Come Together: JOHN LENNON IN HIS TIME (Paperback)

by Jon Wiener (Author) "Is rock revolutionary?..." (more)
Key Phrases: interview with author, butcher cover, political music, New York, New Left, John Lennon (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Lennon from 1966 to 1980 - in a somewhat narrow study that focuses on how "he struggled to make the personal and the political come together." Wiener begins with the Beatles' 1966 tour of America, which (via antiwar stances) "marked the first step in John's development as a self-conscious radical." From that point on Lennon songs are singled out when they reflect increased social awareness - or increased openness to dark, angry feelings. (E.g., in "A Day in the Life," John "tells how terrible events are presented by the media as a form of entertainment, leaving the viewer feeling confused, isolated, anxious, and filled with dread.") By 1968 Lennon had tried and abandoned LSD and the Maharishi as ways out of basic conflicts; the song "Revolution" recognized "the personal and the political as antagonistic forms of liberation. . . ." Then, with the arrival of Yoke One, came his "avant-garde peacenik" phase - leaving the Beatles, joining the antiwar movement, finding personal liberation through primal therapy and feminism, and becoming a clear New Left/utopian voice with "Imagine" and "Working Class Hero." Wiener acknowledges Lennon's "political naivete." He admits the failures of much 1970s Lennon writing - though he claims that Lennon's "work declined, not when he moved from Beatles music to political music, as many have argued, but rather when he moved from British politics to American politics." And he gives Lennon credit for never arguing "that increasing militance was the test of revolutionary commitment." Still, there is a strong doctrinaire streak running through Wiener's approach - one that scolds Lennon for questioning radical values and for turning "househusband." ("Withdrawal from the world necessarily reinforces the isolation individuals face in bourgeois society, which has been a key obstacle to radical social movements. . . .") So, with not quite enough skepticism and psychological sophistication at work, this is a Lennon close-up of limited persuasiveness - if often cogent and informative on its own purely-political terms. (Kirkus Reviews) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
This biography examines the radical beliefs of John Lennon. Much of the information concerns the files held on him by the FBI. This work also doubles as an analysis of US counter-culture during the 1960s and 70s --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press (December 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0252061314
• ISBN-13: 978-0252061318
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #968,766 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a wonderfully written account on the pros and cons of lennon, October 27, 1999

By A Customer

It is true that Lennon had much to learn about politics.It is also true that he had even more to learn about life.He even had much to learn about music (he would have been the first to agree with the last point),but he had something that only a select few people from his "genre" had,and that was desire to be heard.Naturally,when he was heard he had much to say.When he got the opportunity to say it,he had much tendency to speak it with words that made only sense to the ones who lived in his world (or at least wanted to).There were a few messages he made,however,that did not only affect millions of lives,but may have even changed it for the better.This was a power he began to realize during the height of his success with the Beatles,and it scared the hell out of him.Probably beyond what any of us could possibly concieve,it ripped him to shreads.Yoko helped much in the way of opening him up,but in using him as a puppet (as many did),she really only made matters worse.It was not until just before his death that he really began to realize that what he wanted in life was peace and good music.Not the peace of the world,but peace of mind for himself.The book Come together captures this emotional roller coaster ride better than any book written on the subject.Next to Barry Miles' "Paul Mccartney:many years from now" it is without question the most honest and well written account on one of the greatest pop culture stories ever told.And it is written with wit and wisdom,as well as sympathy for a man that was terribly misunderstood,even by his own self.Something to be read numerous times,especially the account on the "more popular than Christ" contreversey.Lennon is a true icon for this century,but he was also very human (more than most),and this book portrays this fact very well.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Lennon I've read! SIX STARS!!, January 10, 1999

By	George R. Deller (U.S. Virgin Islands) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Wiener describes wonderfully, and with great interest to the reader, how Lennon inter-related with people close to him as well as events around him. It is an excellent commentary on the sixties as well as much of the seventies. Being exactly ten years younger than Lennon, I considered myself the prime age (13) when the Fab Four made it big. The "Summer of Love" fell between my junior and senior years in high school. I felt part of the times. Wiener, however, only demonstrated to me how much I missed, and how little I understood! COME TOGETHER is highly recommended not only for my generation, and my parents' (who thought they knew it all), but especially the younger generations who love the music, and want more.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Lennon Bio, December 8, 2001

By	"jaiston565" (Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews

This book amazed me on how accurate and truthful it was. It contains many many quotes of Lennon which supports every bit of information presented. I originally borrowed the book from a library for a school project and was very unhappy about having to give it back! I would have loved to have kept it. It is a must have for any John Lennon fan.