Rating: 
Summary: Many Years From Now
Review: Barry Mile's close collaboration with Paul McCartney in writing this book produced a literary piece that is as amusing and entertaining as any Lennon-McCartney composition. So much had been written about the Beatles and its individual members, some good and some bad. "Many Years From Now" has succeeded in setting the records straight with a "blow by blow" like account of the way Lennon-McCartney songs were written. Mile's depiction of London life during the 60's was so vivid that one can't help to see and feel things happen as he reads. This book is a "must" reading for any Beatle fan, with a splendid time being guaranteed for all.
Rating:
Summary: What a great book!
Review: I am currently undertaking the task of writting an honors thesis on the life and music of Paul McCartney... and this book has given me a great place to start. It is filled with interviews with Paul himself, John Lennon, George Martin, and all sorts of other neat people. It is written by an old friend of McCartney- so it is really amazingly detailed. It is filled with neat little facts... for example, did you know that the origional words to "Yesterday" were "Scrambled Eggs"? It sounds ridiculous... but if you sing it, it sounds just right. Anyway, this is a great book! I really recommend it for anyone who is interested in the life of Sir McCartney or The Beatles.
Rating:
Summary: how he remember's it!
Review: this book was everything i wanted and then some. who the man is. what influenced him & how things played out for the beatles in his own words. mccartney is candid & open; supplying many details into his background & relationships with everyone from his "beatle" days. exactly what i was looking for.
Rating:
Summary: Unique Insight
Review: Miles and Mccartney have worked together to produce what is a highly personal and unique insight into the compelling world and times of The Beatles. The almost cartoon like characterisation of the Beatles maintained throughout all these years is blown apart. Most interesting of all, Miles and McCartney painstakingly explain the genesis and evolution of every single notable Beatles song. Their style is light and lively, crammed with anecdotes. The McCartney and Lennon songwriting partnership is explained from both John and Paul's perspective. Finally an account given by those uniquely equpped to comment. The most authorative book written about The Beatles - unputdownable.
Rating:
Summary: A Must-Have
Review: This was an in-depth book on McCartney that I enjoyed immensely and gave a deeper insight than other books I have read on him. I was very impressed and have new-found respect for the man. It was very honest. The epilogue to Linda was especially moving and I applaud him for such a wonderful and fantastic book that kept my interest the entire time. I recommend you go out and buy this book, it's worth it!
Rating:
Summary: Like spending an evening with Paul
Review: Paul -- who usually hides behinds glib answers and the "thumbs up" sign with interviewers -- is remarkably candid this time around. And we're the better for it. He was more sophisticated and world-weary than I'd expected, but that in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the book. It's a portrait of an artist who has been around for more than 50 years, famous for more than 30, and who managed to both leave an indeliable mark on his century and have a fulfilling home life. If some things are factually inaccurate, well, this is how Macca remembers them. The book is very honest about that. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves the Beatles, pop music or pop culture.
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Summary: For those who prefer reality to myth
Review: Many Years from Now is an indispensable book. It is written clearly and gracefully by a man who was up to his ears in one of the most intense creative explosions of the century. It is written about a man who was cheerfully lighting the fuses as it happened. Barry Miles brings his own creative credentials to writing this book. Because he was then and is now a friend of Paul McCartney's, McCartney lays aside much of his customary reticence. Miles tells us in detail about the people, the places, the background, of an era that still reverberates in history and culture. And incidentally, since neither man is obsessed with John Lennon, we are given a portrait of him that is respectful, understanding, affectionate, and fair. And we get some remarkable insights into the workings of the mind of Paul McCartney, the only collaborator John Lennon ever had. If you're interested in music, in contemporary history, in the arts, in how artists create, and in what kind of mind created Hey, Jude and Standing Stone, read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: McCartney says "Let me roll it"
Review: For years I have maintained that Paul was vastley under rated by The world of Rock. For what ever strange reason, be it not getting recognition by the Hall of Fame untill 7 years after Lennon, or being ignored by producers of Rocumentaries. I always had an ability to distinguish a Lennon written song from a McCartney tune, and I could always pick out the songs that had an equal collaboration. After reading this book and referancing the Playboy interviews of Lennon.., I was right on the mark. What I suspected, that Paul was the heart, and John was the face...turns out to be true. Read this book, read how Paul taught John the correct way to play the ax, read how Paul taught John how to write songs, read how Paul introduced John to the "Avante Garde", how it was Paul who planted the seeds of Revolver, Sgt. Pepper and Mystery Tour, all the while, John in recluse abusing himself. I am a fan of John Lennons work, but I am glad that Paul has decided to speak out and set the record straight. No reason not to believe him. After all, a man should be judged by his actions, and Pauls family life speaks volumes.
