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Beatles forums => Books, Magazines, Articles => Topic started by: Marvin on July 07, 2011, 06:49:14 AM

Title: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Marvin on July 07, 2011, 06:49:14 AM
I only have a couple of books on The Beatles and would like to add to my collection. What books would you recommend about The Beatles or about them as individuals ?

Cheers

Marv
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Gary910 on July 07, 2011, 02:30:16 PM
It has been out of print for a long time, but a couple I would recommend are Ray Coleman's - Lennon

Yesterday, My Life With The Beatles - Alistair Taylor

The Beatles Forever - Nicholas Schaffner

You might have a hard time finding these, but I think it would be well worth it.
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on July 07, 2011, 03:16:46 PM
The Beatles:  The Authorized Biography by Hunter Davies (1968) is the starting point of a Beatles library.


It has been out of print for a long time, but a couple I would recommend are Ray Coleman's - Lennon

Yesterday, My Life With The Beatles - Alistair Taylor

The Beatles Forever - Nicholas Schaffner

You might have a hard time finding these, but I think it would be well worth it.


All good books and easily found at:  http://www.alibris.com/ (http://www.alibris.com/)
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: KelMar on July 07, 2011, 04:35:12 PM
Quote from: Hello Goodbye
The Beatles:  The Authorized Biography by Hunter Davies (1968) is the starting point of a Beatles library.

I've read a lot of Beatles books and this is the best. There's been several editions; the most recent from last year. "Here, There and Everywhere" by Geoff Emerick was good too and seemed pretty unbiased. "Fab", by Howard Sounes is one I wish I hadn't read.
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Jema on July 08, 2011, 01:47:42 AM
Right now I'm actually reading the Hunter Davies book The Beatles and even though I've just got done with the introduction and the 2 chapters in the beginning introducing John it seems really good so far!I'm also reading John Lennon:The Life by Philip Norman and it's really good so far,I'm at 1963 (I really should be done with it already because I got it a year ago but I was slacking on reading it for a long time).I'm also reading (I usually read more then one biography at a time,I'm sure you've noticed) I,Me,Mine which is a book about George and I'm really close to the end of it,I think that maybe I should just finish it later tonight so then I'll only be reading Davies and Norman's books.I,Me,Mine is alright,I think it has some good stuff in it but it's kind of short.I think the best part of the book is that at the end it has every song from George up to 1980.If you haven't read either of these books yet then I highly recommend them :) I also want to add to my collection of Beatle books,the ones I listed on here are the only ones I've read.
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: KelMar on July 08, 2011, 02:20:16 AM
Quote from: Jema
Right now I'm actually reading the Hunter Davies book
You know, when I was reading that book, every time I had it with me in public someone would ask me what I was reading. The picture drew them in!
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Bobber on July 08, 2011, 07:19:16 AM
I always come back to Bill Harry's Encyclopedia, Brian Kehew's Recording The Beatles and Mark Lewisohn's books. But there's load of good books. And bad books too unfortunately.
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Badgirl66 on July 08, 2011, 09:14:05 AM
And bad books too unfortunately

many
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on July 08, 2011, 04:31:09 PM
For everyone, and especially musicians, I recommend Beatles Gear: All The Fab Four's Instruments From Stage To Studio by Andy Babiuk.


(http://images.bizrate.com/resize?sq=500&uid=2392588396)
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Badgirl66 on July 08, 2011, 04:44:02 PM
and this come next

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51pBFmhd7VL._SS500_.jpg)
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Gary910 on July 08, 2011, 04:59:26 PM
Brian Kehew's Recording The Beatles

I second this one... a little pricey, and not for the casual fan. Although, anyone would enjoy at least some of it. A very scholarly work.
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Normandie on July 10, 2011, 01:44:31 PM

I loved Here, There, and Everywhere by Geoff Emerick, as well as Cynthia Lennon's John. Patti Boyd's book Wonderful Tonight also was good. I am just about to start I, Me, Mine.

