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The Beatles (Abridged): The Biography Audiobook
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(4.00) - 4,054 listener ratings
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Plot Summary
The year was 1964 -- Sunday evening, February 9, 8-9 p.m. to be precise. Over 73 million people tuned in to watch the Ed Sullivan Show, creating one of the largest television audiences ever in the United States. Four teen-aged mop-topped boys from Liverpool invaded the American scene, and the world was never again the same.
Ask any person coming of age in the 1960s, and you'll get immediate answers to two questions: "Where were you when JFK was assassinated?" and, "Where were you when you first saw The Beatles?" Thousands of young girls fell in love that night, their tear-flooded eyes matching their screams, as Paul McCartney crooned, "'Til There Was You." Hundreds of young men started growing their hair while taking their first guitar lessons.
Even Elvis Presley realized there were new boys in town and called the group to wish them luck.
All was not as it seemed, however, and this audiobook reveals facts about American audiences not previously brought to light.
This biography is the result of extensive research and offers never-before-told stories of the Beatles past and present, in a way that brings to life each of these boys from Liverpool. Author Bob Spitz tells their stories in a way no biographer has yet captured. Little is left out.
Their relatively obscure lives before they ran head-long into fame, the obsessiveness of the fans and of people around them, their parts in the drug scene of the era, the loves and exploits, and all the rivalries -- for better or worse -- are covered.
There is also the music. The stories behind the songs, how they came to be, the struggles and interaction among the composers and their teams -- provide a backdrop after which listeners will turn to much-beloved Beatles' songs with a renewed understanding from this day forward.
American journalist and writer Bob Spitz has written a number of biographies. His work has appeared in Conde Nast Travel, Men's Journal, Esquire, The New York Times Magazine and The Washington Post.
"Amazing and incredibly informative biography. Bob Spitz is very detailed in his account of the Beatles. I learned that in the beginning the Bealtes really sucked but they had incredible charisma that landed them a manager and a record deal. I also learned that their long time manager, Brian Epstein was CRAZY and RECKLESS within his personal life. And I learned that for the most part John Lennon was on an acid trip when he wrote "I Am the Walrus," although he did loosely base his text on a Lews Carroll poem entitled, "The Walrus and the Carpenter." There's so much more great information I got from this book. This a must for the die hard Beatles fan."
— Ebony (5 out of 5 stars)
Publisher Summary
Even before the Beatles hit the big time, a myth was created. This version of the Beatles legend smoothed the rough edges and filled in the fault lines, and for more than forty years this manicured version of the Beatles story has sustained as truth -- until now.
The product of almost a decade of research, hundreds of unprecedented interviews, and the discovery of scores of never-before-revealed documents, Bob Spitz's The Beatles is the biography fans have been waiting for.
Never before has a biography of musicians been so immersive and textured. We are there in the McCartney living room when Paul and John learn to write songs together; backstage the night Ringo takes over on drums; in seedy German strip clubs where George lies about his age so the band can perform; and at the Ed Sullivan Show as America discovers the joy and the madness. From Shea to San Francisco, through the London night, on to India, through marmalade skies, across the universe—all the way to a rooftop concert and one last moment of laughter and music.
It is all here, the highs and the lows, the love and the rivalry, the drugs, the tears, the thrill, the magic never again to be repeated. Bob Spitz's masterpiece is, at long last, the biography the Beatles deserve.
Download and start listening now!
Quotes
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“A consolidating and newly illuminating work.... It chooses perception over presumption in ways that set it off from the pack.”
— New York Times -
“Edited down from a staggering 2,700 pages, The Beatles took eight years of research and writing. But with some 500 books chronicling their lives, loves, and legacy, one would think The Beatles’ story had been adequately told. Adequate isn’t authoritative, however, and most critics believe that Spitz, a former manager for Bruce Springsteen and author of Dylan: The Biography, has synthesized his subject masterfully. Though some would prefer hagiography (Charles Taylor of Newsday seems particularly aggrieved the biography doesn’t live up to the Beatles’ artistic standard—but what has?), the general consensus is that if it’s pop-culture history you desire, The Beatles tops the charts.”
— Bookmarks Magazine -
“With this massive opus, veteran music journalist Spitz tells the definitive story of the band that sparked a cultural revolution…As with all great history writing, Spitz both captures a moment in time and humanizes his subjects. While some will blanch at the unsettling dark sides of the Beatles, most will come to appreciate the band even more for knowing the incredible personal odysseys they endured.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“With an appropriate British accent, Alfred Molina tells of the Liverpool upbringing, the coming together (not an immediate success), the creative process ("Hey, Jude" was written for John’s son Julian), the tours and recording sessions, the genesis of the record covers, the drugs and girlfriends, and the ultimate breakup. The text is so interesting that all Molina has to do is read it capably and clearly—which he does.”
— AudioFile -
“A fresh, terrifically entertaining perspective on the world’s most famous rock group. The book is packed with details and anecdotes that bring the Fab Four to life…Spitz’ group portrait should now be considered the definitive Beatles biography, especially for new generations of Beatles enthusiasts.”
