My review of fifty years with the Beatles
584106
I thought the book was excellent,anyone who is a Beatles fan should get this book,it has great photos,some of which I'd never seen before...five stars....
366248
I've read it twice already, I bought this for a friend. It's the best book on the Beatles hands down.
3419800
We tend to take the Beatles for granted and put them on the shelf, listening instead to more modern stuff.  That's a mistake because the Beatles covered so very much ground.
Their early works were a bunch of 'bubblegum' 45rpm hits which you can trace on up to the more mature but still disconnected 'White Album'.  Then there was the studio Martin(music producer/director) works that lead into the Sgt. Pepper blended songs where everything followed a theme.  The Abbey Road album was a crossroads, with one side individual hit songs while the other was the more refined studio blend of songs, all interrelated.  To me, this was the definitive Beatle album.

Music is a matter of taste and to me, Abbey Road(made, ironically, after the group had broken apart) was the best Beatles album and as such, a must have for any rock music lover.  You get the old Beatles on one side and the 'advanced' mature Beatles on the other.  Enough said...
565533
I was recently hospitalized for almost 3 weeks and dreading the impending boredom, I brought the Anthology with me. I admit I've had it since the day it was released and only scanned the photo's. Well needless to say, I read that book every day and was completely blown away. My life has been the Beatles for the past 35 years and this was the freshest Beatle experience I have ever had. The fabs have been reborn unto me and I can only say you will have the best Beatles experience in your life. (Unless of course you've seen them live)
17746
Years in the making, the long awaited "Anthology" by the Beatles is sure to please the casual and diehard fan.  The surviving Beatles tell their own story, with printed excerpts of interviews with John Lennon telling his tale.  The text is eminently readable, with the book divided into year-by-year sections.  Pictures abound, many never before published, showing the Beatles in concert, at home, and in the studio.  Colorful layouts add texture and scope to the book.  There are a few drawbacks: the coffee-table size format does not allow the reader to curl up with the book for long periods of time; many sixties-era Beatles documents are printed over text or pictures, making many of them difficult to read; and there are few captions with the pictures, forcing the reader to flip back and forth to the index to identify the photos.  All in all, however, one cannot argue with the importance of the book as a document of the sixties and a document of the Beatles.  Young adults interested in music or the sixties should also find this an essential read.
4071363
In 1978, when I was 8. I listened to my Mom's Abbey Road record and I instantly fell in love with the Beatles music. I probably wore out the record from listening to it so much. Every song on Abbey Road is special. I was too young at the time to understand the lyrics well. When I listen to it today, it is still enjoyable and it gives me goosebumps.  The Beatles had such a special chemistry even if they did not always get along. Their music will withstand the test of time.  This is definitely one of my desert island discs. Anybody can appreciate Abbey Road.
3325860
I thought I knew a fair amount about the Beatles but this wonderful book filled in so many gaps in my knowledge of the band's early years.  The story of those magical two weeks in February '64 is told compellingly and with fine detail but also with deep emotion.  And the book's concluding pages, with the author sitting in the churchyard in Liverpool where it all began, moved me to tears.  A great book worthy of its subject!
4714809
If you are a serious Beatles' fan, you have got to have "Live at the BBC". I happened to be listening to the radio (which I don't normally do) about twenty years ago when these songs were introduced to the public, I believe, for the first time. I am still playing the tapes I made off the air some twenty years ago today!!
I believe the version of "I Saw Her Standing There" on this collection is the best rendition I have ever heard. Listen to "Some Other Guy" and you get some idea of the energy and enthusiasm that made The Beatles so very popular in the early days. Many, many great songs and short interviews rendering unique insight into The Beatles as the people they were all those years ago.
513021
Subtitled, The story behind every Beatles release this is a HUGE volume (nearly 700 pages)  a virtual treasure trove of information and an obvious labour of love.  Much of the information contained in this book has been made available before, in works such as The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions, but this is a great collation of information nevertheless and it is well laid out and clearly designed.  Another minus point is that the book deals solely with every Beatles release, so does not cover songs they did not put out on record.  However, the pluses of this book more than make up for the minuses.

