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For more than a quarter century, Philip Norman's internationally bestselling Shout! has been unchallenged as the definitive biography of the Beatles. Now, at last, Norman turns his formidable talent to the Beatle for whom belonging to the world's most beloved pop group was never enough. Drawing on pre-viously untapped sources, and with unprecedented access to all the major characters, here is the comprehensive and most revealing portrait of John Lennon that is ever likely to be published.
This masterly biography takes a fresh and penetrating look at every aspect of Lennon's much-chronicled life, including the songs that have turned him, posthumously, into a near–secular saint. In three years of research, Norman has turned up an extra-ordinary amount of new information about even the best-known episodes of Lennon folklore—his upbringing by his strict Aunt Mimi; his allegedly wasted school and student days; the evolution of his peerless creative partnership with Paul McCartney; his Beatle-busting love affair with a Japanese performance artist; his forays into painting and literature; his experiments with Transcendental Meditation, primal scream therapy, and drugs. The book's numerous key informants and interviewees include Sir Paul McCartney, Sir George Martin, Sean Lennon—whose moving reminiscence reveals his father as never before—and Yoko Ono, who speaks with sometimes shocking candor about the inner workings of her marriage to John.
Honest and unflinching, as John himself would wish, Norman gives us the whole man in all his endless contradictions—tough and cynical, hilariously funny but also naive, vulnerable and insecure—and reveals how the mother who gave him away as a toddler haunted his mind and his music for the rest of his days.
Graeme Malcolm does an excellent job reading Norman's studious biography of the most beloved Beatle. Beginning with Lennon's parents' roots in working-class Liverpool, and continuing through his enormous success as part of the world's most popular band and as a solo artist, Norman's biography covers all the bases of an already-well-thumbed life. Malcolm does a particularly superb job of capturing the inimitable Liverpudlian accents of the Fab Four, and Lennon in particular. Stately, but studded with flashes of good humor and a storyteller's sensibility for rhythm, Malcolm's reading is good enough to keep listeners hooked, as if they were listening to "I Want to Hold Your Hand," or "Let It Be." An Ecco hardcover (Reviews, July 7). (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.This extensive, thoroughly researched biography traces the life of John Lennon, who, nearly 30 years after his murder, remains one of the most intriguing and respected figures in popular music. Novelist and biographer Norman, who recounted the story of the Beatles in Shout!, focuses here on Lennon's life outside his legendary band, with particular emphasis on his subject's tumultuous, unconventional childhood, his strange and sometimes shocking relationships with and attitudes toward his parents, and his two very different marriages. Lennon's treatment of his discarded first wife and long-suffering, seafaring father are examined in rich detail, shedding new light on his complex personality. Norman investigates both Lennon the public figure and, more interestingly, Lennon the private man, revealing a uniquely talented and influential artist and activist who suffered from sometimes debilitating insecurity and abandonment issues that haunted him throughout his life. Exclusive new commentary from Yoko Ono, Paul McCartney, and sundry confidants and family members provides fresh insight to this accessible albeit lengthy work of popular biography. A highly recommended addition to any public library's music or biography collection. [See Prepub Alert, LJ6/15/08.]
—Douglas King
On September 20, Klein called a meeting in Apple’s boardroom for the formal signing of the Capitol contract. For the first time in months that John had all his fellow Beatles on hand to hear his news. But initially he held back, confining himself to a generalized complaint about Paul’s dominance of the band since the Magical Mystery Tour album. “I didn’t write any of that except Walrus . . . ” His tone was more hurt than accusatory. “So I didn’t bother, you know, and I thought I don’t really care whether I was on or not, I convinced myself it didn’t matter, and so for a period if you didn’t invite me to be on an album personally, if you three didn’t say, ‘Write some more songs ’cause we like your work,’ I wasn’t going to fight.”
The insecurity and fatalism revealed in this outburst were surprising enough. But John did not stop there. Warming to his theme – though still wounded rather than angry – he accused Paul of always having overshadowed him, not only by writing more songs but also by inveigling the lion’s share of studio time. It was not a row, more like the airing of mutual grievances before a marriage counselor. Surprised, and not a little hurt himself, Paul conceded that he might have “come out stronger” on recent albums, but pointed out that often when they went into the studio, John would have only a couple of songs ready to record. John agreed his inertia had been a factor: “There was no point in turning ’em out – I didn’t have the energy to turn ’em out and get ’em on as well.”
