Love and Let Die cover art

Love and Let Die

Bond, the Beatles and the British Psyche

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Love and Let Die

By: John Higgs
Narrated by: John Higgs
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About this listen

The Beatles are the biggest band there has ever been. James Bond is the single most successful movie character of all time. They are also twins. Dr No, the first Bond film, and 'Love Me Do', the first Beatles record, were both released on the same day—Friday, 5 October 1962. Most countries can only dream of a cultural export becoming a worldwide phenomenon on this scale. For Britain to produce two on the same windy October afternoon is unprecedented.

Bond and the Beatles present us with opposing values, visions of Britain and ideas about male identity. Love and Let Die is the story of a clash between working-class liberation and establishment control, and how it exploded on the global stage. It explains why James Bond hated the Beatles, why Paul McCartney wanted to be Bond and why it was Ringo who won the heart of a Bond Girl in the end.

Told over a period of sixty dramatic years, this is an account of how two outsized cultural monsters continue to define our aspirations and fantasies and the future we are building. Looking at these touchstones in this new context will forever change how you see the Beatles, the James Bond films and six decades of British culture.

This audiobook features an extra interview with I AM THE EGGPOD host Chris Shaw.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 John Higgs (P)2022 Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Art Entertainment & Celebrities Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV History & Criticism Music Celebrity Thought-Provoking Entertainment

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All stars
Most relevant
Very well researched and well written . Very engaging audiobook . Nice interview with Chris Shaw afterwards too. Well done Mr Higgs!

Good book

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This is my fourth book by John Higgs on Audible and I think it’s my new favourite! The author manages to deliver vast amounts of well researched information on Bond & the Beatles whilst keeping it easy to follow and with warmth & wit. I learnt soo much about the Beatles that I can’t wait to visit Liverpool.. Thank you!

Mind bogglingly brilliant

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I liked this book which is a very good and interesting take on how James Bond was for the establishment and The Beatles were for everyone. Recommended.

Bond verses the Beatles

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Loved it lots about the Beatles I never knew and bond hard to put down

A must read

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Fantastic book - I had to ration it to stop myself just binging for 15 hours! 😄 John Higgs warm, lovely voice is wonderful to listen to. I'd you love The Beatles and Bond you will be in Heaven.

Lucy in the Skyfall with Diamonds

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I've read a few Higgs' books now and enjoyed each one. I've never been a massive Beatles fan but obviously know the hits. I was however brought up on Bond and thought this would be a cracking read/listen. And it was!

Higgs does it again

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Absolutely fascinating. I didn't want it to end. John Higgs is a great writer. I would recommend any, and in fact all, of his books

Highly recommended

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Brilliant book, not just about the 60s but about the enduring twin legacies of the Beatles and Bond into the present. As ever, Higgs is a brilliant companion and avatar through a world both familiar and extraordinary, highlighting the many paradoxes and synchronicities between Britain’s biggest 20th Century cultural icons. If you liked Craig Brown’s excellent 1, 2, 3, 4… then you will love this!

Encyclopaedic

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I admit a weakness for erudite playful essays about culture and social history, and John Higgs is one of the best. And this is one of his best. Packed with fascinating stories, remarkable parallels and Jen insights, narrated, as usual, by the author himself in his inimitable style. if you have any interest in Beatles, Bond or British culture in the late 20th century, don't hesitate for a moment. you'll love it.

fabulous, beginning to end

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Really excellent book, very informative history of the Beatles and James Bond linked through history and the changes in society. Highly recommended.

Excellent

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