Bob Marley was the first superstar to emerge from the Third World. Although he lived a short life, only 36 years, Marley penned an enormous quantity of songs, pioneering a new reggae rhythm and sound that was distinctly Jamaican. An expert lyricist who would have more than held his own with any contemporary hip-hop word slinger, Bob crafted emotionally powerful chains of words that packed a serious punch. Twenty-five years after his death, the music of Bob Marley and the Wailers is as popular and relevant as it was the day it was released. Fans from all corners of the globe are a testament to the fact that his music transcends race, economic class, and even language. The author gives readers an inside look at the man behind the legend. From Marley's poverty stricken early childhood in rural Jamaica to his faith in Rastafarianism, this biography recounts the life and music of one of the most famous popular artists of the last century, an incredible story for long-time fans as well as for a new and ever-increasing audience who were too young to witness Marley's history-making music career firsthand. A timeline, photos, and a rich bibliography of print and electronic sources make this biography ideal for both research purposes and casual reading.