Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Fab: An Intimate Life of Paul McCartney

by Howard Sounes (Goodreads Author)

3.67 of 5 stars 3.67 · rating details · 358 ratings · 68 reviews

Howard Sounes, the bestselling author of Down the Highway: The Life of Bob Dylan and Charles Bukowski: Locked in the Arms of a Crazy Life, turns his considerable reporting and storytelling skills to one of the most famous, talented—and wealthiest—men alive: Paul McCartney.Fab is the first exhaustive biography of the legendary musician; it tells Sir Paul’s whole life story,...more

Hardcover, 656 pages

Published October 26th 2010 by Da Capo Press (first published September 2nd 2010)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Autobiography of Mark Twain by Mark Twain

Los Angeles Times' 2010 Nonfiction Book Picks

27th out of 48 books — 27 voters

No One Here Gets Out Alive by Danny Sugarman

The Long Hard Road Out of Hell by Marilyn Manson

Best Books on Rock and Roll

357th out of 380 books — 559 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 756)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Feb 07, 2012 Brian rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arts, beatles, biography, music, pop-culture

It's getting harder and harder to write a Beatles book that breaks away from the pack, but Sounes gives it a good effort -- especially since he's trying to compress McCartney's long and winding career into less than 500 pages (no mean feat, considering it took Philip Norman nearly twice that amount to cover Lennon).

For hardcore Beatles fans, I'm not sure there's much on McCartney himself that's new or surprising here -- but Sounes does provide plenty of new or improved information on some of th...more

like 1 like · see review

Jun 28, 2012 Gary Schantz rated it 4 of 5 stars

For starters, I have read probably 100 books about the Beatles since I was a kid so my only reason for picking this book up was because of Paul's 70th birthday. This felt like as good a time as any to catch up on his life. But I only ready the 2nd half of the book in its entirety then skimmed the 1st half which is all about the beginning of the Beatles (and who hasn't heard that story yet?!).

Anyhow, it was an interesting read as it covered items from Beatles quasi-reunion through Linda McCartney...more For starters, I have read probably 100 books about the Beatles since I was a kid so my only reason for picking this book up was because of Paul's 70th birthday. This felt like as good a time as any to catch up on his life. But I only ready the 2nd half of the book in its entirety then skimmed the 1st half which is all about the beginning of the Beatles (and who hasn't heard that story yet?!).

Anyhow, it was an interesting read as it covered items from Beatles quasi-reunion through Linda McCartney's death up to the enagement to Nancy Shevell. It really didn't get into gossip but rather stuck to facts (at least as much as I would know to be facts). I particularly liked the way the Heather Mill's items were covered which could at times appear a little biased because the author is obviously a Paul McCartney fan. The divorce was the usual bantering of who was to blame for what.

Honestly, I never thought Paul would get married again (or so soon) after his wife died simply because their marriage had lasted so long. Despite whatever issues Mills brought into her relationship with him, in fairness to her (as the divorce judge states), she was swept up in the face of all the attention she suddenly got becoming Paul's new partner. She never had a chance and I think he expected too much of her. The whole relationship was a grieving process for him without a doubt.

Are there any surprises in this book? Not really. Perhaps one issue could have been better addressed and that is the relationship between Paul and George Harrison. John Lennon was only in Paul's life for about 25 years and it has been well-documented. However, Paul and George knew each other from the time they were little kids and had an even longer history. That Paul and George never reconcile to the point of getting together and writing some songs seemed to be a big mistake on Paul's part. On George's behalf, I am sure the reason the relationship never evolved further was due to the resentment of being treated like an employee during the Beatle years rather than as a friend for all time. I guess that is how it can be with famous people, they see each other as we see them...one is "more important" than the other.

As far as Paul's music, the book covers this item closely. The guy who wrote "Hey Jude" is also the guy who wrote "Bip Bop" (look this song up on an early Wings album, Wildlife...just stupid and bad). "When did you write your last #1?", he is quoted as excusing how bad some of his albums have been.

Bottom line, Paul seems to learn everything too late and as he has grown older this doesnt seem to be changing. He didn't become Paul McCartney without there being talent around him for some of his best songs. Unfortunately, he seems to think otherwise.(less)

like 1 like · see review

May 02, 2012 LaurieH118 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Macca is now very nearly 70, and yet most of the examinations of his very full life only focus on the years between 1962 and 1970. While naturally the Beatle years are covered here, I enjoy that FAB gives us a more complete portrait of the man.

