Here's an article about Eric from today's Telegraph:
How Fab Five let me become a paperback writer
A French police officer has become an internationally-renowned authority on the Beatles thanks to his nation's official policy of encouraging bigger families.
Eric Krasker, 45, is the father of five children aged eight to 19. He has finally resumed his duties as a lieutenant - the equivalent of a British inspector - after a series of sabbaticals covering 12 of his 18 years in the Police Nationale.
He devoted his time off to researching the history of the band. His return to work in April coincided with the publication of a second book, La France et Les Beatles, the first of two volumes dealing with their French links.
A previous work exploring the Beatles' early German period is to be published in English in the New Year.
It is full of previously unpublished documents, rare photographs and obscure details obtained from record companies and private sources.
Lt Krasker was born in Paris as John, Paul, George and their pre-Ringo partners Stuart Sutcliffe and Pete Best, were still playing the clubs of Hamburg. After becoming a devoted fan, he decided to turn his passion into a parallel career in 1993 when his wife, Brigitte, was pregnant with their fourth child, Heather, now 12.
The French benefits system, aimed at helping "les familles nombreuses" allowed him as a father of three to take immediate leave until Heather's third birthday. This was extended by a further three years by the arrival of Heather's sister, Prudence.
Even when Prudence reached three, her father was able to stay off work until she was eight by forfeiting his £300 a month paternity allowance. The family lived on Mrs Krasker's salary as a philosophy researcher.
Despite being absent from police work for two thirds of his career, Lt Krasker has not found his progress impeded. He qualifies for promotion to capitaine - or chief inspector - next year.
All French families with three or more children qualify for generous provisions. Though the birth rate is high by American and European standards, the state is anxious to boost fertility.
"I'd had a few articles on the Beatles published by specialist magazines abroad, but my work was unknown in France," said Lt Krasker, sporting a decidedly 1960s look with tinted spectacles and a badge of a George Harrison Gretsch guitar on the lapel of his collarless jacket.
"It was obvious I had to stop work and I was lucky to have the chance. Others take the time off and do nothing but I really wanted to produce something which combined my two passions - history and music."
The officer had by then met two of the Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.
Sir Paul took to calling him "my policeman friend" whenever their paths crossed again after an initial encounter in 1989 led to an hour-long conversation in a chauffeur-driven car from Le Bourget airport into Paris.
Lt Krasker first became aware of the Beatles as a small child and in unpromising circumstances. He vividly recalls his father, a professional accordionist, lamenting the arrival of the four, long-haired Englishmen, whose impact on France was about to slash his earning power.
"By the end of the 1960s, he was ready to admit that they were talented and even played Beatles songs in his own band," he said.
Eric Krasker took gradually to the group's music. At 10, he heard Here Comes the Sun and thought it "a revelation
