The Book I read was a biography on the band that created a world wide frenzy near the "British Invasion", The Beatles. The book was written by Hunter Davies, a journalist and author who convinced Paul McCartney to collaborate and make an official Beatles biography. The book is filled with a lot of background information on the famous four, as well as other important people along the way. Having been published for the first time in 1968, before the Beatles were broken up, the book, or the earliest version anyway, provided a perspective on The Beatles as they were still an ongoing band, and long before John Lennon was shot or George Harrison died. There are several updated versions that came out in years to come, but the version I had was the original. Something that's the same for each version however is the backgrounds of each band member. It was interesting to hear about the childhoods of the group, like John Lennon for example had a very rebellious attitude toward school, and spent a lot of time in it messing around with his school friends. Paul McCartney apparently was a bit chubby as a kid and his brother made fun of him for it. (I wonder who's laughing now?) The many small details in the band member introduction chapters shows how normal the Beatles really are, including stories and facts from their childhoods. The whole book was enjoyable to read, but mostly because I was already a Beatles fan, and could appreciate the knowledge given. Even if you're not a Beatles fan, the story, the legacy as it seems, is an interesting tale.
The classic first biography of the Beatles. I read the updated, updated (again) version. The original book ended with the band still together. That's where this version ends too, but it contains an afterward with reflections on how quickly the band went from tight friendship to nasty bickering, but not many other details. Davies points out that this period of the band's life has been well-documented other places. It would have been great, though, if Davies had originally followed the band through to the bitter end. Since he was on the inside with the band, recording the events as they happened, this book is like getting a window right into their world. I can see why it's been so popular for so long. Personally, I really enjoyed reading it. It was fascinating seeing the context in which the Beatles became a band, how they went from a group of kids playing music to great performers, and of course the rise of Beatlemania and its effects on the band, their families, and the rest of the world.This was truly a fun read and sent me off on a bit of a Beatles kick. Next steps if I get the time (not likely):- Listen to their albums in chronological order. Just have to get my hands on them, they're definitely not on Spotify.- Watch the various Beatles movies--well, maybe not all of them. - Check out 1 or 2 of the best documentaries.And yes, I am posting this review 4 months after I read the book. Better late than never.
Do You like book The Beatles (2004)?
I will forever love their music but, as I've now read Hunter Davies perspective on The Beatles they've kind of lost their magic in my eyes. Most of them seem to be ungrateful gits who did not appreciate their fans and their climb to stardom. I lost a lot of admiration for George Harrison who was my favorite of the four as he seemed to really be the most unlikable Beatle after reading this. It just kind of disappointed me as a fan. It was interesting to learn something about them though, as I did not grow up in that time period and was too young to have experienced Beatlemania. Overall, I do recommend it to people interested in reading a decent Beatles Bio but, BEWARE it may change your opinion on them afterwards.
—Kate
Hunter Davies qui a suivi et rencontré tous les membres des Beatles (ainsi que ceux qui ont participé à l'évolution du groupe : Brian Epstein, Georges Martin...) nous offre un livre passionnant sur l'histoire du plus grand groupe de pop de tous les temps. Hunter Davies commente les enregistrements des albums cultes auxquels il a pu assister ainsi que le point de vue de chacun des protagonistes sur ces mêmes enregistrements (avec bien sûr, leurs propres point de vue sur cette fabuleuse aventure qu'est celle des Beatles !)Bref, un must pour tous les fans de beatles !Note : la version française est une véritable aubaine pour ceux qui se débattent encore un peu avec l'anglais :) !
—Jean-denis Crouhy
I have no idea how I managed to own a first edition of this first majour bio of The Beatles (yes, the "t" should be capped). Published in 1968, when the group was still together and still producing hits, it was one of the first books to focus on rock stars. There are more than 30 pages of photos, many of which were taken just for the book itself, as this is the only authorized biography which was approved by all group members.Too young to be familiar with the Fab Four, I nevertheless learned about them when a music teacher told me Paul McCartney had been in a previous group named like insects. Shook my world.Book Season = Summer (eazy breezy)
—GoldGato