I was particularly intrigued by his life with Linda. Two people had definitely sown their wild oats, they finally found security and stability with one another and had a decades-long, monogamous and evolving union, "living in a home in the heart of the cou...more

like · see review

May 04, 2011 Ann rated it 2 of 5 stars

I am an admirer of Sounes' books on Bukowski.

'Fab' however, is riddled with Sounses' own irritating and unsubstansiated views. He is also clearly not a musical person. His descriptions of Mccartney's music ; 'Fiery licks', 'a hot track' etc are pathetic and risible.

More annoying though are his dismissals of anything he clearly doesn't understand. (an objectivity is surely a given for any biographer unless he has an argument to back up his dismissal).

Sounes doesn't seem to be able to understand t...more

like 2 likes · see review

Mar 10, 2011 Bruce rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

My views on this book are probably best summed up by fellow GR Tim Byron. I suspect that the only reason the Heather Mills section was so extensive (if a bit People magazin-y in its reportage), is that here Sounes had access to voluminous court records.

Speaking around, if not directly to this readable doorstop, I think the challenge in penning a bio on any contemporary figure as covered as Sir Paul is to provide more depth, insight, or narrative oomph than you could reasonably expect from your a...more

like · see review

Dec 15, 2010 Blog on Books rated it 4 of 5 stars

As usual, there are a rash of new music books on the market for your favorite music fan for the holidays.

It wouldn't be the holidays without some kind of Beatles' ephemera coming to market (the well-timed iTunes deal aside) and Howard Sounes excellently researched "Fab: the Intimate Life of Paul McCartney" (DaCapo) fills the bill. By interviewing some 200 subjects (family members, musicians ranging from Pete Townshend to every member of Wings, etc.) as well as compiling everything from recording...more

like · see review

Jun 20, 2011 Kathy rated it 3 of 5 stars

I almost married Paul McCartney. The only thing that came between us is that we never actually met. But seriously when I was a little girl in the 60s I LOOOOOOVED Paul McCartney. He was the best Beatle. George? Too much in the way of eyebrows & teeth. Ringo? Kinda sad & pitiful, like a puppy you'd rescue from the pound. John? Smart-ass. The kind of mean boy who'd nickname you Spaz for the next 5 years because you tripped over your feet one time in gym class. But Paul...ohhhh, he'd wake u...more I almost married Paul McCartney. The only thing that came between us is that we never actually met. But seriously when I was a little girl in the 60s I LOOOOOOVED Paul McCartney. He was the best Beatle. George? Too much in the way of eyebrows & teeth. Ringo? Kinda sad & pitiful, like a puppy you'd rescue from the pound. John? Smart-ass. The kind of mean boy who'd nickname you Spaz for the next 5 years because you tripped over your feet one time in gym class. But Paul...ohhhh, he'd wake up early to scratch your names in a heart on a rock on the beach, then take you walking on the beach and randomly "find" that exact rock. Seriously. He actually did this for his second wife, Horrible Heather.
I like music that is kind of raw, not over-produced, so I liked the early Beatles, but I was never a huge Wings fan. I like some of the classical music that McCartney has composed. I agree with the author of this bio that Paul's music is sometimes a little shallow and slick, but, at its best it is great. And one thing you have to give Paul is that he keeps doing it He sure doesn't need the money. He just likes to make music and entertain people.
I don't usually read celebrity bios, but I couldn't pass up anything with such an adorable picture of my almost-husband on the cover. I thought it was well-balanced. It shows Paul as a smart money manager, and a generous person, one who did not need to live extravagantly, who had a wholesome life after he married Linda (other than being a hard-core pothead). It also portrays the unsurprising sexual excesses of a young man who could have any woman he wanted - and pretty much did - and the ego excesses of the incredibly rich, famous and successful.
And how about that Jane Asher? Wow, what was up with her when she and Paul were supposedly engaged and he was boinkin' everything is sight that had a vagina and would hold still for 5 seconds. She was either incredibly naive and didn't know or she just didn't care. Anyway, she finally had enough of him, and, to her great credit, has never had a word to say about it since. Classy!
My only complaint about this book is that, for the sake of thoroughness, it sometimes got tedious. Then Paul did this, then he did that, then he made this album, then he went to this that and the other city on tour. It got a little boring in spots. (less)

