Marley and Me: The Real Bob Marley Story

by Don Taylor, Mike Henry

Bob Marley's tragic death in 1981 left the world in mourning. Since that terrible day the myths and legends which surround his life have continued to grow. Only one man knows the real truth. That man is Don Taylor, Bob Marley's manager, friend and confidant. Now, in this astonishing and brilliantly written book, Don Taylor tells:
How he and Bob were shot down and left for dead by gangsters wielding Uzi submachine guns. Of Bob's love affairs with scores of women, including a beautiful princess and former Miss World Cindy Breakspeare. The secret of the millions of pounds Bob placed around the world. How Bob foiled a plot to kidnap Mick Jagger. How Rita Marley was able to sign Bob's signature on checks for huge sums of money. How Bob secretly carried guns or knives and threatened to kill those who crossed him. The bizarre and curious circumstances which led to Bob Marley's death.

All these stories, and hundreds more, are told with deep affection and a simple, direct honesty which makes this book indispensible for anyone who is interested in this towering figure of world music.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Music, Memoir

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

There is more than one author by this name on Goodreads.

Reviews

[Junglemann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to be honest as a marley fan of over 25 years i was a little hesitant about this book at first. Having read "catch a fire" by timothy white Don Taylor was portrayed as a no good thief and hustler. After reading this book it changed my mind about Marley, Rita, Cedella and most of all Don.

This is a must read for a ll Marley Fans that want a 360 degree concept of the life of a Legend and its short life in this earth.

4 stars all the way, lost one star because of the credibility of some instances..

[Oriyah N · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a book written by an insecure narcissist who continuously name-drops and seems to be pleading innocence when I hadn't even known he was convicted of anything. He protesteth too much, and should have hired an editor to close all those parentheses he opened (not to mention the terrible writing and the boring non-Bob focused aspects of the narrative.)

It's almost as if he self-published.

"Brilliantly written," my foot.

[Tyson S.]

I actually read this book at my friends sleepover i stayed up to like 5 in the morning reading it...!
I loved because well Bob Marley is my favorite music artist
but if you dont like Bob Marley this book is really not for you!
So to all you classic music lovers i really think you guys would love this book!

[srdjan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hilarious... Did you know that the first time you have sex while high on cocaine its so good that you may spend your life chasing it? Did you know that when you're being shot at you should raise your hand and declare the greatness of an Ethopian prince? Don Taylor ya'll

[Phil Wright]

So far, the book delves heavily into the culture of Jamaica. I have read a few other novels about Marley, including Catch a Fire, and find this one to be dragging a bit. I'll post more as I read.

[Coley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldnt get through this entire book. It couldn't really hold my attention and I wonder how much of this is REALLY true...

[Kirk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book if you want to know about the politics and business side of Bob Marley.

[Ty]

i get high every day

[1dotson_matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a singer named Bob Marley. People say that Bob was the one artist who began the peace he was the singer who sang reggae and he made peace loving songs. He talks about his childhood in Jamaica and how he started his career. He was a loving man, all he wanted was peace. People say his music inspired people. If you like the Jamaica and reggae music I recommend this book because it is about both of them and I would recommend his music.

[Beree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah, I know everyone loves this book including myself. This is original dog book. I see all the other authors jumping on the dog lover band wagon, but those don't compare to this. Set aside a day to read this book, you don't want to have to put it down.

[Ti'quonn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I've read in my life.

[Emma]

great book especially is you like history. It's a little tough to read in the begining, but stick it out. It's very interesting.

[Emilyy. · Rating 5 out of 5]

hey i am planing on reading this book..but hopfully soon,i am currently reading another book now but i will soon to be reading this one!
ILY BOB MARLEY♥

[Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty informational for those that no little about neither Bob Marley or Don Taylor.

[Shahrulrock]

Sebetulnya, buku ini sudah lama terperap dalam almari buku yang jarang-jarang di buka.Berdebu.
Pemberian seorang rakan yang "kurang minat membaca" tetapi suka membeli.

[Lewis Kang'ethe Ngugi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very very nice

[Devin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting stories about Bob Marley and his life that I never would have heard otherwise.

[Junior R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very informative. I understand that many of Taylor's claims are disputed (like his allegation that Marley killed one of his would-be-assassins) but that adds to the importance of Taylor's views, from my perspective.

It speaks to the complexity of Marley's life, and especially his relationships with those closest to him.

It certainly seems to offer a more "rounded" view of Marley than persons with an overt bias for or against this iconic musician can manage.

As such, it could promote critical thinking where it is most urgently needed today: in spheres of communication characterized by populist political sentiment.

And how better could we honour Marley, who despite his limitations (his alleged gambling addiction, womanizing and capacity for violence) seems to have been motivated by a genuine sense of personal religious duty and social responsibility.

His efforts to unite the Jamaica's warring political factions certainly are commendable.

Unfortunately he may have been too immersed in material considerations to give adequate attention to spiritual matters as consistently as he wished.

The price of fame.

A lesson, certainly for young people in Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana and the wider Caribbean today, where faith fragmenting Marxist materialist and secular humanist analysis of gender, race, religious and other matters hold sway.

The scourge of gun violence in my native Barbados, like the scourge of knife crime in the UK, where I am currently based, can be traced to such divisive, faith fragmenting thinking, I suggest.

As can the more subtly violent reasoning that has driven much of the campaign for reparations for trans-Atlantic slavery led by University of the West Indies Vice Chancellor Sir Hillary Beckles, "diplomat" David Comissiong and others who, like Marley, consciously or unconsciously promote destabiliztion and disunity even as they call for "peace".

[Maureen Dada · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shady

This book is full of lies. He tries to discredit Rita Marley, Bob's wife, whom Bob refused to divorce. Don mentioned Cindy as the only woman Bob ever loved as a jab at Rita Marley! If that was the case, why didn't Bob divorce Rita and marry Cindy? Cindy and her mother tried, in vain, to get Bob to divorce Rita, but he refused. Don Taylor hated Rita because of the bond Bob had with her. Rita was the one who made Bob realize Don was stealing from him. Don paints himself as the only one whom Bob Marley trusted and the only one who had Bob Marley's best interests. Don neglected to mention that Bob Marley beat him to a pulp because he was stealing from him. Bob fired Don; he was no longer trusted, so I find it hard to believe he was calling Don on his deathbed.