Must say I didn't care for Philip Norman's John Lennon: The Life. It was comprehensive and detailed, but Norman's clear anti-Paul bias irked me. I prefer biographers to try to remain impartial.
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Marvin on July 13, 2011, 07:05:45 AM
I bought a book whilst shopping in Tesco called THE BEATLES unseen achives with photographs by the Daily Mail newspaper compiled by Tim Hill and Marie Clayton does anyone else have this book? If so what did you think? I can't really complain either way because there a lots of photographs the recomended price is £24.99 and i paid £5. it has info on events in The Beatles lives from Brian Epstein's birth on 19 sept 1936 to the death of George on 29th Nov 2001 so is an old book. Thank you all for the replys so far keep them coming

Marv
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Bobber on July 13, 2011, 07:33:55 AM
I bought a book whilst shopping in Tesco called THE BEATLES unseen achives with photographs by the Daily Mail newspaper compiled by Tim Hill and Marie Clayton does anyone else have this book? If so what did you think? I can't really complain either way because there a lots of photographs the recomended price is £24.99 and i paid £5. it has info on events in The Beatles lives from Brian Epstein's 19 sept 1936 to the death of George on 29th Nov 2001 so is an old book. Thank you all for the replys so far keep them coming

Marv

I got this one too. I wouldn't recommend it as a must-have, but it's a nice enough book to have a look into every now and then.
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Gary910 on July 13, 2011, 02:18:00 PM
I would also recommend any of Bruce Spizer's books.

http://beatle.net/ (http://beatle.net/)
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: BlueJayWay on July 19, 2011, 08:12:10 PM
This summer, we had to read a biography about someone. Most people chose athletes or US presidents... I chose The Beatles! The book I'm reading is "The Beatles: A Biography" by Bob Spitz.
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Bobber on July 20, 2011, 07:03:28 AM
The book I'm reading is "The Beatles: A Biography" by Bob Spitz.

Don't get me started again. ;D
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Nada Surf on January 12, 2012, 01:03:19 AM
I'd highly recommend these...
"Here There and Everywhere," Geoff Emerick...
"You Never Give Me Your Money." Doggett.
"Many Years Ago." Miles
"The Beatles." Spitz
"The Final Days of John Lennon." Seamann.
Any reference book by Lewisohn.
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Sir John Johns on January 19, 2012, 09:08:54 PM
(http://www.multiplusbooks.com/WBCRHcover.jpg)

(http://www.multiplusbooks.com/TMFRHcover.jpg)

Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Kaleidoscope_Eyes on January 20, 2012, 12:10:57 AM
Always enjoyed reading Cynthia's book Twist of Lennon. Very nicely written and drawn :)
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on January 20, 2012, 12:30:14 AM
Always enjoyed reading Cynthia's book Twist of Lennon. Very nicely written and drawn :)

She's got class.  I've always admired her.
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Sir John Johns on January 20, 2012, 02:25:07 AM
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/515sHvr%2B7DL._SS500_.jpg)

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519ZEDRWS2L._SS500_.jpg)

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51MADZ79RAL._SL500_.jpg)

I'm currently reading Read the Beatles: Classic and New Writings on the Beatles, Their Legacy, and Why They Still Matter  (http://www.amazon.com/Read-Beatles-Classic-Writings-ebook/dp/B001PD3T0E/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327026220&sr=1-1)



Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Nada Surf on January 20, 2012, 02:32:48 AM
Hey Sir John....have you read those three books you posted?
Any good?
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Nada Surf on January 20, 2012, 02:34:31 AM
The Beatles:  The Authorized Biography by Hunter Davies (1968) is the starting point of a Beatles library.


All good books and easily found at:  [url]http://www.alibris.com/[/url] ([url]http://www.alibris.com/[/url])
I would think this one wouldn't stand up to the test of time...Even Lennon ripped this book because his Aunt Mimi edited out all the good/bad parts. Isn't this the one?
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Sir John Johns on January 20, 2012, 02:51:37 AM
Yes I have - Pete Best book is told from his perspective, it's pretty slim (192 pages) - I would take anything he says with a pinch of salt, but it is good to read about the Hamburg days from someone who was in the trenches (so to speak)

The Kevin Howlett book is more of a factual diary type deal, there are some photos from sessions, as well as reproductions interdepartmental letters, pages from Radio Times. It also lists any non-music stuff the band did with the BBC (Kenny Everett, David Wigg)

Sean Egan book is good from a perspective of bringing together old articles published on the band by newspapers of the time.