like · see review

Feb 11, 2011 Tim Byron rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I've read too many books on the Beatles to fully appreciate "Fab", I think. The first half of the book - which covers Paul until the Beatles' breakup - seemed like familiar territory, and there were few anecdotes or interesting insights that I hadn't heard before - if that part of Paul's life is what you're interested in, you're better off reading the Hunter Davies or Bob Spitz books. The second half of the book was the more interesting half, as I wasn't as familiar with the story, and there wer...more

like 2 likes · see review

Jul 18, 2011 Kathryn rated it 2 of 5 stars

A more detailed review will follow on my book blog, but here I'll say that this is the first Beatle biography I've read that wasn't about John. I suppose I've resisted all this time to read a Paul bio because he's still kicking and apparently making news...therefore his story is far from over. Reading Fab, you get the impression that the author is only a marginal admirer of McCartney. While it may be mainly factual (it's certainly long) it doesn't read as an objective piece. A song is mention, a...more

like · see review

Dec 07, 2012 Daniel rated it 3 of 5 stars

After years of refusal Reader met Author amongst the lazy sunbathers with the half-hearted introduction You were good in your time.

Author, typically hated for loving, mussed aloud I'll never be anybody's hero now.

After a pause, pregnant, roughly four seconds in duration, Author intoned There speaks a true friend and then probably murmured There's a place in hell for me and my friends.

After a joyous dinner interspersed with drinking, Author spoke to true friend Reader of Alma, Author's only t...more

like · see review

Oct 31, 2012 Angie rated it 4 of 5 stars

I've been reading this throughout the past year. This book gives the over detailed and exhaustive account of the life of Paul McCartney. Anyone related or who had worked with McCartney is thoroughly interviewed and at times, re-interviewed. Most nonchalant Beatles fans would find this book boring and far too British (The author uses his homeland wordings of favour, fag (cigarette), etc). But, I consider myself a pretty fanatical lover of the serendipitous Fab 4, with a definitive crush, nay, ove...more

like · see review

Nov 01, 2011 Carla rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle-library-books

In spite of the fact that this book is so large I thought I’d never finish it, I enjoyed it immensely. Even though I am a “child of the Sixties” and have always enjoyed the music of that decade - including the Beatles’ - I never thought or cared much one way or another about the details of the Beatles’ lives (or about “post-Beatle” Paul McCartney.) In spite of that, I was aware on some level of what was going on in music and in the world during that decade and since then, so I had heard bits and...more In spite of the fact that this book is so large I thought I’d never finish it, I enjoyed it immensely. Even though I am a “child of the Sixties” and have always enjoyed the music of that decade - including the Beatles’ - I never thought or cared much one way or another about the details of the Beatles’ lives (or about “post-Beatle” Paul McCartney.) In spite of that, I was aware on some level of what was going on in music and in the world during that decade and since then, so I had heard bits and pieces about many of the things that are in this book. But, I knew none of the actual details, and that might be what made this book so fascinating for me.

I appreciate the fact that the author appears to have done exhaustive research in writing this book, because that makes me think that he pretty much knows what he’s talking about, and that most of the information is true. This is not a “tabloid piece.” Rather, it’s what the title implies: an intimate look at the life of the “cute” Beatle. By the end of the book I found myself truly admiring this man who, at least as he is portrayed in this book, appears to be a truly class act...especially for someone who suddenly found himself on the world’s biggest stage, as a member of one of the biggest musical acts in history, before age 20.

I think anyone who enjoys biographies and memoirs would like this book. (And, in the end, it’s not as huge as it first appears, because the final one-fourth of it consists of notes, acknowledgments, index, etc.) There are also quite a few photographs in two sections of the book, which I always appreciate in a biography. Reading the book reminded me of many Beatles songs (and Paul’s solo songs) that I had forgotten about, and I enjoyed that aspect of it so much that I have purchased two albums as a direct result of reading the book, and plan to buy more in the future.

Finally, I want to add that I checked this out from my local library as an e-book, and found the formatting to be pretty much flawless. This is always welcome, and gives me some hope that e-book publishers are finally starting to get it ...(less)

like · see review

Jun 28, 2011 John rated it 3 of 5 stars

Having read virtually all beatles and solo biographies. This one is pretty good as doesn't focus too much on beatles years (all been written really. Read and watch the anthology book dvd*); very good on post 1970 especially input from Denny Laine (failed to mention he sold his 50% of mull of kintyre rights to Paul due to finacial problems)the Heather years (she doesn't come out of it very well but..)

