Bob Marley, My Son

by Cedella Marley Booker, Anthony C. Winkler (Primary Contributor)

In this revealing and poignant account of the life of her son, reggae icon Bob Marley (1945 1980), Mother Cedella Marley Booker traces the unique history of Bob Marley and his contribution to popular music as only a parent could. Booker recalls her poor rural upbringing in the district of Nine Miles in Jamaica, her parents relationship, and her courtship with Captain Marley, the white man forty years her senior who turned up one day in her father s fields and took Cedella to his bed when she was just sixteen. Their child was Bob Marley, who would introduce the world to reggae, and whose talent would later transform the course of popular music with such classics as Get Up, Stand Up, Buffalo Soldier, No Woman, No Cry, Stir It Up, and One Love. With admirable candor, Booker shares her struggles in raising Bob on her family s farm in St. Ann s and the crime-riddled streets of Kingston, and her courageous move to start a new life in the United States. Bob stayed behind in Jamaica to perfect his music, though the two remained close as he began his transformation into reggae superstar and cultural prophet. Booker details Marley s embrace of Rastafarianism, the women in his life, his use of ganja, and his last months when Cedella nursed him until he succumbed to cancer. This book is a true look at Marley s life not just as a cultural icon, but as a son."

Genres: Biography, Music, Nonfiction, Memoir

250 pages, Paperback

First published June 26, 1997

Reviews

[Trey Gershon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bob Marley, my son

This book is a book I would recommend to anyone who knows who Bob Marley is because, it was a very in depth and detailed book about his life from the viewpoint of his mother. My favorite character was Bob Marley, because the way his mother and family described him made him sound like someone I would definitely get along with. His mother wrote this book because she wanted everyone to know how special and what an amazing person Bob was. My least favorite character was Captain, because he left his wife and son at a fairly young age and he didn’t even send money to help take care of him, it was like he disappeared. The portion of this book that really caught my attention was around the time of his birth because he almost died as a baby. The fact that his mother told his life story and helped me understand why he is appreciated around the world, for his music and outlook on life. If this book was made into a movie I don’t think there are any actors that could play his role or his family’s. my favorite line was every little things gonna be alright. I was not able to guess the ending to this book which is why I was so attached.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who better to explain about the childhood, character, and final days of Mr. Nesta Robert Marley than his own mama! Mama Booker's written voice conjures up the musicality of Jamaican patois and folk expressions in a lively and vibrant way. She begins the book talking about her own childhood and upbringing, in the country of Nine Miles, how she met Captain, Bob's father, and her account of how Bob grew to be the great man, artist and songwriter that he became. Nesta means Messenger, and what better name for this man who is still revered today and continues to touch listeners with his songs that preach universal peace and unity. It was very interesting to read Modder's side of the story in regards to Rita and Bob's marriage, the way his friends abandoned him during his last sick days, and her final days with him. She has included pictures in this book that I have never seen before. Truly a must read for any Bob fan!

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing read. It is an easy read taking me two days to read it from start to end. It may have come off as a better book to me for two reasons. One I am very interested in Bob Marley's music and secondly on my honeymoon in January my wife and I took the bus trip from Ocho Rios to Bob's birthplace/resting place Nine Mile. Mother Booker focuses on Bob the person and not so much the musical part of his life. A lot of the book gives the story of his final days on earth and his beliefs in the Rastafarian religion.

[Laurel · Rating 1 out of 5]

On the back of the book jacket to Bob Marley, My Son by Cedella Marley Booker with Anthony C. Winkler it reads “In this revealing and poignant account of the life of her son, reggae icon Bob Marley (1945-1980), Cedella Marley Booker traces the unique history of the musician and his contribution to popular music as only a parent could.” Unfortunately, this account proves to be more a history of the mother than the son and a poorly written one at that. There has to be a better tribute out there to this musician extraordinaire because he deserves such. I forced myself to finish this book.

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked learning about Bob Marley, and I learned a lot about the Rastafarian religion. However, I felt this book did not tell about some of the most interesting and important parts of Bob's life. I sometimes felt that this book was more about his mother.

[Sam Hoekstra · Rating 5 out of 5]

so far so good..i wish it was more about bob marley and it was actully him who wrote it. His mom talks about nesta robert marleys childhood. i wish there would be more information about him and his life as a rastafarian and his music.

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written by Bob Marley's mother. We all know a lot about him now but she was very upset when he became ill and died. So this is part his story and part her story. How proud she must have been to have such a famous son who came from such poorness.

[Aaron Canino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like reading all books about the legend "Bob Marley". I started listening to his music when I was in my eighth grade year at Hillside School.

[Libbyarmstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unreal <3 ily bob marley xxxxx