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Have you read a good John Lennon or Beatles book lately? Or maybe you read a book that you wish you hadn't? Why not add a review and let others know what you thought of it.
If you add a review, please make sure it is thorough and informative. It should give the reader a good sense of what the book is about. Short, incomplete, or otherwise useless reviews will be deleted without notice.
Aug 4, 2008
Chris Gregory
Book Title: WHO COULD ASK FOR MORE: RECLAIMING THE BEATLES
Book Author: Chris Gregory
Review of WHO COULD ASK FOR MORE: RECLAIMING THE BEATLES from Rock’n’Reel magazine now posted at http://www.chrisgregory.org/blog/
Jul 19, 2008
Mike
Book Title: The Last Days of John Lennon
Book Author: Frederic Seaman
This is a great read. It's out of print but it can easily be found online by buying it used. For those who want to know what Lennon's life may have been like in the last few years of his life, I would strongly recommend this one. When you read the book and look at the pictures that go with it, I, for one, don't believe these are a pack of lies. I believe it's probably a fairly accurate portrait. Make up your own mind. I've read other books that give a more positive slant to Lennon's final days. This one seems to be more realistic. It's told thru the eyes of Lennons personal assistant who later was convicted of stealing his private journals (my guess he probably did it for money though he says he only took them because he thought John would want his son Julian to have them - a son he very rarely saw or knew). Knowing these facts, I was very skeptical reading this book. However, after actually reading the book, I really believe I'm getting a glimpse of the real John Lennon and not the mythical figure portrayed in the popular press. As for Yoko, it's clear the author doesn't like her so I'm not sure how fair or balanced the book is when it comes to her. It's interesting to note that I did some independent research of my own and these facts (not opinions) seem to back Seaman (1) He says Yoko was having ongoing affairs- is it just coincidental that she goes on to have a 20 year relationship (1980-2000) with one of the names mentioned on the book, Sam Havadtoy?? (2) Yoko is said to be obsessed with money in the book while the popular myth is that she was totally devoted to John and the making of Double Fantasy was a joyful time for both of them. Why then the lawsuit against the producer of Double Fantasy (she wanted to give him nothing)?? In the end he won a 3 million judgement against her.
Jul 1, 2008
Peter
Book Title: The Revolutionary Artist: John Lennon's Radical Years
Book Author: Patrick Cadogan
Part narrative, part interviews, and part reference book, The Revolutionary Artist takes a look at John Lennon's years of transition, from Beatle to solo artist. A lot of new information is present, including previously unreleased interviews with Lennon. Not as political as the title may suggest, its focus is not on the FBI files which have already been covered extensively in Gimme Some Truth. There is, however, a great deal of focus on the music, including Lennon's thoughts on all of the Beatles' songs and his early solo work. Lennon fans will be particularly interested in the insights provided into the Plastic Ono Band-era, not only of the music, but also the Primal Therapy sessions which John and Yoko underwent for several months in 1970.
Mar 20, 2008
Christine (Rummins) Fredrickson
Book Title: The Lives of John Lennon
Book Author: Goldman
My last review was six years ago. This book, still, in my opinion, despite all the controversy surrounding it, is best bio of JL ever written. I have read them all, sometimes multiple times over the years. I am now 37 this year. I was 9 years old when John Lennon was shot and living in New York for a short time during the aftermath made an impression on me and effected my life consequently. I hadn't even heard of the Beatles before JL's murder but afterward every shop I went into played Beatles music, everyone wore funny granny glasses, everyone seemed to be wearing the same T-shirts. People cried down walking down the street. I overheard everyone talking about .... bagism, John Lennon, The Beatles. I started spending my money on Beatles 45's instead of puffy stickers for my locker and flowered shoelaces. I stopped saving up for Gloria Vanderbilts and started putting it away for albums. I got a record player for Christmas that year and I spent the next 4 years listening to music, after dinner, in the basement or in my bedroom. I memorized all the Beatles songs (with the exception of the White Album which I didn't understand until my late teens) and started reading the biographies. The first three were Pete Shottons "In my Life", Cynthia's "A Twist of Lennon" and Peter Brown's "The Love You Make", all written by very close intimates of JL. I was a strange girl who wrote love letters to Julian and slept with an 8X10 glossy photo of JL at my bed. I stole library books and cut out all the Beatles pictures and had them plastered on my wall. I was a strange girl, because even in my generation, the Beatles were foreign to the kids I went to school with. I was cool, because I knew who they were and in some primal way this registered with them that I had some ancient inside track to something that was out of their reach, but the music was lost on those soft young ears that only heard Prince, Madonna and Cyndi Lauper (who are all great btw). But it struck me last night watching the second Lennon-McCartney/Beatle run on American Idol, the contestants, save for one or two, had no idea who the Beatles were and didn't even understand what an honor they had last night. It was evident in the song selections and I kept waiting for Yer Blues, She came in through the Bathroom window, Dear Prudence, Happiness is a warm gun (hold breath), Don't let me down, Old Brown Shoe, Norwegian Wood,Don't bring me down, Glass Onion,Rocky Racoon, Something, For You Blue, Golden Slumbers,One After 909 or even Misery, Mother Natures Son, There's A Place, Strawberry Fields or Penny Lane. Not to mention Tomorrow Never Knows, Your Mother Should Know or You never Give me your money. I could go on and on and on. Alas! I was quite thrilled to see the Blackbird performance by Carly Smithson and though it was mucked up I was hoping my fourteen year old godson was watching in California as I sang that song to him when he was an infant and he knew all the words when he was three. (Trying to pass it on...). And so with the butchering of the Beatles by American Idol and the Heather Mills media mockery, Are the Beatles dead? I realize this is more of a rant than a review. But how can their magic be lost so quickly, after only a generation or two - there has never been nor probably will ever be anyone like them and if there legacy is now diminished to being noted as "an influence" on popular artists today and as a showcase set on American Idol which allowed 30 million people to see a bastardization of their songs (and not their best ones or even their average ones), then I am sick, totally heartsick. Back to the book, The Lives of John Lennon by Albert Goldman is still the most complete biography of John Lennon, the good and the bad and the ugly. Though our dear author clearly loathed or, to put it nicer, harshly judged his subject not impersonally, I still beleive this is the most accurate portrait of the man and does fill in and make sense of many more, less complete works. Again, excellent supplamental material would be Ian McDonalds "Revoltion In The Head", Jon Wieners "Come Together: John Lennon in his time", Pete Shottons "In My Life", May Pangs "Loving John", Peter Browns "The Love You Make". Ray Colemans "Lennon", "McCartney" and "Brian Epstein: The Man who made the Beatles, respectively. And also "Grapefruit" by Yoko Ono and "In His Own Write" by John Lennon. Each of these books captures something new and gives a fresh perspective.
Mar 11, 2008
Purveyor of Truth
Book Title: Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me
Book Author: Pattie Boyd, with Penny Junior
As the former wife of two major figures in popular music, Pattie Boyd has interesting stories to tell. She had a first hand look at the the joys and sorrows that fame brings and she lived to survive it all. It's a shame then that those stories are told by such a weak writer as Junior. Cliches abound and the timeline is all jumbled. It's understandable if all the events of Boyd's life are jumbled in her mind but a better writer wouldn't subject a reader to what at times is a confusing narrative. For instance, at one point Pattie writes about moving in with George in 1965 to Kinfauns, his home in Esher, then she's referencing a photo taken at least three years later, and then is back to 1965. This happens throughout the book. Boyd's dysfunctional upbringing in Africa and England and the start of her modeling careers are dispatched in the first 80 pages or so. And then the real story begins: meeting George, their romance, marriage and disintegration as Eric Clapton enters the picture. Clapton comes off like a lovestruck high schooler as he pouts and turns to heroin when Pattie doesn't immediately leave George for him. By the time she does, and marries Clapton he is a full blown alcoholic. The couple then divorce and through therapy and a new career behind the camera rather than in front of it Boyd finds self-worth and the ability to stand on her own. Even then one is left wondering if she's learned anything at all. The chapters on her marriage to George have flashes of insight, filling in the picture that gets painted in other books. Particularly interesting is Boyd's description of George's songwriting technique. There is still the feeling that she is holding something back. It's telling that she writes more about trips to Bahrain and South America than she does about George's death. There was a better book in these stories. Who really cares about the long lists of what Boyd bought at the grocery store, or the continuous name dropping. And then there are the stupid errors that any fact checker would have caught, such as that George was on tour in February 1967 (he was at Abbey Road recording Sgt. Pepper) or that it was the morning of Dec. 8 in England when Boyd found out John Lennon had been killed (when it was already Dec. 9 in England when he was shot). As someone whose career was spent in front of or behind a camera, the picture section is exceptional. One particularly great photo is of Pattie, Jane Asher and Cynthia Lennon in Austria during the filming of "Help." It's in black and white but they are all stunningly beautiful.
Feb 21, 2008
Christian Stevens
Book Title: The Rough Guide To The Beatles
Book Author: Chris Ingham
Truely a delightful book, essential to those new and old to the Beatles story. Having first bought this when I was just getting started into the Beatles it really did further my intrest in them. Ingham writes in a style that will keep you deeply immersed in whatever part of the book you are reading, wether it be album ratings and reviews (also including ALL the solo albums realised up untill 2005), a site seeing guide of Beatle places or even just a list of the best that's on offer for the Beatles on the web. He also has included his list on the best beatle book's that have been written, which itself, like this site here, is very handy and useful!!
Feb 17, 2008
Purveyor of Truth
Book Title: Can't Buy Me Love: The Beatles, Britain and America
Book Author: Jonathan Gould
Coming just a few years after Bob Spitz's massive Beatles bio, is there really a need for another big book about The Fabs? In the case of "Can't Buy Me Love" the answer is yes. Jonathan Gould unearths no new information on The Beatles story; he did no original interviews for his 605-page book. His strength lies in interpretation and analysis; placing The Beatles within the larger context of their times. Weaved in the now-familiar tales are short essays on the British education system in the 1950s, the Mod Movement, Jungian psychoanalysis and psychedelic drugs, and the appeal of Eastern mysticism. Gould does something I have not seen in any other Beatles book - gives a more deeper understanding and explanation of why the grief felt by young Americans from JFK's death in November 1963 was turned around into euphoria from the Beatles arrival in the US just three months later. As a professional musician himself, Gould also gives strong focus to the music, analyzing practically every song The Beatles put out. He does get technical with note structures but his descriptions are fresh such as describing the solo to "I'm Happy Just to Dance With You" as sounding "like somebody fiddling with an old radio dial on a stormy summer night;" how Paul's bass "like a dancing bear, turns pirouettes" under Ringo's vocals on "With a Little Help;" and how "I Want You (She's So Heavy) is a collaboration "between Phil Spector and Gertrude Stein." Also to Gould's credit is not slanting the story line toward either Lennon or McCartney, instead focusing on each equally and playing up the dynamics of how the group worked together and why it eventually fell apart.
Nov 13, 2007
Screw You
Book Title: Generation X: The Demon Breed
Book Author: God
This website is why I detest all you liars in Generation X. You begin with a review that refers to memories about the Beatles from "Baby Boomers" as being "tired." Instead, we are supposed to believe that the attitudes and misinformed opinions of people who in many cases weren't even born yet or were still shitting in their diapers are somehow superior to the ideas and opinions of those who actually lived through the period as young adults. It's so pathetic, just like the rest of the self-rationalizing, materialistic, spoiled brat bullshit you skinheaded cell phone addicts firmly believe. You little morons don't know the first thing about John Lennon or The Beatles and have nothing with which to judge what about the period that you've read is biased, reasonably accurate, or just plain hogwash. Your ridiculous statements prove how clueless you really are and the fact that you provide nowhere to react to all your misinformed opinions or correct the record shows what a gutless bunch of babies you really are, at heart. Obviously, this will not remain as a review but I just wanted you to know that you are a total phony buddy and a complete chickenshit to operate such a dishonest website as this on. By all means, make sure nobody who lived through the period has a thing to say about it, you fucking gutless little cocksucker.
