Catch a Fire: The Life of Bob Marley

Amazon.com

Bob Marley, reggae superstar and pop culture icon, left an indelible mark on modern music. Catch a Fire: The Life of Bob Marley delves deep into the life of the lionized leader of a musical, spiritual, and political explosion that still reverberates more than a decade after his death. Almost nothing pertaining to the life of Bob Marley is left out; the origins of Rastafarianism (the Ethiopian religion that was the keystone of his life), the roots of the reggae sound, the Jamaican political and social debacle that informed his lyrics--this is a comprehensive account of the life of the artist and the times that produced him.

Catch a Fire is assiduously researched; the details writer Timothy White presents of the King of Reggae's life are cinematic in scope and, at times, cumbersome. White includes much of his primary source material, ranging from full interviews with band members to unearthed CIA documents, and devotes a whole section to describing his exhaustive research process. The final product is rich with elements of spiritual tome, rock biography, and history text; it is a hagiographic epic--the story of a man and his legend. --Brendan J. LaSalle

Book Description

The classic biography of reggae legend Bob Marley, updated and revised for the twenty-fifth anniversary of his deathBob 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, 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"White has a deep appreciation for reggae's immediacy, hypnotic power, and contradictions . . . An exhaustively researched labor of love." Chicago Sun-Times

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing - what about the music?.......2007-08-31

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, or considered a novelty, in the world outside of Jamaica in 1973.

I would have expected more discussion of his music; specifically how he and Chris Blackwell adjusted 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, we have only followed Marley up to the age of 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.

Good book - lot of detail..........2007-07-25

Okay, I read all of the book and learned a lot more about Bob than had preciously known, but I was disappointed by the lack of details on the making of the music. I was hoping for more details about the inspiration for a lot of Bob's music and this book did not have it.

I am currently reading "Exodous the Making & Meaning of Bob Marley & The Wailer's Album of the Century." This book goes into a lot more detail if you want to learn more about the music. I would recommend it over this book.

Still "Catch a Fire" is a good read if you want all the details of Bob's life.

The Dream Of Lasting Peace, World Citizenship.......2006-12-30

The book title is also the name of the 1973 debut album on Island records for Bob Marley and The Wailers that brought the lyrics and sounds of reggae to an international audience.

Originally published two years after Marley's death from cancer, the biography remains a great read due to the exhaustive research by author Timothy White.

White had interviewed Marley from 1975-1981 and projects the development & growth musically, spirtually and politically in his life. White also interviewed musicians, friends, family members, music industry executives and poltical leaders, along with the typical research - newspaper articles and other media outlets - and not-so-typical - CIA documents concerning Marley.

There are also sections on Jamaican history & politics, the history of reggae & Rastafarianism and how White did his research.

Marley projected a militant spiritualism in his music that will remain timeless. Catch a Fire gives the reader an understanding and appreciation on why Marley's message means as much today as it did so many years ago.

A Biography of more than just a Singer.......2006-10-25

For those of you who have heard Reggae and like the music you should like this book. Undoubtly Bob Marley is the greatest Raggae artist who ever lived, so it is not unusual that people are going to want to know more of his life. The book seems to be fair and objective. Sometimes it seems the writter is a little to sterile in his discription of Jamaican life. Having been to Jamaica I realize how unique Jamaican culture is. It was interesting to read of Bob Marleys mystic background. For a hardcore fan this might not be enough, but for somebody just wanting to know a little more you'll enjoy it.

Bob Marley Lives.......2006-05-06

"Catch a Fire" is an excellent book on the life of Bob Marley. The author did a good job of exploring the life of this truly great man. I had always thought that I knew about Bob Marley but reading this book revealed a lot of new insights into his music, his message and his rise to stardom and greatness. In particular, I got a better and deeper understanding of the background and history of Rastafarian movement as well as life in Jamaica.

This is the best book so far written about Bob Marley. It provides a comprehensive coverage of this remarkable man and includes other great people like Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer as well as Bob Marley's family, particularly his kids.

If you love Reggae music and/or you are a Bob Marley fan, then this book is for you.

Average customer rating:

Catch a Fire: The Life of Bob Marley
Timothy White
Manufacturer: Henry Holt & Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000LZCHI2

Catch a Fire, The Life Of Bob Marley (The Life Of Bob Marley)

Average customer rating:

Catch a Fire, The Life Of Bob Marley (The Life Of Bob Marley)

Manufacturer: Henry Holt & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000CQYL5M

Product Description

Book measures 6" x 9".

