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The Beatles Audiobook
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(4.01) - 1,098 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
This worldwide bestseller is the biography that defined a band—and an era.
As the friend and only authorized biographer of the most famous musical group in history, Davies had full access to the Beatles—including their family, friends, and colleauges—as well as their help and encouragement in writing this biography. He spent eighteen months with them when they were at the peak of their musical genius and the pinnacle of their popularity, making a mark on history and popular culture that would never fade. Davies stayed on with the Beatles through their breakup and remained friends with the individual members afterwards, enabling him to write the continuing story of their solo careers.
First published in 1968, this newly revised edition has added information, including a new introduction and a newly discovered song lyric by George Harrison.
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"Every author who has written a biography on The Beatles has stolen from Hunter Davies. What a lot of people do not know is after writing each Beatle and even people like Mimi had to approve the final version. So, a lot was left out and revised and cleaned up for the final release. The original version before edits and rewrites is a whopping 2400 pages of material. I am hoping one day the entire truth as it was told to Hunter fresh from the actual people involved sees the light of day. It may be years but I feel it will be published eventually possibly long after we are dead and buried."
— Sking (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Does not shy away from any mean and gritty little facts.”
— New Yorker -
“His hard work and the obvious trust the Beatles have in him allow us to see the young musicians for the first time as interesting, fallible, corporeal creatures, each quite different from the others, each with his own history and hang-ups and hopes.”
— Newsweek -
“A document of our century.”
— Marshall McLuhan -
“Though works on the band are legion, this remains one of the best.”
— Library Journal
The Beatles Listener Reviews
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" Enjoyed - for similar reasons to others - a balanced account of 'all' The Beatles and close associates. Struggled with narration; men sound slightly ' brummy', women all sound like Hilda Ogden/ or just light/high pitched. No real Liverpudlian lyrical accent. "
— Sjannd, 12/18/2016 -
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JIE LIU, 7/21/2014
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" I've read dozens of Beatles-related books and this was by far the best one. It wasn't a Lennon based book, (as most Beatles biographies seem to be) and it covered all of the lads equally. "
— Sarah, 2/17/2014 -
" A great overall history of The Fab Four. Coming from a Beatle fanatic I would recommend this book at anyone who wants to read a legitament biography. Covers all aspects of their successes. "
— Gillian, 2/2/2014 -
" This is the original authoritative source for Beatles info. "
— Jill, 1/19/2014 -
" I read many Beatles books that have come out since this one, but I was pleasantly surprised about the details in this one, especially from their families. "
— Diskojoe, 12/12/2013 -
" the masterpiece on The Beatles. Deeply researched and essentially accurate. Not spilling over with the usual gossip and rumours which are still regretfully being printed. "
— Arnold, 11/14/2013 -
" One of the first definitive biographies of the Fab Four. It's chock full of interesting details, but if you're looking for juicy new revelations you'll have to look elsewhere. Most informed Beatles fans have heard these stories before. "
— Alisa, 8/23/2013 -
" Worthwhile as a study of the early Beatles written at the time. The author had access to the actual Fab Four and knew them personally, so he has quotes that are his alone. His psychological insights could have been sharper, although again, he didn't write this book with the benefit of hindsight. "
— Kelly, 7/30/2013 -
" I personally think this book is "the" definitive biography of the Beatles. At the time I read it, all of the Beatles were still living, and I believe updates have been added through the years. If you love the Beatles, you will love this book. "
— Graceanne, 4/21/2013 -
" I've read A LOT of Beatles books and this has by far been my favorite. There are stories in this book that are not in any other Beatle book I've read. "
— Trish, 3/2/2013 -
" Good, well-written and (seemingly) fairly factual biography of the Beatles. "
— Polly, 1/30/2013 -
" My bible in formative years. My breath. My life. "
— Liss, 11/1/2012 -
" I'm ashamed to admit I used to not know a whole lot about the Fab Four. But I do now! It's a great read and, in my opinion, really makes them seem less like cool, super stars and more like regular people. Which they are. "
