Beatles Books for Every Occasion

By Theresa Gauthier

As a lifelong fan of The Beatles, I’ve read a lot of books on the subject. Authors of these books have run the gamut of those who knew The Beatles well to those whose connection is tenuous at best and others who love those four lads from Liverpool so much that they’ve become experts on them.

As my sister commented to me just today, it’s hard to find a book with details and tidbits you don’t already know after you’ve read so many of them. What then, does the avid Beatles fan look for in a book?

It used to be I’d only buy a book if I thought the author had a real connection to the group. Someone related to them or someone who had known them before they were famous was far more intriguing to me than just some random writer’s thoughts. For the most part, that was how I chose books when I first discovered Beatles Fandom.

Limited funds meant I always had to give careful consideration to what I purchased, so the books had to be informative and from reliable sources. 

I once hoped that Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr would write their own books,  and to a degree, this happened.  Ringo’s books tend more towards coffee-table collections full of photographs or postcards, and Paul—well, he hasn’t really written one, but Blackbird Singing, The Lyrics and the soon-to-be released 1964: Eyes of the Storm are the closest he’s come to an autobiography. It’s likely as close as we’ll get to hearing from the only people who know what it was like to be a Beatle since Ringo has said he doesn’t intend to write a book since people are only interested in those seven years he was a Beatle. Paul’s books focus on song lyrics and photographs.

George Harrison did write I, Me, Mine, but that book was more about the songs he wrote than about his life.

The recent popularity of Peter Jackson's Get Back resulted in a book as well, which I read in day.

So how do you pick a good book about The Beatles?

That depends on what you find the most fascinating about The Beatles’ story. If you’re a nitpicker of technical insights and need to know every detail about the recordings, the albums, the outtakes, the songs the band left behind, you’ll love Mark Lewisohn’s book, Tune In. Released in 2013 with the second volume still in the works, Tune In lures readers in with details you truly can’t find anywhere else. 

If you prefer a first hand account from someone who was there, you could read, there’s no shortage of options. Cynthia Lennon—John’s first wife wrote two; A Twist of Lennon and John. The plight of a woman who seems to be standing on the sidelines of most of the groundbreaking events of the ’60s, it’s impossible not to form an opinion of what she went through. Was John right or wrong? Everyone has an opinion. I’ll always admire her.

Speaking of admiration, I’ve got a lot for Linda McCartney. Here’s a woman who stepped into the hatred of the
spotlight as millions of girls around the world threw their hatred at her. How dare she marry Paul? She broke up The Beatles! I’ve heard all of it, and find it absurd. Linda was a strong, educated, opinionated woman who stepped into an impossible situation and held her own. She even made a name for herself as a photographer. All your favorite photos of The Beatles are photos she took.  There are many books on Linda’s photography, and even a biography of her rather than her more famous husband. Linda McCartney: A Portrait by Danny Fields was first published in 2000, just two year’s after Linda’s death in 1998. 

Aside from this biography of a Beatles wife, and Linda’s photography books, Linda also managed to write several cookbooks. All vegetarian, the books focus on healthy, meatless meals for everyday as well as for special occasions. 

Philadelphia newsman Larry Kane wrote several Beatles books having somehow landed a coveted position traveling with the band during one of their U.S. Tours. Ticket to Ride, Lennon Revealed, and When They Were Boys each shine a particular light on the group. 

I did really enjoy reading Pattie Boyd’s book Wonderful Tonight. What a life she led! I highly recommend that one. You can read my review of it here.

In the world of Beatles books, there’s always something new. Search for something that draws you in, and I’ll bet your love of the band grows.