Sep 27, 2007
Purveyor of Truth
Book Title: Read The Beatles
Book Author: Various (edited by June Skinner Sawyers)
This is a collection of newspaper and magazine articles, interviews and book excerpts spanning the entire career of The Beatles. The usual suspects are included (the fawning Ray Coleman, Jon Wiener, Cynthia Lennon, Maureen Cleave, William Mann and his aeolian cadences) as well as lesser known pieces giving good contemporary insight into the group and their music. The writing quality ranges from superb to downright awful (especially the excerpt from the Eliot Huntley book about George Harrison). The last section is of writings commissioned especially for the collection about why The Beatles still matter. Yes, there are the (by now) tired recollections of baby boomers but the most revelatory is the musings of Toure, an African-American writer born after the Beatles break up. The book has a noticeable Lennon bias. The introduction is by Astrid Kirchner, who, frankly, has nothing new to say about her role in the Beatles story.
Aug 22, 2007
Cat
Book Title: HARLEY, LIKE A PERSON and HARLEY'S NINTH
Book Author: Cat Bauer
HARLEY, LIKE A PERSON - Harley Columba was born on December 8th, the day John Lennon was shot, while her parents were at a memorial concert for him. Harley is a young artist growing up in the New Jersey suburbs, and feels a deep connection to John Lennon. "Imagine" is her favorite song. She thinks she is adopted, and decides to search for her real parents, a quest that leads her to the Imagine Circle in New York City. HARLEY'S NINTH - Is set all on one day, October 9th, the day John Lennon was born. The story continues with Harley visiting John's artwork in New York City, and deals with spirituality, sex, art and music. The "Harley" books introduce a new generation to John Lennon's life and work, and give a message of hope.
Jun 12, 2007
Clayton Dodd
Book Title: The Lives of John Lennon
Book Author: Albert Goldman
When I was a boy, I idolized Lennon and he was always (while they were together) my favorite Beatle. For good reason...his wit, his voice, the songs and the spontaneity in interviews and the Christmas records. And his honesty. I read this book when it came out, well, actually just skimmed through it, and dismissed as a hatchet job and would probably only given it half a star. I have recently read through it again and, re-considering it after having read nearly all Lennon books, I now have to say that the 'Lives of John Lennon' is probably the closest to a 'definitive' biography as we're going to get. I don't believe that Lennon ever murdered anyone, but I believe that he may have well talked about doing so to buddies. As for the bisexuality claim, Lennon alluded to this on several occasions. Even he left the Epstein affair up in the air. Virtually everything else in the book is verifiable. The mood swings, the cocaine and heroin, Yoko's powerful and destructive hold on him, May Pang and the 'lost weekend', the faux peace-nik bit, the faux house-husband bit, his poor fathering of Julian. his negative obsession with McCartney, etc, etc. I still love the man. Still, I felt that the canonization of Lennon since his death was misleading overkill and actually damaged his image, as he became known to many only as the man who wrote 'Give Peace a Chance' and the overrated 'Imagine'. Lennon was much greater than that, based mainly on his work during the 60's. This book, sadly, goes a long way toward explaining why he never again achieved that greatness again.
Apr 25, 2007
Amanda Pick
Book Title: Skywriting by Word of Mouth
Book Author: John Lennon
This book is deffinately a must for John Lennon fans. Published in 1986, this book contains Lennon's writings around about the time when Yoko was pregnant with Sean. Skywriting by Word of Mouth is such a delightful novel, it feels as though Lennon is talking to you through the pages. Probably one of the most humorous books I've ever read, and leaves you feeling inspired by such a great musician. The last few pages of the book (a note from Yoko Ono) brings a tear to the eye.
Apr 2, 2007
Kris W.
Book Title: The Lives of John Lennon
Book Author: Albert Goldman
Enough years have passed since the senseless murder of our great hero, John Lennon, that evaluations of his character should really start crawling back to the center. The Goldman biography is a dirty business, with questionable "facts" strewn throughout that depict John as not only a deeply flawed man, but at times a murderer, con-artist, self-obsessed prick, pushover and bisexual. The truth is, he may very well have been some of these things. Maybe. Maybe it's time to admit to ourselves that he wasn't the patron saint of peace. I feel Lennon fans should read The Lives of John Lennon - but with a closed mind. Every page should make the reader shout "Oh yeah? Well, prove it!" And, considering Lennon's overzealous lionization over the last couple of decades, it's about time we start asking hard questions about him. This book is basically an account of all the rumors and speculation that surrounded him during his life. Maybe some of it is true. Look to other books - the Coleman biography, Cynthia's recent book, May Pang's book - to corroborate the evidence and try to work it out. As propaganda goes, I certainly don't see this biography as any less true than some of the white-washed, glowing depictions that have been circulated since his death.
Feb 13, 2007
Gary A. Wernett
Book Title: The Lives of John Lennon
Book Author: Albert Goldman
I was a younger man when I wrote my original review of this book (almost seven years ago). I still believe in Albert Goldman's journalistic integrity. However, it is clear that his purpose was to deconstruct the popular mythology surrounding John Lennon. An objective person who wants to get the whole picture should probably read this book either right before or right after reading Ray Coleman's "Lennon". Mr. Coleman obviously loved his subject and Mr. Goldman clearly didn't. If you put it all together, you get a picture of an ordinary man with SOME extraordinary talents whose dream of being "bigger than Elvis" came true. After achieving worldly success beyond his wildest imagination, John had to come to grips with the fact that fame and wealth can open some doors, but can also bring a whole new set of problems. And no amount of fame or money can replace the unconditional love that a young child is supposed to get from mom and dad. At the end of the day, John believed in peace and love, and had the courage to stand up and be ridiculed for it. He has my respect in spite of his obvious flaws and ambiguities. The world needs heroes now more than ever. If you don't want John as your hero, that's O.K. Anyone who is willing to stand up for peace, love and understanding will suffice. Take a look at the people in your everyday life: teachers, firefighters, doctors/nurses. There are heroes all around you, doing the right things every day.
Feb 3, 2007
Purveyor of Truth
Book Title: Here, There and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of The Beatles
Book Author: Geoff Emerick (with Howard Massey)
Geoff Emerick was a recording engineer at Parlophone/EMI who worked with The Beatles in 1963; 1966-1968; and then was hired away to work at Apple in 1969. His book is valuable in that it shows The Beatles and some of the familiar stories of their work in the studio through another pair of eyes, giving a fresh perspective and insight. While the recreated dialogue from The Fabs comes off as unauthentic, Emerick excels when giving his thoughts on the four members - John was a bully yet had a soft side; George was not that good of a guitarist, flubbing solos in the early years; Ringo was just...well, there; and Paul became the defacto leader of the group as Lennon became a heavy drug user. Even the image of Beatles producer Sir George Martin is unvarnished. Emerick writes that he was an egomaniac and didn't want other personnel at the Abbey Road studios to intrude on his spotlight. The Abbey Road studios themselves - hallowed ground in Beatle lore - come in for harsh criticism. The Beatles couldn't stand the place, Emerick writes. If there is a biased slant, it's definitely in favor of Paul, with whom Emerick has the closest relationship having continued working with him in the post-breakup years. Actually, this a welcome relief from all the John-centric writings of the past 25 years. Emerick wants to give Paul his due. The book is also valuable in that it will send the reader to listen to familiar songs with a new ear after reading how those songs were put together.
Jan 2, 2007
Gina Awad
Book Title: Ticket to Ride
Book Author: Graham Sclater
Ticket to Ride ISBN 0-9545945-7-6 The latest novel by Devon based author, musician and music publisher Graham Sclater is now available from UK publisher Flame Books - www.flamebooks.com Graham spent much of the 60’s living and working as a musician in Hamburg playing with luminaries such as Jimi Hendrix, Elton John and many more. ************************ Ticket to Ride follows the exploits of a naïve under aged five-piece group from the south west of England as they make their futile search for success in 60’s Germany. Although they set out to follow in the path of the Beatles, they soon fall deep into the world that their contemporaries were fortunate enough to escape. Based predominately on the Reeperbahn, the red light district of Hamburg, the group is soon dragged down, their lives affected forever by the everyday world of prostitution, sex, drugs and violence, resulting in a total breakdown of the values that they had once believed in. Realising, too late, that they have no way out, the story charts their desperation and untimely demise. Some of the reviews so far: “All in all, the book exudes the optimism and "damn the torpedoes" attitude of any young rock and roller from any era - definitely recommended!” “The book itself is a breeze to read, and difficult to put down.” "Ticket to Ride" is a monument to those who might almost have succeeded.” “Ticket to Ride is a fun book to read.” “Ein sehr empfehlenswertes Buch.” The novel has already received amazing reviews and is selling well with sales in America, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and mainland Europe.
Nov 7, 2006
Johnny Schartzo
Book Title: Dakota Days
Book Author: John Green
This is a terrible biography on the last days of Lennon's life. The author is a tarot card reader brought in to make predictions on John and Yoko's lives. Although he doesn't really praise nor trash Lennon in this book, still it's definintely not worth the read. Got it on ebay from a man who bought at his public library's book sale.
Nov 6, 2006
jim marquez
Book Title: the love you make
Book Author: peter brown
great book, a must read for all beatle fans.i especially loved the early hamburg days.it paints paul as the ultimate bad guy in the group and ringo the dumb one.in my opinion,the author spent too much time on all the messy lawsuits,as they were pretty boring.ive read it 3 times and each time it gets better.if you can find it, get it.
Jun 11, 2006
Karen
Book Title: John
Book Author: Cynthia Lennon
I read the book John last year. If you want to know how John behaved in his intimate circle this book is for you. Cyn now with the benefit of hindsight tells all about her relationship with John which lasted from 1958-1968. The cool thing about this book is she doesn't hold back at explaining how they knew each other, the Hamburg days, and the explosion of Beatlemania. But she also now with the maturity of age explains the reasons why that happened. The surprising part of the book is the end. Where Cyn says that if she would have known as a teenager in Liverpool what she would go through hooking up with John, she would have turned around and walked away. The only good thing from that came out of that relationship was Julian. I give it a 4.0 because towards the end of the book she begins explaining her life after John and I really didn't find that interesting, but it's her autobiograhy, and her life hasn't ended when John left her for Yoko.
May 23, 2006
Montage
Book Title: to Purveyor of Truth
Book Author: Purveyor of Truth
Purveyor of Truth, you idiot, Kane was right in saying John has been written about more than any other- it's a fact that John has had more books written about him than any other musical figure of the 20th century, and that includes Elvis and Dylan, so why don't you do a little research before that half-formed brain of yours tries to write a sentence.
May 18, 2006
Traci
Book Title: Memories of John Lennon
Book Author: Yoko Ono
Ok this book was amazing!It had a great layout it had a great meaning and some parts made me want to cry.That book I recemend to any John Lennon fan.I was so sad when the book ended bcause it was so good and so well done!I hope she makes more books!
