John Lennon: The Life Paperback – September 8, 2009

In JOHN LENNON: THE LIFE, Author Philip Norman has complied possibly the most complete, concise, honest and forthright biography of the late John Lennon to date. And it saddens me that Yoko couldn't bring herself to endorse it because, as she said, "He was mean to John." That may be the most telling aspect of the whole ordeal. For, if anything, it was John himself who was most mean to John - and nearly everyone else. Even the most casual Beatles fan knows that. And Yoko was, in many ways, his facilitator. In others, the mother figure he never truly experienced. Nonetheless, from his early childhood to Quarry Bank, to Beatlemania and well beyond - until the day of his tragic murder - Philip Norman covers it all in exacting detail, straight from the mouths of John Lennon's family, friends, and closest confidants. And all the names and footnotes are laid out for all the whole to see. So, to that end I say, "Bravo Mr. Norman!" You've taken on one of the most beloved and controversial figures of the 20th Century, laid him bare, raised him up, praised him where deserving, and - not really criticized - but shown us all just how complicated, confused and conflicted this self proclaimed "Working Class Hero" could be. In doing so you've painted a picture of a man with parental & authority issues, who never quite grew up, yet managed to reach heights never before scaled by anyone in his chosen profession. A man full of insecurities and paranoia. A drug addict. Sex addict. And God only knows what else. And yet he managed to author some of the most endearing, inspiring, tender, and meaningful songs of his time. And despite all his flaws, bared to the world for decades now, he remains beloved by untold millions still. You've taken the story of this complicated man, and told it in a straightforward, unapologetic fashion. Told his story, good, bad and otherwise - warts & glory - in a manner easy for anyone to understand and relate to. And done a fine job of it sir. And John Lennon fans everywhere (this one included) are forever in your debt.

Lots of details, some of them entirely new to me and likely to be to any regular Beatles fan. Competently written but not as energetic as the author's prior Beatles book. Enfatuation with detail remains, the sometimes envious but always enthralled tone of his prior work is gone. "The Life" is decently paced, interesting, follows chronology but appears to have limited resources (John's 'lost weekend' lasted a year and a half and I think its description covered only 10 pages in this book... getting Nilson to scream himself hoarse and thus ruin his career isn't covered, the many women John slept with while 'on a break' with Yoko aren't detailed any more than to list the one that was assigned as his designated lover (a Ms. May) by Yoko). I was surprised to learn so much more about Yoko, like that she was a classically trained musician and heiress of a famous Japanese art/banking line before meeting John (but which she had broken from prior to meeting him). Her expressing herself in Beatles' recording sessions, onerous as that must have been for the rest of the band, appear to have been informed by more than mere whim. The fact that John had been an aspiring artist, real artist artist with turtleneck and a broad reading list and crazy friends, before his occasional band got good helps to explain partly why he left the Beatles for the actively avant garde Yoko... I think he was well on his way to being an acid casualty too and his plunge into symbiosis with her certainly saved him from the worst of that. Its strange to realize that John was already a married man, already on his way to being a father before he showed up anywhere on TV in chirpy lad mode. This book is heavy with info on his youth, about which I'd only read dribs and drabs here and there before. The last chapter, apparently distilled from an interview with John's son, was surprising and very moving.

Norman does it again with "John Lennon: the life". Almost all biographies I've read or seen on musicians contain about 300-350 pages. Lennon the life is a whopping 822 (that's not including the index). The book is extensive, interesting and detailed. It is very fair, showing Lennon's amazing attributes and faults. And who is more qualified to write on John Lennon than Philip Norman, who not only meet John on two separate occasions and covered the Beatles business breakup in 1969/1970, but also wrote the most successful Beatles biography, "Shout". Norman has clearly done his homework and his passion on the subject and attention to detail really shine through. If I have any negative comments on this book it would probably be on John's later years (1975-1980). Don't get me wrong the writing is suburb and the events actuate, but it goes less in depth on what went on during these years. However, this could simply be because these were Lennon's stay-at-home-dad years and he was not making music or seen much in the public eye. My only wish is that Norman would have gone into more detail in John's Double Fantasy Sessions with Yoko. Overall... An amazing, amazing book. Well written, accurate, enthralling, and just a plain great read. I'm so thankful the author decided to do this John Lennon biography the right way and that he went into so much depth on the man's feelings and life events. I've read several Beatle/John Lennon books and I can honestly say this book is a home-run.

Ainda não terminei a leitura mas estou gostando bastante. O livro foi entregue antes do prazo previsto. O livro chegou intacto em perfeitas condições. Agradeço.

Me llegó en perfectas condiciones y a tiempo.Es una magnífica biografía de John Lennon, la recomiendo ampliamente.

This book seems in my opinion like a great and true book about johns life it tell everything perfect anf all the story’s and everything, it’s just sweet sad and also funny in some way. Perfect book for perfect Lennon fans!

This biography of John Lennon doesn't disappoint. It's fast-paced, covers his entire life and is full of quirky details of Lennon and The Beatles!

I purchased this book for my husband for Christmas, he already had the Paul McCartney book by the same author Philip Norman. I was surprised that it took so long to ship. But happy with the paperback book. It is quite thick!