaces each chapter. Most readers have heard the music of Marley and may be aware of his belief in the Rastafarian religion and in the sanctity of marijuana, but this book treads lesser-known waters. How many have read the Marvel Comic book of Marley's life or are familiar with his association with politics, albeit unintentionally and to his detriment (he and his wife were shot by gunmen)? Marley has never been so exposed. When he died at age 36 on May 11, 1981 of cancer, he left at least seven children by seven different women and four by his wife, including the Grammy Award-winning Ziggy Marley, to mourn his death and to fight for the rights to his legacy. In spite of Marley's undeniable contribution to music, at times his personal life reads like an adventure story. Readers will be both entertained and informed. This book will definitely hold the attention of music lovers and thoseinterested in pop culture. KLIATT Codes: SA—Recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2004, Perseus, Da Capo, 314p. illus. index., Ages 15 to adult.

Library Journal