Feb 14, 2006
Purveyor of Truth
Book Title: Lennon Revealed
Book Author: Larry Kane
Considering Larry Kane's fawning portrayal of John Lennon in his first book, "Ticket to Ride" (reviewed below) it is not surprising that Lennon becomes the sole subject of his second book. And fawning doesn't even scratch the surface of how Kane presents John Lennon this time around. Like the earlier book, Kane's weaknesses are poor writing and repetitiveness. He hasn't met a cliche or an exaggeration he doesn't like. He overuses (and misuses) the term "legendary." He describes many of his sources as "scholars" and "historians;" some legit - Mark Lewisohn, Bruce Spizer - others bogus - Martin Lewis. He lets other sources, Pauline Sutcliffe, for example, make statements that go unchallenged. But the biggest problem I had with "Lennon Revealed" is that Kane tries too hard to write a DEFINITIVE and IMPORTANT book about John Lennon's character that fails because of his poor writing skills. I half expected Kane to say that John Lennon could walk on water. Kane goes out of his way to say that John Lennon was just a regular guy then spends 250 pages putting him on a pedestal. Take for instance this sentence: "From his early days to the afterlife of the 1980 tragedy, perhaps no human being in contemporary culture has been written and talked about more than John Lennon." Oh really? Apparently Larry Kane never heard of Elvis Presley. And I'd argue that Bob Dylan has gotten at least an equal share of attention, perhaps slightly more, as Lennon has. Kane goes out of his way to present John Lennon as the embodiment of "truth" on earth then lets stupid, glaring errors slip through. (Kane: John and Yoko moved to New York City in late 1969; Fact: the move was made in 1971. Kane: did a phone interview with Derek Taylor in 2004; Fact: Taylor died in 1997. Kane: "Double Fantasy" was released to critical acclaim; Fact: the album received mixed reviews.) Long-time Lennon fans probably won't read much new in this book. It actually reveals a lot more about Kane than it does John Lennon. Newer fans would be better served listening to John Lennon's music and reading his interviews than spending time with Larry Kane's weak analysis of John Lennon's character.
Jan 23, 2006
Roger Glover
Book Title: John Lennon: Listen To This Book
Book Author: John Blaney
From British Beatles Fan Club Magazine, Summer 2005. Spanning the period 1968 up to the recently-issued Acoustic CD, this book lists, discusses and illustrates all of Lennon's releases from the UK and across the pond in the USA. Comprehensive in its approach, you can go straight to the UK or US discography that lists all of the 'regular' releases, or investigate the individual listings of promotional and interview discs. The book has been very carefully compiled by John Blaney, obviously a fan, who has presented this material in a concise and compact form. Influences and recording information are also provided, plus if you needed anything more there is a section on Japanese releases and chart performances. If you are a fan of the solo Lennon you will find this book invaluable both as a reference tool and as a 'look book', with all releases fully illustrated (although unfortunately only in black & white). Be quick, as il is a limited edition of 1000 copies'
Jan 22, 2006
Purveyor of Truth
Book Title: Who Killed John Lennon
Book Author: Fenton Bresler
"Who Killed John Lennon" is British attorney Fenton Bresler's attempt to show that a CIA conspiracy was behind Lennon's death in December 1980. Rather than accept that the killer did his act on his own, Bresler insists the killer was brainwashed by the CIA. Of course, he proves none of this. Bresler deals in a lot of speculation, wishful thinking, assumptions, presumptions, inferences. When he can't explain something, he lays blame on the CIA. He invents dialogue. He asks his his interview subjects leading questions. But at least he presents it in a lively and entertaining style. And he does a service in showing that the killer was perhaps not the Lennon fan and "Catcher in the Rye" admirer he was made out to be. In the end, Bresler leaves it up to reader to determine whether he made his case. This book is out of print. One may have to find it in a library or used bookstore.
Jan 14, 2006
Purveyor of Truth
Book Title: The Beatles
Book Author: Bob Spitz
The first major Beatles biography since "Shout" published in 1981, "The Beatles" is a hefty tome at 856 pages. Author Spitz utilizes his own interviews as well as existing sources from books, magazines, and video. The strength in this book is the first half, as Spitz follows the band as it slowly, meticulously works its way out of the pack of bands playing around Liverpool in the late 1950 and early 1960s. A reader gets a real sense of how much hard work the band members put in to be the successes they eventually were. And placed into context of the British music scene, a reader also comes away with just what made The Beatles stand out. The halfway point of this book only gets up to fall 1963. So the prime years of 1964-1966 do not get as detailed a look. The undertone of Spitz's work is that it was the death of Brian Epstein that really shook the band up and laid the seeds for the break up. The later chapters do a good job of showing just how much the business interferred with the music making and drove the four friends apart. I would have give this book four apples if not for the stupid, stupid errors in the text and cutlines. If future editions of the book do not correct the errors it does a disservice to the reader as well as the time and effort Spitz put into the book.
Jan 14, 2006
est bob.es
Book Title: the man who gave away the beatles
Book Author: allan wiiliams
The most informative of books,regarding,their early career in Liverpool and Hamburg.First published in the mid-seventies,it came highly commended by John Lennon.A first rate account.
Dec 13, 2005
Rachel
Book Title: John Lennon
Book Author: Carole Lynn Corbin
The book is very informative and entertaning,for young and old John Lennon fans alike. It's about 23 years old,printed in 1982.
Nov 13, 2005
Purveyor of Truth
Book Title: Ticket To Ride
Book Author: Larry Kane
The best way to describe this book is as a cross between "A Hard Day's Night" and "Almost Famous." Author Larry Kane was the only American reporter to travel with The Fabs for all the stops on the 1964 and 1965 U.S. tours. The good points: gives a better depiction of the tours, especially the dangers faced by The Beatles from crowds, poor security, etc., than the "Anthology" and just how discrete Kane and others were about the band's, uh, extracurricular activities. The poor points: not especially well written, too repetitive and Kane places an exaggerated importance on the tour that really wasn't there. I realize he was just trying to put things into context of the times, but makes it a stretch. An easy, entertaining read that would make a decent movie.
Oct 6, 2005
Kathy
Book Title: John
Book Author: Cytnthia Lennon
This book is what I believe to be the most truthful book ever written about John Lennon. It is a well balanced biography which is refreshing. Cynthia is honest and finally the record is set straight by her. I recommend it.
Sep 29, 2005
Susan Fischer
Book Title: Lennon Revealed
Book Author: Larry Kane
There have been many books written about the life of John Lennon. They tell you about major milestones, facts and fiction, bed-ins, lost weekends and bread baking. They tell you everything imaginable about John down to his preference of breakfast cereal. But Larry Kane’s Lennon Revealed is different from these books. It portrays John’s sensitivity, compassion and his insecurities. It portrays John as a living, breathing human being, faults and all. The retelling of stories from Ticket To Ride gives the reader a bit of deja-vu in Lennon Revealed. But with the mix of great interviews and the author’s exquisite writing, your deja-vu will be a distant memory. Now to the good stuff… The interviews in Lennon Revealed were a wonderful glimpse into the world of Lennon. From the obvious candidate, Yoko Ono (who isn’t the horrible monster that nearly every Lennon book portrays her to be) to an ordinary young man who met and was fortunate enough to befriend his idol, the reader gets an honest and truthful glimpse into the life of John Lennon through those who knew him the best. Another enjoyable aspect of Lennon Revealed dealt with Lennon’s generosity and charity and his constant plight for the “working class hero”. From the days of “hair peace” to Mr, Kane’s insightful story of John’s assistance with a Philadelphia fundraiser for charity. Those stories told volumes about how much he cared about the human race. Each of his contributions made the world a little bit better. The final chapter is a first for any of the Lennon books I’ve been fortunate enough to read over the years. It is filled with stories from the fans; the people who Lennon would inspire and touch in so many ways. From teenagers who weren’t even alive when we lost John, to those who were there from the beginning to the tragic end and everyone in between. Their words of joy, grief, inspiration and love are a fabulous addition to a very candid, honest and beautiful book. I am honored to be one of those fans who are included in the book. There are many more gems in Lennon Revealed about Lennon’s life and I urge everyone to give it a read. It’s insightful, honest and leaves the reader with a better sense of who John Lennon really was; a father, a husband, a friend, a lover, a New Yorker, a poet, a musician, a humanitarian and a human being.
Sep 5, 2005
Kathy
Book Title: Lennon Revealed
Book Author: Larry Kane
After looking forward to this book since last year at the Fest for Beatle Fans in Chicago when Larry Kane, who was one of the guest speakers told us he was writing this book I was able to purchase it and have the author sign it this year. It is a good read, and it is revealing. It confirmed many things that a lot of us Beatle/Lennon fans would be interested. John Lennon was a talent to put it mildly, but foremost he was just a human being and a good one with faults like all of us. I would certainly recommend this book. Looking forward to the new book by Cynthia Lennon due out the end of September. I am fortunate to have ordered it which will come signed by the author. If anyone knows the truth and will tell the truth it will be Cyn.
Sep 3, 2005
Susan Travis
Book Title: Magical Mystery Tours
Book Author: Tony Bramwell
This was really a great book. I learned so many things that I hadn't known about, like George's relationship with Pattie and how he would be pleading with her to come home when she was out at the clubs. It seemed to me though that Tony was pandering to Paul, he never said one negative thing about him, or Linda. He said quite a few negative remarks about John, George and even Ringo, but not Paul, which makes me think that he wants to stay in good standing with Paul. I think the book would or could have been more interesting if he had been more honest concerning Paul. Paul just can't be that perfect, he must have a flaw or two here or there and I would have liked to hear about it. Otherwise, I thought Tony did a great job. Very entertaining.
Jul 18, 2005
Nate Hendley
Book Title: John Lennon: Music, Myth and Madness
Book Author: Nate Hendley
My name is Nate Hendley and I am a writer and author based in Toronto (the city where Lennon held his first full-fledged solo concert, in September 1969). I have recently published a new (short) book on John Lennon, entitled "John Lennon: Music, Myth and Madness". I invite you to check it out at Amazon.com or at my personal website, www.natehendley.com. I look forward to reading your comments on my effort. Here is a link to Amazon.com for my book: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/155265902X/qid=1121695078/sr=8-2/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-5365412-9587228?v=glance&s=books&n=507846 Give Peace a Chance, Nate Hendley www.natehendley.com nhendley@interlog.com
Jun 30, 2005
Beatlecollectors.com
Book Title: Beatles Books
Book Author: Beatlecollectors
Beatlecollectors.com has just opened two new pages on Beatles Books. We have many first editions, rare signed copies, history books, story books and much more. If your looking for Beatles books and/or John Lennon books, this is the place to start. http://www.Beatlecollectors.com
Jun 25, 2005
Micah Paredes
Book Title: The Walrus was Paul
Book Author: Patterson
This book was great! A real insight into one of the most interesting cospiracies ever. Whether you believe it all or not, it's very fun to read, and I guarantee youll be digging through your beatles albums and looking a little more carefully at the covers. I read it in less than a day, and I loved it!
May 29, 2005
Elizabeth Caudy
Book Title: Beatles
Book Author: Robert Freeman
These are beautiful, often grainy black and white photographs of the Fab Four. I could do without some of the anecdotes that seem to be saying, "Look at me, I'm so cool, I hung out with the Beatles," though. Writing is definitely not Freeman's forte; photography obviously is.
May 29, 2005
Elizabeth Caudy
Book Title: The Lives of John Lennon
Book Author: Albert Goldman
I ripped through this book. It's a page turner. A lot of people take offense to the fact that it paints Lennon in not a very nice way, but that didn't bother me. What did was Goldman's sexist attitude towards the women in Lennon's life, particularly Yoko Ono.
