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Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now
If you think John Lennon was the smart, arty Beatle while Paul was an empty head twittering prettily, this book will hip you to the facts. While John sat in the suburbs getting stoned to numb the pain of his imminent divorce, bachelor Paul was feeding his head by immersion in the London avant-garde. He pioneered the Beatles' experimental stuff, though his witty song-by-son...more
Paperback, 654 pages
Published
October 15th 1998
by Henry Holt & Company
(first published 1997)
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This is as close to a ghost-written autobiography as you'll get and is a companion - and riposte - to the giant Lennon Remembers Rolling Stone interviews (essential reading, even for non-Beatle fans). So old Macca comes across as being heartily sick of the Saint Lennon myth and decides to give his version of events - yes, McCartney was a rocker too, yes, he was avant-garde too blah blah. All quite true.
One thing the world isn't short of : unnecessary Beatle books.
I did...more
One thing the world isn't short of : unnecessary Beatle books.
I did...more
I really enjoyed this book. It sat on my book shelf a while before I got to it but it was nice to read a book that Sir Paul approved and one that a lot of his interviews over the years was used as the basis for the book.
Basically the book is trying to set the record straight on Paul and how he was the original avant garde Beatle being a swinging single in 60's London going to plays, performances, traveling, enjoying the night life of the city, hanging with artists, poets, other musicians...more
Basically the book is trying to set the record straight on Paul and how he was the original avant garde Beatle being a swinging single in 60's London going to plays, performances, traveling, enjoying the night life of the city, hanging with artists, poets, other musicians...more
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I loved this book! It was part biography and part memoir, with Paul's actually words on most of the pages. I didn't know much about the Beatles - other than loving their music, until I read this book. I learned so much, especially that Paul was the most creative of the Moptops. I always thought it was John who was the master of creativity. I was also suprised at the amount of drugs that passed through their bodies and how easy it was for Paul to turn down drugs. I'm happy that I finally know how...more
Along with author Miles, McCartney himself adds a paragraph or two every 3 pages or so, making this book a de facto autobiography of his Beatles years, and McCartney's work with Miles in establishing Indica Books as a leader in counterculture art, periodicals, underground newspapers and literature in 1960s England.
It's also, frankly, a bit funny to read about how mundane the life of a "superstar" can be. Mick Avory has commented that McCartney was "the most competitive...more
It's also, frankly, a bit funny to read about how mundane the life of a "superstar" can be. Mick Avory has commented that McCartney was "the most competitive...more
Honestly, this book wasn't that great. It's surprisingly the only biography of Paul I could find, and it's just not written that well. It's not really a biography, it's more Paul talking about a variety of subjects. The thing is, the subjects usually don't have anything to do with his life or the Beatles. There are very long chapters where Paul waxes on and on about avante-garde galleries he frequented in the sixties. It doesn't seem like Paul wants to let his guard down, or delve into subjects ...more
Absolutely fascinating! I loved this book! What an amazing, detailed look at the long and winding road (sorry, couldn't resist) of Paul’s life during the era of the phenomenon known as the Beatles, often told in Paul's own words. I was most intrigued with the descriptions of how each song came to be, the synergy of the collaboration with John Lennon and the incredible creative process that led to the greatest collection of songs ever written. I learned about all the cultural influences on the mu...more
Many Years from Now is a terrific example of a really great method in pseudo-autobiography: the author was a contemporary of the subject and so able to offer context from his own experience. It's an interesting give-and-take which employs McCartney interviews from way-back-when, Mill's recollection (if relevant) or interpretation, and McCartney's follow-up--almost like a long conversation (about an EXTREMELY interesting subject).
Detailed but not ponderous, this is easily the b...more
This book is comprised largely of long interview responses from Sir Paul, and there has always been something about his interviews that puts me off - it seems that everything he's saying has been rehearsed, or internally edited somehow. The book is also almost comically anti-John, and a little too fawning towards its main subject. I can't think of one criticism the book makes, or where it casts Paul in a less than flattering light - but then, it does completely skip over the 80s. The palpable...more
This is a good Beatles book to get because Paul includes his own personal backstory on all of his songs and The Beatles songs (not much if it is one of George's, though. Too bad). I personally love reading about the claims that John Lennon wrote Paul songs such as Eleanor Rigby (despite all evidence to the contrary). The eleven pages about how he wrote Yesterday all.by.himself amuses me a great deal, as well. (It's a weird hobby of mine to retell the story of Yesterday in numerous ways, each one...more
The coolest thing about this MacCartney bio is that the author, Barry Miles, personally knew Paul from the time that he moved to London and began living with actress Jane Asher. Barry Miles was buddies with her brother, Peter Asher, who later formed Peter & Gordon, and then went on to produce albums by Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor. Barry Miles was part owner of the Indica Gallery, the bookstore/art gallery where John Lennon met Yoko Ono. It's 600+ pages long, and all told from the inside.
Paul truly was the creative genius behind the Beatles. Yes, all four members were crucial to the group - it wouldn't have been the Beatles without John, Paul, George, or Ringo, and the contributions each made were priceless. But Paul had the vision and drive, especially in the later years. Yes, he can be a wanker, but that goes for most everybody.