This is a more of a coffee table book than anything else, ideal to dip into.  It lists, comprehensively and with great detail all the album and single recording sessions  using UK releases as the basis for the book, but also mentioning American releases (often different, especially in the early years).  This mammoth read takes us from Love Me Do to You Know My Name (Look Up the Number).  Each release has copious details; for example the chapter on the album Help! lists when it was released, where it charted and for how long, singles taken from it, the background to the album, instruments used, the genesis of the work, production and technical details for each track.  There are also lots of interesting snippets, such as songs that were discarded, singles released and even explanations for all sorts of tiny noises in the background and who made them.

Of course, any book on the Beatles recording sessions must contain  information on both Abbey Road studios and George Martin, who did so much to translate the Beatles visions into recorded music.  Nick Mason, of Pink Floyd, said, every time the Beatles worked at Abbey Road, the atmosphere of the studios was transformed.  You could feel their presence.  Although their last recording session there was in 1970, their presence, and influence, is still felt  both at Abbey Road and in the world of music.  If you are interested in how that music was made, then this is the book for you.
3454722
This is a wonderful album full of wonderful tunes by the Beatles at their best.  It has one of the most covered love songs in "Something", driving rock in "I Want you", humor in "Maxwell's Silver Hammer", and my personal favorite Harrison song, "Here Comes the Sun".  It even has a rare, though short, drum solo by Ringo on "The End."  Its all here.  If you are looking to be introduced to the Beatles this is a great place to start.  The Beatles are a clear example of the whole being greater than the individual parts.  Abbey Road you get to experience something of their great ability, creativity and originality.  This was their final work, (though Let It Be was released after it)  and is there most mature and developed work.  You won't be dissappointed.
4301855
This book is fantastic. Being a Beatlemaniac since the the 60's, I have seen them twice in person and they became very important in my development to an adult. Now, being 65 yrs. old, I like to reminesce, thinking of the past years while listening to the albums I have collected. Now I can read this book and find out SO MUCH info, I am in heaven. Thanks to the vendor who's service was great. Thanks to the author who has made my retirement so enjoyable.
4781178
I have to say, I bought this expecting to only 1/2 like it.  I am a Beatles fanatic, but generally from 1964 on.  Most of the information on the Beatles formative years I have found to be rather dull except for a tidbit or two.  However, Lewisohn has really turned in a gem here.  Full of information, the book was not only a fairly fast read ( as much as it could considering how many pages) but well researched.  What I really liked was there wasn't a "John" chapter and a "Paul" chapter and so on.  Each member was written about in each chapter which helped keep the book moving along.  Highly recommended and I can't wait for volume two,
3007342
I enjoy this cd immensley. The 5.1 sound is incredible on my theatre system. The songs intertwined is really interesting and gives you the listener a new Beatles experience. The cheering crowds from the Beatlemania days add a certain historical 1960s essence. This latest Beatles release is helmed by George Martin. Who has done a fine job on the remastering of the original Beatle tapes. The linear notes are very informative explaining more in depth about the "Love" project. This cd is definintly a trip through the Beatles remarkable musical career. I praise Capital and George Martin for a beautiful Beatles remastered cd. My only gripe and I know there are countless Beatles and rock fans that will agree with me on this " Why doesnt Capital records or who ever is responsible remaster in the same quality as "One and "Love" the whole Beatles catalouge. The reason is money. Since 1987 Capital has released the Beatles complete catalouge but not remastered as these releases