Customer Reviews

Beatles in Rishikesh (Penguin Studio Books)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is so great it hardly matters, but that was what I heard through the grapevine that made me want to check it out.

As any fan knows, The Beatles wrote most of the White Album during their brief stay in Rishikesh, where George dragged them to study transcendental meditation. They took off when the Maharishi allegedly fondled Mia Farrow, but not before writing Dear Prudence, Ob-La-Di, Back in the USSR, Sexy Sadie ("Ma-ha-rish-i..what have you done? Made a fool of everyone...")

This book is an incredible look at that creative time, and it's obvious through the pictures and through Salzman's story that -- contrary to popular belief -- they were still happy working together, funny and loose, and very much a family. But you can also see how it would be the last happy time together -- John was considering ending an unhappy marriage, George was being drawn further into Indian music, and Ringo was tiring of the non-stop circus. As such this book captures one of the most pivotal interludes of their history.

The book is a record of the experience every Beatles fan wishes he or she had: Salzman got to hang out with them, talk to them, hear a private concert, watch John and Paul try to work through Ob-La-Di, et cetera. The photos are wonderfully intimate -- you can even see the sunburn on Pauls' nose, and John reveals himself completely to the camera -- and the design of the book is fantastic, vivid and funky. It's an utterly captivating book, a must-have for anyone interested in the band that changed the world. (Whether Salzman is Rocky Raccoon or not.)

The photographs in this book are truly a treat for any Beatle afficionado as well as anyone who comes across this book.

Although there is little in the way of fresh factual material, the pictures, text and recreating the 1967-1968 period in the Beatles' career is sure to delight any reader.

I like the way the author describes the sitar, an Indian stringed musical instrument that Ravi Shankar and George Harrison popularized in Western music. This book shows the cultural blending, the introduction to the western world at large a musical instrument that was, for many years, not well known outside of the middle east. George, under Shankar's tutelage masters the sitar and the Eastern influence can be heard in many of his later works as well as post-Beatles works.

John Lennon, of late 1965 "Norwegian Wood" fame is not as entranced with the eastern world and eastern philosophy as his bandmate. John, from all accounts, keeps an open mind, yet maintains his own established values and beliefs. His approach to the Eastern experience appears to be that of an intellectual curiosity; he does not appear to embrace it on a personal or philosophical level. He seems to remain outside, yet looking in with the idea of learning more about what he is witnessing.

I think most Beatles fans will appreciate the book. It does a rather thorough job of covering the Beatles' 1967 trip to India and the influences their trip east had on them for the remainder of their careers together as a band. It is, in some ways a refreshing peek behind the Eastern curtain into a part of their lives that many other works do not cover as fully.

I just read it last night. The pictures are beautiful, intimate, and candid. Everyone looks so relaxed. But there was not actually that much content in the written part of the book. I was surprised because it looked like a long book with lots of info from the outside, but has huge print. It was more like an essay than a book.

What makes it great is to hear from someone that was there, and to see the Beatles in unrehearsed moments. I loved it!Beautiful!

The images in this book are truly amazing. To see The Beatles in such casual poses and such an informal setting is a true treat, especially when compared to some of the more 'posed' and 'managed' photographs of them in the later stages of their career.

Saltzman's intimate observations add depth and perspective in ways that very few other books even attempt. Widening the range of his observations and comments to include the people who surrounded The Beatles - Mia Farrow, Donovan, wives and girlfriends - lends a view to their 'real', everday lives that is a rare treat.

I highly recommend this book to both the serious collector and the casual observer of The Beatles' phenomenon.

The latest wave of Beatlemania bring a flood of new material. But Paul Saltzman's "The Beatles In Rishikesh" stands out like a shining beacon.

Focusing on a spiritual pilgrimage to India, the book, with thoughtful text and a treasure trove of previously unseen photos, offers fresh insights into the individuals and relationships that comprised the Fab Four.

Saltzman shares unguarded glimpses into the Beatles' personalities and creatives processes. It's a warm and wonderful recollection, not only of the band, but of the '60s, a magical era.

Beatle aficionados would be well advised to make Rishikesh their next reading destination. This is a journey they'll long remember.

Paul Saltzman is wonderful photographer. The informal shots of the Beatles will be of great interest to all their fans, but there are even more stunning shots - landscapes and portraits - taken on his recent return to Rishikesh. The narrative is straightforward and entertaining. The designer also deserves a special mention. His sense of colour and style has made this nostalgic "trip" a real work of art.

I went to Rishikesh, India in the fall of 2000. I realized why George was so amazed of this northern India town where the Ganges turns down from The Himalayan Mtns. I was blessed to have visited such a beautiful place, as my 94 year old grandfather from Delhi and my dad (Who's originally from northern India) took me to some amazing spots in Rishikesh. I felt so free. I felt the 'magic' The Beatles experienced. This book illustrates the journey of the fab four's 1967-68 visit for 'relaxation & meditation' and the outcome (Many of the songs recorded for "The White Album" were written while hanging and meditating at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram) The pictures (taken by the author of this book) are large and will grab you - This book is for The Beatle fan in you or someone you know. JG "The Bear"

Visually, this book is a treat. Thick pages similar to the recently released Anthology, great graphics and font. The photographs of the Beatles, who are relaxed and acting like themselves are intriguing. I was disappointed, however, that I sat down and read this book in its entirety in a little over an hour. While Mr. Saltzman's casual chats with the Beatles are interesting there's no great revelations here that many fans won't already know. The photos are good but are pretty repetitious, most of them having been taken in about three different sessions. This book makes a great "coffee table" book and a good conversation starter but don't buy it expecting to learn anything new - it's just not there.

First of all, this is a visually beautiful book. The typsetting (which is large and, unusually, centered throughout), the gorgeous photographs, the colours, it's all very lush and evocative. Great coffee table book!

That being said, the story is very engaging and creates a charming and compelling snapshot of a brief but heady time in an engaging era. The intimate portraits of the Beatles, both photographic and in writing, are sure to please Beatles fans and maybe the casually curious, as well.

Unfortunately, the story is fairly short. More of an essay than anything else, but given the story being told, it could only be so long. The author writes about a specific time and place and doesn't pad it with a lot of extraneous things, and it is what it is.

This is a book that's sure to delight Beatles fans and also those who are interested in the times, trends, and mood of the mid-late sixties. I found the book captivating, and I'm glad to add it to my collection of great coffee table books and books about the Beatles.

This book is excellent because it captures the look and feel of that era. It is not just a history, although it is. It is not a biography, although it is. This book is part of that era when we were not sure what was going to happen next in society, but we were excited about it. The Beatles helped define that era and they were swept up in it as well. This book is an excellent snap shot of a moment in time when the world could have gone in many different directions. You seem to feel that reading the book. Great book, nice contribution.