Rating: 
Summary: Excellent
Review: Most readers who know and appreciate Paul McCartney will find this book a wonderfull source of personal reflexion and inspiration. I have reread it several times. By following the chronology of the songs written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon together then Paul McCartney alone, Barry Miles provides the raw material for many insights into one of the greatest creative geniuses of all time. Fortunately Paul McCartney is not perfect he is a person. He tries, makes mistakes, learns and improves. But he is not just any person.There is even more to Paul McCartney than we generally recognize. The Beatles were not an accident but the result of many years of work, devotion, sacrifice and study. And all humanity owes them a tremendous debt of gratitude for what they have brought to our universal culture. There is no doubt in my mind that Paul McCartney will get the recognition from history he has already received in his time. It is difficult to come away from this book without the realization that McCartney is a determined but gentle giant. He believes in people, in art, in communicating the more noble of mankinds sentiments and aspirations. He is a positive constructive and optimistic person and if he has made it to the toppermost of the poppermost it is through sheer hard work.One of the things I liked the most were the descriptions of the creative processes. The searching, the willingness to experment. And through that search they created a new world for all of us by creating the first universal cultural phenomenon.I also come away with the conclusion that contrary to myth Paul McCartney and John Lennon loved each other very much. But like brothers in family business for a while they got in over their heads. I'm glad the three of them have survived and prospered. I have no doubt in their later years John Lennon and Paul McCartney would have rediscovered their love for each other.Although the book like Paul McCartney is less than perfect I recommend it because it helped me realize that he is one of the finest human beings to have walked on the face of the earth.If you have any doubts read the book, listen to Hope of Deliverance, Come On People, view the Beatles Anthology Videos and decide for yourself. You will have learned something of lasting value to your heart.
Rating: 
Summary: Many Years From Now: Not the last word on McCartney
Review: If you can look past the curiously large number of factual errors (in both the text and the picture captions), ignore Miles' tendency to merely present McCartney's statements (as opposed to motivating his subject to impart something new to his audience), and completely overlook Miles' take on the avant-garde London scene, this book is moderately enjoyable.If you're like me, and you can't do any of the above, then you are in for some seriously trying reading. Here's a sample: "'Yes It Is' was the remaining John Lennon song on Beatles for Sale...", "[Revolver] opens with 'Eleanor Rigby'...", "On With the Beatles, 'Little Child' was for Ringo", etc. I could list more examples, but I think you get the idea. This book is short on "attention to detail". Ultimately, Miles fails in what should have been his brief: to present McCartney in a fresh, thoroughly researched, and myth-bashing context. Instead, we get more of McCartney trying to justify himself -- something that he has been doing since John Lennon's death in 1980. Miles does nothing to challenge McCartney and, as a result, does even less to engage his readers. Sadly, this is not the definitive McCartney book. - Paul, NYC
Rating: 
Summary: Paul As Artiste.
Review: Resolved: Paul McCartney is a great songwriter.
Resolved: Paul McCartney is very concerned about his legacy.
Resolved: These are the only two reasons why this book exists. Many Years From Now is a decent read, and much better than most of the other Beatle bios out there. From what I've read about Sir Paul, I gather he's a pretty nice person & has a keen social conscience. Unlike John & George, Paul (to me, anyway) seems to possess a high degree of healthy skepticism. I definitely empathize and agree with his vegetarianism and his views on animal rights. Basically, when it comes to evaluating billionaire pop-icons, McCartney is downright likable. Unfortunately, it seems that the sole purpose of this book was to propagandize for him. Many Years From Now is marred by a defensive tone that develops from nearly the beginning. The writing of Barry Miles is sycophantic in the extreme, and his descriptions of London's art scene are fairly long-winded. The author's main thesis seems to consist of the following: Paul is not merely a cutesy jingle-writer, he is an artist & the main catalyst of the Beatles. John was an insufferable junkie, and he was mighty lucky to have Paul around so he could swipe Paul's avant-garde ideas. George and Ringo are, at best, worthy of only slight mention & passing interest. The main thrust of Many Years From Now is to establish McCartney as the arty, cerebral Beatle, not "the cute one." The main snag to this assumption is that it's McCartney, more than anyone, who has contributed to his own cutesy image. It's very telling that inconvenient accessories that sustain this are not included, such as a mention of Paul's sugary solo work. As a previous reviewer has stated: Paul may have very well introduced Lennon to the avant-garde, but John actually did something with it! Frankly, outside of a couple of his songs on the white album, I can't recall any McCartney tunes that were remotely avant-garde. Of course, that's not to slight Paul's songs. Some of his Beatle songs are the best ever, period. But it is misleading for Miles to imply that Paul's songs are the Beatles' most cutting edge recordings. Simply put, John Lennon took the most risks with his songs and had the most successes. No doubt, history will judge accordingly. Paul is actually much fairer in his assessment of the other Beatles than Miles is. McCartney acknowledges his sometimes dictatorial behavior and naive pushiness, and there comes a point where one wishes that Paul had written this book. Paul is seemingly very frank about his feelings for his former partner, and it is these recollections that are the best part of the book. Another of the book's successes is the telling of the romance between Paul and Linda. Talk about two people made for each other! The story of Paul & Linda's jaunts around New York are particularly touching. This is by no means a bad book. But, you'll want to keep a pinch or four of salt.
