Customer Reviews

John Lennon (Unseen Archives)

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So many Beatles-related books trot out the same photos, again and again. You all know the ones I'm talking about. But this book is decidedly and refreshingly different. I have many Lennon biographies in my library and this book contains many previously unpublished photos of John, especially ones from his childhood and in the period 1975-1980. The paper quality in the book is exceptional and is thick, glossy material which results in a stunning display of black and white vibrancy. The text is incidental but adds flavor and gives you the year each photo was taken.

The photos of the Beatles are a little weaker, and contain many previously known shots. But the individual pictures of John are outstanding. Consider the beautiful profile view on the cover of the book, taken in 1967. This is just a sampling of what this treasure trove has to offer. There are many other such nuggets within the covers. Any serious fan of John Lennon will adore this book and get many hours of pleasure perusing these photos of a great cultural and musical icon. John himself would scoff at such a description, but it's oh so true.

I'm a great fan of John Lennon's work and this, almost behind the scenes, book shows me how his life really was like. It wasn't always perfect like people think it could be. The photographs tell a story in themselves with the short captions helping you along the way. The easy to read context makes it that more interesting.

Hey I just got this book for my birthday and it's really good, I am a huge Beatles fan and a pretty good sized lennon fan and this has TONS of good pictures in it, it's a great book and a lot of the pics are with the Beatles lol a lot without the Beatles too, It's a great book!

I just purchased this book because it was full of pictures I had not seen before, probably since they were shot by the Daily Mail british press. I like collecting picture books of the Beatles together and solo because they make good coffee table books and great books to just peruse through while you're chatting with someone about them. I collect the biographies as well; both go great together. If you like picture books, check out May Pang's new book "Instamatic Karma"; it's full of pictures taken during John's "lost weekend". The picture of John signing the document that would officially end the Beatles is worth the price of the book alone. Anyway, "Unseen Archives" is a great book to add to your Beatles/John Lennon collection. I do think Cynthia should have chosen another shot of John to use as the front cover of her book, "John", instead of the same one used for "Archives". But that's just my opinion....

I just recieved this book a few days ago. Its filled with hundreds of black & white photos and descriptions. I highly recommend this book to anyone... you cant go wrong with the price...Stock it up for gifts!

This book has been released at least three times that I know of with a different title and cover. It was originally called "John Lennon: Unseen Archives" and was put out by the Daily Mail. In other words, you're just paying for a new dust jacket...

An English import, JOHN LENNON, THE ILLUSTRATED BIOGRAPHY provides readers with a 222-page photo history of the chief Beatle. Drawn from the U.K. DAILY MAIL newspaper photo archives, the photos will give Lennon and Beatles fans a nostalgic magical mystery tour through the heady life and times of this most interesting individual.

Though the book's cover states the photos are "Classic, Rare and Unseen," in fact, most of them have been seen time and again. There are a few candids that are quite charming but, by and large, if you grew up with the Beatles/Lennon, you've seen many of the images before.

The photos are divided into two sections: "In My Life" and "Starting Over." The first runs to 124 pages; the last section, 90. Most are full-page images and nicely reproduced. The last photo in the book is of Yoko and Sean in 1986.

Since it sells for only $9.98, JOHN LENNON, AN ILLUSTRATED BIOGRAPHY is a good buy. Depending on how closely you followed the Beatles/Lennon, you may find lots to enjoy in the book. Or you may have my reaction of "been there, done that, seen that."