Rating: 
Summary: More than "Pizza and Fairy tales"
Review: Yes, Paul was always the "cute" Beatle--but this book reveals a great deal more about his character. For the most part-the book is very interesting-but some of the stories about Indica and the London art scene etcetera, are overdone. Pauls personal insights and remembrances about the various Beatle songs are great. I was one of those who thought Georges "Wah-Wah" and Johns, "How do you sleep at night" were pretty good jabs at Paul-but after reading this book, both songs seem pretty unfair. The author is undoubtably somewhat biased in Pauls favor--but the book is rich with information I never knew-such as John actually thinking he was Jesus during his heroin days. The laundry is soiled-but no filthy dirt! Paul seems quite candid and honest in his self examination. A great read for anyone who is a fan of the Beatles! As with most books concerning the Beatles, Pete Best appears as barely more than a footnote-which is one area I wish this book had covered more. Also, I've never read an explanation as to why James became Paul--with all the information in this book-it would have been nice to know.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrific Look Over The Wall Into McCartney's Private World!
Review: Those of us who grew up watching the evolution of the Beatles and Paul McCartney will find this authoritative biography written by longtime friend Barry Miles a thought-provoking and interesting glimpse into many aspects of McCartney's otherwise quite private and personal life story. The view is startling, given the fact that so many in the media have forwarded the view that Paul was the lesser of the two main creative forces within the group. The account delivered here via a long-running series of interviews with Paul puts the lie to that notion, showing just how influential and fateful were Paul's contribution to the Lennon and McCartney writing genius. It also gives the fascinated reader a mind-boggling glimpse into the creative forces behind the individual songs, and travels knowingly along the historic path leading each of the "Fab Four" from poverty and obscurity to fabled fame and fortune. The result is a marvelous biography and an immensely entertaining reading experience.The book is full of insider information about the genesis and sources of each of the songs and albums along the way, ranging from the creation of "I Saw Her Standing There" all the way to the "Long And Winding Road", at a time when the members of the group could barely stand to inhabit the same space for any period of time. We come to understand how the arrival of fame and fortune changed each of them forever, and although Paul's perspective is the only one aired here, one marvels at just how fair-minded and self-effacing he seems to be in assessing the values, contribution, and failings of each of the Beatles, himself included. It also shows just how instrumental the guidance of the so-called fifth Beatle, George Martin, was to both their initial breakthrough as well as to their successful riding of the wave-crest of fame that swept over them with such an enormous impact. It also illustrates just how versatile and intelligent Paul has been, masterfully managing and orchestrating both his music and his fortune to become one of the wealthiest and most successful of the rock luminaries emerging from the sixties. And while his later music may have been disappointing in more critical terms, there is no doubting that he has been a continuing critical influence in the continuing evolution of popular music in the thirty years since the Beatles disbanded. Paul has had a rich and rewarding life, and has become a well-known benefactor of worthy causes and sometimes-reclusive widower of his long-time love and wife Linda, who died several years ago, succumbing to cancer. Still, the McCartney magic seems to shine, and this biography of him is both an interesting read and a privileged look behind the tall walls that he has built around himself in the last several decades. Given the crazed attack that fellow Beatle George Harrison suffered from a deluded fan, perhaps his concern about privacy and protection are all too well advised. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: AH, WILL YOU STILL FEED ME? PLEASE??
Review: While I did enjoy this book with it's wealth of unpublished information, I did grow tired of Paul's "I was hipper than Lennon" assertions. For Miles to compare Paul's amateur home movies to the works of established underground filmakers is also laughable. My major peeve with the book was the massive amount of misspellings and grammatical errors. (sp?) Paul is richer than God. Couldn't they afford a proofreader? There are also many anachronisms and historical errors throughout. Paul does say that it's only HIS memory of it all. Since most readers of this book will be Beatle fans who usually know more about them than almost any other band, these things should have been corrected. Maybe Paul still likes to toke up and couldn't be bothered. Still, I really admire the man's work in the Beatles. They DID change the world. Lastly, I DID enjoy that the book ended with the breakup of the Beatles. Let's face it; who the hell cares about Wings 20 years after the fact? I didn't like his post Beatles work then, and I like it even less now. That would have been an interesting avenue to explore. How does one seem to completely lose one's brilliant, innovative songwriting talent overnight? Everybody sing! "Ebony and Ivory......."
Rating:
Summary: Inside McCartney's Head
Review: Many Years From now is a superb book by Barry Miles. Mr. Miles was and is close friend of Mr. McCartney's dating all the way back to the heights of the Beatles reign. This book gives you the background biographical that most McCartney & Beatles biographies have but what separates this from the others is the oral history from Mr. McCartney himself. His insights into his relationship with John Lennon, the swinging London scene of the 60's, days on the road with the Beatles and most importantly, the stories behind the songwriting and creating of the Beatles songs are revealing and engrossing. Of particular interest are the chapters on Sgt. Pepper's, the White Album, the creation of Apple Records, the first few weeks he spent with soon to be wife Linda in New York City and the ultimate demise of the Beatles. The book is a bit lengthy and some chapters could have been trimmed down (the chapter on the time in India with the Maharishi is one to note), but if you are a fan of Paul McCartney or the Beatles, you will not find a book that matches the insight in this one.