Apr 4, 2005
emily
Book Title: the lives of john lennon
Book Author: goldman
let me first say that i consider myself to be a very objective person who lets the facts speak for themselves. i haven't read this book yet, but based on all the controversy surrounding it, i'm gonna run out to the bookstore tomorrow to nab this bio, making it my first read about my adoring, dear idol. i'm sure it won't change my opinion of him. i've already read some of his interviews and know he's the first to admit that he ain't no saint (quote: "you have to be a bastard to make it, and that's a fact. and the beatles are the biggest bastards on earth" - JL). i wanna give my own totally objective review shortly after i read it, so stay tuned! :) meanwhile, you can read an article by goldman defending his book: http://www.nybooks.com/articles/4122 and some pretty objective reviews on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1556523998/002-3432330-0098417?v=glance
Mar 30, 2005
Scooter
Book Title: Imagine John Lennon
Book Author: Andrew Solt, and Sam Egan
This is a great book. It has a Forward by Yoko ono, and has my interviews and from people who were in John's life. It talks all about his childhood, the Beatles years, and his life with Yoko. This is a truly good John Lennon book.
Mar 13, 2005
Kathleen Murphy
Book Title: In My Life
Book Author: Pete Shotton
I've read everything I could get my hands on about John Lennon after reading this book, but nothing comes close. By the way, I hate the Goldman book, it makes me want to vomit! How can anybody believe anything based on his diaries when his diaries were stolen AND returned altered!? -creepy!!! ...Anyway, the book 'John Lennon In My Life' came out in 1983 and was written by Pete Shotton who had known John since they were both six and hung out all through their childhood and as adults. It made me laugh so hard that my gut was in terrible pain. Reading this book, when I was fifteen, made me not hate the 'whole' human race and lifted my depression considerably. I was not a fan of the Beatles but became one after only because of John Lennon. I still feel the same about John Lennon as I did when I was fifteen: he is my favorite person of all time! -thanks
Feb 18, 2005
Sophie
Book Title: The Lives of John Lennon
Book Author: Albert Goldman
It's very worth reading because it is not boring and this author is always talking the truth...that's why there you can read lennon's advantages and disadvantages and some quotes etc....i recommend it...for more info send me an email
Feb 9, 2005
Anna Olsson
Book Title: Lennon Legend
Book Author: James Henke
I can't speak english, so I'll keep it short: This is a great book. It has some good pictures, CD with interwiews, and... uhm... what do you call it, memorabilia? A Cavern Club membership booklet, bubble gum cards, tickets to the Ed Sullivan show, handwritten lyrics... I don't know how much it costs in the US, maybe 20, it costed 250 kronor (Swedish money). If you see this anywhere, BUY IT!
Nov 13, 2004
Jolanta Kielbratowska
Book Title: The Beatles Anthology
Book Author: The Beatles
It's a breath taking experience to read it. The story told from four different points of view is really fascinating. You can learn a lot of the musicians'lives and understand their music better when you get to know their background, thoughts, childhood memories. What's more the stories are told in actual language the Beatles used. Reading the anthology is a great adventure!
Oct 25, 2004
Dennis York
Book Title: The Beatles,Lennon and Me
Book Author: Pete Shotton
I have read many a biography about John Lennon over the years and have long searched for a copy of the one that I heard Pete Shotton wrote. Pete was John's closest buddy from early childhood until the end and I got a kick out of reading about their mis-adventures while growing up in Liverpool.After I started it,I couldn't put it down.It was refreshing to read such an honest and human (normal?) depiction of Lennon,free of all the worship/vitriol that is present in some of his other bios. If this book can be found,(I believe it is out-of-print,why I do not know!),by all means get a copy and be prepared to laugh, those two scamps would've made Bart Simpson blush! It also portrays a kind and generous loyalty that Lennon had towards those he loved that has sadly gone unmentioned or were unknown or unnoticed by most other Lennon biographers. While some of the stories Pete recalls may have been slightly exaggerated or befogged by the swirling mists of time and chemical enhancement, Pete's book remains my favorite and is the best of all the Lennon bios,IMHO.
Oct 3, 2004
Terry Smith
Book Title: One Day At A Time
Book Author: Anthony Fawcett
An older book that was actually published before John was killed. One of the 1st books I ever read about John. I can't believe there was no review on it here. This & "The Ballad of John & Yoko" were the best / most informative reads I've come across. Anthology is another. Of course over the years everyone & their brother has written about John & the Beatles but I've found it to be the same old stuff re hashed up with a little fiction & personal opinions thrown in to sell the thing. Keep on reading but don't forget to listen to your favorite John Paul George or Ringo song & create your own vision of it. Peace & Love, Tdog
Sep 3, 2004
Constanze
Book Title: Lennon: the definative biography
Book Author: Ray Coleman
I wrote a review of this a while ago (see it below) but I for got to add a few things. Mr. Coleman skims over way to much. He barley mentions the other Beatles and makes it seem like Paul and John were on bad terms when John passed which is not the case. He also completly skims over John's heroin addiction. Just a brief mention of how terriable he looked when he was on it. Anyway, it is pretty good for a new fan but not all that definative
Aug 30, 2004
Kyle Martin
Book Title: The Lives of John Lennon
Book Author: Albert Goldman
First I would like to say that with anything, half of the population will agree with it, and the other half will be strongly opposed to it, although to avoid seeing things completely in black and white their is a little mixing in those who can see on both sides of the track. That being said I would like to say that this is one of the most in depth and detailed biographies of John Lennon and the Beatles that I have ever read, and though I may not like some of what it has to say, I believe that 99% of is the truth. Goldman dos NOT trash Lennon's reputation on every page, he simply describes a human being's life with such well researched, thought provoking detail that people react to it as though he were saying God was just a man. Lennon is God to many fanatics, but he was just a man in reality, and he had his share of problems, but Golman points out all of his accomplishments and the products of his genius along with his problems. I'm glad to see that many people posting reviews on this site have seen in this book what I have seen and that is that Lennonis no less great of a man after we know more about him, but he is actually greater for it. He made mistakes, some great, but don't we all? We set him up on a pedestal so high, that it seems like heresy to try to compare him to a common man. He often stressed the fact that the Beatles were just a band who made it very big, and it's the same concept applied to him. He was just a man, a brilliant man none the less, who became famous. This biography should be read with an open mind by any Lennon fan (though a mentally mature one of at least 14, the age I was when I started it) who cares to know the whole truth about their hero. Hopefully he or she will have the compassion to understand that he made mistakes and to forgive those and embrace his other aspects, his other lives as Goldman puts it. Lennon was multi-faceted, thank God, and his falts are only parts of the whole Lennon. He was so complex and with so many parts that one cannot stop loving and respecting him because of one aspect of his life. I hope that readers of this book will look deep enough to see that John Lennon was still an incredible man despite his faults and will continue to love him and his music which outlasts him and continues to bring new fans into the world.
Aug 9, 2004
Penny
Book Title: The Beatles Anthology
Book Author: the Beatles
In my opinion the best book on the Beatles - and I've read a lot (I thought many of them were a waste of time to be honest).. And I totally agree with the comment by Mina Hayworth way down there.. that if you want to learn something about John Lennon or the Beatles.. the best way is to listen to the music :) I've also enjoyed reading and watching interviews. I feel they give me a chance to view the band's history more objectively than any book written by an 'outsider'.
Aug 4, 2004
Susan
Book Title: Ticket To Ride
Book Author: Larry Kane
I just finished the book "Ticket To Ride" by Larry Kane. I'd like to share some of my thoughts on the book, if y'all don't mind. If you do mind, well then just don't read this, lol! Overall it was a very good read. Mr. Kane captured the excitement of early Beatlemania with great imagery. It made you feel as though you were actually there. The one beef I have is the author's constant mentioning of an incident between Brian Epstein and the author. Mr. Kane played it throughout the book. Frankly I was tired of hearing about it. And you know what, IT WASN'T A BIG DEAL!!! Just because Brian was gay, didn't mean that whatever he said would elude to a pass. It was ridiculous and in my opinion should have been left out of the book. There were much more interesting things to write about than to waste time and energy on that silly little encounter. Overall it was a very lovely read and I urge you all to get it. Peace and Love, Susan
Jul 24, 2004
Constanze
Book Title: Lennon; Definative Biography
Book Author: Ray Coleman
This is the first Lennon book I ever read and I thought it was pretty good. I found that Coleman seemed to skim over a few things and it was a little fawning at times but thats ok. It was well written and I imagine reliable (although I read this and A Hard days write at the same time and found contradictions I'm supposeing that this book is better but how can one know) We see John as a proper person "warts and all" as he may say. And I gotta say I laughed at alot of points at hilarious things John did. I almost read Albert-fuck-you-very-much Goldman's book first but after so many reviews saying how its all lies I diecided to read this one instead and I'm glad I did. Love ya Johnny :)
Jul 10, 2004
C.M.
Book Title: Linda McCartney Sixties Portrait of an Era
Book Author: Linda McCartney
I LOVE THIS BOOK!! It's a collection of photographs of various groups from the sixties taken by Linda. Along with each photo there is a tiny story behind each picture. There are so many pictures that are really beautiful, like the one of John Lennon and Paul McCartney organizing the Abbey Road album together. She was obviously a really talented photographer.
Jun 28, 2004
CM
Book Title: Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now
Book Author: Barry Miles
I really enjoyed this book. It is a very detailed account on Paul's life before the beatles and his role within the beatles. It talks about every important aspect about Paul's life at that time and most of its text is taken from interviews done with Paul, so you know it is an honest account too. I also like the fact that Barry Miles included a chapter titled "John" at the end of the book, dedicated to this major relationship in Paul's life. However, there are two things I'd change: First, at times Barry Miles went on for paragraphs (or pages sometimes) about the life and times of Paul's friends, which I found unnecessary; second, as detailed as it was on the 'Beatle Years' of Paul's life, the detail ends there.Barry Miles wraps up the book with a quick overview of Paul's life from 1970-90s in ONE CHAPTER! (20 years in one chapter!?!) Anyway, I still do think this book is definatly a informative, honest, detailed read about Paul, if you are looking for learning about his life before and during the beatles.
Jun 28, 2004
CM
Book Title: Behind the Sad Eyes:The Life of George Harrison
Book Author: Marc Shaprio
I wanted to learn more about George Harrison and this was a good book to read. It's not long or too detailed, but it covers all of George's life, not only his career but his relationships with other people very important in his life (example, his split with first wife Patti). By reading this book, you really get a sense that George really wasn't into all the fame that came with the beatles and it was a really tough thing for him to handle; he was just a simple person who enjoyed music. Also, at the end of the book there is a discgraphy section which is great if you want to know about all of his work (it doesn't include his last album Brainwashed, though). I think it is a very good book about George.
Jun 28, 2004
CM
Book Title: Loving John
Book Author: May Pang
This book is an interesting read. It is based on the relationship John had with a woman named May Pang during his separation from Yoko Ono (1973-75). It's a love story between John and May, but also it gives you a great insight into John and his relationship with Yoko. You will also read about John's other relationships with the other beatles, and with Julian, and how he tries to re-build a friendship with Paul McCartney. In the beginning, John seems a bit lost and unsure of himself (learning how to promote his own album and partying and drinking too much) and by the end, becoming really creative (he was very enthusiastic to record music)and independant from Yoko. People (Yoko Ono, for example) have denied May's account of their "lost weekend", but I believe it is true-May doesn't have anything to hide and it is obvious that she loved John very much and John loved her too.I think he thought about her often and missed her, as time went on, when he was back with Yoko. While reading this book I honestly felt sorry for May for being caught in the middle of John and Yoko's very complicated marriage. It's a love story, but a sad one, in my opinion.
Jun 28, 2004
CM
Book Title: The Beatles: The Ultimate Recording Guide-3 revised edition
Book Author: Allan J. Wiener
This is a great reference book on the beatles. I often use it to look up stuff about the group. It's accurate and well organized into different areas: chronology, recording dates, discography, bootlegs and unreleased stuff, just to name a few.
