The Lennon Companion [Paperback]

Elizabeth Thomson (Author), David Gutman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 3, 2004

John Lennon lives on. Forty years after the Beatles invaded America in 1964, and more than twenty years after Lennon's death, his work is perennially popular and continues to appeal across the generations. A man shrouded in myth and controversy, Lennon led a complex, enigmatic life. The Lennon Companion is a luminous and multifaceted exploration of John Lennon's life and work, a collection of over fifty articles from a stellar list of writers including Pauline Kael, Tom Wolfe, Martin Amis, Gloria Steinem, and Philip Larkin-a remarkably multidimensional look at Lennon's music, myth, and mystique.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Why read yet another book about one of the most talked-about and written-about women in the history of show business? If this were another authorized or unauthorized biography, there would indeed be no reason. But this is differentthe editors, a librarian and a music critic, have compiled a scrapbook of the interviews, critical essays, and reviews that have accompanied and shaped Madonnas career from the beginning. It is an interesting way to look back on how the fascination with Madonna began, and it is truly a fascinationregardless of how sympathetic or heartless Madonnas critics have been, they have always treated her as worthy of their attention, even in the uncompromising world of academia. A few inaccurate photo captions aside, this is an engaging collection of criticism that will be in demand by anyone interested in exploring Madonnas undeniable social impact. A thorough chronology of Madonnas albums, videos, and films is included.Mirela Roncevic, Library Journal
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Review

"A fitting tribute...A fascinating, multi-faceted portrait of Lennon that should hold a few surprises for even obsessive fans." -- Rain Taxi Spring 2004

"A surprising, stimulating, immensely readable compendium for anyone interested in the cultural osmosis of music of the last half-century." -- Gramophone June 2004

"An insight-filled look at arguably the most inventive Fab." -- Q Magazine May 2004

"Hipsters and highbrows alike have their say in the ultimate John Lennon book." -- Q magazine

"Presents twenty-five years of the best comment and commentary on Lennon from top-ranked writers and critics." -- Bookviews.com March 2004

"The Lennon Companion delivers everything one could ask for-everything, that is, except a happy ending." (Paste August / September 2004 -- XXX

"The first truly international anthology on John Lennon.... Stimulating [and] admirable." -- Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; Exp Upd Su edition (February 3, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306812703
• ISBN-13: 978-0306812705
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,621,689 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Grab Bag (One) of Lennonia, September 25, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lennon Companion: Twenty-Five Years of Comment (Paperback)

This constantly engaging volume offers a grab bag of John Lennon "stuff" from the early days through his 1980 murder. For one thing, it destroys the myth that there was no isnightful writing done about John or The Beatles prior to 1968 or so. Articles by Gloria Steinem and Tom Wolfe from 1964 prove both entertaining and prophetic. As well, the book contains some great obscure interviews with John & Yoko; thus John's voice is as well represented as those of others writing about him. This is a must for serious Lennon fans, and a good read for casual ones.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Curious, January 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Lennon Companion: Twenty-Five Years of Comment (Paperback)

This is an odd collection of commentary on and by Lennon, sometimes boring or missing the point. However, it is interesting to note how some things were received in their day, and the introductory essay from the Boston Phoenix is the most perceptive thing I've ever read about Lennon - apart from Lennon's own massive Playboy and Rolling Stone interviews, which are not included here. Fortunately, we do get the Maureen Cleave article from the 1966 Daily Mail. All in all this collection is somewhat random (as are its chosen illustrations), but interesting.

4 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One Hundred Percent Madonna!, June 19, 1999

By 

"littlestar" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Madonna Companion: Two Decades of Commentary (Paperback)

Being an extrememly dedicated Madonna fan, I am inclined to like almost any book about her. This was no exception. My favorite parts were towards the beginning because there were a lot of interviews, which I love. There were a lot of articles on other people's opinions of her work and although they were enjoyable to read for the most part; some times it would get a little monotonous. There were also some parts where it seemed many articles in a row would be negative, and that was a little annoying to read over and over. But that's what opinions and commentaries are for, right? That's definitely what this book is!