are flat sounding,  and mostly in mono. Big deal another Beatles release of old songs we have heard  countless times but still enjoy. "Yellow Submarine","One"and "Love"  are nice remastered releases but clearly dodge the real issue of Capital or whoever, releasing these new Beatle compilations to make loads of money instead of remastering the whole Beatles catolouge from "Meet The Beatles" to "Past Masters Volumes 1 and 2". Once they remaster the whole Beatles catolouge, than these new Beatle compilations would be nice to add to our remastered Beatles catolouge. Clearly Capital is just pumping out these different Beatles releases (some I have not mentioned) along with the twenty year plus unremastered Beatles cds to make money. That is all good, said and done, PLEASE CAPITAL OR WHOEVER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS CURRENT BEATLES UNREMASTERED BEATLES CATOLOUGE, STOP WITH ALL THESE RIDICULOUS MONEY MAKING BEATLE COMPILATIONS AND GIVE THE FANS WHAT THEY REALLY WANT. A COMPLETE 24 BIT OR 5.1 DTS, REMASTERED BEATLES AMERICAN RELEASE FROM "MEET THE BEATLES" TO "PAST MASTERS VOLUMES 1-2", ALL 16 BEATLES CDS COVERING ALL THEIR COMMERCIAL RELEASES AND SINGLES, THERE IS THE 16 CD SET OF THE BEATLES RELEASES ALREADY AVAILABLE, BUT I WILL NOT BUY IT FOR IT IS NOT REMASTERED AND DOES SOUND FLAT. PLEASE REMASTER THIS SAME SET. THAT IS ALL I ASK OF CAPITAL. "Love" is a highly recommended and an enjoyable Beatles listen. IN THE IMMORTAL WORDS OF THE LATE JOHN WINSTON LENNON(1940-1980)
 "IMAGINE", HAVING THE WHOLE BEATLES CATOLOUGE REMASTERED. WOULDNT THAT BE BETTER THAN THIS NEW BEATLES MONEY MAKING COMPILATION OF "LOVE"........................UPDATED--2/17/2007--PS. I HAVE READ WERE APPLE, CAPITAL IS SUPPOSED TO RERELEASE THE WHOLE REMASTERED BEATLES CATALOUGE IN 2007. THIS WILL BE THE SAME CATALOUGE RELEASED IN 1987, YOU WILL HAVE TO UPGRADE TO THESE NEW REMASTERED BEATLES CDS. THE 1987 BEATLE CD RELEASES ALL REMASTERED IN 2007 AND IT TOOK A MERE TWENTY YEARS. LOL!!!!!!!
4008618
There are many different incarnations of Beatles.......even though the players always remained the same after 1962, the year they started recording.  There's the 1962 - 1964 Beatles, who made great catchy rock 'n' roll music AND great catchy pop music.  There's the 1965 - 1966 Beatles, who made "Rubber Soul" and "Revolver" sophisticated pop/rock, which is my personal favorite period.  The later Beatles of 1968 - 1969 ("White Album" and "Abbey Road") were also great, because they were attempting to return to their roots, but were beginning to realize they were drifting apart as a band.....but still made great Lennon music, great McCartney music, and now great Harrison music.  The 1967 Beatles are a category all their own.  It was an experiment that went too far......and yet invented a new category of music,  progressive rock.  Bands like Pink Floyd, the Move, King Crimson, Moody Blues,  Yes, Emerson Lake & Palmer all were HEAVILY INFLUENCED by the 1967 Beatles.  The 1967 Beatles was LSD Beatles who had the luxury of not having to play live anymore....so they could experiment in the studio with no deadlines, and no reason to worry about reproducing their sound on stage.  Sgt. Pepper was such a groundbreaker at the time because headphones were becoming a popular way to listen to albums, and albums were now becoming stereo, and the Beatles were starting to mix over-produced sounds with their music that sounded great in stereo while listening to it on headphones......especially when you were high.  But this CD just doesn't hold up in 2006 as well as it did when it came out.....a lot of people today don't get what all the fuss is about.  I think Magical Mystery Tour, released just 6 months after this, is as good as Sgt. Pepper.  And I think anybody who wants to listen to 1967 Beatles music (which was the real beginning of progressive rock, as I've mentioned) need to buy BOTH Sgt. Pepper AND Magical Mystery Tour......and burn their own CD, leaving off the weaker tracks.  Because the stronger tracks on both CDS still sound great to these ears.  Here's how'd I mix it:

GETTING BETTER

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

LUCY IN SKY WITH DIAMONDS

FIXING A HOLE

WITHIN YOU WITHOUT YOU

GOOD MORNING GOOD MORNING  (use version off Anthology CD)