Jun 28, 2004
CM
Book Title: The Beatles Anthology
Book Author: The Beatles
I really love this book! It's the beatles story told by the beatles themselves. It's accurate, well organized, interesting, covers the entire career and in detail. I also like the personal points of view from each beatle (ex. one beatle might remember an event a certain way, but another beatle may have a completely different perspective on the exact same situation)and there are some personal, funny stories they share in the book too. I have this book and I often re-read parts of it because I like it so much, in my opinion it is the ultimate beatle bio to have!
Jun 27, 2004
CM
Book Title: Linda McCartney:A Portrait
Book Author: Danny Fields
I'm a big fan of Linda and the beatles so I was very eager to read this bio on her. I think Danny Fields, author of this book and long-time friend of Linda, did a terrific job with this book. He talks about every aspect about Linda life without leaving anything out: her marriage, children, careers as a photographer and musician, her life and relationships with people before meeting Paul, the media/public reaction to her, being an animal activtist and her battle with breast cancer. Also, he doesn't just give a one-sided look at Linda, which is easy to do since he was friends with her, he mentions her good points and her flaws/mistakes she's made too("not one of Linda's finer moments" he'd so nicely put it). I only found two things about this book I didn't like: I found sometimes the author tends to go off topic in a chapter and a few paragraphs later (or chapters later) he'll revisit the topic. As well, some things in the book he'd discuss with great detail and he'd have Paul and Linda quotes (which I liked) but some very big events he did not go into much detail. Overall, it's a really good book and it's a great way to get to know Linda better.
Jun 23, 2004
Steve Andrisevic
Book Title: Growing Up With The Beatles
Book Author: Ron Schaumberg
This is what it was like growing up in Kansas City in the 60s and being a Beatle fan. Since, I have that in common with the author,I found the book very entertaining, as, he mentions people and places that I know. I dont think anyone who was a fan of The Beatles would deny that the magic they projected could give life to the dullest area. Kansas City was a very ordinary city back then, and, no, we were not riding around on horse back in non paved streets. When The Beatles were on Ed Sullivan in February 1964 life in Kansas City ,and ,every other city, where there lived a person who loved music,was witness to a music that was multicolored and as new as an infant. If you can find this book by all means buy it. You wont be sorry
Jun 2, 2004
Kristy
Book Title: All You Need Is Love
Book Author: Jewelle St. James
Of all the books I have read about reincarnation, All You Need Is Love By Jewelle St. James gave me the proof I needed that, in fact, past lives are posible. This is a story of an ordinary woman who experienced unexplained grief after the passing of John Lennon. After three years of constantly thinking of him and buying anything and everything having to do with John and the Beatles, she decided she would try to explore these urges. Her mother and sister, who posessed psychic abilities, along with other psychics and mediums, began to help her piece together a story of love that ended tragicly and quickly. She was given two names, Katherine James and John Baron, along with several dates and different locations is England. Without telling the psychics who she was searching for, almost all of them told her that John Baron and John Lennon were the same soul! But Jewelle wanted more...she wanted proof. She spend many hours in libraries and on the phone, comparing facts with her given messages. She was able to find a Katherine James and a John Baron...in one of the years and towns she was given! After years of searching for proof and having regressions, she finally went to England to only discover a beautiful love story that has spanned the centuries. Not only is this a beautiful and well written book, you can literally feel yourself with Jewelle as she shares this amazing story. Even if her past love was not John Lennon, this would still make make you think twice about reincarnation. This book would be an excellent guidline on how to discover your own past life. I only ask you to read this with an open mind and heart and you will be plesantly surprised. check out her website at http://www.pastlifewithjohnlennon.com
May 2, 2004
Bonnie
Book Title: Many Years From Now
Book Author: Barry Miles
This was a very real, very true, great bio. of Paul. It wonderfully describes his partership with John and the other Beatles, and doesn't elaborate on any one subject for too long. I was a little doubtful when I started to read it because of the lenghth of it, I thought it would drag on and get boring. I was very wrong. This is a good book from cover to cover. I'm sure there isn't one piece of false information in it becuase Paul has approved the book and gives his comments all the way through.
Apr 5, 2004
Joe Sicilia
Book Title: The lives of John Lennon
Book Author: Goldman
This book doesn't even deserve a 1.0 rating. It has been discredited and should never have been allowed to by published. It is a pack of unproven lies and rumors. It stinks, literally! Enjoy the money I wasted on it Goldman cause you'll never get another dime from me. As John once said in one of his songs, "How do you sleep at night?".
Apr 5, 2004
RH
Book Title: Come Together: John Lennon In His Time
Book Author: Jon Wiener
This is a very fascinating book that takes a nonbiased view towards John Lennon. He's not a revolutionary, but an activist. He's not an angel, but a human being. The book succeds in that it paints a picture of Lennon and the surrounding time, providing a refreshing biography that is realy like nothing out there today. How many other bios go into depth about the political trends of the time and how they affected Lennon socially and musically? How many other ones go into detail about his contemporaries such as Boby Dylan? This book is something that all Lennon fans will love to read and will definitely learn quite a great deal from. A must read.
Jan 15, 2004
JLgrl77
Book Title: The Lives of John Lennon
Book Author: Albert Goldman
This book was the WORST biography of John Lennon I have ever read! It seems like as if he makes stuff up about him as the book goes along. He messes up on a ton of facts are really simply if you actually research it! It claims he is some immature, anorexic, rapist and some stupid person. It hurts to know that the moment he left people wrote such mean things. If John Lennon was still alive, this book would not have been writen. It should have never been written. I don't recomend this book to anyone to is a John Lennon fan. You will only be saddened by what stupid things he put about him in this book.
Nov 16, 2003
stavrogin
Book Title: Beatles Recording Sessions
Book Author: Mark Lewisohn
I have been waiting to read this for awhile, it's the only book left for my collection. It's a great read, although there's not much you can't find here that you can't find elsewhere- the one part I had never read talks about how people wanted to visit the recording studio because they found it unbelievable that anyone could sing as well as Lennon- which was a nice anecdote I had not read before. Other than that, it features a Paul interview at the beginning, which is typical McCartney, he calls John a great, great man, then a page later says "we were very equal," saying of course he is also a great, great man. The yawn continues with McCartney's usual jealous bitterness at John becoming a martyr- but after that, it is really good- George Martin is given alot of deserved credit for many of the ideas in songs that in the 90's it seemed people have tried to strip him of, but it's good- although Ringo and George seem a little superfluous to the group- center stage is always either John or Paul, which seems to downplay the others, but it's still very good, and definitely worth a look-
Oct 21, 2003
Peter Costanzo
Book Title: Ticket to Ride
Book Author: Larry Kane
I just read a great new book called Ticket to Ride by Larry Kane. The author was the ONLY American journalist to hang out with the Beatles press group during their '64 and '65 tour. I'm a Beatles NUT and thought I've read it all, but Kane has insider stories that I've never heard before, which made this book a refreshing change from a lot of other books about the Fab Four. There's a great bonus CD of Kane's interviews with all the Beatles over the years and it's just about 60 minutes long. All recorded well with Kane inbetween giving explanations to keep things in context - very well done. Oh, and there's a forward by Dick Clark! It's all good. I highly recommend this book for the holiodays for any Beatles fan. Best, PC
Oct 11, 2003
marmaladeskies87
Book Title: The Lives of John Lennon
Book Author: Goldman
im trying desperatly hard to give the book a fair review, being a john lennon fan makes this job really hard. it is a mind captivating book and i read it cover to cover. if albert goldman ever decided to write fiction i think he would do a bang up job with it, albert goldman is known for writing somewhat fake biographies including those of elvis. i think it had some truths in it and some pretty good theories but you really cant say it was facts. With an exseption of few people who were money hungry, every one close to him (e.i. yoko, cynthia, mimi, paul, may, ect.) say it wasn't at all accurate. now if you read this book you may be saying to yourself "what... it said, she said he did.... blah... blah" but those quotes he used from those people were just taken out of there books and interviews. what i will give the book was that it depicted john a real person, though it did dwell on negitivity and the dark side of john. Basically thats why i gave it a two it wasnt great but its something i needed to read. so as for whether you should read it or not i definitly say read it, just know where to pick out the falsehoods in it. i would also say dont read it if your under the age of ohhh... 15 thats how old i am and i read it this summer.
Oct 11, 2003
erin palmer
Book Title: Ticket To Ride
Book Author: Larry King
This is a book about the 1964 - 65 tours and Larry King's experiances. Insightful to see the tour from someone who was there, on the inside, but it was written too much as a news story, and not just a tale of Beatlemania; though the mania was captured quite well. This is a book published in 2003, very new, and it comes with a cd of original interviews that Larry King did,as he was a broadcast guy on tour with the beatles, and he sent his interviews back to the radio station he worked for. The interviews are somewhat included in the book, and it is a pretty enjoyable read, and a great listen. The only I didn't like is that the cd is an hour long, and it only one track, so you can't skip through the interviews - you have to listen to it all. Interesting and humorous.
Oct 11, 2003
Erin Palmer
Book Title: Lennon
Book Author: Ray Coleman
I discovered the beatles when I was ten, in 1998. Five years later I find myself listening only to the beatles and the music of John Lennon. Being inquisitive about an era I missed, i found the book Lennon on my great aunt's shelf about two months ago. I absolutely loved it. I poured over each page about John and laughed about things he said and did, and actually cried when it explained his death. My biology teacher asked what was wrong and I said, John Lennon is dead. She looked at me and said, well, I suppose we know who was born yesterday. Not only did ray coleman do an excellent job of potraying lennon in a different light, but he makes it clear that yoko ono is not a wench that broke up the beatles, she just merely brought out some of the best in john. I think everyone who is a lennon fan should read this book so they can all learn more about a wonderful person who lead a splendid life and left us entirely too early. lennon is my hero.
Oct 10, 2003
Eli
Book Title: The Lives of John Lennon
Book Author: Robert Goldman
I give this book two points instead of one because it is an entertaining read. That said, it a) accuses Lennon of having committed rape, which is quite a serious and in this case unsubstantiated allegation; and b) it claims Yoko Ono feared traditional sex. That is a medical problem which was presented in such a way as to elicit scorn, not sympathy, from the reader. Cheap shots abound in this book, and let's just say some of them hit to close to home for me to let Goldman off the hook for them. What I did find interesting was the claim that John was anorexic. It makes a lot of sense... how else could he have lost that much weight from late '66-early '68? Unless it was drug abuse, an equally painful condition. The voice of Goldman's book is one of "let's write a slasher bio." Compassion or even respect of his subject, with all his faults, is nowhere to be found, and the above examples made me wonder if Goldman had any scruples whatsoever. Not because he said bad things about John Lennon, but because he treats issues such as rape and vaginismus as nuggets of sensationalism rather than the painful social crises that they are for millions of people. Anyway, if you love Lennon, don't read this book.
Sep 27, 2003
suz
Book Title: Lives of John Lennon
Book Author: Goldman
Back in 1995 when all the Beatle Anthologies and the Lennon tribute cd was coming out, I wanted to read the biographies of Lennon and McCartney. The Goldman book looked like a real warts and all style biography. The McCartney book on the same shelf had the style of a Disneyfied version of a life, not real at all. If that makes Lennon more real then PM, I'll take the Lennon bio, and I did. And I enjoyed knowing alot of stuff that I never knew before. "War is Over" and "Beatle John" is just John Lennon now and forever. There's a John Lennon Art tour going on now. See it if you can, buy a piece of history if you can too. I did. :)
Aug 16, 2003
karen
Book Title: WE ALL SHINE ON
Book Author: Paul Du Noyer
this book tells of all the stories behind every john lennon song.for a person who does not know much about john lennon before this(like me),its a good read.it is comprehensive and detailed but not to the extend of being annoying.there are also many pictures on almost every other page.i've not read any other book which talks about lennon or the beatles so thru this book i guess i learn quite a lot of stuff too.in a sense this book is written like telling the life story of lennon with his songs.