Hey Sir John....have you read those three books you posted?
Any good?
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Sir John Johns on January 20, 2012, 02:57:12 AM
(http://beatlesblogger.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/beatles-rough2.jpg)

This is a pretty good jumping off point.
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: KelMar on January 20, 2012, 04:08:21 AM
The Kevin Howlett book is more of a factual diary type deal, there are some photos from sessions, as well as reproductions interdepartmental letters, pages from Radio Times. It also lists any non-music stuff the band did with the BBC (Kenny Everett, David Wigg)

I'm glad you mentioned this book. I've been wondering if such a book existed.
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on January 20, 2012, 04:32:12 AM
I would think this one wouldn't stand up to the test of time...Even Lennon ripped this book because his Aunt Mimi edited out all the good/bad parts. Isn't this the one?

I said that it makes a good starting point.  The fact that it's still published today speaks for itself.
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: KelMar on January 20, 2012, 04:37:32 AM
I said that it makes a good starting point.  The fact that it's still published today speaks for itself.

I really enjoyed reading Hunter Davies' book. I had a lot going on at the time and took it with me to read while waiting at appointments and it amazed me how many total strangers asked me what I was reading. Of course I was happy to tell them.  :)
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Nada Surf on January 20, 2012, 05:16:06 AM
Would it be worth it for me to read Davies' book even though I've read Bramwell's, Spitz's, Norman's, and the Anthology and probably others? I'm always hearing good things on it, but Lennon kinda ripped it.
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: KelMar on January 20, 2012, 05:25:34 AM
Would it be worth it for me to read Davies' book even though I've read Bramwell's, Spitz's, Norman's, and the Anthology and probably others? I'm always hearing good things on it, but Lennon kinda ripped it.

Yeah, I think it would definitely be worth your while. This was the authorized bio and even if John had issues with it Davies spent probably more time with the band than any other author. I haven't read everything there is to read on The Beatles but I think that the footnotes in many subsequent books would show a heavy reliance of Davies' work. Like someone else, I think Nimrod said, there's no way to know for sure if the real story ever gets told but this was the band's golden opportunity to tell what they wanted told. And of course, we all know how John could be so don't let him stop you.  ;D
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Nada Surf on January 20, 2012, 05:37:15 AM
I'm not much of a fan of authorized biographies...The book often comes out as an infomercial...
Does Davies go all the way back to the Quarry Men days?
If he wrote this in 1968, he certainly picked an interesting time to talk to them as they were starting to hate each other right about then.
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: KelMar on January 20, 2012, 05:45:31 AM
I'm not much of a fan of authorized biographies...The book often comes out as an infomercial...
Does Davies go all the way back to the Quarry Men days?
If he wrote this in 1968, he certainly picked an interesting time to talk to them as they were starting to hate each other right about then.

He does go back to the very beginning.
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on January 20, 2012, 05:47:43 AM
...Even Lennon ripped this book because his Aunt Mimi edited out all the good/bad parts. Isn't this the one?

Hunter Davies explains what happened in this 2002 interview:  http://www.music.indiana.edu/som/courses/rock/davies.html (http://www.music.indiana.edu/som/courses/rock/davies.html)



I'm not much of a fan of authorized biographies...The book often comes out as an infomercial...

It's not that at all.



Does Davies go all the way back to the Quarry Men days?
If he wrote this in 1968, he certainly picked an interesting time to talk to them as they were starting to hate each other right about then.

Yes, he does.  He goes back to the childhood days of each of them individually.
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: KelMar on January 20, 2012, 06:15:55 AM
Hunter Davies explains what happened in this 2002 interview:  [url]http://www.music.indiana.edu/som/courses/rock/davies.html[/url] ([url]http://www.music.indiana.edu/som/courses/rock/davies.html[/url])


I am impressed by Davies' humility.
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on January 20, 2012, 04:46:12 PM
If he wrote this in 1968, he certainly picked an interesting time to talk to them as they were starting to hate each other right about then.

Right.  He spent eighteen months with The Beatles, Pete Best, their families and friends in the 1967-8 period.

I have the first edition published in 1968.  I understand updated editions have new material on The Beatles' solo careers and lives.
Title: Re: Books you would recommend?
Post by: Nada Surf on January 20, 2012, 05:31:22 PM
Thanks for the tips, guys..I'll order it today!