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4.13pm
15 August 2013
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I’m about halfway through this book and was wondering if anyone else has read it and if so what are your opinions
5.32pm
31 March 2008
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I liked it – it was an easy read. It wasn’t too much of a hagiography, and he didn’t seem to have much of an axe to grind. Just a well written biog. I picked up a couple of factual errors (though I can’t remember what/where), but that’s par for the course with most Beatles books.
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12.49am
15 August 2013
Offline Thanks Joe. So far I’ve been enjoying it
1.20am
5 February 2014
Offline Started on this one last Friday.
4.14am
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20 August 2013
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cra said
Started on this one last Friday.
@C.R.A., as you go through the book, if you pick up on any of the factual errors Joe mentioned that the book has, would you post them here? Maybe we can help the author if he wants to put out a revised edition.
Of course, any other thougts or observations about the book are also welcome.
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10.42pm
5 February 2014
Offline Ahhh Girl said
cra said
Started on this one last Friday.
@C.R.A., as you go through the book, if you pick up on any of the factual errors Joe mentioned that the book has, would you post them here? Maybe we can help the author if he wants to put out a revised edition.
Of course, any other thougts or observations about the book are also welcome.
Certainly, and I’ve seen a few Joe may be referring to (particularly their gigs just prior to the first Hamburg trip) – he blasts right through that period, so it may be more of just wanting to move the story forward than creating false information. Already made notes to go back and review. Not able to invest as much time into this one as I did going through Tune In, but I’m knocking out pages every day. This morning, I left off at Lennon and Sutcliffe’s scuffle in Hamburg. Great moment to put it down and dwell about that a bit. So far, it is a good read. I am picking up some derision toward McCartney, though. Interested to see where that goes.
1.02am
5 February 2014
Offline Finished. There are some things I want to post about the book but my personal time is kind of limited at the moment, so I’ll have to come back to write those up.
I’ve got an account on GoodReads and went in to update my status and posted this brief review:
—-
First off; good book. I enjoyed it.
Next, if you’re thinking of picking this one up and hoping for another tale of Lennon Hero Worship… forget it. While Riley is definitely a fan and has admiration for Lennon, he does not grovel at Lennon’s altar.
The book spends a considerable number of pages in Hamburg, which I was delighted to read. But it also provides some details on Lennon’s life prior to The Beatles taking off, examining the differences between his real mother, Julia and his Aunt Mimi, who took him in when his real parents weren’t responsible enough to raise a child.
It lets you know with certainty that Lennon’s father returned to his life in later years, something a lot of other biographies gloss over. As for the nature of that relationship… read the book.
Riley’s forte is the examination of music and he provides key information and facts on Lennon’s work; both with The Beatles and as a solo artist (as well as his collaborations with Yoko Ono).
The latter half of the book deals with Lennon’s trials and tribulations after his departure from The Beatles. This is an area I had little exposure to and it definitely provides an insight during his addiction phase, his ‘Lost Weekend,’ the intricacies and complexity of his marriage to Ono, and where he was, physically and spiritually, just prior to his death.
There are aspects to Ono I was unaware of before reading this book, and while I still harbor some resentment for her… interferences… I’ve come away with an understanding of some of her actions, as well as some new-found respect for her. Not sure if that was an intention of Riley, but… there it is. If you’re still holding her to blame, there are moments of light here that every Beatle/Lennon fan should know.
I was surprised by quite a few revelations and I found this book very entertaining.
—
Couple of quick notes:
1. I came away with the distinct impression that Riley feels that, had Lennon lived, a reunion was inevitable.
2. I finished this book on June 22nd. Ironic that it’s the same date Chapman changed his plea, back in 1981. wooOOOooo. 
