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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2012 23:14:54 GMT -5
There are so many books available on both the Beatles and the individual members of the Beatles.
If someone asked me to nominate the best or most informative book on the Beatles as a group and then individual books on each one of them solo, 5 books in total, what would i say, which ones should i nominate.
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Post by vectisfabber on May 19, 2012 5:12:41 GMT -5
Spicer - Beatles Connolly - Lennon Miles - McCartney Harrison? Starr?
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Post by John S. Damm on May 19, 2012 12:07:33 GMT -5
Simon Leng's book for George, hands down.
No Beatles-related book has so enthused or invigorated me on the music since I was a newbie in 1975 when every Beatles book, even cheapies, enthused me because I was new to Beatles and had an insatiable appetite to learn about them.
Well, no book since 1977's Beatles Forever.
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Post by winstonoboogie on May 19, 2012 15:41:06 GMT -5
I agree - Beatles Forever is an excellent start (although sadly incomplete ) Lewisohn's Compleat Chronicle is also excellent, although a "bit clinical", as George H. would say. Anthology is also good, as it is told in the Beatles' own words.
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Post by Steve Marinucci on May 20, 2012 0:47:10 GMT -5
My list:
Beatles Hunter Davies Bob Spitz Beatles Forever
Lennon Ray Coleman
McCartney Miles
I bought the Simon Leng book after hearing about it here, but haven't read it.
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Post by Cunning Old Fury on May 20, 2012 17:38:37 GMT -5
There are very few good books about the Beatles' history, or their music. But there are some good ones. A major criterion for a "quality" Beatle book is this: what books do I return to again and again? Here's my selection. BeatlesMark Lewisohn: Recording Sessions, and ChronicleBob Spitz The Beatles (unfairly criticized on release) Ian MacDonald Revolution in the Head (some odd opinions, and a challenging read) Jim O'Donnell The Day John Met PaulRingo StarrAlan Clayson Ringo Starr Straight Man or Joker? (The only book about Ringo I own; I enjoyed it - a bit) John LennonRay Coleman John Winston/Ono Lennon (two volumes) John Robertson The Art & Music of John LennonPaul McCartneyBarry Miles Many Years From Now (the only bio that comes near to being good, but without going beyond satisfactory. Too hagiographic for me.) George HarrisonSimon Leng While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Excellent--- as others have said around here, I notice.) George Harrison I Me MineI've gone beyond the one book only per goup and each solo, 5 books in total rule. But no-one'll die as a result, I'm sure
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Post by John S. Damm on May 20, 2012 18:09:28 GMT -5
Jim O'Donnell's The Day John Met Paul is absolutely beautiful, very poignant. It is written in the style of a historical novel where the facts are well researched with perhaps some things pieced together to make the story flow smoothly, like maybe some dialog pieced together from what was known was discussed in general that day.
Absolutely a must read when the constant John vs. Paul arguments get one down.
Yours is a good list COF as was Steve's. I need to pull the Ray Coleman book out although my versions, a hardback and paperback, are both just one really thick book? Did he expand on it or was it originally one book broken up into two volumes?
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Post by nicole21290 on May 20, 2012 22:25:12 GMT -5
Hmm. My favourites from my bookshelf. And yes, it's more than five...
Lewisohn (Recording Sessions & Chronicle to a lesser extent) Spitz (The Beatles) - some errors but I think it's the best overall biography of the group MacDonald (Revolution in the Head) - don't agree with a number of conclusions/opinions but interesting and informative Davis (The Beatles) - I adore books and articles that are written IN the time of The Beatles and even though this isn't as widely regarded as it once was, I still think it's great Braun (Love Me Do) - again, written near the start of it all. Fascinating.
