Product Description

The publishing event of the 2000. For the very first time, the story of the Beatles from birth to break up - in their own words.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #53065 in Books
• Published on: 2000-10-05
• Released on: 2000-10-05
• Binding: Hardcover
• 368 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Finally, long after all the chauffeurs and chefs, groupies and hangers-on have cashed in on their memories, here is the story of the greatest entertainment phenomenon of the 20th Century--as told by John, Paul, George and Ringo themselves. More than simply soundtracking the Swinging 60s, The Beatles have entered into legend, becoming the yardstick against which every other band is measured. But back at the beginning they were just a bunch of Liverpool lads who struck it lucky and this is their rather sweet account of times gone by. There are breathless reports of meeting Elvis, being mesmerised by his TV remote control, and of discovering the joys of double-tracking at Abbey Road...

Most people already know the Beatles story by heart, but Anthology fills the gaps nicely: John, convinced he was "too old" to make it at 21; George remembering their first stage make-up ("we looked like Outspan oranges!"); and Ringo: "We were flying from London to Glasgow once, and there were only three seats left on the plane, and in my naivety I said 'I'll stand!'" Perhaps most revealing are the first-hand accounts of the early years: their two-up, two-down childhoods, playing around in bomb-scarred Liverpool during the years of post-war austerity; dumping Pete Best and then turning to "a guy ... who had a beard and was grown-up and was known to have a Zephyr Zodiac!" (George: "Pete would never hang out with us ... with Ringo, it felt rocking.") With Ringo, Brian Epstein and George Martin on board, the pieces fell into place and by 1964 America too had succumbed. Paul: "I remember getting into the limo and hearing a running commentary, "They have just left the airport..." It was like a dream. The greatest fantasy ever." The transitional Rubber Soul is revealed as "the pot album" and George's favourite. Bob Dylan, as ever, put his finger on it immediately: "Oh I get it, you don't want to be cute anymore!"

There are few revelations here--the story is, after all, the best-known in pop history; but this is a truly handsome volume, beautifully designed and lavishly illustrated with rare photos from private collections and a wealth of fascinating detail and illuminating quotes to lend colour and depth to this fresh perspective. As the four individuals at the epicentre of a world gone mad, The Beatles were in no position to appreciate the seismic changes they were setting in motion, but writers like Philip Norman, Michael Braun, Hunter Davies and Mark Lewisohn have long since set their achievements in context. Here, for the first time, is the Fab story as seen from the inside--by The Beatles themselves. --Patrick Humphries

Synopsis
The Beatles are still the most popular band of all time - they topped all the Millennium polls This is the first book to be produced with the full co-operation of the surviving Beatles and Yoko Ono The ultimate Beatles gift book - most of the images and almost all the text has never been seen before Backed by 100,000 marketing and publicity campaign

About the Author
If you haven't heard of the Beatles, then this probably isn't the book for you.

Customer Reviews

The Ultimate Beatles!
This book transcends its overt purpose of being an anthology of the Beatles.

Anyone who loves the music the Beatles gave us will find much rewarding material here. Those who want to know about how success can be accomplished in popular music will be riveted. Those who like to look back on popular culture in times past will have a happy trip. If you just love exciting photography, there is much to attract you to this volume. I found myself singing the Beatles' songs to myself as I read the text and looked at the illustrations. That was the best part!

To me, the most thought-provoking part of this book was its rags-to-genius quality. The Beatles were unlikely candidates to become leading musical innovators. Most of them were so poor that their families lacked indoor bathrooms when they were growing up. None of them could read music. The combined number of music lessons they had was less than ten in total. They could not afford musical instruments. Their families could not afford to subsidize their careers. Yet they were observant about the new, in contact with what moved their hearts, listened intently for better music, and worked with a never-ending frenzy to fulfill their passion for the music. It's vastly more heartwarming and fascinating than any rags-to-riches story ever can be.

I had never understood John Lennon's complaints about the "packaged, predictable" Beatles until I read in this book about the type of band they were while evolving their style. Particularly in the Hamburg gigs, they were more like a jazz combo that played rock and roll. The music was free form, and they stretched some songs into being as long as an hour and a half.

In fact, their commercial success was a tremendous tragedy for their artistic success because they were probably at the edge of developing a whole new musical genre that would have become the dominant one today. I'm sorry it never happened. I feel even more sorry for them, in realizing that they knew what they lost and must feel it very deeply.

I was also moved by the story of their tempestuous friendship. These guys went through tremendous stresses, strains, and deprivations together. They fought, they disagreed, they slugged each other, and they appreciated each other. Yet, there was a strong enough pull towards each other that allowed the group to continue through its amazing journey, despite the difficulties. To have had such friendships, even if they are eventually lost, must be an amazing experience. Few will know this closeness in their lives.

I came away from this book with a new appreciation for the Beatles. Before this book, the Beatles were all about (for me) how they sounded and looked, and how I reacted to that. Now, I see them as being role models for important aspects of human experience that we should all appreciate.

Before closing, I do have two words of caution. This book is very open about the major and minor vices of life. As such, this book could make the wrong impression on adolescents. They don't need too many new ideas about how to rebel, and this book could be read that way. That's not what the Beatles were doing, but a 13 year old could see it that way.

Second, as revealing as the book is, more is ultimately still hidden below the surface than is revealed. These young men knew a lot of pain, and that pain was an important source of their brilliance. Don't be offended that they did not share more. It was probably very painful to share as much as they did.

I would like to give the editors major credit for developing a successful dialogue style in the book that included quotes from John Lennon. It must have been the dickens to read through all of his many quotes, and to weave them into material comparable to what can be developed in a simple interview where the others could be aware of what each other said.

"Take a sad song, and make it better."

A lot of info
The Beatles were the best ever. To have a volume containing a lot of their personal memories and momentoes is of great cultural significance. So why only a miserable 3 stars? The book is a total mess. They should have engaged a professional historian to assemble and present all the information. You can browse it but to use it for reference? Forget it. One day it will be re-written properly.

GET BACK
As the Beatles are one of the most enduringly popular bands ever, still selling albums at full price (in the UK anyway), yet another Beatles book has to offer a great deal to stand out. And this book does. The quality and quantity of what is inside is outstanding. As to authenticity, it is difficult to argue with the words of the Four themselves, with the three living members making contributions from their personal archives.

Given the competition with published works on the band, this book does stand out for its look and feel, which is tightly packed with images and quotes. Graphically, the style might be called 'busy', so I don't suppose I could read it cover to cover in one go. Their career is cover year by year, my favourite being the fateful 1970 with the live rooftop Apple Studio performance as they look so contemporary.

You may well come away from this book as I do, humming the songs.