Average customer rating:

Catch a Fire: the Life of Bob Marley
Timothy White
Manufacturer: Omnibus Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OHBKCG

Average customer rating:

CATCH A FIRE: THE LIFE OF BOB MARLEY
Timothy [cover design by Andrew M. Newman, painting by Daniel Maffia] Bob Marley) White
Manufacturer: Owl Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OEHFQO

Average customer rating:

Catch a Fire: The Life of Bob Marley
Timothy White
Manufacturer: Holt, Rinehart and Winston
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OA2FA4

Average customer rating:

Catch a Fire: the Life of Bob Marley
Timothy White
Manufacturer: Owl Books (NY)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N78PWU

Book Description

*50 illustrations
* 6 x 9

From 1799 to 1819 more than 1,000 pages of British naval news and views were published every year in The Naval Chronicle, including action reports, intelligence of foreign naval matters, and biographies of officers. In short, it was the most important original account of the naval part of the Napoleonic Wars. Outside the major libraries the 40 volumes of The Naval Chronicle are not generally available. This new consolidated edition, in five volumes, contains all the most significant material from the originals, including Admiral Nelson's only autobiographical record.

Nicholas Tracy, a member of the history department of the University of New Brunswick, is the editor of Naval Warfare in the Age of Sail and the author of the definitive Nelson's Battles.

Customer Reviews:

Abridged accounts of Royal Navy activities.......2006-03-02

This review is for Volume I of the series (1793-1798). It should not be applied to other volumes which were published separately and have different content. It particular, it does not apply to Volume 2 where it has been posted by Amazon (I have no control over that posting).

The title of this book is, perhaps, a little misleading. The Naval Chronicle did not start publication until 1799. However, it did go back, retroactively, to document earlier actions. This book gives a summary of major actions such as the occupation/ withdrawal at Toulon in 1793, the Glorious First of June in 1794, the Battle of the Nile in 1798, etc. It also includes various particular actions of interest such as the battle between the British Frigate Nymph (Captain Edward Pellew) and the French National Frigate Cleopatra in 1793 which resulted in Pellew being knighted. It is interesting to note the high casualty rate among midshipmen. Of the 23 men killed aboard the Nymph, there were 3 midshipmen and a master's mate.

The book also covers the actions in the West Indies, the occupation of Dutch overseas territories (the Cape of Good Hope, etc.), and various other activities and treaties. Additional information is provided on topics such as naval appropriations, weight of ships stores, and organization of sea fencibles.

In some respects, the book may be covering too much in too few pages. With 365 pages, it covers some actions in detail, some more superficially, and some not at all. However, it is a good supplement for those readers with an interest in the period.

The Naval Chronicle: The Contemporary Record of the Royal Navy at War in Five (5) Volumes: I-1793-1797; II-1799-1804; III-1804-1806; IV-1807-1810; V-1811-1815 (Consolidated Edition)

Average customer rating:

The Naval Chronicle: The Contemporary Record of the Royal Navy at War in Five (5) Volumes: I-1793-1797; II-1799-1804; III-1804-1806; IV-1807-1810; V-1811-1815 (Consolidated Edition)
Nicholas (ed.) Tracy
Manufacturer: Stackpole Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000TZIFG2

Event History Modeling: A Guide for Social Scientists (Analytical Methods for Social Research)
Average customer rating:

Fills a big void

Don't read this book.

Event History Modeling: A Guide for Social Scientists (Analytical Methods for Social Research)
Janet M. Box-Steffensmeier , and Bradford S. Jones
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

History | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
Government | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Research | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Sociology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Regression Models for Categorical and Limited Dependent Variables (ADVANCED QUANTITATIVE TECHNIQUES IN SOCIAL SCIENCES)

An Introduction to Survival Analysis Using Stata, Revised Edition

Essential Mathematics for Political and Social Research (Analytical Methods for Social Research)

Unifying Political Methodology: The Likelihood Theory of Statistical Inference

Techniques of Event History Modeling: New Approaches to Casual Analysis

ASIN: 0521546737

Book Description

Here is an accessible, up-to-date guide to event history analysis for researchers and advanced students in the social sciences. The foundational principles of event history analysis are discussed and ample examples are estimated and interpreted using standard statistical packages, such as STATA and S-Plus. Recent and critical innovations in diagnostics are discussed, including testing the proportional hazards assumption, identifying outliers, and assessing model fit. The treatment of complicated events includes coverage of unobserved heterogeneity, repeated events, and competing risks models. The authors point out common problems in the analysis of time-to-event data in the social sciences and make recommendations regarding the implementation of duration modeling methods.

