Dreaming the Beatles: The Love Story of One Band and the Whole World Hardcover – 25 April 2017

I never usually bother writing reviews but felt I had to say something about this excellent bookHaving read a lot of Beatles books I came across this one recommended by the British Beatles Fan Club and I think its the most different I've readRob is a fan like all of us but he comes at it from a different angle .I would urge any fan of this always interesting and most excellent band and institution to give this one a try !

Subtitled, “The Love Story of One Band and the Whole World,” this is something unusual – a different, very personal take, on the Beatles story and what they mean. Author Rob Sheffield is an editor at Rolling Stones, a music critic and a Beatles fan. Sheffield’s parents were amused, and slightly confused, about the obsession that he, and his sisters, had for the Beatles. Didn’t they know that this band had split up? In fact, Sheffield’s real argument, in this extremely personal love letter to the band, is that the fact the band split up made no difference at all to how people felt about them. I first came to the Beatles in the Seventies, via Wings, and that was the decade in which the ex-Beatles themselves were pretty disgruntled about people raking up the never ending stories of reunions. However, as it now clear, every era claims the Beatles as their own discovery. They sit, virtually unchallenged, as the ‘Greatest Group of all Time’ and look set to remain there.When the Beatles broke up, even they thought there was a time limit to their success. The more they raged about not looking backwards, became embroiled in lawsuits and personal arguments, writing songs that were definitely about each other, others that were probably about each other and unable to cut those ties (John Lennon was always a Beatle, throughout his entire life), the more the public simply refused to allow them not to be Beatles anymore. If the four ex-members of the band refused to play the game and get back together, they would simply invent new ways to enjoy being fans – enter tribute bands, movies about them, plays, Beatles conventions, endless podcasts, even ‘Beatles historians’ such as Mark Lewisohn, to really treat the Fabs as seriously as we feel they should be treated…Rob Sheffield muses about what the Beatles mean to him, and to so many of us, in this book. Yes, it is opinionated and that means that you will not agree with everything he writes. I am sure he would not expect us to. Still, he says a lot that you may well agree with and lots that you can get either enthusiastic, or enraged, about. He snipes a little at Paul, but, sadly, I feel that only time will show how there is, literally, nobody who is as multi-talented and central to the Beatles as Paul was. If George and Ringo were, in George’s only half-joking words, the ‘economy Beatles’ then it was John and Paul who led the way and created the bulk of the music that much of the world still sings. Whatever my doubts about some of Sheffield’s views, I really did enjoy this book and I applaud him for writing something beyond the usual biography. For those of us to whom the Beatles are not only important, but so important that we need to consider every aspect of their career in mind-numbing detail, this is a book you should probably read.

It's a book that I wanted; and I'm thrilled to have been able to source it. Very grateful, thanks.

Good read

Written by a man who is obviously a fan. Honest, funny and enlightening

Interesting take on a subject that's been written about and talked to death about over the years, refreshing to see a different take on it

This book is more about opinions than new facts on the history of The Beatles. The author provides an interesting and new (personal) take on the band.There is a wasted chapter on the Rolling Stones, trying to justify their position as chart and artistic rivals to The Beatles.The author/ book has a slight bias against Paul McCartney, I find most Beatles' books have a Lennon or McCartney bias one way or the other, but it doesn't detract from the enjoyment of the book.As expected with these types of books I didn't agree with all the author's opinions including the faux pas of proposing the US version of Rubber Soul was equal or maybe superior to the original UK version - sacré bleu!Overall, I found the writer to be knowledgeable (but not about 10cc) and insightful. A good read.

Beatles book full of information , good story. Arrived quickly.

I like the author's clear expression of his own opinions (which I felt free to disagree with on occasion). I notice that slings and arrows were cast in the direction of each Beatle, as well as bouquets and leis. The book felt as if it were written by a fan for other fans who had knowledge of the group, so it did not reiterate too much introductory material. I have read so much on the Beatles that it is rare when I encounter a work that gives me the pleasure of a fresh viewpoint - like this one did.I was a Beatles fan almost from Day 1, and this work reminded me of times - before they became apotheosized - when I was occasionally annoyed and impatient with the four of them, while still loving the music.My reaction to the White Album is very similar to the author's, except when it comes down to particular songs. Loved Prudence, but was a bit annoyed with Martha. Hated Revolution #9. Swooned over I Will. Today I sing along with them all (except Revolution #9).

First, a warning. This is not a book for people who are just getting into the Beatles. This is a Masters Level course for people who have spent time deciding whether Rubber Soul or Revolver is the better album. And I'd suggest at least auditing "Stones 101" before reading this book.But if you're ready for it, this is THE book. It comes at the Fab Four from multiple angles, each angle fascinating and wonderful. And the fact I had to keep Google and YouTube on call the whole way (I haven't audited Stones 101 and don't have every Beatles melody on instant recall) just added to the fun. (Wow, that Prince solo on While My Guitar is SICK!)Oh, by the way, if you're not ready for this book yet but the Kindle is still only $1.99, buy it anyway. The bibliography is incredible and could help you get your BA in Beatles so you're ready for the rest of the book. I may read another of his Toppermost suggestions and invest more time in B-sides (and maybe some Stones) and then reread this book to see how much more I notice and enjoy.Wonderful book.

Livro apaixonante e muito bem escrito! Vale a pena a leitura.

Dit is een boek dat als hardcover vrijwel niet meer te krijgen is. Nu nieuw gekocht voor een zeer lage prijs. Uitstekende aankoop dus.

Se lo recomiendo a todos los fans de The Beatles y a los que no siéndolos quieran saber acerca de ese grupo que revolucionó no solo la música en los años 60 sino también toda la cultura y la sociedad de la época. Se dice, con algo de razón, que antes de The Beatles el mundo era en blanco y negro y que ellos nos trajeron el color. Si eso es así en el mundo civilizado, en España que vivíamos en la dictadura, mucho más.