Bordowitz, Hank, ed. Every little thing gonna be alright; the Bob Marley reader

BORDOWITZ, Hank, ed. Every little thing gonna be alright; the Bob Marley reader. Perseus, Da Capo. 314p. illus, index. c2004. 0-306-81340-8. $17.95. SA

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 those interested in pop culture. KaaVonia Hinton, Old Dominian Univ., VA

S--Recommended for senior high school students.

A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.

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