Customer Reviews:

Fills a big void.......2007-08-14

This is excerpted and slightly modified from a published review (Perspectives on Politics Volume 3, June 2005) I wrote of this book, which I like quite a bit and regularly recommend and assign to my political science graduate students.

Event History Modeling: A Guide for Social Scientists provides a broad and in-depth introduction to duration analysis for political scientists and for social scientists in general. This book will instantly become the go-to guide for most political scientists interested in event history analysis and should become a staple on syllabi for graduate courses for years to come. The authors cover a broad range of important topics, employing a combination of mathematical detail and verbal discussion; important concepts are illustrated with examples using political science data that readers can download. For a book on statistical methods, Event History Modeling is quite readable and the authors do a commendable job of presenting a great variety of issues and making clear recommendations.

Don't read this book........2006-10-05

This book witnesses the long-standing prejudice that non-math or non-stat people would prefer books which drop all the mathematical or logical gimmichks. I could know nothing about the methods from this book. This book does not provide necessary knowledge. Try Lawless or Lee's book. They employ some mathematics. But don't worry. If you are not a statistics major, you just pick up what you should know for your application.

Customer Reviews:

Pheasants of the World.......2005-09-21

An excellent book. Tends to focus more on the individual pheasant breeds rather than thier care and raising of them. However, probably one of the most in-depth books on the many beautiful species of pheasants worldwide.

Average customer rating:

A guide to the pheasants of the world;
Philip Wayre
Manufacturer: Country Life Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Pheasants, Partridges, and Grouse : A Guide to the Pheasants, Partridges, Quails, Grouse, Guineafowl, Buttonquails, and Sandgrouse of the World (Princeton Field Guides)

Average customer rating:

Excellent book on the basics

Pheasants, Partridges, and Grouse : A Guide to the Pheasants, Partridges, Quails, Grouse, Guineafowl, Buttonquails, and Sandgrouse of the World (Princeton Field Guides)
Tami Davis Biddle
Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Guinea | Africa | History | Subjects | Books

General | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Outdoors & Nature Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Outdoors & Nature | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Reference | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Science | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

PHEASANTS OF WORLD 2E
Pigeons and Doves: A Guide to Pigeons and Doves of the World
Crows and Jays.
Sunbirds (Helm Identification Guides)
Extraordinary Pheasants

ASIN: 0691089086

Book Description

This guide brings together, for the first time within a single volume, a comprehensive review of all the world's pheasants, partridges, quails, grouse, turkeys, guineafowl, buttonquails, sandgrouse, and the enigmatic Plains-wanderer--over 250 species in all. The group includes some of the world's most familiar and beautiful birds, such as the Indian peafowl and the stunning tragopans, as well as some of the rarest and most threatened. This book concentrates on detailed identification and distribution, but also highlights conservation issues where relevant. The seventy-two color plates, by leading bird illustrators, show male, female, juvenile, and subspecies plumages, and form the finest set of illustrations of these birds to date. There is also a color distribution map for each species.

Pheasants, Partridges, and Grouse is a landmark volume in the literature of this attractive and vulnerable group of birds.

Comprehensive identification guide to over 250 species of pheasants, partridges, and grouse throughout the world
Detailed text covering identification, description, geographical variation, voice, status, habitat and behavior, distribution, movements, and measurements
72 color plates depicting male, female, juvenile, and subspecies plumages
Information on conservation issues
Glossary, index, reference, and bibliography

Customer Reviews:

Excellent book on the basics.......2003-05-01

As with the vast majority, but not all, books that bite off huge taxonomic groups this one fails to provide detailed updated information on this group but does provide an overview and excellent illustrations. If you desire more than the basics purchase Johnsgard's books or some other title that limits its treatment. If its the basics that you desire its worth the money.