Coleman (Lennon) - definitely my favourite Lennon biography and the first Beatles related book I ever read Norman (The Life) - to me, MUCH better than Shout! Miles (Many Years From Now) - best McCartney biography. Even with some OTT stuff, the most detailed and interesting recollections of Paul Carlin (A Life) - not near enough depth or analysis but overall pretty decent (and Carlin's interviews on the book were good too)
Doggett (I Never You Give You My Money) - my favourite 'recent' Beatles book which takes a slightly different take on things. I adore his writing, tone, and attitude The Beatles (Anthology) - expensive but worth it Sulpy (Drugs, Divorce and a Slipping Image) - hard to read for too long and much better when you read alongside listening to the recordings one can access but absolutely fascinating in all
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Post by Cunning Old Fury on May 20, 2012 23:26:43 GMT -5
Jim O'Donnell's The Day John Met Paul is absolutely beautiful, very poignant. It is written in the style of a historical novel where the facts are well researched with perhaps some things pieced together to make the story flow smoothly, like maybe some dialog pieced together from what was known was discussed in general that day. Absolutely a must read when the constant John vs. Paul arguments get one down. Yours is a good list COF as was Steve's. I need to pull the Ray Coleman book out although my versions, a hardback and paperback, are both just one really thick book? Did he expand on it or was it originally one book broken up into two volumes? Totally agree with what you said about The day John Met Paul. Very atmospheric. The Coleman bio of John was orginally published in two volumes: Vol 1 was John WINSTON Lennon, Vol 2 John ONO Lennon.
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Post by Panther on May 21, 2012 1:52:52 GMT -5
The 5 everyone should read: 1. The Beatles: The Biography by Bob Spitz Has now taken 1st place in all Beatle group bios. Extremely well balanced, well told, comprehensive book. This is about all you need for the Beatle years, really. 2. Paul McCartney: Many Years from NowWonderfully entertaining. Slighty self-serving, too, and occasionally comes off as a P.R. move (as you'd expect by anything commissioned by Paul), but still wonderful. 3. John Lennon: The Life by Philip NormanThe best Lennon bio to date, despite an abundance of minor errors (esp. in the 2nd half) and the usual Norman reverence for Liverpool in the 50s as the standard by which every place in history should be judged and his hatred of George Harrison. Extremely fair to Yoko, who nevertheless hated it. 4. Imagine: John Lennon by Egan, Ono, and Wolper (narrative by John Lennon) Basically a picture book to go with the (slightly Lennon-serving P.R. move, as you'd expect from anything commissioned by Yoko) film, but with wonderful photos and a great overview of the great man, complete with most of his best quotations and observations. 5. While My Guitar Gently Weeps: The Music of George Harrison by Simon Leng Sets a new standard for musically and historically aware bios of Beatles. Dispenses with faddism, popular myths, and regurgitated nonsense from those who have selective memories to give it to us straight, with very intelligent musical analysis from a writer who's obviously also a musician.
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andyb
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Post by andyb on May 21, 2012 9:50:31 GMT -5
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Post by Steve Marinucci on May 21, 2012 14:25:19 GMT -5
There are very few good books about the Beatles' history, or their music. But there are some good ones. A major criterion for a "quality" Beatle book is this: what books do I return to again and again? Here's my selection. BeatlesMark Lewisohn: Recording Sessions, and ChronicleBob Spitz The Beatles (unfairly criticized on release) Ian MacDonald Revolution in the Head (some odd opinions, and a challenging read) Jim O'Donnell The Day John Met PaulRingo StarrAlan Clayson Ringo Starr Straight Man or Joker? (The only book about Ringo I own; I enjoyed it - a bit) John LennonRay Coleman John Winston/Ono Lennon (two volumes) John Robertson The Art & Music of John LennonPaul McCartneyBarry Miles Many Years From Now (the only bio that comes near to being good, but without going beyond satisfactory. Too hagiographic for me.) George HarrisonSimon Leng While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Excellent--- as others have said around here, I notice.) George Harrison I Me MineI've gone beyond the one book only per goup and each solo, 5 books in total rule. But no-one'll die as a result, I'm sure Thanks for agreeing with me about Spitz. There was a lot of self-serving nitpicking directed at him. He admitted the mistakes and said they were fixed in later editions (though I don't recall seeing anything changed in the paperback). Still, it's such a well-written book it deserves a better rep.
