The Bus Leaves in an Hour… Be Under It! is a riveting memoir. Throughout his life, Marlon Belafonte faced many obstacles and disappointments that started when he was six. For some reason, his mother didn’t like him, and to keep him safe, his father took Marlon to work with him during the holidays. What might have been a bad thing turned out to be good because Marlon grew to love working on the docks and spent most of his life there. He became an industrious worker with a mind that constantly searched for ways to improve not only his life but the lives of others. It seemed life threw obstacles at him, but he always had his "angels" talking to him and leading him away from trouble. I admired how he put himself through night school and always searched for the next "big thing."

Marlon Belafonte recounts his life with candor and absorbing details, not to mention lots of dry witty repartee. In his memoir The Bus Leaves in an Hour… Be Under It! we learn about the man and his life in another time and place, which I really enjoyed. I found this a fascinating read. Learning about life on the docks and all his other excursions into different career strands was interesting. I was transfixed by his slightly supernatural tales and how a voice would tell him what was about to happen. Marlon has a light, easy way of talking about the past that is easy to read. I admire his constant pursuit of business and think this would be a great read for anyone considering starting their own business, as Marlon’s work ethic is exemplary. One of the main things that will stick with me is that being an entrepreneur is hard work. I admire the author’s resilience and his attitude toward life. Laced with lots of humor, this is a thoroughly entertaining, memorable autobiography.

If you never understood the word dysfunctional, spending time with Marlon Belafonte's family would have been the perfect introduction. Instead of the protection one would expect from their loved ones, all Marlon got was envy, anger, and rejection. The strangest part was it never toned down as he got older; it became more blatant. Determined not to let this get him down, he used this negativity to fuel something greater in himself. He became a successful entrepreneur with a knack for turning everything he touched into gold. The Bus Leaves In An Hour… Be Under It! is the incredible story of how Marlon Belafonte beat the odds time and again to create his version of perfection.

At first glance, Marlon Belafonte's true-life account sounds quite spectacular. I honestly struggled to understand why his guiding lights did not make more of an effort to guide him away from his numerous family-related problems when it became obvious what he had gotten himself into. I also initially did not understand why he was willing to stomach so much from Carnival, but the more I read his story, the better I understood his philosophy of life. Hidden within each of his business adventures is a little knowledge for every up-and-coming businessman who is prepared to work hard and deliver honestly. The one thing about this book that stands out for me is that despite it sometimes appearing as more of a dark and disturbing read, Belafonte consistently puts a positive spin on his encounters, a testament to the charmed life he lives. We can all learn something from The Bus Leaves In An Hour… Be Under It! A remarkable reading experience.

The Bus Leaves in an Hour… Be Under It! by Marlon Belafonte is an intriguing autobiography. Belafonte, the middle child of three, had to fight from an early age to succeed. While his mother disparaged Marlon all his life, his dad loved him but was too weak-willed to support him. His older brother Stanley bullied him. His cousins and uncles also mistreated him. Despite knowing that his family was actively pursuing his downfall, Marlon somehow dared to start business ventures with his family time and time again. Even some non-family business partners undermined him. Despite all the challenges, Marlon exhibited a great work ethic and a drive not only to survive but thrive.

I am glad that I read The Bus Leaves in an Hour… Be Under It! by Marlon Belafonte. It has enhanced my appreciation of my family while reminding me of the dangers of doing business with close relatives. I found it interesting that although Belafonte does not come across as particularly religious, he attributes several miraculous events in his life to the help of his “angels.” For instance, he believes his angels prevented him from drowning in a pool at an early age, and that they also helped him in other matters like playing American football and baseball. Marlon seems to have been supernaturally supported on several occasions. I was impressed by this honest account of his life. There are comedic episodes that made me laugh and frustrating events that made me genuinely upset on Marlon’s behalf. I highly recommend this autobiography to everyone.

The Bus Leaves in an Hour ... Be Under It! is a work of non-fiction in the memoir, slice-of-life, and humor subgenres. This entertaining read is best suited to adult readers. Penned by author Marlon Belafonte, this is a candid memoir that presents the life journey of an entrepreneur from his early days counting bananas on Miami's waterfront to his instrumental role in establishing the Carnival Cruise Line. Growing up in a dysfunctional family, the author's resilience and determination led him through trials and challenges. With a healthy dose of humor and the insight and wisdom that comes with hindsight, the book offers a fast-paced account of the author's experiences and the inexplicable feats he achieves with the support of his angels.

Author Marlon Belafonte's memoir provides a unique perspective on the growth of a significant industry and also offers a personal narrative of overcoming obstacles and finding success against the odds, which readers are sure to find hopeful and inspiring. The book's engaging storytelling style and vivid descriptions draw readers into the author's world, allowing them to experience his triumphs and setbacks firsthand. It felt as though a wild new friend had breezed into my life to tell me these incredible stories in such a relatable way. Overall, The Bus Leaves in an Hour ... Be Under It! is a captivating tale of resilience, ambition, and the power of determination to shape one's destiny, and I, for one, would highly recommend it to memoir fans everywhere looking for a truly unique perspective on life.