The Complete Beatles Chronicle

I borrowed The Complete Beatles Chronicle from the library hoping to get more info on the making of the White Album (my favorite). But, because of how well the book is written, I wound up starting from the beginning. This book is interesting because it doesn't miss the big picture. At the beginning of each year is a concise chronicle of what happen that year and its significance. One needn't get bogged down in the details. Just read the first few pages of each chapter for a good overview. But, if you read the whole account, you'll discover the true genius of the four lads from Liverpool and how they somehow managed to create high-quality songs in between appearances on TV shows, sitting in on radio broadcasts, making movies, going on far-flung concert tours and dealing with mobs of desperate Beatlemaniacs. Some of this data must be conjecture (even though it's not presented as such). For example, unless it was revealed in an interview, how would the author know that Billy Preston was brought into the Get Back sessions in order to break the tension within the group. Still, it's an easy read filled with facts. I must now buy this book. So should you. [DW]

Thoroughly researched and detailed, Mark Lewisohn's "Complete Beatles Chronicle" will satisfy even the most knowledgeable Beatle fan. This monster reference book provides the who, what, when, where and why of nearly every day in the life of the Beatles. Every concert, recording session, film and TV appearance is painstakingly noted and described. In many cases, Lewisohn provides exact times and lengths of recording sessions. This is great for those of us who just have to know exactly when and where our favorite Beatle songs were recorded! Only upon examining the Beatles' grueling schedule can one truly appreciate how diligently John, Paul, George and Ringo worked to attain their status as the world's premier rock band. Simply put, the Beatles' earned everything they got and Lewisohn, arguably the world's foremost Beatle authority, drives that point home in this remarkable document. In addition to the daily entries, the author also includes rare photos, notes, concert bills and recording session track sheets. The overall scope and magnitude of "Chronicle" is nothing short of staggering. No other book provides such an accurate and detailed account of the Beatles' daily routines. Hard-core fans have long respected the dedication of Mark Lewisohn and, once again, have been rewarded with a Beatle document unlike any other. Highly recommended.

This is for everyone who wants to at least get a hint on the amazing cultural phenomenon of The Beatles. The book is a paean to the incredible amount of HARD WORK The Beatles did prior to Beatlemania and for the 3 years during its frenzied height. It certainly gives credence to the old Beatle comment that while everyone was enjoying the "60's" they were either working or locked in a room somewhere. The later years from 67 to 70 are just as exhaustivelly covered - each year smartly contextualized to what was happening in the world and among themselves. Lewisohn always does good thorough work. He is the sober scolarly-eyed representative of Beatle lore - - facts, and facts only. You'll find no Giuliano moralism here. If you already know everything about The Beatles you still need to get this. I f you know nothing about The Beatles start here. Highly recommended.

This book combines the best of Mr. Lewisohn's previous efforts into one comprehensive diary of the Beatles' career. Every concert, recording session and video/movie shoot is detailed from 1957 to 1970. Each year's accomplishments are neatly summarized at the beginning of every chapter followed by all their important daily activities. Rare photos, documents, letters and promotional posters are illustrated throughout the book. An indispensable guide to the Beatles' professional history you will revisit again and again.

Why is this the "First Beatles Book One Should Read?" Simply put, Marc Lewisohn (an EMI records reseracher) volume is a true labor of love, but not a "tell-all" or a "I was John Lennon's mailman" rip off. This is a true, scholarly effort. It is a day-by-day account of The Beatle's professional, not personal, affairs. More than just what they did where on an particular day, it shows how hectic their early days were, how incredibly frantic was the Beatlemania in Britian and the USA and their best work (from Revolver on) evolved in the studio.The book is intelligently written and produced. Each year is a separate chapter, starting first with an introduction which puts that year in perspective to the Beatle's career. What follows is a day by day retelling of every concert, recording sesson, Radio/TV appearance, etc. It's a great companion to Anthology (CDS and video) as you get an idea as to how certain events played how, how certain songs were recorded and again, how crazy the early 60's were for the Beatles.If anyone wants to know the who, what, where and why (especially why the Beatles broke up as professional musicians) this book, which first appaeared in 1992 and is finally reprinted, is the one book to have. I've read it once and plan to go back again and again.