Paul was all for burying hatchets and pressing forward, convinced all would be well if they could free themselves from balance sheets and office politics. “When we get in a studio, even on the worst day, I’m still playing bass, Ringo’s still drumming, we're still there, you know. . . .”
It was the cue for John’s bombshell. “He hadn’t even told me he was going to do it,” Yoko remembers. “John said, ‘You don’t seem to understand, do you? The group is over. I’m leaving’ “
“I started the band, I disbanded it. It’s as simple as that,” John himself would recollect. “I must say I felt guilty at springing it on them at such short notice. After all, I had Yoko; they only had each other.”
According to music-industry wisdom in 1969, not even the Beatles could split up and expect to continue selling records in significant quantity. It was therefore vital that no word of John’s resignation should leak out until the Abbey Road album had realized its full market potential. “Paul and Klein convinced him to keep quiet,” Yoko remembers. “We went off in the car, and he turned to me and said, ‘That’s it with the Beatles. From now on, it’s just you – okay?’ I thought, ‘My God, those three guys were the ones entertaining him for so long. Now I have to be the one to take the load.’ ”
From the Hardcover edition.
Anonymous
Posted January 14, 2009
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This is basically a copy and paste effort, and there were a lot of grammatical errors, which I found distracting. <BR/><BR/>May Pang's influence on John should not have been underestimated (Elliot Mintz, Yoko's lackey, recalled that Pang never attained the status of being Lennon's old lady). She may not have, but she succeeded in getting Lennon and Julian together to "come together" in what could have been a very meaningful father/first born son relationship. I'm sure that she was glossed over since Yoko had input and I was very sure this would happen. A shame. According to May and very believably so, via dated pictures, she was a part of John's life for a long time.<BR/><BR/>For any avid Beatles fan, this was nothing that we did not already know.<BR/><BR/>I was disappointed.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Gary_Scott
Posted December 1, 2008
It is a shame that this is the third full Lennon bio to have appeared, simply because it is superb and I fear some potential readers may pass this one over. Philip Norman does what few Lennon/Beatles biographers manage to, he digs into the interior of this complex and interesting soul and provides an exhaustive and multi-dimensional view of the man. I am walking away from this wonderful bio [a very easy read] feeling as if I finally "know" this man I've admired for so long.<BR/><BR/>Norman seems very sensitive and insightful, and he manages to thoughtfully connect-[some]-dots of Lennon's lifetime in a way I've not encountered before. Normally the childhood & early years of a bio are ones I simply skim over; here, these chapters lay an essential foundation for the life that is to be explored. The author does a fabulous job of fleshing out Lennon's early familial years and bringing that post-war era Liverpool to life ... he does the same with the Hamburg years. Both of these are relatively under-explored and one-dimensional periods of the usual Lennon bio. What I like most about this book is that, while the Beatle years are certainly well-explored, this isn't a bio of "Beatle John." Rather, the man takes center stage while the Beatles and their music are presented as simply a part of an overall life.<BR/><BR/>There are a few areas skimped over or under-explored, however. The leap from Cavern Club regulars to global stars seems to happen suddenly, without much explanation or exploration. Likewise, I missed any seed-planting related to John's massive leap from "semi-violent Beatle John" to "hippy peace activist." That transformation is just presented without motivation or explanation. I also feel that the Dakota years are relatively under-explored, which is a shame given Yoko & Sean's participation in the project. <BR/><BR/>All in all, I would highly recommend this title for anyone remotely interested in Lennon and/or the Beatles. I'm not sure John Lennon will ever be fully understood even by those closest to him during his lifetime, but this intimate portrait brings us as close to him as we're likely to get. It truly is a wonderful book.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 23, 2012
I really wat to read this guys. Thank you for your cooperation with me many thanks. And please, send me ome money or lend this to me.... if the book is LendMe¿.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 28, 2012
Best biography ever!
