Mystical One: George Harrison: After the Breakup of the Beatles (Essay series) (Essay Series 51) [Paperback]

Elliot J. Huntley (Author)

Book Description

Series: Essay Series 51 | Publication Date: April 2004

This biography of Harrison's post-Beatles life celebrates his career as a musician and independent filmmaker. Analysing Harrison's solo albums as well as his work with the Travelling Wilburys, this work also incorporates Harrison's final album, "Brainwashed". Delving into the ex-Beatle's personal life, the book examines Harrison's high-profile divorce from Patti Boyd, his battles with cancer, and a near-death experience at the hands of an attacker in 1999.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Huntley sticks to retelling Harrison's story in a readable journeyman fashion" - Mojo, May 2005.

About the Author

Elliot J. Huntley is a writer based in Sheffield, England.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Guernica Editions (April 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1550711970
• ISBN-13: 978-1550711974
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 4.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,318,345 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST!, July 21, 2004

By 

JAMES L KARUSTIS Phd (Downingtown, PA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mystical One: George Harrison: After the Breakup of the Beatles (Essay series) (Essay Series 51) (Paperback)

I love this book and go back to it on a regular basis, and I am a fan who has more than 100 Beatles-related books. It just grabs you and keeps you with its humor and unique perspective. Elliot Huntley's fondness for George is palpable. But at the same time this is not hagiography. The author pokes fun, from time to time, at George Harrison's seriousness regarding gurus and spirituality, but always with affection. The detail and insights are terrific. Too many authors take the subject of the Beatles overly seriously, and such is not the case here. Mr. Huntley manages to shine light on much about George and his music, and for once I came away with some really wonderful tidbits about my favorite Beatle. Your collection is truly incomplete without this gem. Can't wait for Mr. Huntley's next book!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars post-Beatle stories finally collected in one place, January 4, 2005

By 

Mark Dillman "Daddy-o Dilly" (Topeka, KS USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mystical One: George Harrison: After the Breakup of the Beatles (Essay series) (Essay Series 51) (Paperback)

I can not fault the research done on this book. It is pretty solid. Most public highlights in George Harrison's life are explained in detail here. I would say go ahead and read this book to fill in the gaps or to clarify your understanding of George Harrison, but do so with some caution.

There are two incidents about George Harrison I had hoped would be explained in much greater detail. Unfortunately, having read this book I still have questions about (1.) why George started visiting Hawaii in the 1970s (At the time I read disturbing reports in magazines about George's safety in the U. K. resulting in these trips!) and (2.) the frustrating and abrupt termination of his business partnership with Denis O'Brien resulting in the end of Handmade Films and reports of serious financial problems.

I had also hoped to have the tenets of George's religious affiliations explained in detail. I never once heard George refer to himself as a Hindu (he would call himself a devotee of Krishna but never use the term Hindu) in spite of his near-lifelong study of the Hindu religion. Everyone who knows about George knows he was facinated by the religion native to the Indian subcontinent but know precious little about its beliefs. Here would have been a good place to help readers learn more about about this Faith.

The thing that made me uncomfortable with this book was the fact that genuinely harmless people close to George, including Ravi Shankar and Billy Preston, are victims of unkind words made at their expense, possibly just for the sake of humor, but hurtful just the same.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An interesting read, but not much new material, November 14, 2006

By 

Rex Van Zant "Peace OM Earth" (Indianapolis, IN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mystical One: George Harrison: After the Breakup of the Beatles (Essay series) (Essay Series 51) (Paperback)

Huntley's book is adequate for a passing fan, but in terms of new material or insight it seems a bit lacking. That is not said as a major flaw of the book. On balance, the factual material seems to be there.

I do realize this is an "essay," but I wish he had left out the overly editorial comments particularly those reflecting his opinions of the musicians George Harrison chose to back him on tour and in the studio. Such commentary did not add a bit to my appreciation for this work.