Lennon: The Man, the Myth, the Music - The Definitive Life

Really got into it a lot about him I didn't know

Unlike some of the others above this is the first biography I've read of any of the Beatles. Wilst it is informative, albeit obviously drawn from other studies, there are a number of things that disappoint me.Firstly, the author's objectivity - or lack of. In some chapters Lennon is almost a saint, in others he might be satan himself, the author seems to want to impose his opinion of Lennon on us. This is a shame because a) a good biographpy should be objective and b) this particular author seems schizophrenic when it comes to expressing his opinion.Secondly, there are inaccuracies that albeit minor leave the rigour of research open to queston. The above mentioned "Great Britain won the world cup in 1966" is one example. Another is the floating of Northern Songs on the stock market when shares were priced at 9p, fell to 6p and closed at 14p despite the fact that this was long before decimalisation.Thirdly - and this is a complaint against the publisher rather than the author, if I am paying good money for a book I expect it to have been properly proof read and checked. This has obviously been run through a computerised spellchecker and not proof read. How many times is London's Roundhouse referred to as the "Roundabout", did Marshall McLuhan really write a book called "The Medium is the massage"? (And there's alot more.)An entertaining read perhaps but keep your wits about you.

I agree completely with Archy from Altrincham about this book. I have always wanted to know more about John Lennon and thought that this would be the book for me. I was wrong. The beginning of the book relating to Lennon's childhood was interesting but after that it was all downhill. There is way too much emphasis on the music and psychology behind the songs. I had to skip pages as it was way too detailed. Lennon's infidelity in front of his wife got half a page whereas 6 pages were dedicated to the subject of garage rock!!! Very disappointing book.

I actually purchased this book as a gift for my son. He loved it and I also read it. Excellent reading and lots of information.I enjoyed this book a lot.

The book title is Lennon but....it is more of a book about what was happening during the time of the Beatles and during John's life.Good note is that this is the best version of John Lennon's early life in Liverpool. Many different and new revelations and stories are very interesting and refreshing.When the Beatles hit it big in 1964 the book turns away from Lennon and starts discussing the Beatles, each Beatle individually, the music, and other music of the time. Certain references, e.g. gargage band, are used over and over and over.The book should be titled "The music of the 60's." Almost 3/4 of the book is not specifically about John Lennon. It's that John Lennon happens to be in the Beatles and it is their references made. It's not his music but their music. This 400 page book could actually be 150 pages but the redundant references are major and aggravating.I was not expecting a book about McCartney's work on his songs from each album or an album review of every artist who put out an album the same time the Beatles did. It is a critique of each album against others.The writer, Riley, never stays focued on Lennon. In his solo years anyone who was in contact of John Lennon gets a mini biography and it's sooo frustrating.While disappointing it is not without some hope. The 2 stars represent it is not a book souly about John Lennon but an ok book just as well.