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The Beatles: The Authorised Biography

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The Beatles: The Authorised Biography

By: Hunter Davies
Narrated by: John Telfer
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Summary

There's only one book that ever truly got inside the Beatles, and this is it....

During 1967 and 1968, Hunter Davies spent 18 months with the Beatles at the peak of their powers as they defined a generation and rewrote popular music. As their only-ever authorised biographer, he had unparalleled access - not just to John, Paul, George, and Ringo, but to friends, family, and colleagues. He collected a wealth of intimate and revealing material that makes this the classic Beatles book - the one all other biographers look to. Hunter Davies remained close with the band and as such has had access to more information over the years.

This 40th anniversary edition contains new material which has never been revealed before, from the author's archives and from the Beatles themselves, that will bring new insights to their legend.

©1968, 1985, 2002, 2009 Hunter Davies (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Entertainment & Celebrities Celebrity Biography Thought-Provoking Funny
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As a Beatles fan for a very long time, I imagined I’d read most of the key biographies/memoirs. I knew about Davies’ book, but assumed it was so widely quoted elsewhere that there would be limited point in reading it. In fact, this bumper edition, which includes various updates since the original publication date in 1968, and a long, revealing foreword, was gripping throughout. There’s a lot of detail I’d forgotten, or hadn’t ever come across before; Davies’ fly-on-the-wall account of Beatle life, including a Lennon and McCartney songwriting session, is fascinating. It’s a vivid snapshot, and particularly good on Brian Epstein. Epstein died before the book was published, and had been happy to be ‘outed’ in it as gay. But after his death, his mother Queenie vetoed this. The foreword provides this detail and other material that was left out. In some ways, the foreword is the most compelling section. The biography is authorised, and inevitably has a slightly ‘sanitised’ feel. But it works because Davies got astonishing access to friends, family and staff, at a key point in time - few of them had spoken publicly about the Beatles at any length prior to his book. Davies has a reassuringly level-headed approach to the subject, despite being a Beatle fan - the tone is worldly, and perhaps slightly dismissive of really obsessive Beatle fans. But again, it’s such an important historical document that true fans will enjoy it regardless. The narration is very good - the voice is similar to Davies’. Liverpudlian accents are attempted, and though not always accurate - maybe sounding more Midlands thank Scouse? - they do help to bring the text alive. An obligatory listen for all Beatles devotees, and those curious about the Fab Four’s amazing journey.

The greatest pop story ever told...

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ignore the bad reviews about the accents. he reads well. very good listen. recommended.

excellent

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It a an extremely well written and recorded book I couldn't stop listening. Some audio books take me nearly a month to finish, this one took less than a week. The story is extraordinary and makes you want to go and meet the people involved. Highly recommended.

I want to live in this book

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I originally read this book years ago, and due to travelling a lot in work decided to download the audible version. I am so glad I made this purchase.

Hunter Davis is an excellent storyteller, and had nearly unrestricted access to The Beatles, their family and friends, which in turn enables us to get the real deal on the Fab Four.

As a life long Beatles fan, I was devastated when John Lennon was murdered, and the again when George Harrison was taken from us far to soon. when the narrator covered these issues (as it is the extended and updated version) it brought a lump to my throat, just to briefly relive those tragic moment.

If you love the Beatles this is definitely for you, if you want to know what it was all about, then this book is for you.

Fantastic Book

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I enjoyed this from beginning to end. Having personally met the Beatles in 1963 in Tottenham Court Road and walking and talking with them down to Harley street, Jane Asher house, this story brings back many great memories. Hunter Davies tells the story in a kind and insightful way and were appropriate he allows the listener to read or listen between the lines, this is an excellent portrayal narrated beautifully by John Telfer. A must for anyone interested in the Beatle era.

Look no further.

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