— Booklist
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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Winner of the 2007 Audie Award
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A 2005 New York Times Book Review Notable Book
The Beatles Listener Reviews
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" Possibly the best (next to the Beatle's Anthology) biography written on the Beatles. Spitz's research is incredibly detailed and richly reported. You get not only the sights but the smells and feels of being there. I do wish he had spent just a little more focus on the music but that is ground that has been well covered. A great read for beginning Beatlemaniacs and old pros. "
— Bookendsused, 2/6/2014 -
" This book is THE book to read on the Beatles! "
— Chandra, 1/12/2014 -
" I cried at the ending ... Did you know that the Beatles BROKE UP??!?? "
— Eryn, 10/8/2013 -
" Very entertaining. The Lennon-McCartney dynamic, the Manila Marcos-snubbing incident, the Epstein-Lennon one-night stand (!?)... Detailed, meticulous, but never boring. "
— Niks, 10/6/2013 -
" Completely absorbing, thoroughly researched, and vividly written. The perfect companion to the remastered albums.... "
— Matt, 10/4/2013 -
" Those who know me know I love the Beatles. This biography is detailed and thorough, and you've got to be a fan to enjoy it. For example, I'm reading a chapter about John Lennon's parents and how John came to be born, and only the die-hard fans will probably appreciate the trivia. "
— Lindsy, 9/2/2013 -
" A lot of time is spent on the Quarrymen, which gets a little tiresome. But it takes off after that. It's bittersweet to learn the details of how egotistical all of them- except for Ringo- were. A great read. "
— Ben, 8/6/2013 -
" Fascinating, in-depth tale of the lads from Liverpool. Really brought their world to life for me. "
— Writer, 8/4/2013 -
" Good book, very detailed and very informative!!! "
— Brian123, 5/6/2013 -
" There are some interesting tid-bits about the Beatles that I did not know about. Some if the information is a bit gossipy though. "
— Cicely, 3/27/2013 -
" This was actually an eyeopener for me. I had always thought the John and Yoko thing was blown out of proportion but the anecdotes in the book changed my mind completely. The only member of the band that comes out looking good is Ringo... "
— Sara, 1/31/2013 -
" This is the comprehensive guide to all things Beatles. A fascinating story of how it all began and where it went from there. A great reference and in depth look at 4 of the greatest culture icons ever. "
— Angela, 10/17/2012 -
" Skim through Anthology and then read the real Story in this book. "
— Jeremy, 7/20/2012 -
" I learned a lot about the group and the dynamics of the Beatles. "
— Cindy, 4/24/2012 -
" Its very in depth....maybe a little to much for the average reader. But man it was informative! Start the journey if ya have a few months of time to kill' "
— Chad, 3/26/2012 -
" In the 35 yrs of following break up of the Beatles,,there are plenty of definite version of their story but spits claims a strong claim over each,,,with a vivid prose,,latest interviews & level of factual rigor it will educate many hard-core BEATLEOloGists!!!!! "
— Dr.dipika, 2/21/2012 -
" Like millions of others, I'm a huge Beatles fan. So they weren't always the greatest of role models; even so, this book is provides a thorough history of the Fab Four and their march through culture and history. "
— Jared, 12/7/2011 -
" First rate biography of the Fab Four. "
— PM, 11/28/2011 -
" Great book. The definitive bio on the Beatles. Loved it. "
— Jeff, 6/29/2011 -
" Exhaustively researched biography of John, Paul, George and Ringo that begins at the beginning and ends with the breakup. "
— Joe, 6/24/2011 -
" First rate biography of the Fab Four. "
— PM, 6/7/2011 -
" I love this book because it tells you about the Beatles and how they became a band and i like there songs. "
— Fahim, 5/14/2011 -
" A great biography that doesn't paint the Beatles as perfect. Everything you ever wanted to know, and then some about these masterful, creative lads luckily joined together for our lifetime. "
— Tom, 1/20/2011 -
" This book is huge! I never knew tge beatles were this wild or how pervasive they were into society. "
— Szetong, 1/12/2011 -
" if you love the beatles.... get into this "
— Missy, 12/9/2010 -
" Great book about a great band. "
— Joe, 12/4/2010 -
" A very Good and Very Indepth book in my opinion. Spitz covers the history as if he was playing along side them. Very Dense too (I'm only 300 odd pages in and Ringo Starr finally joins the band) "
— Jordan, 11/28/2010 -
" Great biography....no shocker that Yoko sucks and helped ruined everything "
— Megan, 11/16/2010
About Bob Spitz
Bob Spitz is the award-winning author of the New York Times bestseller, The Beatles, as well as numerous other nonfiction books and a screenplay. His success in biography was preceded by a talent management career boasting clients such as Bruce Springsteen and Elton John. His articles appear regularly in major magazines and newspapers.
About Alfred Molina
Alfred Molina is an actor and winner of numerous Earphones Awards for audiobook narration. His films include Spiderman II, Frida, Magnolia, Chocolat, Boogie Nights, The Perez Family, Maverick, Enchanted April, Not Without My Daughter, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Prick Up Your Ears. He has appeared extensively on British and American television, including the TV series Bram & Alice and Ladies’ Man. He received a Tony Award nomination, a Drama Desk Award, and an Outer Critics Circle Award for his performance in Art on Broadway. He also performed on Broadway in Molly Sweeney and in Speed the Plow for the National Theatre in London.