Jul 26, 2003
jen
Book Title: Loving John
Book Author: May Pang
I really don't like reading but this book really caught my attention. I've always had mixed feelings toward Yoko so I never hated her but never believed her word totally either when she talked about how she kicked John out of the house during the 18 month "Lost Weekend" period. Also how John kept insisting on coming home. If he wanted to come home to the Dakota why didn't he? It was his home too! So I decided to read a book about a person who WAS there with John during those months and knew him on a personal level. The book "Loving John" by May Pang is very detailed and I believe is a very honest book. In my opinion what May said in this book was true, that John did put on a "Press image" and wasn't really the person the press saw. He did love May (Not as much as Yoko perhaps but he did love her) proven when the author Robert Rosen stated that in John Lennon's diaries he would constantly talk about wanted May. Even if you don't believe May, the honest, truthful loving secretary to John and Yoko, read the book because its highly interesting and enjoyable! It truly opens the reader to a side we never knew of John. The person who cried and longed for an escape from Yoko. I do love Yoko but I trust May's word more. I DO recommened May Pang's site: www.maypang.com and read this article if you want/have time: http://articles.absoluteelsewhere.net/Articles/may_pang_int.html
Jul 4, 2003
jorgeariel
Book Title: The Lives of John Lennon
Book Author: Albert Goldman
I can't believe how many people are thinking this is some sort of believeable biography. Goldman is being painted as some "brave" writer who had the courage to bring out Lennon's faults when the entire book is based on nothing but rumors and unrevealed informants. Most of what he says is based on his own conjecture and always in the most negative terms. No one said Lennon was a Saint, mostly Lennon himself, but don't think just because he is saying negative things, he somehow has to be honest because only an honest person would have the courage to do so. Falling into that trap is a terrible disservice to Lennon who always tried to be, if not completely, but at least predominantly honest about himself. Don't use John's own best traits against him and think this author has to have the same integrity just because of the choice of who is writing about. I can honestly tell you this book is just slanderous with an obvious agenda to malign Lennon- this book was written, helped in part, by disgruntled Lennon associates who wanted to get back at him. Don't let them win and fall for it.
Jun 23, 2003
Seaofgreen
Book Title: In His Own Write
Book Author: John Lennon
The one is the new edition, with the(short)introduction by Yoko Ono. This is one of the funniest books I've ever read. The illustrations aren't the best in the world, but they complement the stories and no one could've done better. This is best read aloud, and I recommend The Moldy Moldy Man, Deaf Ted, Danoota, (and me,) and the famous 'Sad Michael' story, from which, they reportedly found the title of their first film, "A Hard Day's Night". (though according to The Anthology, Ringo said this while emerging from the recording studio, but oh well!) Have a great time reading, beatle people!
Jun 23, 2003
Thomas Neufeld
Book Title: In His Own Write/ A Spaniard In The Works
Book Author: John Lennon
Um...the first time I read this book with both books in it, I was confused. As Paul McCartney states in the Introduction, "What is a brummer? What does dubb olwd boot mean?", this is what you will think. However, this book is one of the funniest books I've read. He twists words into something else, adds puns everywhere, {Jack the Nipple has struck again!}, and adds double meanings, and you get such stories as: Snore Wife And Some Several Dwarts, No Flies On Frank, Our Dad {very very cruel humor}, Last Will And Testicle, Deaf Ted, Danoota and me, and many more. Don't search for meaning, just sit back and enjoy lennon's twisted humor and mind. PS: Are you debb and dubb?
Jun 23, 2003
Thomas Neufeld
Book Title: The Lives Of John Lennon
Book Author: Albert Goldman
I have loved the Beatles and John Lennon since I was 4.{1 am 12 now.} I read this book after hearing how awful it was. The people who say that need to realize, however hard it may be, that this IS John Lennon. I didn't want to believe some of the stuff in this book, {Epstein and John's affair, his brutal attack on Stu Sutcliffe}, but Lennon was a real person! He was interested in peace, loved Sean, and he wrote some of the best songs the world will ever know! But he also had a horrific temper, a drug addiction, and an over-bearing wife. This book is painful to read, makes you depressed that there are such troubled people in the world, but it is the best biography on John I have read! Goldman tends to dwell on his negative side{s}, and I don't think anyone wants to read a whole chapter about John buying a painting, but this book makes you respect him even more, in a way. Read it if you can.
Jun 9, 2003
Michael Snider
Book Title: The Lives of John Lennon
Book Author: Albert Goldman
When this book first came out its scandalous, sleazy depiction of John's life was widely panned and detested by most Beatle fans. It was regarded like the plague, and treated as pure trash, a slander of the most influential British musician/composer ever and arguably the most dominant cultural figure of the second half of the twentieth century. In the interim, sleazy celebrity bios and portrayals have become far more common as tabloid media culture has grown tremendously. The rise and fall of Kurt Cobain, inspired directly by Lennon and sharing many of the same traits, has shown us that someone that screwed up can make a great impact. Biographies of pop culture personalities ranging from Oliver Reed - another figure who grew up straddling the rigid class boundaries of midcentury Great Britain and a fellow cultural hero of the same explosion of working class culture in 60s Britain as the Beatles - to Peter Perrett ( the Lennon inspired singer of the criminally underrated Only Ones, a tragic figure much like Cobain)have made it clear how many of the greats of the day were similarly damaged. So it is time to take a fresh look at Goldman's book years later. I have no doubt that the basic depiction of Lennon was more or less correct. If anything, that makes him MORE admirable ; a deeply disturbed individual suffering from a bevy of problems who nevertheless changed the culture and turned his immense suffering into great art. So, Lennon suffered from serious mental illness - I don't mean to evoke the "Beautiful Mind" cliche (which is actually inaccurate ; the mental illness associated with genius is manic depression not schizophrenia) but so were many of the great cultural figures of all time - Poe, Dali, Rimbaud, Van Gogh, Coleridge, Hemingway, Nietzsche, Tchaikovsky, etc. So, Lennon had substance abuse problems - this is very well acknowledged. Many readers criticized "Lives" for its depiction of Lennon as bisexual - this is juvenile homophobia to deny that one's hero is not 100% hetero, of the same sort that led so many academics to claim that Oscar Wilde, one of Lennon's heroes and role models, was also 100% hetero except for his involvement with Bosie. So, Yoko was a thoroughly unpleasant character,a scam artist who exacerbated the tensions within the Beatles, and a dominating Dragon Lady who sapped Lennon's creative energy and inner strength - a good case can be made for all these claims. Having known a number of women like this, including one involved with an aforementioned rock star of a later period, I have no reason to doubt that the depiction of Yoko by Goldman may be exaggerated but contains a good deal of truth. So, Lennon became creatively exhausted after "Imagine" - the albums after "Imagine" all have their moments but none of them compares to the work of the Beatles or Lennon's early solo work. So, Harrison was a devoted worshipper to the point of being a mindless follower according to Goldman - this is an exaggeration but it is very clear that George was drawn in by Lennon's great talent and charisma and was influenced heavily by his bandmate ; George was probably closer to John than Paul or certainly Ringo were, and it did take time for him to develop his own distinct creative vision. So, McCartney was more cultured and musically adventurous than Lennon - Macca's talent was a perfect match for Lennon ; his own vision perfectly complemented John's resulting in one of the great partnerships of all time. Despite coming from a much more deprived background than Lennon, McCartney provided the artistic and musical sophistication to match Lennon's pure expression and Dionysian force of nature drawing upon the primal emotion of early rock. So, Lennon made bad choices in terms of associates and political causes - he was hardly the only celebrity in the 60s and early 70s to do so, nor the only artistic genius of any age ever to do so. Dali, who had an impact on his medium and time somewhat comparable to Lennon's, cozied up to the fascist regime of General Franco, while Picasso remained a communist long after the evils of communism were apparent to all. Lennon's politics were essentially anarchistic ,again like Wilde, and his exercise of his political views were an expression of his Don Quijote type personality, one shared again by many great artists. They constituted a sort of war against reality as it stood, which makes for great art but impractical politics. In exercising his rights as a citizen/subject of a democracy, he associated with some decidedly unpleasant and half baked individuals, but Lennon was not trying to hold elective office. It was a part of his mercurial self-expression which he paid dearly for. So, Lennon missed his chance to be "Godfather of Punk" by not following up on the direction he took in the early 70s - there would have been no punk rock without the Beatles. Lennon was the original punk rocker. The first bands who were credited with beginning the "punk" movement like the New York Dolls and especially the Ramones would have been unimaginable without the Beatles. The early Ramones sounded like 1963-64 Beatles with more distortion and fewer guitar solos.Lennon wasn't the only figure of his generation to burn out in the mid seventies. Compare what the Stones, Who, or Kinks, to name a few of his peers, were doing in the mid 70s with what they were doing in the mid 60s. Great moments here and there but the sum of the parts doesn't compare. Goldman's book does have an extremely serious problem with its credibility in an important aspect,however. Goldman used Allen Klein as a source and used "The Lives of John Lennon" to whitewash Klein and make it seem that Lennon was a helpless freak who needed Klein's financial and legal discipline to save him from himself. According to Goldman, Klein was a saint who had Lennon's best interests in mind. This contradicts everything else that has ever been written about Klein. Any book on the Stones - e.g. Bill Wyman's autobiography or Hochner's "Blown Away" - and most other books on the Beatles depict Klein as a money grubbing sleazeball and ruthless predator, convicted of various financial crimes. It would certainly be in Klein's interest to daemonize Lennon, especially in Goldman's depiction of Lennon as an antisemite. I would not doubt that Lennon grew up in an atmosphere where antisemitism was a common attitude,as was the case in many working class and lower middle class neighborhoods in the UK and North America at the time ( indeed, many neighborhoods of all classes) and probably did say a few comments over the years about Jews when angry ; but he had many Jewish friends and associates and racial/ethnic prejudices seemed to play no part in any active part of his life. OTOH, his antagonism towards Klein was perfectly understandable ; you don't look too kindly on someone who is ripping you off. He may have called Klein a "dirty Jew" or something like that, but the context would indicate that it was directed towards Klein and not towards ALL those of Jewish religion or heritage. Much like some white Americans use the "n" word to describe Afro-Americans they don't like even though they are not otherwise racist in behavior or attitudes and don't have a problem with blacks in general. Certainly this sort of thing is not good manners, but it is not really real racism or ethnic prejudice. Ironically Goldman claims that Brian Epstein blamed all of his problems on antisemitism - Klein seems to have used Goldman to maintain a similar agenda re:Lennon. (I don't know if Klein authorized some hack writer to savage the Stones in a similar way, but it would be hard to do so given that Charlie Watts is Jewish). Likewise, Goldman's disparaging of the Beatles vis a vis the Stones or Who is ridiculous. There would have never been a Who if not for the Beatles. Re:Stones, it is true that the young Jagger and Jones were far better looking than Lennon and the Stones certainly were more of a live band than the Beatles ; but the achievements of one hardly negate the other. The Beatles were hardly a commercial sellout ; they CREATED a market, rather than kowtow to it. They CREATED a cultural context, and transcended any purely commercial considerations unless you are talking about very early in their history. And even then, one must remember that rock and roll was not a very lucrative business in the early 60s unless you were Elvis Presley. You didn't have the big money that came later. Managers encouraged their rock singer clients to use rock as a basis for a show biz career and then move on to adult pop singing or acting. Even the "big names" of the time weren't making that much other than Elvis. Record companies dangled money and all sorts of other favors to the singers and musicians which just served to get them deep into debt (which has not changed). Brian Epstein's idea that they would become massive phenomena was one of the great wild ideas that came true. Along these lines, Goldman also discredits Ringo's drumming. Certainly Ringo was not a flashy drummer like Keith Moon or Ginger Baker. He was a solid, steady drummer who perfectly complemented the contributions of the other members. As time went on he got better - anyone who ever heard "Tomorrow Never Knows" or the reprise of "Sgt.Pepper" knows that Ringo's drumming was quite good. Overall, "The Lives of John Lennon" is not to be dismissed, but recommended with severe reservations. Keep in mind that Goldman is serving Klein's agenda, and it is best to read other books on Lennon and the Beatles as a corrective, but what I got out of it was that Lennon managed to overcome all of his issues and transform popular culture and the whole world, turning his pain into brilliance. This book has definately gotten a rap worse than it merits.