Rating:
Summary: Good
Review: I enjoyed this, and was relieved when it ended with the Beatles break-up, because I could care less about McCartney's solo career. It is a little biased, but, frankly, John and Yoko always went on, as George put it, "that we were idiots and only he and the wife had a clue." McCartney points out how Yoko had a big retrospective show, but since there wasn't enough work for a retropsective, she had to quick make some! (Some career!) And that the other three Beatles were billed for furthering Yoko's ambitions, like this gallery show. Perhaps the three Beatles could have been more receptive to Yoko, but John and Yoko could have been better-mannered themselves, and this book points that out. Also, it was refreshing for Paul to admit that he likes fame. Rather than the b.s. boo hooing that fame is all a burdern. He relates in here how he went in disguise by himself through France for 2 weeks, and got sick of it toward the end, and remembered why he wanted to be famous, so appeared in public as himself again, and was glad to be recognized. A good book.
Rating: 
Summary: McCartney's Beatles
Review: You're not going to find a better book that points out Paul's contributions to the Beatles. Paul's cooperation and reflections are the bulk of the book. Between passages of history, McCartney adds long quotes about his memories and experiences of specific events. He disagrees with the public record on some pretty interesting things. First, he doesn't believe the popularly held idea that the death of Brian Epstein was anything but an accident. Second, he says that the Beatles were never angry at the Maharishi. They didn't consider him a fraud as popularly reported. They had just learned everything they needed to learn from him and they wanted to get back to real life. Paul says he still meditates using the mantra taught to him by the Mararishi. John's song Sexy Sadie was indeed about some disillusionment with the spiritual leader, but the feelings weren't lasting. Third, the collaboration between John and Paul lasted into the later years of the Beatles when most people assumed that they were writing their songs solo and tacking on the other's name. Paul talks about John's help with Hey Jude and his own contribution to the Ballad of John and Yoko. Fourth, Paul is very fair with everyone. He doesn't blame Yoko for breaking up the Beatles. He thinks that Yoko probably saved the H addicted John's life and thus extended the life of the Beatles. He surprisingly doesn't blame Yoko for his conflicted relationship with John after the breakup. People can argue on whether McCartney's vision is the reality or what he wants to portray. Either way, you won't get a complete picture of the Beatles without reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: In Spite of All the Danger...
Review: ...of feeling some disappointment, I felt this was worth reading. An inveterate Paul McCartney fan, I was interested in what this author had to say about the former Beatle and highly gifted performer. Although I found the love between Linda and Paul lovely and highly moving, I was displeased to see how harshly John was described. It was like a yin-yang balance - the tone used in describing Paul was one of fawning deference and on the other hand, John was described in an almost condemnatory fashion. I didn't like that. On the plus side, the lighter moments such as Paul and Linda's trips to New York were cheery and loving. I also enjoyed reading about the final Beatle movie, "Let It Be" which is more or less a chronicle of the dissolution of the group. I found this work to be mediocre.
Rating:
Summary: Where is my review?