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.3420689
Posted February 27, 2011
human face to a complex, brilliant icon
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Posted September 23, 2009
Book Review Outline
Book title and author: John Lennon the Life by Phillip Norman
Title of review: Greatest biography in the world
Number of stars (1 to 5): 5
Introduction
It is a biography about the life of John Lennon and his family. This book would be great for people who want to learn more about John Lennon.
Description and summary of main points
The author is a great writer and has written many books including biographies on the Beatles. I think it's terrific how he put the book together. The main point of the book is to tell you about the life of the singer and song writer John Lennon.
Evaluation
I think the book gives a lot of information about him and I think the author did a lot of research to be able to find out what he was like and what happened to him as a kid. In the book it says a lot about his personal life and what he was thinking about when some of the events that occurred when he was living were going on. The book really did let you know all about the life of John Lennon because it started with him as a young child and ended when he was killed. I think that it's a lot better than other biographies about John Lennon.
Conclusion
The book has lots of great information for the reader. The author did a really did a great job with getting information about the book. The book really helps with learning about John Lennon.
Your final review
I think that this is the single greatest biography about John Lennon in the world. I also think that the author is one of the best authors in the world. The author must have been researching on this book for years.
Book Review Outline
Book title and author: John Lennon the Life by Phillip Norman
Title of review: Greatest biography in the world
Number of stars (1 to 5): 5
Introduction
It is a biography about the life of John Lennon and his family. This book would be great for people who want to learn more about John Lennon.
Description and summary of main points
The author is a great writer and has written many books including biographies on the Beatles. I think it's terrific how he put the book together. The main point of the book is to tell you about the life of the singer and song writer John Lennon.
Evaluation
I think the book gives a lot of information about him and I think the author did a lot of research to be able to find out what he was like and what happened to him as a kid. In the book it says a lot about his personal life and what he was thinking about when some of the events that occurred when he was living were going on. The book really did let you know all about the life of John Lennon because it started with him as a young child and ended when he was killed. I think that it's a lot better than other biographies about John Lennon.
Conclusion
The book has lots of great information for the reader. The author did a really did a great job with getting information about the book. The book really helps with learning about John Lennon.
Your final review
I think that this is the single greatest biography about John Lennon in the world. I also think that the author is one of the best authors in the world. The author must have been researching on this book for years.
Book Review Outline
Book title and author: John Lennon the Life by Phillip Norman
Title of review: Greatest biography in the world
Number of stars (1 to 5): 5
Introduction
It is a biography about the life of John Lennon and his family. This book would be great
babsb
Posted June 13, 2009
I Also Recommend:
This book was absolutely filled with information about the great John Lennon. It told so much about his childhood and the road to the Beatles as we knew them. I would have liked a little more personal information about his life with Cynthia, and felt that his life with Yoko was a little glossed over. All in all it is THE book to read to know John Lennon as the genius and the flawed human being who didn't always do right by people. RECOMMENDED!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Julieronetta
Posted May 3, 2009
No hold barred describing the characters involved. Very interesting comparisons of how the groups are viewed in England as compared to American idol status. A real education of how a groups can become a sensation or die on the vine. A real "can't put down" book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Shazza
Posted February 18, 2009
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I have read a few other Lennon books but I did find this one to be well rounded and quite absorbing as I read it on holiday. It is a good "gift giving" book and is full of info that fans would like.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 21, 2009
If you are an avid beatle or john lennon fan , there is nothing new to read here. I think everything that could be written about the beatles or john lennon has already been done. If you are not familure with the beatles or lennon then you have all the info you need here 800 plus pages full
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 22, 2008
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John lennon, is the best! Can't wait to read this book. I like to think I've kept the torch going. My first book published this year. Am recommending John Lennon, by Philip Norman and Light at the End of My Pen, by John D. Perez
0 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 31, 2009
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Posted April 16, 2009
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Posted January 25, 2011
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Posted February 9, 2010
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Overview
For more than a quarter century, Philip Norman's internationally bestselling Shout! has been unchallenged as the definitive biography of the Beatles. Now, at last, Norman turns his formidable talent to the Beatle for whom belonging to the world's most beloved pop group was never enough. Drawing on pre-viously untapped sources, and with unprecedented access to all the major characters, here is the comprehensive and most revealing portrait of John Lennon that is ever likely to be ...