May 11, 2003
Alasdair Norrie
Book Title: Paul McCartney-'Many years from now'
Book Author: Barry Miles
A really excellent read,filled with peroid detail from a man who new all the the Beatles in their sixties heyday. Unlike other biographies on the boys, it does not exclude details about the other members of the group, and does not merely concentrate on the music, but shows how Paul lived at the time in London (his 2 years wth the Asher famly being particularly interesting). Helps dispel some on the myths and rumours surrounding Paul, and sheds light on the truth of the Lennon/McCartney songwriting relationship, as well as their friendship away from the studio. Based on hours of taped interviews with Paul, as well as other important figures close to The Beatles at the time.
Apr 11, 2003
Kristie
Book Title: The Beatles Anthology
Book Author: beatles?
This book is filled with words,letters,and a lot of pictures. its one of the best Beatle books I have ever found. But beware its a BIG BOOK and costs about $40
Apr 9, 2003
Edde
Book Title: The Ballad Of John And Yoko
Book Author: ?
The book contains rare interwievs that´s been in the rolling Stone! A great book!
Apr 8, 2003
Helen James
Book Title: Lennon
Book Author: Ray Coleman
I've just finished this book and it is a wonderful book told by people who knew John and Yoko well. I think it's one of the only biographies of him to tell the complete truth. I have also learnt that anyone who blames the break up of the Beatles on Yoko can't be a true Beatles or Lennon fan. It portrays John as a loving family man as well as an excellent musician.
Jan 12, 2003
Angi
Book Title: The Lives Of John Lennon
Book Author: Albert Goldman
What's really sad is that people believe the lies in this book. Paul McCartney, Cynthia Lennon, Sean Lennon, Julian Lennon, Yoko Ono, and more of the people who were closest to John ALL say that this book is FILTH and LIES! The only reason Goldman is allowed to publish this is because John is dead, and he can't dispute the inaccuracies. Goldman is infamous for writing inaccurate biographies of dead celebrities, another example is his trashy bio of Elvis. Don't bother with this waste of paper.
Jan 3, 2003
Zoe
Book Title: The last days of John Lennon
Book Author: Fred Seaman
I was really happy to find a book about John that wasn't just written by someone who hardly knew him. I haven't read any other books on John so I haven't got anything to compare it to. I believe this book shows Johns true self and recognises his faults and his strengths. I definitely recommend it to someone wanting to know more about his personality. Fred Seaman manages to explain everything with detail. The only fault I found with this book however was its tendency to be obviously biased against Yoko. I am in no way myself a Yoko fan but I think his experiences later on with Yoko lead him to write more critically of her earlier in the book. This book shows a human John who is like the rest of us. Lots of fans hate Beatles biographers but I strongly recommend you read this book and then make your mind up.
Dec 9, 2002
Sharlynna
Book Title: The lives of John Lennon
Book Author: Albert Goldman
Several years ago I read this book...I found it to be a very complex and totally critical tale of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. I was seven years old when John was murdered, and find that while many things in this book COULD have happened...it most certainly is not a must have for a Beatle fan. I would not waste the time or money. There are many good books out about the group that would be better.
Dec 8, 2002
Teresa
Book Title: Lennon In America
Book Author: Geoffrey Giuliano
This book is based on Lennon's diaries and it's very interesting. I think, if I had to choose between Goldman's book and this one, I would have taken this one because it doesn't show just the negative sides, but it also shows him from a very human side and doesn't try to make ugly facts more beautiful. Think of other artists. We admire many artists without thinking that they were murderers! That's just to show that Lennon isn't the worst. But this book shows a very human man with an extraordinary talent, not the "saint" we made out of him. I think he had one admirable human quality: He was able to admit his mistakes and tried to make it better. I think that needs more than being a well-behaving angel who doesn't do anything wrong. He did good things and he did bad things, because that's life. He was a human-being, folks! We should take off our masks and watch him as he was; there are no good people or bad people, they are just what they are. We shouldn't judge him because of his mistakes, we should be happy that he was there because of his music. He had to carry his bag, as we do.
Nov 12, 2002
Lennon
Book Title: lennon
Book Author: ray coleman
i read it after falling in love with a man cruelly snatched from the world 7 yrs before i enterted it. dear johnnny ... no longer mistunderastood let youre light let shine on. p.s i love you , real inspiration imagine...
Sep 17, 2002
Geoff Bartlett
Book Title: Shout!
Book Author: Philip Norman
I thought this was a fairly good book because it gave me (a huge Beatle fan) a lot of insight into their financial matters and also little things along the way which I was formally unaware of, such as the girls who milled about outside of Paul's house. I would not reccomend this book to someone who is looking for the story of the Beatles themselves and how they lived their lives because much of it is explaining the activity of the managment. Norman has shown that he has done extensive research though and all in all it was a good read.
Sep 13, 2002
Stephanie
Book Title: The Love You Make
Book Author: Peter Brown
Wow! My mom bought this book for me at a thrift store for 2 bux. I haven't put it down and I can't shut up about it. This is a VERY candid story about the Fab 4, the drugs, women, scandal, animocity, EVERYTHING. I have read the other reviews pertaining to this book on the list, and I must admit it is hard to believe some of the "facts" in the book. Most of the info in the book came at me like an overdose of hard-to-swallow pills, and I didn't want to believe some of it. It definatley doesn't paint a pretty picture. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone and everyone. And as for the sceptisism, read the book and tell me how you would feel if those truths were exposed about you. I woudl be pissed too!
Sep 10, 2002
parodox
Book Title: The lives of John lennon
Book Author: Albert Goldman
Fellow Lennon fans, First let me say after reading some of your other reviews I'm surprised at the young age of John's fans. John was 15 years older than Me, and I have a collection of every Interview John gave.Yes John was a drug user, who wasn't or still is that grew up in that era.Yes John was eccentric,Just listen to his song GOD. How many of us even no the religions and phisph... and there meanings that John mentioned in this song. Yes John had faults,fears,and insecurities,We all do Listen to Jealous Guy. As for Goldman's perception of John It is very biased, some truths mixed with alot of lies.In conclusion John was a Man a GREAT MAN Who's music and ideas continue to influence Multitudes to this day. I don't reccomend this book to anyone that doesn't allready have a firm foundation of who John was as an artist,poet,muscisian,and thinker. We Love You John RIP.
Aug 12, 2002
Thomas Neufeld
Book Title: Skywriting by word of mouth
Book Author: John Lennon
I am 11 years old and loved the beatles since I was three. I also like bands like The Who, Doors and anything you can think of that most kids havent heard of. I found this book in my garage. I had already read "In His Own Write" and "A Spaniard In The Works" and I flipped through the book, then read all of it. It is a better book than "In His Own Write" and Spaniard. It has his only autobiography, his very bizarre interpretation of the alphabet, and the funny and slightly insane "Skywriting". It consists of over 25 loosely related stories about weird people and their problems. Some of it is slightly disturbing and nauseating,yet thought-provoking. You should read it.
Aug 1, 2002
Kate
Book Title: Lennon: The Definitive Biography
Book Author: Ray Coleman
This is the best Lennon biography I have ever read. For those of you who read and enjoyed Goldman's book, buy or borrow this book, so you can read a real biography about John Lennon. This man interviewed everyone who was ever important to John Lennon. The facts are amazing, and it shows Lennon like a man...not as a saint, not as Satan. If you want something with true facts, read this.
Jul 27, 2002
Jack Aranda
Book Title: A Hard Day's Write
Book Author: Steve Turner
If, like me, you're always listening to Beatles songs and thinking "What was the inspiration behind that?", or even "What does this all mean?", then this could be the book for you. It has the stories behind EVERY Beatles song ever written. You may know some, or even a fair number of these stories, but you won't know all of them (unless you really are an expert!). The Anthology tracks are covered too, and you'll also find a chronology, discography, and some rarely seen photos - like one of Lucy O'Donnell (Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds) with Melanie Coe (subject of She's Leaving Home). Of course, one or two of the stories behind the songs may be at odds with what you've heard before, but to write this book, it seems that the author has carried out pretty extensive research involving not just existing texts, but new interviews with many people close to the Beatles, and even Paul McCartney himself saw the original manuscript, and pointed out one or two discrepancies, which the author was then able to change. The feeling of the book is always respectful to the Beatles, yet written with objectivity - if there are alternatives stories behind some songs (assuming they sound at least a little believable), we get to hear them too, with the author stating which one he believes to be more likely. Overall, if you are interested in knowing what the songs are about, then I can't recommend this book more highly - it's fascinating. I personally, would want it as a reference book to dip into whenever the urge takes me, rather than a book to read from cover to cover. A superb addition to any Beatles fan's bookshelf.
Jul 14, 2002
Jack Aranda
Book Title: Shout!
Book Author: Philip Norman
I borrowed this book from my local library, just as I was starting to get into the Beatles in a big way, to find out their story. "Great!", I thought - "this should be a fantastic read!". Sadly, though, I can't say it is. What it does do, though, is give you the basic facts about them - you find out things like what their childhoods were like, how they got together, Hamburg, Cavern, USA, etc right up to Apple and the end days - this is all essential stuff for any Beatle fan, of course. However, one of the first things that I noticed, after reading only a few pages, is that Norman's writing style, is, well, rather bland to say the least. The guy seems to achieve the impossible - he makes one of the most incredible true life stories of the 20th century sound rather mundane. He also seems to spend too long on the early days - I seemed to be nearly halfway through the book before they even got their record contract. He also seems to spend too long, and go into too much detail about the business goings-on of Apple, sometimes seeming to forget that this is meant to be a biography of the Beatles, not a financial report. Another disappointment for me is that he rarely seems to discuss what the Beatles were thinking or feeling about anything - the result of which is that you hardly seem to find out about their attitudes or personalities at all - and surely this is a big reason for reading a biography in the first place? To summarise - if you want to know the basic facts of the Beatles story, and you cannot locate another, more interesting book about all four of them together - then this may be worth borrowing from the library or a friend - but personally, I wouldn't spend money on buying it. I have to mention, however, that there are two other (much more positive) reviews of the book further down this page, so obviously, this is just my opinion, and it might not be what YOU would think on reading the book. But I stick by my views and say if you are after a good, enjoyable read on the 60s phenomenon that was the Beatles - don't get this book - scroll down the page and locate another one.
Jun 14, 2002
James
Book Title: Nowhere Man: The Final Days of John Lennon
Book Author: Robert Rosen
I found this book very interesting and revealing about the final years of John's life. It explains things, in deatail, like all the Thai John smoked, and his facination with nemerology. I suggest this book to anyone who has ever wondered, "Who is John Lennon?".
May 16, 2002
Suzie
Book Title: The Beatles Anthology
Book Author: the Beatles!
