Shout! by Philip Norman

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   The upgraded paperback version of this book is being sold pretty cheap at the moment as a part of this The Beatles campaign (the remasters). I got it for £ 3/$5. 
This is a good The Beatles biography. Neither more or less. It is neither too deep or too shallow. It put the band into the right context with those days world and England. It is a medium easy read. It is never boring though.
The book has been critizised for being too negative towards Paul McCartney. The first edition was pretty much anti-Paul. Something the author recognices and has rectified in the new updated, partly re-written version. I think the new version has a pretty balanced view on Paul McCartney. He can live with that. 
The  book convey the message that no Beatle was saints. They all had their flaws. Which the post-Beatles years demonstrated to it's full. The relationship between Paul and John will always fascinate the world. This book does not give any answers here because only Paul and John, and probably not even they, could answer that question. But the book gives an fascinating insight into this relationship and raises some questions nobody can answer.
The Apple debacle is well described here. Enough to make me both cry and laugh out loud. I am off apples for a while, let me put it that way.
Brian Epstein was also treated fairly in this book. Not that I was there and know the truth. But I guess he is not rotating in his grave over this.  
I think this is an excellent read and one of the better music biographies out on the market. I certainly captivated me. For that price; a purchase is a no brainer.
I recommend it. 
4.25 stars.

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toroddfuglesteg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Retired Joined: March 04 2008 Location: Retirement Home Status: Offline Points: 3658	Topic: Shout! by Philip Norman Posted: October 05 2009 at 14:04
	The upgraded paperback version of this book is being sold pretty cheap at the moment as a part of this The Beatles campaign (the remasters). I got it for £ 3/$5. This is a good The Beatles biography. Neither more or less. It is neither too deep or too shallow. It put the band into the right context with those days world and England. It is a medium easy read. It is never boring though. The book has been critizised for being too negative towards Paul McCartney. The first edition was pretty much anti-Paul. Something the author recognices and has rectified in the new updated, partly re-written version. I think the new version has a pretty balanced view on Paul McCartney. He can live with that. The book convey the message that no Beatle was saints. They all had their flaws. Which the post-Beatles years demonstrated to it's full. The relationship between Paul and John will always fascinate the world. This book does not give any answers here because only Paul and John, and probably not even they, could answer that question. But the book gives an fascinating insight into this relationship and raises some questions nobody can answer. The Apple debacle is well described here. Enough to make me both cry and laugh out loud. I am off apples for a while, let me put it that way. Brian Epstein was also treated fairly in this book. Not that I was there and know the truth. But I guess he is not rotating in his grave over this. I think this is an excellent read and one of the better music biographies out on the market. I certainly captivated me. For that price; a purchase is a no brainer. I recommend it. 4.25 stars.