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Post by John S. Damm on May 21, 2012 16:14:34 GMT -5
There are very few good books about the Beatles' history, or their music. But there are some good ones. A major criterion for a "quality" Beatle book is this: what books do I return to again and again? Here's my selection. BeatlesMark Lewisohn: Recording Sessions, and ChronicleBob Spitz The Beatles (unfairly criticized on release) Ian MacDonald Revolution in the Head (some odd opinions, and a challenging read) Jim O'Donnell The Day John Met PaulRingo StarrAlan Clayson Ringo Starr Straight Man or Joker? (The only book about Ringo I own; I enjoyed it - a bit) John LennonRay Coleman John Winston/Ono Lennon (two volumes) John Robertson The Art & Music of John LennonPaul McCartneyBarry Miles Many Years From Now (the only bio that comes near to being good, but without going beyond satisfactory. Too hagiographic for me.) George HarrisonSimon Leng While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Excellent--- as others have said around here, I notice.) George Harrison I Me MineI've gone beyond the one book only per goup and each solo, 5 books in total rule. But no-one'll die as a result, I'm sure Thanks for agreeing with me about Spitz. There was a lot of self-serving nitpicking directed at him. He admitted the mistakes and said they were fixed in later editions (though I don't recall seeing anything changed in the paperback). Still, it's such a well-written book it deserves a better rep. I have the hardback of this and never got to it! I heard about the nitpicking and while that is not the reason I haven't read it yet, it did nag at me. I am glad to hear you folks praising it. Something to look forward to. I am reading Howard Sounes' book Fab on Macca and I am so far greatly underwhelmed by it but I am only at the place where George Martin signed The Beatles and Sounes is coasting here, I don't think he did too much new research on early Beatles history. I am hoping it picks up for the solo years.
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Post by Joe Karlosi on May 21, 2012 18:07:48 GMT -5
I am reading Howard Sounes' book Fab on Macca Let me know when (if) you get to the '90s. I was browsing the book in a store and there is actually some input from that girl I talked about who had Paul get angry with her when he threw her gift out of the limo. (I think in the book she is called "New York's biggest Paul Fan"), or something. Apparently she helped with some NY anecdotes. The way the story in the book reads is very similar to what happened when I was present with her to witness Paul's blowup in 1995, but it sounds like some later negative encounter with Paul (if memory serves I think the year in the book was 1997). I don't know if it's another different isolated NY incident or if the girl was incorrectly relating the story I told here and mixing things up. I don't know if I should give her whole name out here (even though it is in the book), but her first name is Linda. (Coincidence?).
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Post by John S. Damm on May 21, 2012 19:17:57 GMT -5
I am reading Howard Sounes' book Fab on Macca Let me know when (if) you get to the '90s. I was browsing the book in a store and there is actually some input from that girl I talked about who had Paul get angry with her when he threw her gift out of the limo. (I think in the book she is called "New York's biggest Paul Fan"), or something. Apparently she helped with some NY anecdotes. The way the story in the book reads is very similar to what happened when I was present with her to witness Paul's blowup in 1995, but it sounds like some later negative encounter with Paul (if memory serves I think the year in the book was 1997). I don't know if it's another different isolated NY incident or if the girl was incorrectly relating the story I told here and mixing things up. I don't know if I should give her whole name out here (even though it is in the book), but her first name is Linda. (Coincidence?). Joe, I remember you mentrioning that a couple weeks ago. I will keep an eye out for her!
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Post by acebackwords on May 22, 2012 15:37:40 GMT -5
This is slightly off-topic but the three books that I found were most revealing about John Lennon as a person were:
1.) Pete Shotton's book 2.) May Pang's book 3.) Fred Seaman's book.
All three of them lived with Lennon behind the media screen and experienced the human being behind the myth. Plus, they pretty much span his whole life, from boyhood to assassination.
For McCartney I'd go with:
1.) "Many Years From Now" 2.) And Denny Laine's book
For the Beatles as musicians I'd go with:
1.) "The Beatles Recording Sessions" 2,) Geoff Emmerick's book
And just for kicks I'd have to add the original printing of "Lennon Remembers."