— Becky, 5/14/2012 -
" A very good history of The Beatles, especially the early days, including those of Hamburg. "
— Brian, 3/1/2012 -
" I read the book back in the 70's while in High School. Learned a lot a out the early days of the Beatles. "
— Glenn, 12/15/2011 -
" A classic Beatle biography - highly recommended! "
— Rob, 11/9/2011 -
" Another Beatles book I read so long ago, I have no idea how good or outdated it is! "
— Maggie, 9/10/2011 -
" This is the best Beatles biography I have read so far. "
— Angela, 8/19/2011 -
" Solid authorized biography of the group from 1968. Many mistakes, however, which no one realized when it was written. Still, some great inside stories from the horse's mouth and a marvelous look at the Sgt. Pepper sessions. "
— Lynn, 8/15/2011 -
" The most amazing and only authorized biography of the Beatles. "
— Kim, 6/2/2011 -
" Mostly dated now, and better told elsewhere, but I found Chpt 30 "The Beatles and Their Music" detailing their creative process - how songs got written and tracks laid down - to be of great importance. "
— Moira, 5/12/2011 -
" The author remains outraged and amused that people who have not spoken to the Beatles first-hand still try to write books about them. Some decent Paul stuff in this one, but nothing that would blow your mind. "
— Chuck, 3/28/2011 -
" The first really accurate book about the Beatles, and I believe to this day, the only authorized one. This was written around the time of Sgt. Pepper, so it doesn't include the breakup, and it is a bit superficial, but it is required reading for any Beatlemaniac (like me!) "
— Unigami, 1/19/2011 -
" This was my first book ever about the Beatles and for a long time it was my Bible about the Beatles. I read an earlier edition of it than this one. "
— Joe, 1/18/2011 -
" Good, well-written and (seemingly) fairly factual biography of the Beatles. "
— Polly, 1/10/2011 -
" Mostly dated now, and better told elsewhere, but I found Chpt 30 "The Beatles and Their Music" detailing their creative process - how songs got written and tracks laid down - to be of great importance. "
— Moira, 3/29/2010 -
" Solid authorized biography of the group from 1968. Many mistakes, however, which no one realized when it was written. Still, some great inside stories from the horse's mouth and a marvelous look at the Sgt. Pepper sessions. "
— Lynn, 1/9/2010 -
" i just love the beatles so im biased "
— Catalina, 1/2/2010 -
" A classic Beatle biography - highly recommended! "
— Rob, 10/11/2009 -
" A very good history of The Beatles, especially the early days, including those of Hamburg. "
— Brian, 7/9/2009 -
" This is the best Beatles biography I have read so far. "
— A., 2/27/2009 -
" One of the first definitive biographies of the Fab Four. It's chock full of interesting details, but if you're looking for juicy new revelations you'll have to look elsewhere. Most informed Beatles fans have heard these stories before. "
— Alisa, 2/7/2009 -
" This was my first book ever about the Beatles and for a long time it was my Bible about the Beatles. I read an earlier edition of it than this one. "
— Joe, 1/25/2009 -
" The author remains outraged and amused that people who have not spoken to the Beatles first-hand still try to write books about them. Some decent Paul stuff in this one, but nothing that would blow your mind. "
— Chuck, 1/2/2009 -
" My bible in formative years. My breath. My life. "
— Liss, 11/29/2008 -
" The most amazing and only authorized biography of the Beatles. "
— Kim, 9/21/2008 -
" I've read A LOT of Beatles books and this has by far been my favorite. There are stories in this book that are not in any other Beatle book I've read. "
— Trish, 4/2/2008 -
" This is the original authoritative source for Beatles info. "
— Jill, 2/27/2008 -
" the masterpiece on The Beatles. Deeply researched and essentially accurate. Not spilling over with the usual gossip and rumours which are still regretfully being printed. "
— Arnold, 1/5/2008 -
" I'm ashamed to admit I used to not know a whole lot about the Fab Four. But I do now! It's a great read and, in my opinion, really makes them seem less like cool, super stars and more like regular people. Which they are. "
— Becky, 12/16/2007 -
" I read many Beatles books that have come out since this one, but I was pleasantly surprised about the details in this one, especially from their families. "
— Diskojoe, 11/18/2007
About Hunter Davies
Hunter Davies, formerly an editor for the Sunday Times (London), is a prolific British author, journalist, and broadcaster. His many books include the only authorized biography of the Beatles and The Glory Game, widely regarded as one of the best books ever written about football. He lives in London.
About Edward Lewis
Edward Lewis (a.k.a. David Hilder) is a stage, film, and television actor. He has narrated unabridged audiobooks for over eighteen years and has recorded more than two hundred titles, spanning works of fiction and nonfiction.