I just finished The Rastafarians by Leonard S. Barrett Sr. (link).

I bought The Rastafarians on my 1991 honeymoon, from the same bookstore that sold me a unique item, a tape by Alpha Blondy, that recorded a reggae song in Hebrew. The book sat on my shelf or in tennis bags for almost 30 years. I actually finished the book a bit more than a month shy of our anniversary and just shy of thirty years after the honeymoon.

It is absolutely fascinating. The doctrine was quite foreign and novel to me. I had to overlook much political and religious commentary with which I disagree strongly. I just finished it in a three-hour marathon, much of it to the tune of the reggae music of Bob Marley and Toots and the Maytals which the movement spawned.

I give this book a "five" out of "five" for its novelty and its ability to draw me in. ( )

A book that contains a lot of good information on the Rastafari movement. A bit dated, but a very crucial read because of its analysis regarding Rastafari in relation to the politics and history of Jamaica. ( )

I was interested in a good introduction to Jamaican and Rastafarian history, and this book definitely filled the bill. It provides a short history of the island and details the evolution of the Rastafarian movement as an extension of its history and culture.

Overall, it was a bit dry and is probably somewhat dated now (since it was written in the 80's), but I found it intriguing. ( )

This book, unfortunately, reads like a converted dissertation, but the information is all there. I would have liked to have heard more about texts and rites (which they have), but overall, an excellent book. ( )