LOVELY RITA

I AM THE WALRUS

STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER

FOOL ON THE HILL

FLYING

BABY YOU'RE A RICH MAN

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

PENNY LANE

A DAY IN THE LIFE

This is the self-made CD I've been listening to for quite awhile.  Takes the best of both Pepper and Mystery tour......and it flows from song to song quite nicely.  Try it, you'll appreciate the experimental acid 1967 Beatles much more.
847558
It has been a long time since i have read many books on the Beatles, so perhaps it doesn't mean as much as it sounds when I say this is the best one I remember reading.  He talks about the music itself, the artistry, as he puts it.  And he does so in a way that is neither simplistic or overly technical.  I felt privy to the gradual improvement of the group, both in their songwriting and instrumentation.

But of course it is not only about the music. You can't provide a history of their talent without giving a sort of history of the four moptops as well.  I saw one negative review that stated there was nothing new in this book - wow, they sure have read a lot more than I have.  There was a lot new here for me.  And the author was very scrupulous and fussy about using reliable and authentic sources.  He gives some sources as he writes and there are a lot more in the back of the book, so I feel comfortable about accuracy.

And I just think the book ie well-written enough to hold my interest.  There are a lot of wonderful tidbits here.  For example, when George Martin  says that if you have one Beatle in the room, it is okay, and with two or three of them, so much the better, but when you have all four Beatles in the same room, that is when the magic happens.  This book captures a lot of that magic, in my opinion.
3312278
Deserving of its reputation as one of the best Beatle books of all time. The late Ian MacDonald writes with opinionated erudition about a band he knows and loves. Which is not to say that he does not bring a very critical ear to their songs. You may not always agree, but MacDonald sets up a real conversation with his readers and fellow fans. This is as good a companion to listening to the Beatles as you could wish for. It has certainly renewed my pleasure and understanding of a body of work that remains unequaled in pop music.
1024667
To anyone who might cry out: "Not another Beatlles book," chill out. This is a good 'un! THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF THE BEATLES offers up almost 600 pages of memoirs, interviews, musical critiques, magazine and newspaper articles, etc. that together present an insightful tour down memory lane. And all for $13.95!

Though the title page states that the book was "Edited and with an introduction by Sean Egan," in fact Egan wrote most of the material. That's a good thing because he is a gifted, insightful, witty, knowledgeable writer who does a first rate job of capturing the Beatles life and times. What I found most valuable was his ability to recreate those long-ago days and show the significance of the various stages of the Beatles development as a band and as social arbiters.

Egan's critiques of the various singles and albums released over the years are nicely done - critical yet affectionate. Though Egan loves run-on sentences, he's able to pull them off. For example, in describing John and Paul harmonizing on "One After 909," he states that "when (they) swing together into a "Weeell..." halfway through the number as seamlessly and brotherly as an Everlys joint vocal, it's enough to bring tears to the eyes, a reminder of the golden days of a partnership once so harmonious and which begat so much pleasure for so many millions and is about to disappear into history."

The book is divided into Life and Art; Dissenters; Film and TV; Beatle Women; Interviews; and In the End, an all-encompassing review of the Fab Four by Paul Gambacinni. (Other contributors range from Hunter Davies to Kenneth Tynan to Lester Bangs). Included in the book are such items as Maureen Cleave's "more popular than Jesus" article, Paul's 1970 self-interview, Glyn Johns' memories of recording "Let It Be," interviews with Pete Best, Astrid Kirschherr, George Martin, Cynthia Lennon, Pattie Boyd, and Macca himself, a 30+ page discography of Beatles and solo Beatles UK releases and much, much more.

In short, THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF THE BEATLES is a marvelous book, deserving of a wide readership. Obviously Beatle fans will love it. But others with an incomplete knowledge of the Beatles, rock music and life in the 60s will enjoy it - and learn from it - as well. It truly is a magical mystery tour starring four men who not only made great music but changed the world as well. Highly recommended.