Rating: 
Summary: A mediocre book killed beautiful love
Review: I haven't read the book to the end finding it the worst Ihave ever held in hands. Less than one hundred of pages was enough tospoil not only my impression about the author and his book, but what's more, about a man who meant so much to me - Paul McCartney. I would call this book "A new look to good old McCartney" rather than "Many years from now". It's quit obvious that the author picked out as the basic topics of the book those aspects which are more often touched in cheap novels: money, drugs and women. Most probably it means the author was more interested in a commercial side of publishing the book rather than in a tribute to one of the greatest composers ever. The music, which I thought would take the first place in a biography of a musician, wasn't covered as widely as I expected it to be. I was already well aware of what I read and found nothing new for myself. Undoubtedly the book couldn't put an end to my deep respect to Paul McCartney as an excellent composer, but it certainly destroyed my attitude to him as a person. Paul was my only greatest idol for a long time. My impression of him was based on his melodies and lyrics... But it turned out to be very wrong. Soon after reading the first ten pages it became clear that McCartney is a commonplace and even immoral person. (Don't think I just wreak my anger, it's as painful for me to write it as for you to read). It's very sad to be disillusioned in people, what unfortunately happens to me too often, but I can certainly say that this was the biggest disappointment of my life. It was absolutely other person that appeared before me. Was he really just pretending in all of his songs singing about a great and beautiful love, was he really only lying while acting immorally? A man who I thought was amazed of love wasn't actually true to his own ideas. It's really hard to believe or to imagine that he doesn't remember all the women he had relations with and a terrible way he spoke of them (he never told the same about Jane Asher or Linda). Paul never displayed any respect to his early girlfriends describing nearly his bedroom scenes with them. There is a paragraph in the book where Paul speaks about enjoying his sexual freedom. "I was pretty free. I remember John very much envying me. He said 'Well, if you go out with another girl, what does Jane think?' and I said 'Well, I don't care what she thinks, we're not married. We've got a perfectly sensible relationship.'..." Can this relationship be called "sensible"? I doubt that... Does really a sheet of paper with a couple of signatures or a lack of that formal document change something in a real sensible relationship? I was also shocked by McCartney's poor language and explicit words he never allowed in his songs. I would like to pretend I never read this book, I would like to know Paul as I knew him before. I'm just very sorry that my deep and innocent love had to end this way...
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Summary: everything I wanted to know about McCartney
Review: No doubt, I am one of the big Beatles fans. Saw the book at a store this summer; hadn't known it was out; hoped it was good. Figured it couldn't be a disaster given the subject. Expected to be engrossed. Was. The book delivered. What struck me was that EVERYTHING I had wanted to know as an adolescent Beatles fan in the early 60s and later, was discussed in the book. My fandom was well-anticipated. This strong curiosity has not left me with increasing age (now 46). All of the McCartney details, evidently through much practice through interviews and discussion, was laid out in the book. It was great. What amazes me most about McCartney, aside from the musical talent, is his capacity to be so accessible and genial, as to spill it all in a book. I have seen him discuss his career in this way on TV and video interviews as well. He apparently understands the hunger that many of his fans have to get the details about how things were when they did their great art: How it felt, how he collaborated with Lennon, as well as all of the details that I care to know about his personal life, and is willing to tell about it, down to how it was meeting women as a Beatle. The stuff of imagination. Had I known these details in the mid-60s, I would've felt privileged. Am left with even higher regard for the creative powers of a key element of the Beatles, which at least for me produced the best art (most powerful to me personally) of the 20th century and for that matter for any other century. Actually am more of a Lennon fan, but did not know before reading the book the full extent of the talent of McCartney. Lest you think that this reader is "taken in" by a good spin, I see no conceit in the book. I can't speak for others, but for me it was a great book and well done by the author. The back cover of the book quotes McCartney saying "I'll give you it as I remember it." That's what the book seems to be, and is what I would ideally want to read. If you were conversing with the guy in a room, and he felt like telling you all the good stuff and answered all your probing questions, this book is what you'd get. I give accolades to author and subject.
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