Well worth a read along with the Barry Miles "Many years from now" (nearest thing to an autobiogr...more

like · see review

Dec 31, 2010 Maj rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Positively surprised by this well-balanced and well researched biography. It must be one of the best ones written about a member of the Beatles, if not the best one.
Why I don't give a 5 star rating: sometimes the book felt a bit too "intimate". Also, as many biographers of musicians, Sounes did at times strongly put forward his opinions about Macca's music - even though he set out to make this book about Sir Paul's LIFE.
But all in all having read the official biography that made almost a saint...more

like · see review

Feb 08, 2011 Brianna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Going into this book, I was unimpressed with the list of acquaintances, distant relatives, and old girlfriends interviewed for the biography. I felt like the author was too proud of his two years spent researching Paul's life (is that all?) and was a little too enamored with his own critique of Paul's music. But by the end of the book, I had to agree that the author seemed to do a pretty good job of putting out a fair and balanced biography.

The only other thing I ask from a newly published biog...more

like · see review

Apr 27, 2011 Kiof rated it 3 of 5 stars

Mehhhh. Too long and strangely lifeless. The book is written in an odd, enthusiastic tone reminiscent of People magazine, as some one else noted. Sounes constantly says "but we'll get to that later" or "but we're getting ahead of ourselves". You'll see what I mean if you read it, and it's quite annoying. I loved Down the Highway and could never understand why people disliked that book, but Fab made me see the flaws with Sounes as a biographer. If you like music biographies and are very bored, fl...more

like · see review

Feb 14, 2012 Joe rated it 3 of 5 stars

A few handfuls of previously unknown tidbits, just enough to keep a Fab-Four-Fan enticed; but this self-proclaimed "objective historian" can't seem to keep his jaded views in check. He seems intent on ripping Sir Paul, and delights in exposing details that only the tawdry-minded could find truly fascinating. (I swear I could envision him salivating as he feverishly scribbled his groundbreaking "revelations.") Should the yellow press Fox Network ever want to hire a celebrity stalker, this hack co...more

like · see review

Sep 06, 2011 Colleen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography

While it's an unauthorized biography, and therefore, not always a flattering look at Sir Paul, I found this work to be quite comprehensive and very interesting. If you're a fan of Paul and are open to discovering a more well rounded account of his life, I would recommend this book.

Paul was always my favorite Beatle and having been born a few months following their arrival in the U.S. and with siblings who were teenagers, I quite literally grew up with the band. So for me, it was intriguing to be...more

like · see review

May 12, 2011 Don rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: beatles, history, music, non-fiction, did-not-finish

I always knew McCartney had a over-blown ego and this book really helps verify that fact.

Though, there is more of McCartney's early childhood history and his relatives are mentioned here than in any other book about him that I've read.

Sadly this really didn't do it for me. Spelling mistakes as in Montreal was Montral (pg. 109). The Editor was really asleep at the wheel, and in this age of spelling checkers there isn't any excuse for this.

There are better McCartney historical books out there and...more

like · see review

Apr 12, 2013 Bob rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, biography

An exhausting bio. The most interesting years are Sir Paul's childhood through about 1971. From there the tale goes slowly downhill with some interesting highs long the way. Much of the latter part I simply glossed over. He ain't died yet and I think there will be books published about the band members forever. After awhile I'll probably have to track down the John Lennon bio that is rated the best. The music says it all. Beatles Forever! Cheer-io Mates

like · see review

Jun 03, 2012 Ray rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: pld, kindle, non-fiction

I liked this book a lot. After having read Patti Boyd's book, this fit in nicely with information about the Beatles. Although focusing on Paul, it does address a lot of the interaction of the Beatles after they split. The author was very good at documenting events, issues from both sides, and this was by no means a sugar coating. I would recommend this book to any fan of this era, as I'm sure that you will learn something new about the Fab 4, and the people who surrounded them.

like · see review

Jan 26, 2012 Alex Robinson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: bio, music

I enjoyed this book but I have two quibbles:

--Despite being called an "intimate" biography I never really felt like the author got into McCartney's skin.

--the section on the Heather Mills debacle is far too long,going into far too much detail for what is (while admittedly sordid and weird) ultimately a kind of trivial matter.