Rating:
Summary: Do you really know Paul McCartney?!
Review: Do you know what Paul is really like? Cute? The most popular man in the fab four? Yes, maybe. But you can find another side of Paul McCartney in this book, such as what he really thought of John Lennon or his relationship with poets, painters or some underground artists. He is not just 'pop' and 'light,' but he has experienced many artistic or intellectual activities since that 'golden' '60s. One thing I don't agree with in this book is why John wrote 'How do you sleep?' in 'Imagine' album. Their relationship was in jeopardy at that time, but Paul first wrote 'Too many people' in 'Ram' album. The song implied that Paul was criticizing John and then John wrote 'How do you sleep?' as a reply to Paul. However, this book shows 'real' Paul better than any other books. Even if you're not a Beatles fan, this is a 'must have' and an excellent biography.
Rating:
Summary: Helpful and Informative
Review: The only official McCartney biography, it is brilliant in detail and information, although it will be even more interesting to see the Beatles autobiography when it comes out.
Rating:
Summary: Beyond my years
Review: As it seems, I'm a 17 year old kid from Canada who's interest level in the Beatles and Paul McCartney is way above the likes of anyone else in my surrounding. For me, Paul McCartney has been more than just a simple pop Rock icon, he seems to take form as some sort of god, Not The God--A God. I purchased this book at a Barnes and Noble in Michigan and for the last few weeks has been the only words written in paragraph form in front of my eyes. As any normal Biography it begins by explaining the time period in wich Paul was born, than continues with his birth, home life as Kid, interest in music, first meeting with John Lennon and his phenominal road to success, story telling the Beatles saga as some sort of Adventure. It's very interesting to read Paul's thoughts on many different matters, song writing, making movies, drugs, politics and being friends with some of eras most famous people. Some people read just for the info but I read and this book paticularly to live the experience--to step inside the mind of Mr. Miles and Mr. McCartney. The book is very well divided into tiltes and Subtitles, marking each special occasion with it's own headline. Stereotypicaly me being a teenager you'd think that my favorite part of the book is where Paul and Barry tell about Paul's uses, influences, likings and dislikings towards drugs. Infact it is but not for the typical teenage liking. It intrigues me to read about the experience and affects it gave Paul knowing that "You'll never be the same again". thats what I thought about this book knowing of and about the beatles for such a long time before this book entered my life, the beatles and Paul McCartney to me where just a part of my daily dosage of music seeing them as four lovable moptop lads from Liverpool, but as I egde my way to the end of this book I realize It's more than skin deep, spiritualy and Politicaly the Beatles affected a whole new and different group of people besides their regular Beatlemaniacs. This book has definitly intrigued me and changed the way I percieve Paul McCartney and the Beatles. I give this book 5 stars. I also recomend reading things we said Today--conversations with the Beatles-- by goeffrey Guiliano and some women that can't remeber the name of. Thank you for your time on the matter Paul Jutras.
Rating:
Summary: Paul at his most competitive
Review: The entire premise of this book is that Paul was really the innovator and avant-garde member of the Beatles, not John. This is repeated ad nauseum until one wants to throw the book away in disgust. Paul is a musical genius, he has riches, fame and security beyond anyone's wildest dreams. It's unseemly and does his reputation on good to whine about John being erroneously exalted as the "cool" Beatle when Paul now claims Lennon was actually spending the 60's stoned out of his mind and hiding away while Paul was skipping around Harlem hanging with the movers and shakers of hippydom. Make no mistake, I idolize Paul and have ever since the age of two. There is much interesting material, though the factual gaffes are way too numerous, such as getting George Harrisons' birth date wrong and constant mistakes on the release dates of various Beatles singles. History judges such minutiae as "who was the coolest and hippest Beatle" and for now, John wears the crown. Paul should quietly accept that fate and move on without complaint. Did either ever write as well without the other? Of course not, but that's another story for "Another Day."
Rating:
Summary: The Best McCartney Book Out There
Review: So far, this is one of my favorite Beatle related books. Using what must have been amazing interviews with Paul over the years, the author lets him do the talking. Paul has quite a memory (thank God) and he doesn't hold back. His casual attitude towards 'pulling birds' may hurt some feelings, as it did mine, but once Linda appears all is forgiven. A nice balance of personal and professional activities, and quite an insight into Paul's interest in art which one never hears much about. A must for any true Macca fan.
Rating:
Summary: Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
Review: Others have stated it here: This is THE definitive chronicle of Lennon-McCartney music and how "the lads" came together to become the world-altering phenomenon known as The Beatles. I was around then and this book taught me a lot I didn't know. An absolute must-read for any Beatles fan ... or social anthropologist!
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