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Post by pbirdchat on May 22, 2012 23:25:29 GMT -5
I've tried to buy the Recording The Beatles book twice but I always get stiffed. It's always out of stock. Any news about it's availability.
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Post by Steve Marinucci on May 23, 2012 8:09:49 GMT -5
I've tried to buy the Recording The Beatles book twice but I always get stiffed. It's always out of stock. Any news about it's availability. Do you try and get it through their website or elsewhere? Try this direct link: www.recordingthebeatles.com/
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Post by Steve Marinucci on May 23, 2012 8:12:20 GMT -5
This is slightly off-topic but the three books that I found were most revealing about John Lennon as a person were: 1.) Pete Shotton's book 2.) May Pang's book 3.) Fred Seaman's book. All three of them lived with Lennon behind the media screen and experienced the human being behind the myth. Plus, they pretty much span his whole life, from boyhood to assassination. For McCartney I'd go with: 1.) "Many Years From Now" 2.) And Denny Laine's book For the Beatles as musicians I'd go with: 1.) "The Beatles Recording Sessions" 2,) Geoff Emmerick's book And just for kicks I'd have to add the original printing of "Lennon Remembers." I wouldn't trust Seaman's book for the paper it's printed on. And May has her own version of history. And if the Denny Laine book you're referring to is co-authored by Geoffrey Guiliano, I wouldn't touch that one either.
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Post by scousette on May 23, 2012 11:09:38 GMT -5
Any book by Geoffrey Guiliano sucks.
I liked the Spitz book. Yes, he made some errors but overall his work is excellent.
Ken Scott's book is due to be published anytime now. While it's not exclusively about the Beatles, he has some chapters about his work with the Fabs and those should be fascinating.
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andyb
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Post by andyb on May 23, 2012 12:56:51 GMT -5
I've tried to buy the Recording The Beatles book twice but I always get stiffed. It's always out of stock. Any news about it's availability. Do you try and get it through their website or elsewhere? Try this direct link: www.recordingthebeatles.com/I think it sells out quick but they are still printing it. Not sure how regular though. When there's enough orders or perhaps maybe one run a year. Is there no email address to contact them and find out?
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Post by acebackwords on May 23, 2012 13:25:22 GMT -5
This is slightly off-topic but the three books that I found were most revealing about John Lennon as a person were: 1.) Pete Shotton's book 2.) May Pang's book 3.) Fred Seaman's book. All three of them lived with Lennon behind the media screen and experienced the human being behind the myth. Plus, they pretty much span his whole life, from boyhood to assassination. For McCartney I'd go with: 1.) "Many Years From Now" 2.) And Denny Laine's book For the Beatles as musicians I'd go with: 1.) "The Beatles Recording Sessions" 2,) Geoff Emmerick's book And just for kicks I'd have to add the original printing of "Lennon Remembers." I wouldn't trust Seaman's book for the paper it's printed on. And May has her own version of history. And if the Denny Laine book you're referring to is co-authored by Geoffrey Guiliano, I wouldn't touch that one either. Needless to say, "consider the source." Thats especially true for a character like Guiliano. Everybody's got their biases, their axes to grind, their self-serving versions, etc. (including Lennon's own "Lennon Remembers"). So take EVERYTHING you read with a grain of salt. But what can I say, for all their faults I feel all the books on my list have a certain ring of truth to them and add up to an interesting composite picture of Beatlemania. P.S. I'd also add the Beatles Anthology book to my list. Its beautifully and lovingly put together, as well as an excellent chronology of events and a lot of inside accounts I'd never read anywhere else (like the Phillipine story to name one).
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andyb
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Post by andyb on May 23, 2012 13:55:25 GMT -5
I've tried to buy the Recording The Beatles book twice but I always get stiffed. It's always out of stock. Any news about it's availability. I've just checked on a recording engineer forum where one of the authors posts and he said the book sells out twice a year. When they reorder from Hong Kong there's a waiting time of 2-3 months. It looks like if you place the order you should get it.
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