Camilla Karine
Member
What's your favorite book about John Lennon?
📖 Books about John Lennon.
- Thread starter Camilla Karine
- Start date
I always prefer the ones from people who knew him personally.
It’s not officially released yet, but I’m looking forward to @elliot mintz ‘s book “We All Shine On: John, Yoko and Me”.
Like @Ingryd Medeiros said, I also love hearing stories from those who knew him personally
Now that I see that my answer was a bit dry, sorry! I love Pete Shotton's book, for example, and Julia Baird's. I think Cynthia's is interesting (the second one, the first one was more controversial because her husband at the time induced it for money), I also like photographers' like Dezo Hoffmann, Ethan Russell, those like that, you know?
Phillip
Member
The art and music of John Lennon by John Robertson! although it came out in 1990 and a few late 70s songs are overlooked, it's a sort of Beatles bible but only on John. Both John winston Lennon and John Ono Lennon by Ray Coleman are very good too. In my life by Pete Shotton is a must have for all John fans. And there are authors to avoid, like Goldman, Seaman & Giuliano.
DEFINITELY avoid Goldman and Giuliano!
Lennonology is THE book on John Lennon.
Funny story -- I became a John Lennon fan after I read Goldman's book in 1989. I didn't know it was "bad." I just wanted to read a book about John Lennon, and it was the only one I could find. I read it and found John to be someone I just wanted to love. He became my favorite Beatle after reading that book, and I have been a John fan ever since. That book made me want to learn more about him and dig even deeper into who he really was. I am not promoting that book. The research was pretty solid, but the tone and wording are extremely negative, and there are quite a few exaggerations of the truth. But it is just funny to me how a book that everyone avoids was my catalyst for being a John fan.
Funny story -- I became a John Lennon fan after I read Goldman's book in 1989. I didn't know it was "bad." I just wanted to read a book about John Lennon, and it was the only one I could find. I read it and found John to be someone I just wanted to love. He became my favorite Beatle after reading that book, and I have been a John fan ever since. That book made me want to learn more about him and dig even deeper into who he really was. I am not promoting that book. The research was pretty solid, but the tone and wording are extremely negative, and there are quite a few exaggerations of the truth. But it is just funny to me how a book that everyone avoids was my catalyst for being a John fan.
beatlesaint
Member
Another vote for Lennonology here. I do hope the Lennon Estate (ahem Sean) are aware of it and know how good this book is. Pete Shotton's is good, Philip Norman's isnt bad even though I usually steer clear of him. Cynthia's second book and The John Lennon Letters by Hunter Davies.
I'm sorry I'm a bit torn on Julia Baird's book. Aside from the way her attitude to Mimi changed drastically from her first book to her latest, its great on early John but by the end there are plenty of digs at Yoko, blaming her for houses being sold all over the place.....its mixed to say the least.
I'm sorry I'm a bit torn on Julia Baird's book. Aside from the way her attitude to Mimi changed drastically from her first book to her latest, its great on early John but by the end there are plenty of digs at Yoko, blaming her for houses being sold all over the place.....its mixed to say the least.
Lennonology is a GREAT book for The Beatles'
Lennonology is a GREAT book for John Lennon's story worms like a lot of us.
motyoj
New member
The Beatles, Lennon, and Me, by Pete Shotton. The one by Frederick Seamen is good too.
As for biographies on John, I have always liked the one by Ray Colman the best, but Tim Riley's was good, too.
Phillip
Member
The Pete Shotton is one of the best books about John, the Fred Seaman is interesting but biased, mostly toward the end
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