- Hardcover: 416 pages
- Publisher: Cassell Illustrated; New edition edition (15 Sep 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0304362646
- ISBN-13: 978-0304362646
- Product Dimensions: 24.6 x 19.6 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 704,920 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Review
A document of our century.--Marshall McLuhan
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
First published in 1968, Hunter Davies's intimate and revelatory book is still the only authorized biography of the world's most legendary and most influential pop group. This updated edition presents Davies's original book in a new, integrated illustrated format, and includes many rare photographs and illustrations. A revised introduction covers the 15 years since the last revised edition of the book, looking at how the band and their music continue to influence millions of people across the world and what Paul, George and Ringo went on to do after 1985. The work is brought right up to date by covering the tragic death of the youngest Beatle, George Harrison.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Hunter Davies is a great writer who has been lucky enough to write about some fascinating subjects. But none better than the Beatles.
His research centres in 1967-8, with the Beatles at work on the White album and it's a sort of glossed picture. For example, he doesn't go into John's infidelities - he is still the family man here - nor does he divulge all he knew about Brian Epstein, though he deals with this in the add ons to a later edition.
Yet even with this, he spent such a long time with them - and they obviously like him - that you get really intimate details. He is best on John and George -I think- and finds Paul the hardest to get to grips with.
This isn't the perfect biography, as he concedes: it's a bit like he never quite got on top of the mountain of material he accumulated, but it's totally readable and rich in detail. If you are interested in the Beatles, this is a gold mine, and it catches something of the Sixties London atmosphere too.
Even more to the point, loads of great books have been written about the Beatles since, "Revolution in the Head", "Shout" etc.etc. but no one except Davies had the opportunity to get this close.
You can read Lennon interviews or the Miles book on McCartney, but they are biassed. Davies captures them as they really were in the latter stages: his portrait is both perceptive and affectionate. A terrific book.
His research centres in 1967-8, with the Beatles at work on the White album and it's a sort of glossed picture. For example, he doesn't go into John's infidelities - he is still the family man here - nor does he divulge all he knew about Brian Epstein, though he deals with this in the add ons to a later edition.
Yet even with this, he spent such a long time with them - and they obviously like him - that you get really intimate details. He is best on John and George -I think- and finds Paul the hardest to get to grips with.
This isn't the perfect biography, as he concedes: it's a bit like he never quite got on top of the mountain of material he accumulated, but it's totally readable and rich in detail. If you are interested in the Beatles, this is a gold mine, and it catches something of the Sixties London atmosphere too.
Even more to the point, loads of great books have been written about the Beatles since, "Revolution in the Head", "Shout" etc.etc. but no one except Davies had the opportunity to get this close.
You can read Lennon interviews or the Miles book on McCartney, but they are biassed. Davies captures them as they really were in the latter stages: his portrait is both perceptive and affectionate. A terrific book.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is the first Beatle biography that I read ( the "only authorized biography of the Beatles" subtitle catching my attention). I must say, all of the ones I have read since have dissapointed me compared to this book. Its awesome!! At first, the author talks about himself to establish his credibility, and its worth it. He talked to each of the Beatles privately and spent several days in each of their homes, and stayed in contact with them after the break up. The one thing that really sticks out in my mind is a conversation that Mr. Davis had with Mr. McCartney five years after Mr. Lennon's death. Paul called him to talk about current events and to establish truth to several myths going around, and it was really wonderful. I would suggest this to everyone who is looking for a biography of the Beatles!! THIS IS DEFINATELY THE ONE TO READ!!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Because this book was the only authorized biography ever written of The Beatles and also because it was written at the time, rather than researched & compiled years later, I felt that I could believe what I was reading. It was facsinating reading comments from John before the breakup when he still enjoyed being a Beatle, rather than the cynical type of quotes from after all the animosity came into their relationships.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
You had to be there!
What sets this book apart from the plethora of Beatles books is when it was written. Hunter Davies was given access to all The Beatles just before the release of Strawberry... Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2009 by Mr. R. Ambrose
Nice cover, shame about the cover
Twice I've ordered this book from Amazon, expecting to get what is illustrated here on the page, and twice I have received a book with an absolutely dreadful cover, bearing a... Read more
Published on 16 Sep 2007 by Brother John
It is worth 11 stars!
This book is for all those Beatles fans who were unfortunate enough to miss them in the 60's. This book gives you a detailed description of their life and works, in an entertaining... Read more
Published on 6 Jun 2000 by jimlennon1980@hotmail.com
Staggering result of unique access to four icons.
A frank and comprehensive biography of the Fabs, which even that bastion of frankness (J. W. Lennon) found an uncomfortable read. Read more
Published on 6 Oct 1999 by gallgour@cs.com
The best Beatle bio.
This is an amazing book! It gives great information! The author was there during the rise of the Beatles, and he tells all that he saw. Read more
Published on 25 April 1998
A must-own for every true Beatles fan!
This was the only authorized Beatles biography
written during the height of their career. Mr.
Davies had an unobstucted view of the Beatles
for a year and wrote... Read more
written during the height of their career. Mr.
Davies had an unobstucted view of the Beatles
for a year and wrote... Read more
Published on 26 July 1997
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