Great book! It's fun and insightful to read a book about the Beatles written by the band members themselves. Believable, funny at times, and probably one of the most accurate books on the group out there. A must read for any fan! Added bonus: Looks great on the coffe table too!
Apr 23, 2002
Christine Rummins
Book Title: The Lives of John Lennon
Book Author: Albert Goldman
This is the definitive, most complete and objective biography of John Lennon ever published. What it is most successful at is providing a full portrait of the man with all the brushstrokes and lines colored in! It saddens me that so many JL fans cannot accept that he was an actual human being with many of the same insecurities, fears and neurosisis that we all have. Same is true for Yoko. I think the "Iron Butterfly" chapter says it perfectly. She was both 'airy-fairy' and tough as nails. The same could be true about any us. A recent statistic said that 25% of the population has substance abuse problems. Why would famous rock stars be immune from the dangers of this. It is common knowledge that JL was a drug addict to include marijuana, cociane, LSD, heroin and alchol. In his own words he said he "must have taken over 1000 trips (on acid)". Why do so many people get angry about talking about his and Yoko's drug addiction. Why do so many people get angry when they hear that JL was a violent, angry person. Most addicts are. Also, yeah he had "peace on his lips and war in his heart" That's true. He was violent as a teenager, a young man and an adult. There were hundreds of witnesses to this who've gone on the record over the years in their own memoirs, in interviews, etc including Paul McCarteny, Yoko Ono, May Pang, Ringo Starr, Aunt Mimi. But he was trying to better himself, like we all do, through his music, his peace campaigns, his Primal Scream therapies and strict diets. Sometimes he took these things too far or not far enough. Everybody is a contradiction if their lives are examined in any detail and I wouldn't have it any other way - that's the point of being alive, working those things out. But people don't want JL to be human and I'll tell you why... Alot of the fans want to beleive in the rock-n-roll fairy tale and love story of John and Yoko. That John, a sympathetic, lost hero was saved by the all powerful, nuturing Yoko and they lived happily ever after promoting peace in the world and then settled into domestic bliss until John was murdered and Yoko finally received the love from the world as John's widow. It's just not true. YO met JL at a very uncertain time in his life, go back to 1966-1968 he was a mess on acid and was going further into delusion (he claimed he was Jesus Christ in an Apple Board meeting 24 hours before the infamous 'date' with YO at Kenwood). This was not the JL of the witty, press conferences with the Beatles. In fact, the Beatles were falling apart before Yoko, perhaps even as early as Sgt.Pepper. As JL's creative partnership with PM was diminishing (for many reasons) ,JL was a needing a replacement. After the initial passion of finding YO and probably "feeling saved" while at the same time high on heroin, JL committed himself in public to YO and created the image that he maintained till the day he died. The image he created was in reality his fantasy prototype but it was not real, though he wanted it to be. The facts are the facts - even without the Goldman book. JL was a severly conflicted man and YO was as duplicitious as anyone and extrememly more ambitious than most. I feel, that Goldman's honest & unapologetic view of both JL and YO is a gift to the fans that want the truth, not another sugar-coated diversion of it. AG's book gives us, in amazing detail, the real story. It's dates are accurate which is not the case in many Lennon biographies (even ones endorsed by YO - see "Imagine"). If you have a keen eye for this kind of detail you will see how inaccurate other material is. The only shortcoming, in my opionion here is that it could do with more info on the songs themselves, the writing and recording of them. Excellent supplemental material would be Ian MacDonald's "Revolution In The Head: The Beatles music and the sixites". I have read this book, probably five times in the last 14 years and I always seem to understand JL and YO and PM and GH and RS a little better each time. And that is really, the desire of a fan, to know their subject better to be closer to them. It may sound strange, put that way, but why else do fans become "big fans"?.
Mar 20, 2002
Jack C.
Book Title: 8 Arms to Hold You: The Solo Beatles Compendium
Book Author: Chip Madinger and Mark Easter
This book is awesome!!! It has all the solo songs by each Beatle from the late 1960s to mid-2000. The concert playlists are great too.
Mar 20, 2002
Ashley
Book Title: From Abbey Road to Zapple Records: A Beatles Encyclopedia
Book Author: Judson Knight
I give this book a 5, because it's a fun book! Basically it's an encyclopedia that list topics that involve the Beatles- Everything from their songs to their actual albums (including a list of albums that you need if you want to have all their 215 songs...) to the Charlie Manson murders to backgrounds on all the Beatles to.... Probably nothing new included for the avid fan, but lots of fun information about lots of fun songs... Check it out.
Mar 20, 2002
Ashley
Book Title: The Lives of John Lennon
Book Author: Albert Goldman
My opinion on this controversial book is this- It's for the people who want to believe John Lennon was horrible. It's not for the fans, though I found it interesting and humorous and horrifying, it's for the critics and John Lennon haters who read it and smile and say, "Alas! The truth is out!" Was it the truth, really? We'll never know. John Lennon died 22 years ago... So what I suggest it to read the Beatles Anthology and to read the Rolling Stone interviews and to believe what John himself wanted you to believe.
Mar 17, 2002
Jack C.
Book Title: Strawberry Fields Forever: John Lennon Remembered
Book Author: Barbara Graustark, et al
While this book is out of print, it isn't too hard to find at used bookstores. It is a great bio of John's life, in detail. It has two bonuses too: a thorough chronology of events in John's (and the other Beatles') lives. The other is the very rare 'Newsweek' interview, no longer available, done about the same time as the Playboy one. If you can find it, get this great book.
Mar 1, 2002
Erin
Book Title: Lives of Lennon
Book Author: Goldman, Albert
I have been a devoted Beatles and Lennon fan since watching the first installment of the Anthology in 1995. Since then, I have devoured every book on The Beatles or John Lennon that I can possibly get my hands on. But I must say, Goldman's biography is one of the most interesting and compelling books I have read on the life(or should I say, "secret lives") of John Lennon. I love John Lennon, but I also understand that he wasn't a saint, like many of us tend to believe. The book sheds light on John's tragic upbringing, from his parents' abandonment of him, to him losing his mother, as a teenager. He NEVER recovered fully from these experiences, and he later became the man and the great musican that we have all come to adore, because of them. The book helps explain the problems John suffured as a result. I have read the other reviews on this book and I am somewhat surprised that most of them are negitive. I think what people need to realize is that John Lennon was just a regular guy with just an extraordinary talent. It did not make him flawless, or someone for us to idolize and worship. What some of you other readers may not know is that Goldman did 6 years of research, going over 1,200 interviews to get the information to write this book. I admit, some of the stories in the book may not seem believable to some Lennon fans. The ideas of John Lennon being a tortured, depressed, drug-addicted, alcoholic, and a sometimes abusive man is hard to swallow, for any of us. But those are some of the other sides of John Lennon that we didn't get to see. I don't believe that makes him any less of a talented man, who was just searching for someone to truely love him. We all have our dark sides, things we are not proud to admit. But they don't make us any less of a human being. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is willing to learn the true story of one of the most interesting musicians in Rock History, John Lennon.
Feb 22, 2002
Laura
Book Title: The Beatles Anthology
Book Author: The Lads Themselves!
Wow! Of all the Beatle books I've read (and I've read a lot!), this is by far the best. Being born almost 7 years after John Lennon was murdered, I missed out on the entire Beatlemania thing (by almost 2 and a 1/2 decades!), but this book had the WHOLE THING!! I've been a proud Beatlemaniac for 1/2 of my life (since I was 7), and have been waiting for a book like this to come along!! I love the pictures, and I also love how you can open up to any page in the book and read from there. It's defianatly not a book to read from beginning to end (unless you have alot of time on your hands!) So my advice? Buy it, or get someone to buy it for you!
Feb 10, 2002
Lisa
Book Title: LENNON IN AMERICA (1971-1980)
Book Author: GEOFFREY GIULIANO
Lennon in America 1971-1980, is loosely based on the lost Lennon diaries. It really gives a detailed account of the last years of Lennon's life, the things he got up to, his personal, professional, and mental state during the seventies and up to his death. Also, there are countless relevations, and the author seems to have researched every aspect of Lennon's life to come up with certain conclusions based on Lennon stories, interviews with John's friends and family, his taped diaries, and private letters. This book details the life John Lennon was leading in the seventies, the book's really interesting and I highly recommend it. Lisa.
Jan 22, 2002
Chelsea
Book Title: The Beatles Anthology
Book Author: The Beatles
This book is by far my favorite Beatle book. Since I went with my little sister (previously the biggest Beatles fan i had known, that is until I became a fan) to see Ringo preform live, i've been trying to find out as much about the Beatles as I possibly can. It's very difficult, though, to find something that isn't restricted only to what can be researched, in other words, only what is on the outside. I love this book because it tells you exactly what the boys felt and experienced. It also gives me an idea of just how crazy the Beatlemania really was. I am a fairly young Beatle fan. John Lennon died 6 years before I was born(exactly six years, Dec. 8th is my birthday *sob*). But this makes it difficult to really know what went on. This book is by far the most interesting and beautiful description of the four most interesting and beautiful people. I highly recomend it.
Jan 22, 2002
Kath M
Book Title: To The Sleeper
Book Author: ...who I see chose to remain anonymous
Well I don't see you winning any prizes from The Beatles Book smartarse...it was them who suggested I post my review to a site. Okay, so it was a little long! But if no-one edits these reviews it's in keeping with the free democatic way of Bagism. xxx
Jan 20, 2002
Lady Jane
Book Title: A Twist of Lennon
Book Author: Cynthia
Of all the Beatles' women, Cynthia was arguably the most wronged (with second place honors going to May Pang), especially given the shabby divorce settlement she and Julian were forced to accept. Those expecting a no-holds barred expose will be sorely disappointed, however--"Miss Powell's" traditional British reserve and stiff upper lip wouldn't allow for it. However, some tender recollections of the brief moment in time they shared as a couple before fans across the globe claimed Lennon as their own. The artwork is awesome and only gets better with time--let it not be forgotten that Cyn studied alongside John and Stu at the Liverpool College of Art!
Jan 20, 2002
Lady Jane
Book Title: Our Hearts Went Boom
Book Author: Brian Kendall
How many Beatle fans know that in North America, the Lads broke through in Canada before they registered in the US charts? Not surprising to those who are aware of Canada's role in the British Commonwealth. Coverage and pics of their rare forays across the 49th parallel, but compiled by an someone who obviously didn't fully research his Fab subjects (there are some annoying errors that could have been corrected by a competent fact-checker). However, a nice addition to the shelves of any serious Beatlebook collector.
Dec 31, 2001
Karen
Book Title: A Cellarful of Noise
Book Author: Brian Epstein
This book is a must for any Beatles' fan. This book is about Epstein and his discovery of the Beatles. Though some of the information in this book may be questionable, or dated, or effected by the media machine that Epstein put into motion, I am really glad that "Rhino" re-released this book in 1998.
Nov 29, 2001
NoFliesOnFred
Book Title: The Lives of John Lennon
Book Author: Albert Goldman
Some interesting insight and new detailed stories are captivating and not to be found in other books on Lennon. This is not the mythical JL, but the error prone JL. Yoko too. Goldman's is a prick and the tone of the book makes it valid. Its an amusing book to open at any page, but dont believe everything you read.
Nov 27, 2001
Ben Gates
Book Title: The Lives of John Lennon
Book Author: Albert Goldman
This book seems to form as big a chasm in John Lennon's fans as Yoko. The truth is, John Lennon could have been the dirty guy who hangs out at the bus stop asking for change. He wasn't special, or destined to change the world. He was just a regular guy who had problems, like everyone else. Being thrust to stardom opened lots of doors for him and he had a very open mind about it, absorbing thoughts and