A Guide to the Pheasants, Partridges, Quails, Grouse, Guineafowl, Buttonquails and Sandgrouse of the World (Helm Identification Guides)

Average customer rating:

A Guide to the Pheasants, Partridges, Quails, Grouse, Guineafowl, Buttonquails and Sandgrouse of the World (Helm Identification Guides)
Steve Madge , and Philip J.K. McGowan
Manufacturer: Christopher Helm Publishers Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Trogons And Quetzals Of The World
Pigeons and Doves: A Guide to Pigeons and Doves of the World

ASIN: 0713639660

Average customer rating:

The Pheasants of the World
Jean Delacour
Manufacturer: Howell Book House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Chasing The Hunter's Dream: 1,001 of the World's Best Duck Marshes, Deer Runs, Elk Meadows, Pheasant Fields, Bear Woods, Safaris, and Extraordinary Hunts

Average customer rating:

Chasing The Hunter's Dream: 1,001 of the World's Best Duck Marshes, Deer Runs, Elk Meadows, Pheasant Fields, Bear Woods, Safaris, and Extraordinary Hunts
Jeffrey Engel , James A. Swan , and Sherol Engel
Manufacturer: Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Hunting | Hunting & Fishing | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Shooting | Hunting & Fishing | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Reference | Miscellaneous | Sports | Subjects | Books

General | Sports | Subjects | Books

Directories | Catalogs & Directories | Reference | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Politically Incorrect Guide to Hunting (Politically Incorrect Guides)

ASIN: 006134382X
Release Date: 2007-09-25

Book Description

Under the guiding philosophy of "The Honourable Pursuit of Fish and Game," Jeffrey and Sherol Engel and James Swan offer their fascinating personal experiences along with expert advice on the most enjoyable and least expensive ways to hunt both big and small game throughout North America, Mexico, Africa, New Zealand, Asia, Europe, and Australia. Organized by location, this book covers everything you need to know, including:

Preparing for hunts in different climates and cultures

Travelling with firearms on national and international flights

Choosing clothing and equipment for each locale

Finding trustworthy outfitters, guides, and lodges

Getting your trophy home from halfway across the world

The ethics and philosophy of hunting for pleasure

And much, much more!

Hunting is more than just pulling the trigger – it is an experience involving skill, strategy, an understanding and respect for nature, and camaraderie. The authors goal is to outline the great hunts in North America and around the world, but also provide a complete hunting and outdoor experience.

Average customer rating:

The Pheasants of the World
Jean (Illustrated by J. C. Harrison) Delacour
Manufacturer: Country Life Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0000CI0WK

Average customer rating:

THE PHEASANTS OF THE WORLD.
J. Delacour
Manufacturer: Country Life Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000WPUM7Y

Pheasants of the World: Their Breeding and Management

Average customer rating:

Exceptional Reference Guide
MOST IMFORMATIVE BOOK ON BIRDS
MOST IMFORMATIVE BOOK ON BIRDS

Pheasants of the World: Their Breeding and Management
Keith Howman
Manufacturer: Hancock House Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Birds | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Shooting | Hunting & Fishing | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

General | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

PHEASANTS OF WORLD 2E

ASIN: 088839280X

Customer Reviews:

Exceptional Reference Guide.......2005-02-11

This is a comprehensive guide to the pheasants of the world. Filled with numerous, highly detailed, full color photographs of every species, this is a must have for the pheasant enthusiast or for artist reference.

It's a shame this book is out of print, as used copies can be quite pricey. I paid $135 for mine, however, and found it to be well worth the price.

There are other fine books on pheasants currently available, such as Stephen Armitage's "Extraordinary Pheasants," but nothing comes close to this book in terms of sheer volume and comprehensiveness.

MOST IMFORMATIVE BOOK ON BIRDS.......2000-10-11

AS BREEDERS OF PHEASANTS WE FOUND THIS BOOK MOST USEFUL IN THE CARE AND FEEDING OF THEM. ALSO DIFFERENT BREEDS HAVE DIFFERENT HABITAT NEEDS. HE EXPLAINED THINGS CLEARLY AND CONCISELY IN A WAY WE COULD UNDERSTAND. IT WAS VERY HELPFUL AND INFORMATIVE. BUT IT WAS VERY PRICEY.

MOST IMFORMATIVE BOOK ON BIRDS.......2000-10-11

AS BREEDERS OF PHEASANTS WE FOUND THIS BOOK MOST USEFUL IN THE CARE AND FEEDING OF THEM. HE EXPLAINED THINGS CLEARLY AND CONCISELY IN A WAY WE COULD UNDERSTAND. IT WAS VERY HELPFUL AND INFORMATIVE. BUT IT WAS VERY PRICEY.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books