I was too young to remember much of the Beatles in their heyday, and although I was familiar with a lot of their songs, I did not know a lot about them as individuals. Two things happened towards the end of last year to arouse my interest. The first was the death of George Harrison, with all the media interest it generated. The second was when I asked my niece Imogen (then aged seven) what she wanted for Christmas. "A Beatles CD" came the reply. And this from a little girl whose parents are too young to remember much of the sixties. So much for those who say that the Beatles are only relevant to ageing ex-hippies, not to modern youngsters.
I decided to look for a book which gave the full story of the group. this was surprisingly difficult to find in the shops, but I eventually came across Hunter Davies's book on Amazon. This was just what I was looking for. Most biographies of popstars and showbiz celebrities are very lightweight affairs, but Davies's book is solid and workmanlike and full of useful information, despite having first been published in 1968 at the height of the Beatles boom.
The sections about the Beatles' early years are excellent. My only criticism is that their later years are not covered in such detail, although there are possibly reasons for this. When the book was first published, Davies may well have thought that the events of 1966-68 (when the Beatles did much of their best work) were too well-known to be retold in great detail. The book also includes a postscript dating from 1985; I would have liked this to have been more detailed, but perhaps the author, who knew the Beatles personally, felt that it was not appropriate to go into detail about the events surrounding the group's break-up in 1969-70. He may also have felt that the details of their post-1970 careers were beyond the scope of his book.
All in all, I felt that this was an excellent book which I could recommend to anyone looking like me for an introduction to the Beatles' lives and work.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Follow the author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
There is a newer edition of this item:
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together
This item: The Beatles
$29.65
Usually ships within 9 to 10 days
+
$17.48
Get it as soon as Saturday, Nov 1
In Stock
+
$12.99
Get it as soon as Saturday, Nov 1
In Stock
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Frequently purchased items with fast delivery
Page 1 of 1 Start over
- Revolution in the Head: The Beatles' Records and the SixtiesPaperbackFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Saturday, Nov 1
- All The Songs: The Story Behind Every Beatles ReleaseHardcoverFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Saturday, Nov 1
- The Beatles: Featuring a Collection of Memorabilia from the Lives of The Fab FourRichard HaversHardcover51% offLimited time dealFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Saturday, Nov 1Only 15 left in stock - order soon.88% Claimed
- Love Me Do! The Beatles' ProgressPaperbackFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Saturday, Nov 1
- Can't Buy Me Love: The Beatles, Britain, and AmericaPaperbackFREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by AmazonGet it as soon as Saturday, Nov 1
About the author
Related books
Page 1 of 1Start Over
Sponsored
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2002
- Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2018
- Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2020
Top reviews from other countries
-
Flavio GodoyReviewed in Brazil on May 5, 2021
Biografia autorizada.
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase - Mrs H.Reviewed in Canada on May 20, 2020
This is the definitive biography of the Beatles from their beginning to the White Album
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase -
MarceReviewed in Brazil on September 12, 2018
Biografia muito especial.
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase - Teresa RodgersReviewed in the United Kingdom on July 26, 2022
Great mix of Beatles songs