Thsi book examines Paul's life and his art in a very honest and complete way. A must read for any Beatles fan and for ALL Paul fans.
Thsi book examines Paul's life and his art in a very honest and complete way. A must read for any Beatles fan and for ALL Paul fans.
This book is essentially a really long interview with Paul McCartney. I'm not sure why I read it. I am a fan of the Beatles, but McCartney is not a terribly interesting subject, especially compared to John Lennon. Macca was the better (more technically proficient) musician and vocalist, and you could argue, the superior songwriter, but Lennon is a much more fascinating character. Lennon was a mean, paranoid, delusional crank. By comparison, Paul always comes off as a bit dull. But, the boo...more
Esse livro é foda. Acho que é a melhor biografia dos Beatles que você vai encontrar. Afinal, é a versão do próprio Paul, dita em dezenas de entrevistas ao autor.
Tá certo que ele puxa um pouco a brasa pra sardinha dele, mas é foda. E, ainda assim, o autor Barry Miles (que era amigo e convivia com os Beatles nos 60's) mandou bem na pesquisa a ponto de todos os fatos "polêmicos" serem acompanhados de versões diferentes.
Mas, pra mim, o melhor é o Paul contando deta...more
Tá certo que ele puxa um pouco a brasa pra sardinha dele, mas é foda. E, ainda assim, o autor Barry Miles (que era amigo e convivia com os Beatles nos 60's) mandou bem na pesquisa a ponto de todos os fatos "polêmicos" serem acompanhados de versões diferentes.
Mas, pra mim, o melhor é o Paul contando deta...more
Any book that makes you fall in love with a person without ever having met them is damn pretty powerful. This was that book for me. Before I read it, Ringo was my favorite Beatle! But I discovered that Paul is incredibly creative, loving, open and determined (not to mention pretty damn sexy in those early photos!). Some bits tend to wander and can be difficult to get through, like his long and winding (like the pun?) treatment of pataphysics, but this book will give you an honest glimpse into hi...more
This would be far more interesting if Paul didn't spend so much time slagging off John and Yoko. Was this really necessary? Still, some previously unread anecdotes of interest mainly to hardcore Beatles fans.
The story of the fab four by Macca. It took him years to write, will you take a look?
The view of the sixties, particularly 66-68 years in London makes a great read.
The view of the sixties, particularly 66-68 years in London makes a great read.
One of my fave books of all time. I hold this book close to my heart. An insanely intimate look into the life of the Beatles, Linda, and Paul. Loved it.
It's about Paul McCartney. It's authorized by Paul McCartney. It's co-written by Paul McCartney. I can't write an objective review - I loved it!!!
I really like this book. I've always been more a McCartney gal than not, and I do like a nice biography that makes me feel like I was there.
It is perfect by many aspects included is how telling the uprising moments of how the "Four" were dealing with songs making.
An personal view into the lives of the Beatles, also an enticing look at the 1960s from local lad to rock star.
Read in middle school for a book report where we had to read a biography. Very candid and entertaining.
A wonderful book, full of interesting recollections by the most successful songwriter of all time.
Great book, however a bit too indepth and long!
This had some interesting facts about Paul and gave you a decent timeline of how all that Beatles/McCartney/Wings/McCartney shit went down but this Barry Miles kid needs to get a life because he just talks about himself and how cool the the beatniks were. People who write multiple biographies about musicians and writers need to sit in the corner, take a timeout and think about what they're doing. For a more interesting take on Paul I would direct you to the article by Ian Svenonius in The Psychi...more
A book I continually dip in and out of. As a proud Macca fan this is the closest they'll ever be to an autobiography. Miles is one of the great 60s afficiandos so it's a comprehensive insight into ultimately, the most interesting and creative Beatle.
My favourite sections are the stories of McCartney lording around the London clubs and casinos in the mid 60s whilst he was living with Jane Ashers parents, and his recollections of his early days meeting Linda, spending time in New York...more
My favourite sections are the stories of McCartney lording around the London clubs and casinos in the mid 60s whilst he was living with Jane Ashers parents, and his recollections of his early days meeting Linda, spending time in New York...more
quite good
Did you know that Paul -- not John -- was actually the cool, arty, intellectual Beatle? It's true -- just ask him!
A right load of self-serving codswallop. Allegedly a biography, but written by McCartney's best friend and spattered throughout with manipulative treacle and unnecessary one-upsmanship with a dead man. Blech.
A right load of self-serving codswallop. Allegedly a biography, but written by McCartney's best friend and spattered throughout with manipulative treacle and unnecessary one-upsmanship with a dead man. Blech.
interesting take on the late sixties from Paul, the artistic one, as he sets himself up to be. Contained things I didn't know, which is difficult given that I've been a fan since 1963.
Got this from the library - Paul tells his story and talks about friendship with John in a really heartfelt way. Made me want to go out and buy every Beatles album.
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Sir James Paul McCartney MBE, known as Paul McCartney, is an English singer-songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, poet, entrepreneur, painter, record producer, film producer, and animal-rights activist. He gained worldwide fame as one of the founders and members of The Beatles. McCartney and John Lennon formed one of the most influential and successful songwriting partnerships and "wro...more
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