Jean-Michel GuesdonAll The Songs: The Story Behind Every Beatles Release

I also have the Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin editions of All The Songs from these same authors. Both of those are also very well done.I’m a little bit too young to have been a “first generation” Beatles fan, so last summer I decided to see what all the hoopLa was about and I started listening to the Beatles and reading about them. I knew some of their music—I think anyone over the age of 25 knows at least a couple of songs—but now, I’m digging in and learning quite a bit more about them. And the great thing, other than their great music itself, is that there is so much of it to discover. For someone like me, too young to be a first-generation Beatles fan, but too old to find much in today’s music that interests me, truly discovering the Beatles is like finding all new music—and what great music it is. They deserve every bit of respect, admiration and adulation surrounding their legend.This book, like the other two I have from these same authors, is very well done. It keeps my interest quite well. There are lots and lots of photos, interesting stories to go with most entries, all the technical info an amateur can hope for, and more. These books keep me busy for long periods of time. They’re also very attractive hard covers, so the kruse is fair, not to mention you can keep these books out with your other favorite “coffee table books.”I’m not informed enough about the Beatles to know if there might be some mistakes in facts (like so,e other reviewers), but I will say that I’m having quite a good time with all of this, including the little factoids every few pages: “For Beatles Addicts,” etc. There is enough here to keep me busy fir quite some time while I work my way through their vast catalogue.I also liked the introduction by Patti Smith, who is a really good writer as well as a trusted authority on music from that era. Her intro takes you right into the heart of what it felt like to be a “first-generation” Beatles fan.If you or someone you know is into the Beatles, this is the book to buy. Just be forewarned—it takes a long time to work yiur way through these books. That’s a good thing : )

Holy moly! This is 670+ pages of Beatles goodness!First note: do not expect lyrics to the songs. This book does not contain them. I would guess there are probably complex copyright issues with the lyrics and rather than the publisher dealing with tedious and expensive legal spelunking, they opted to omit. Instead just google the lyrics - they are easily found online. Or many Beatles album jackets have the lyrics (I have all the albums on original vinyl, so many have the lyrics - not sure about CDs and recent releases).The book does contain hundreds of amazing photos - awesome for fans! There are also oodles of trivia tidbits!Each song has a page (or more) devoted to it - basically the story behind the song - why they wrote it, who actually wrote it (most were credited to Lennon/McCartney but were often not written by both).The book is laid out chronologically, so it really makes sense and it is easy to locate specific songs and albums.I recommend this book for any fan of the Beatles. I consider myself a pretty avid fan and this book contains a LOT of great content I didn't even know!

I wanted this book for a long time and finally ordered it. Unbelievable the detail and comprehensiveness of information. I have to keep it out on the table all the time. It’s certainly not a sit and read through book. I can barely lift it! But it will answer any question you can think of about the Beatles. Who needs internet searches!

This book is larger than I thought it would be. It is very thick...like an old dictionary. The photos are very good and the print is easy to read. I have four other Beatle books that contain photos. This book contains a lot of photos that I've never seen before. There is at least one error in the book. For example, on page 14, it reads: "June 6, 1962. On this exact date, the fate of the Beatles shifted.... Around 6:00pm, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Pete Best entered EMI Studios in London for the first time - they would return for the following seven years". Oh, really? Seven years including Pete Best? What about Richard Starkey?I was too young to absorb and appreciate the years of Beatlemania. But around 1966, I became interested in music and the Beatles have been my favorite group ever since. For many years, I assumed that George Harrison played all the lead guitar parts and John played all the rhythm parts. I also assumed that Paul played the bass and piano "only". I was wrong. As time went on, I learned that Paul played the drums on a few songs and the guitar on many songs. Plus, Paul and John played keyboards on many songs. In the song, "You Can't Do That", I love the guitar solo. I was thinking that the solo was one of the best that George had ever played. Yet, "it didn't sound like George". In reading this book, I learned that John Lennon played the guitar solo in that song. Did any of us know that John could play "like that"? I didn't, until I read this book. Also, George Martin contributed some keyboard work. For each song, the book lists: who played piano; who played drums; who played acoustic guitar; who played electric guitar; who played bass, etc., etc. Yet, it doesn't always specify who played the guitar solo, or who played the piano solo (sometimes we are told). But, because you are told who played each instrument, you should be able to figure out "who played what" in each song. I have about 5 Beatle books and this one has become my favorite. I am not much of a reader. But, this book is a great read. I'm glad I bought it.