That being said, I thought it was an interesting book that actually had some great insights.

like 1 like · see review

Jul 29, 2011 Shannon added it

Ehh...I'm partial to Peter Amos Carlin's bio -- this one gives a meticulous and overwhelming account of Paul MCartney's ancestors, but only a brief introduction to his union with John Lennon. I was amazed how overly persnickety this biographer is about trivial details, yet overgeneralizes significant events in McCartney's life, like meeting Lennon or Linda's death.

like · see review

Aug 10, 2012 Bill S. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

An excellent bio of Beatle Paul from his early days with the Fab Four through his solo career. McCartney is seen, warts and all, dealing with his fellow Beatles, fans, other musicians, etc.

Covered in detail are marriages to Linda (mostly favorable) and , later, Heather (Mills) who comes across a lying, thieving harlot simply out for Macca's money and his name to further her own "career".

Beatle fan or not, an excellent book!

like · see review

Mar 03, 2013 David Betts rated it 3 of 5 stars

A substantial book, but not much in there I hadn't read somewhere else before. Also, the author irritates by imposing his personal opinion on the reader. It's one thing to quote someone criticising the subjects work; another when the writer does it himself. Is he a biographer or a music critic? There are much better accounts of the Beatles era, but this might serve as introduction to McCartney post-Beatles for the very young, or someone who has been living in a box for 40 years.

like · see review

Apr 20, 2011 Paul Cantle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reads

Good unauthorised biography of Macca. The author's obviously a fan, but not a sycophant. He's quite critical of the majority of McCartney's post-Beatle output, feeling that he wrote to many "Silly Love Songs", but still a fascinating insight to his creative process, and of those around him. Interesting ending regarding the Heather Mills episode - another "subtle whore" (my words) of which there are too many around these days. Overall, it has made me want to delve back into my Wings/McCartney col...more

like · see review

Nov 24, 2011 Marisa Adair rated it 3 of 5 stars

I quite enjoyed this "fab" book about the cute (and super-talented) Beatle, Paul McCartney. We learn about two very different sides of Paul from child to adult - the kind, loving friend and family member and the autocratic, calculating, inflexible man (especially when it comes to his music and business). Although a lot of the Beatles history has been reviewed in previous books, Fab also explores his "Wings" period, and I particularly liked the description of his time with his family in the isola...more

like · see review

Apr 18, 2013 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: on-hold

Intimate indeed! I personally would not like to have such a revealing account of my life made about me while I was still alive. Very enjoyable though, the story of Paul's life is masterfully balanced with those who were in his life at the time. I will finish it someday.

like · see review

Apr 10, 2013 Ali rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography

In my lifetime, I have read a wide array of books about the Beatles. I have mostly read books about all 4 Beatles together, but there have been quite a few about Lennon specifically that I have devoured. That is why it is so nice to see the whole thing from the McCartney side. This current and comprehensive biography follows Paul to present day with an interesting emphasis on his post Beatle days. I truly enjoyed some of the very personal details. Sounes does an excellent job.

like · see review

Mar 22, 2012 Rkeeley added it

It got better as it went along. There were a few writing idiosyncrasies that bothered me along the way, like a penchant for using obscure words and for calling Ringo "Richie" and Linda "Lin." Overall a good overview of McCartney's career.

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 25 26 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (11)

More editions...

Genres

Biography

23 users

Music

19 users

Non Fiction

12 users

History

4 users

Biography > Autobiography

3 users

Music > Musicians

2 users

European Literature > British Literature

2 users

Biography Memoir

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Howard Sounes

Howard Sounes is the author of well-known biographies of Bob Dylan, Charles Bukowski and Paul McCartney as well as books about crime, sport and the arts.

His first book was the true crime bestseller Fred & Rose (1995), after which he wrote a critically acclaimed biography of the American writer Charles Bukowski, and a bestselling biography of Bob Dylan, Down the Highway: The Life of Bob Dylan,...more

More about Howard Sounes...

Books by Howard Sounes

Charles Bukowski: Locked in the Arms of a Crazy Life

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Fab: An Intimate ...

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: Fab: An Intimate Life of Paul McCartney
avg rating	preview: Fab: An Intimate Life of Paul McCartney Goodreads rating: 3.67 (358 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7894333-fab?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328847307l/7894333.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7894333-fab?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Fab: An Intimate Life of Paul McCartney by Howard Sounes[/url]

Fab: An Intimate Life of Paul McCartney

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website