Review: I wrote two reviews more than one week ago. They were never posted. Why?
Rating:
Summary: Paul is God/John is nothing
Review: [...] I gave this book 2 stars largely because it is well written and full of information. However, this book was aggravating. Much to my disappointment, it appears that Paul McCartney, inspite of his vast wealth, fame, good fortune and recognition, is a bitter and jealous man. Even though John Lennon has been dead for many years, he seems to be haunting Paul from the grave. Put simply, Paul is jealous because John died. Rather than being grateful, Paul is on a mission to "set the record straight." Sadly he chose to do this at a time when John can't respond. While this book has much wonderful biographical information, Paul is bent on writing (or rewriting) history. Of course, Paul claims to have archives and a decent memory of events from 25 or more years ago. The purpose of this book is to let the world know what a creative genius Paulie is and was. Even though he was known as the cute Beatle, Paul wants everyone to know he is also artsy, avante great, a great painter, a great writer, a great lover, etc. John was an author? Guess what . . . so was Paul!! Why, Paul even helped John in writing his books!! John attended art school and liked to draw? Guess what? Paul met famous artists, is a brilliant painter, and John got into art school not due to talent, but because no one knew what to do with this looser. You thought John was an innovator and experimented with different sounds? Guess what? Paul visited avante garte art galleries before John did, Paul introduced John to tape loops, John accidentally discovered the feed back used on I Feel Fine, etc. etc. Every chance he gets Paul and the author downplay John's talents and contributions. Much of what John accomplished was by accident or because of Paul's help. Paul on the other hand is GOD. Whenever possible, John is blamed for the negative. George walked out during the taping of Let it Be. The Beatles Anthology and all accounts claim that George (like Ringo before him) were tired of Paul's bossiness. What does St. Paul have to say? George walked out because even though Paul was picking on him, George had an argument with John earlier. It was John's fault. I can understand it if someone wants to brag a little, but 400 pages is a bit much. And it is very sad that Paul feels he has to do so at John's expense, especially when John can't answer. Not only does Paul repeatedly talk about his "genius," but the author, Miles, for no logical reason, spends many pages insulting John. John was a "maneuvering swine," "a liar," "fell apart after Epstein died" etc. In many places Paul is quoted as saying that he loved John and that John was his "mate." However, after reading this book one must conclude that with "friends" like Paul, who needs enemies. It is no wonder the Beatles broke up. Paul has to look in the mirror.
Rating:
Summary: The moral is "Paul is great, John is crap"
Review: I recently borrowed this book from my local libary and have gotten through 100 pages. The book is chock full of information and well written. It is must reading for any McCartney/Beatles fan. However Paul's statement on the back cover warns the reader what he or she is in for. On the cover Paul essentially says "I loved John but but but. . . ." and this is the unfortunate theme of this book. This book should have been subtitled "Paul is great, John is crap." We all know that Paul has everything anyone could imagine: tremendous fame, wealth, recognition, plenty of women, a beautiful family, etc. etc. However, this book shows that he is an unhappy man. Why pick on John? It makes Paul appear to be very bitter and jealous. This book would have been so much better if he had stopped slamming John Lennon, his former partner and former friend. It is especially distasteful since John is dead and can't defend himself. Must we learn that Paul (or the author) thought John was lazy? Acted like a boor? That John's wonderful One to ONe concert was allegedly not sold out so Klein gave away 5000 tickets? (I attended that terrific charity event). That Yoko's piano was not plugged in? Must we also learn that Paul got an erection and felt good about it when he saw his own mother in her underwear? If Paul and the author had only left out such details, the book would be clearly 5 stars and Paul would come across as the talented (and presumably) really nice person that he is.
Rating:
Summary: Worth a look
Review: This is not an objective book. That doesn't mean it's bad. I've yet to find a truly objective biography of either Lennon or McCartney, and that's a shame. But Miles' book is still work reading if only to hear the song-by-song rundown that McCartney provides. Yes, there's some defensiveness and turf protection by McCartney. And Miles fails to give enough ink to Lennon and the rest of the Beatles, in my opinion. But if you are interested in the Beatles and how their songs came to be, read this book. A good companion (with many of the same flaws) is Lennon, by Ray Coleman.
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