Customer Reviews

Lennon Legend

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Of the hundreds of books out about The Beatles or John Lennon, this one definitely stands out. It isn't just a book to read but a book to experience. I had so much fun turning the pages and looking in each of the many pockets to discover what hidden treasure I'd find next. I've been a Beatle fan since the beginning and have just about every book written about them but this one is special. If you're a John Lennon fan you must have this book. Even if you aren't a big fan, you'll love this very special, and unbelievably low priced book. Do yourself a favor and get it immediately!

Imagine - you are visiting an exhibition about an important artist. An exhibition guide is describing anecdote-rich in short chapters all creative periods of this artist.

Imagine - you are buying the catalog, covering all the things you saw and heard before. Again ...

Imagine - you are taking with you some of the so admired exhibits (ok, only as reproductions, but ... anyway).

James Henke let with his book "Lennon Legend: An illustrated Life of John Lennon" this dream become true. Because provided with large expenditure, a worthy book is published, which resembles rather a fan collection in form of a photo album as a classical biography. The "Clou" - the book contains high-quality reproductions: handwritten letters and Songtexte, historical documents and further 40 removable memorabilia as well as an interview CD, on which also a rare live recording of "Imagine" is to be heard from the year 1972.

Henke avoides dry academical essay and "letter deserts" to the reader. As a curator he knows obviously, how history can be lastingly and affectionately address. Facts become literally "illustrative" and "handable". Therefore you should pull the art cart with Yokos handwritten request "breathe" from page 26 and in thoughts experience , how it could have been, when John met for the first time Yoko.

The author succeeds with this approach to show, almost the entire work of Lennon as a musician, author, painter, performance artist and as an actor. But the book is not a detailed exposition with the John's contradictions. Rather Henke concentrates to point the view of the reader of the strengths and talents of this outstanding artist.

Nevertheless in my opinion this book let the answer to question open, which let John Lennon become a legend. This to mediate clearly, succeeds only in few places in this book: "in somewhat more than three years... they (the Beatles) had revolutionized the music and the fashion, and at the cultural and social changes... they were considerably involved."

Also John never understood itself as legend. In its last interview (contained in cutouts also on that CD) he says: "my role in society is trying to express, what we all feel and not to tell the people how to feel - not as a preacher, not as a leader, but as a reflection of us all, and it's like that the job of the artists in society."

All in all, this book is remarkable, than many biographies about John Lennon before - Henke lets the "legend become touchable":

Imagine - you are opening the book and the Lennon exhibition come to you home.

Already because of this conception that book earned at least four of five stars.

Everything Henke publishes is always a high quality, well-researched effort and this is no exception. It's not hyperbole to say that this book contains virtually everything you ever wanted to know about Lennon memorabilia; the details are prodigious. It's an almost encyclopedic chronicle of Lennon's life from 1940 until his tragic death in 1980. Casual fans might suffocate under the weight of all this info, but for Lennon fanatics, like me, this is nirvana.

The book is divided between personal material about John, his relationships, marriages, divorce, and two sons, and his professional career. His partnership with Paul is explored in fascinating detail and no discernible bias can be seen. The index is easy to follow and cross-referenced so you can easily find what you're looking for. The highlights are the color photos of John memorabilia: report cards, Quarrymen stuff, lyric sheets... it'll blow your mind.

If you are a serious fan of John Lennon, this is an indispensible guide to his songwriting, personality and his life. If only he had been allowed more than 40 years on earth, how many more classic songs would he have written? Sadly, we will never know, but this celebration of his life is as good as it gets.

LENNON LEGEND is a remarkable book featuring many removable reproductions of Lennon's handwritten song lyrics and other memorabilia. The experience of holding these song lyrics in your hands is powerful - you feel and strong and direct connection to John and his work. If you are a Lennon fan, this book is a must!

if i had to name one band as my favorite, i couldn't do it. 60s music is so amazing to me, and this book about John Lennon has totally supported that opinion of mine. i am 18 but usually listen to "oldies." this book is incredible. it has the most random but so significant memorabilia in it, including a replicated Ed Sullivan Show ticket. it is so great, i bought it today, and i am enthralled with it. If you have any appreciation for 60s music at all, you will adore this book, i promise

Lennon Legend is not just another Lennon biography. In fact, it's hardly a biography at all. There is a basic, short and to-the-point Lennon life story, but with nothing new or surprising.

What Lennon Legend is, though, is a multi-media celebration. It comes with a CD of Lennon interviews, many of which were quite funny, with Lennon's personality seeping out of every one. Every page of the book is filled with photos, and though the majority of them are well known, it's still a great selection. But, the best part of the Lennon Legend is the removable Lennon memorabilia. On nearly every other page are reproductions of pieces of memorabilia from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (the author, James Henke is curently the curator of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame). Childhood drawings, a report card, handwritten lyrics, Beatles paraphernalia, Bag One drawings, and more. This addition turned a coffee table book into a treasure. It is a bit pricey, but I felt it was fully worth it.

This is an outstanding biography of John Lennon.

This is a high caliber, comprehensive work that follows John Lennon's early years in Liverpool and the formation of the rock bands he founded until its final evolution as the Beatles. There are a plethora of good photographs and material that will captivate readers from Beatle experts to lay persons. This author has clearly done an excellent job of researching his material.

Yoko's input is invaluable and helps to make a good work all the more effective. Imagine owning this masterpiece - you will be so glad that you do. As for the Beatles, in my life, I love them more. This book will certainly spark an even keener interest in the Beatles and the man known as the Chief Beatle, John Lennon.

An incredible work of publishing art! Nearly every page offers an "as close to the original as possible" reproduction of an artifact that traces the life of John Lennon, as not just a Beatle, but as a musician, author, artist, husband, father, and the many other facets of his too-short life and imagination. In addition, the informative and well-written text and accompanying bonus CD makes this truly a multi-media experience. The attention to detail in a book with such a large target audience is nothing less than amazing, especially considering the more than reasonable price, making this beautiful book available to anyone who would like it (and you will!). Even casual fans will find this book entertaining and informative.

Every once in awhile, a book comes along with such a refreshing idea I'm taken aback. The main features of this inspired book are exact reproductions of John Lennon artifacts, including handwritten lyrics and drawings. As a John Lennon fan, I'm ecstatic over this release. Seeing a reproduction of the lyric sheet for "Watching the Wheels", for example, with John's alterations and chords written over the words is a rare treat. Other highlights are a copy of The Daily Howl, and one of Lennon's report cards. The actual text will be old news to a Lennon fan, but for someone just gaining interest, it's a nice overview. The book also comes in a nice slipcase and is well designed with unfamiliar photos. Chronicle Books is one of the most innovative publishers out there, and this book is one you'll want to add to your collection regardless of the level of your interest in John Lennon.

This book is amazing, mainly for its innovative interactivity. The text is pretty basic - a Beatles enthusiast wouldn't learn anything new. But the envelopes and pockets filled with replicas of some really cool John Lennon memorabilia - like copies of pages of handwritten lyrics by John, collectible cards, tickets to their shows and many others - makes it well worth the money. Granted, they are all replicas, but it's all still very cool. This is a must have for those who love John and can't afford to collect all the expensive memorabilia.