The Beatles: The Biography - Softcover

Spitz, Bob

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0316013315 ISBN 13: 9780316013314

Publisher: Back Bay Books, 2006

Synopsis

The definitive biography of The Beatles, hailed as "irresistible" by the New York Times, "riveting" by the Boston Globe, and "masterful" by Time.

As soon as The Beatles became famous, the spin machine began to construct a myth--one that has continued to this day. But the truth is much more interesting, much more exciting, and much more moving--the highs and the lows, the love and the rivalry, the awe and the jealousy, the drugs, the tears, the thrill, and the magic to never be repeated. In this vast, revelatory, exuberantly acclaimed, and bestselling book, Bob Spitz has written the biography for which Beatles fans have long waited.

About this title

Review:

"Irresistible...The Beatles amplifies and corrects some of what is known about the band's formative years. It shapes a particularly vivid picture of the young, surly John Lennon...It powerfully evokes both the excitement and the price of such a sudden rise...A captivating picture that hasn't been seen before."--Janet Maslin, New York Times


"Masterly...A deep, serious, and accomplished account worthy of the most important band in the world...A book that, although exceptionally lengthy, is actually the perfect size...Spitz expertly captures the sense of time and place to frame his story."--Tom Sykes, New York Post


"Richly detailed...The Beatles comes as close to being a quick read as any 983-page book has a right to be...Spitz also does a remarkable job capturing the distinct qualities of each Beatle."--Jonathan Bor, Baltimore Sun


"Juicy, detailed, well-written, and authoritative...What makes Spitz's book a standout is his attention to visual detail...He has a knack for description and for cliffhangers. Every chapter of The Beatles promises more misery for the lads, more pleasure, more surprise."--David Kirby, Atlanta Journal-Constitution


"Beatlemaniacs will swoon."--People

"Riveting...Startlingly well-reported and consistently engaging...Even though the Beatles story is well known, Spitz has fleshed it out fully, revealing the flawed, singularly creative human beings behind the lovable moptop image....What Spitz does exceptionally well is contextualize."--Carlo Wolff, Boston Globe


"In its scope, structure, and sheer length, this meaty 983-page true-life epic unfolds as a sort of Beatles's War and Peace...Spitz's genius is how he stitches together available Beatles knowledge with the artistry of a fine novelist."--Michael Tarm, Cincinnati Enquirer


"Spitz has done a masterful job of focusing his kaleidoscope eyes on the greatest pop thing since Jesus."--Richard Gehr, Village Voice


"Spitz knows his subject. His encyclopedic grasp pervades every page.--Joe Selvin, San Francisco Chronicle


"Spitz marshals a staggering mass of research...The early chapters are irresistible; they have the hypnotic effect of a film clip run backward."--Lev Grossman, Time

About the Author:

Robert Spitz is the author of Dylan: a Biography and Barefoot in Babylon, about the legendary Woodstock music festival in 1969.

About this edition

• Publisher: Back Bay Books
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0316013315
• ISBN 13: 9780316013314
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 992