The Beatles [Unabridged] [Audio Cassette]

Hunter Davies (Author), Edward Lewis (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1999

First published in 1968, Hunter Davies's intimate and revelatory book is still the only authorized biography of the world's most legendary and most influential pop group. This updated edition presents Davies's original book in a new, integrated illustrated format, and includes many rare photographs and illustrations. A revised introduction covers the 15 years since the last revised edition of the book, looking at how the band and their music continue to influence millions of people across the world and what Paul, George and Ringo went on to do after 1985. The work is brought right up to date by covering the tragic death of the youngest Beatle, George Harrison.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Originally published in 1968, this is a revised and updated edition of the band's authorized biography.

Copyright 1996 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Library Journal

Since their breakup in 1969, the only band that has managed to become bigger than the Beatles is...the Beatles. Their inestimable number of fans have not been willing to let it be, and the release of the three Anthology double CD sets has put the group right back on top. amazingly, their recordings sell more copies now than at the height of Beatlemania. Written in 1968, this was the only official portrait of the group that was produced with their cooperation. For this revision, Davies has included a new introduction and three updated appendixes of Beatles places, memorabilia, and books. Though works on the band are legion, this remains one of the best.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks; Unabridged edition (February 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786115009
• ISBN-13: 978-0786115006
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.7 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,416,513 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vital source, September 6, 2000

By 

kennedy19 "kennedy19" (wakefield, ma USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beatles (Paperback)

Thank heaven for Beatle scholarship that this book was written. Competent journalist Hunter Davies spent a year observing the Beatles and interviewing them in their own homes during the heady, fascinating year of 1967. He emerged with a time piece: the Beatles as they were at that time, reflecting on what came before and unaware of what was yet to come. A chapter describing the writing and recording of "With a Little Help From My Friends," "Getting Better," and "Magical Mystery Tour" offers unique and especially valuable glimpses of the Beatles at work. Chapters depicting the home life and personal outlook of each Beatle are also very interesting. I must also say that for an authorised biography, this is remarkably honest. Perceptive readers will be able to detect the whole truth here, and a fine introduction written by the author years later helps fill in any gaps. Apart from being hugely entertaining, this book is a tremendous boon to historians interested in the Beatles.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Beatles as we loved them, May 30, 2000

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beatles (Paperback)

This is a fabulous evocation of the fab four's rise to greatness, written with just the right amount of reverence and objectivity. Davies manages to ellicit some great anecdotes from people who were closest to The Beatles. Mimi, Paul's dad, the Harrisons, close friends, Fred Lennon (John's dad), Pete Best; they all get to have their say. The book is especially strong during the Hamburg years (loosely 59-62). Davies captures the growth in their popularity, attracting interesting characters along the way, yet having no fan base outside Liverpool and Hamburg. He demonstrates so vividly the growing desperation of the boys to make it big. Once the rollercoaster took off then the book is on trickier ground. Davies clearly wants to divulge stuff which The Beatles were not keen on him revealing (Davies was writing the book during 1967/early 68). For instance, Lennon was heavily into drugs at this time and Hunter Davies refers to John as being in a daze. Yes, you have to read between the lines! One of the strengths of this book is its matter-of-fact delivery. Although Davies is clearly a fan he still keeps his feet on the ground. The death of Brian Epstein is well-handled. Remember, this was written before all the Klein, Apple, Ono nonsense hit the fan. Yet Davies manages to convey a growing sense of isolation amongst the group. His pen-portraits of each member is uncannily (eerily) accurate, bearing in mind the general public thought The Beatles were a rock-solid national institution. The book is a cracker and loses a star of its rating only because of a rather mysterious lack of detail around Rubber Soul and Revolver. The rest is gear!

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars fab book on the Fab Four, January 27, 2000

By 

"picabo1125" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beatles (Paperback)

I finished reading this book recently and I have to say it is an excellent book. When Hunter Davies first interviewed the Beatles for this book from 1967-1968, it was before all the bickering and fighting started and before Yoko came into the picture. Davies takes an inside look in thier home and family life, the songwriting process, and recording sessions. It also gives a pretty good background on their childhoods and how they all met. Not to mention a lot of great pictures, including some I never seen before. The only reason I didn't give it five stars was because it is not a totally definative bio. Lots of things were left out because it upset thier family members. For example, it is not mentioned that Brian Epstein was homosexual because it upset his mother at the time. And some things were left out of John's childhood because it upset his aunt Mimi. Other than that, I reccomend that you read this book. It is smart and thouroughly researched. A must have for all Beatles fans!