Rating: 
Summary: Reads like you were there
Review: "Shout!" has such an eye for detail that the reader feels they were with the Beatles throughout their history, from the distant childhood days in Liverpool to the not-do-distant days of "Abbey Road" and their break-up. While everyone knows the group split apart, it's Norman's keen observances and poignant style that draw you in, and make you care how it all happened. Yes, the end was unhappy - as most break-ups are. But the feeling at the end is never bitter and never cynical.I enjoyed how Norman breathed life into the years when the Beatles were touring and recording. You can almost hear the banter down in Studio One at Abbey Road, or the arguments at Apple, or the wind-bitten playing at the rooftop gig. The subtitle, "The Beatles in Their Generation", is an apt description of the world described in this book. Whether it's a particular street in London, a cheap dive in Hamburg, or the sumptuous apartment of some pop star, you understand the Fab Four's presence and influence throughout. Norman describes the events of the Sixties through the lens of the Beatles' collectively brilliant existence - so brilliantly described that, even today, I cannot think about the Sixties without some reference to the Beatles. Every turn in those eight years leads, inexorably, to the townhouse studio at Abbey Road. Written soon after Lennon's murder in 1980, the book is something of a tribute to him. Norman doesn't spare criticism of any of the Fab Four as frail human beings, but as failings go, it seems like Lennon's more bone-headed moves (his "Jesus" remarks in 1966, the weirdness in which he and Yoko Ono indulged for years - not to mention the drunken episodes in Hamburg) deserve more understanding than McCartney's taste for musical sentimentality and social acquisitiveness. It's hard to know what would have become of either of these talented individuals had they not met, and yet they needed each other to create a greater entity. Anyone who wrote tunes like "Hey Jude" was surely the equal of the man who penned "Imagine." The Beatles story will acquire more depth with the simple passage of time. Even with apparent slights against McCartney, the writing is enchanting and you'll marvel at this "scarcely imaginable, true story."
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Beatles Book Ever Written
Review: ...this volume stands out. Complete, unsparing, and willing to call bullhockey where it sees bullhockey. Confrontational where it needs to be, sycophantic where it serves the purpose of truth, not falling into either big trap: heavy-handedly condemning everything from days gone by and unstintingly praising the successes of youth. Fair and fierce. Good both for fans in long standing and for the uninitiated who simply know a few of the songs.
Rating: 
Summary: In the glut of books about the Beatles...
Review: ...this volume stands out. Complete, unsparing, and willing to call bullhockey where it sees bullhockey. Confrontational where it needs to be, sycophantic where it serves the purpose of truth, not falling into either big trap: heavy-handedly condemning everything from days gone by and unstintingly praising the successes of youth. Fair and fierce. Good both for fans in long standing and for the uninitiated who simply know a few of the songs.
Rating:
Summary: A fab book on the Fab Four
Review: Absolutely a must have when it comes to not only a history of the Beatles, and their music, but the intricate behind the scenes business and political dealings which made the Beatles one of the most influential cultural phenomena of our times.
Rating:
Summary: SHOUT! The Beatles in Their Generation
Review: Absolutely a must have when it comes to not only a history of the Beatles, and their music, but the intricate behind the scenes business and political dealings which made the Beatles one of the most influential cultural phenomena of our times.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book - REALLY Sad Ending
Review: Even though I knew how the story ended, it really shook me when it reached its ineveitable conclusion. What caught me by surprise was the sheer joy I experienced by reading the beginning of the story...I'd always been somewhat familiar with the origins of The Beatles, but had never read the detailed version described in this book. I was swept away by the magical progression of this amazing story, and loved it so much that I was unconsciously hoping it would all end differently. The fact that it didn't was (stupidly, I know) dissapointing, and reminded me again of why I prefer fiction. Yeah, there's sad endings there too, but you don't always see them coming. When all is said and done, however, the really great thing is that the music will always remain...if the ending to this book bums you out, try the ending to the Abbey Road album instead...a much more pleasurable alternative.
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Summary: Meet the Beatles, and the people who colored their world
Review: I first read this book as a young kid, when all I knew of the Beatles was their music... and John Lennon's murder a handful of years earlier. I've since returned to it many times - SHOUT is not only an informative and well researched piece, but a very poignant read. It's the women (and a few men) on the periphery who really stand out in my mind, rather than the Beatles themselves. Free-spirited Julia Lennon, the missing love in John's life; good mate Pete Wooley; sad Cynthia and sensible Jane Asher; the naive and beautiful space cadets running the Apple boutique. (Boy, did those clothes sound groovy!) And while "Backbeat" was a good attempt at showing the Beatles' early years, nothing compares to Norman's description of their lives in Hamburg. I've remained fascinated and haunted by his view of Stu Sutcliffe and Astrid Kirchherr - not only their relationship cut tragically short, but the artistic heights both of them could have scaled. A great read, worth every penny.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Beatles Book Ever Written
Review: I read this book and loved it. I was really interested in thier early days. The book did not dissapoint me. Norman does an exclent job of describing the settings. You feel as though you are thier, be it a club in Hamburg, Abby Road recording studios, or any other place he describes. No matter what peroid you are interested in, be it thier early days with Stuart and Pete, their rise to fame in 60-62, the hieght of thier fame, 63-68, or the final years, 69-70, this is the book for you. It is a must read for all Beatles fans.
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Summary: Different perspective arguing against Paul bias
Review: I'm surprised that ppl so far thought that the book was biased against Paul. I'm not the greatest when it comes to picking up tone, but Maybe I'm Amazed that the reviews so far could Imagine that the author rips on Paul. Even tho he praises John a lot, I think, if anything, the book is biased against him. I am a new fan, and love Paul, but it is widely known that he could be controlling. The author narrates how Paul wanted to go on performing live, while John was so into Yoko that he couldn't see the Beatles' interests anymore. That's just one example. Anyway, the book is great, and I just wanted to provide a different perspective. I just finished it, and if anyone wants to discuss it, e-mail me.
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Summary: Written More As A Story than A Documentary
Review: In my opinion, "Shout" is the best Beatles biography I have read. Norman presents an unbiased and interesting story without the usual rumors and gossip found in books written by Geoffrey Giuliano and other hacks of his ilk. Although, "Anthology" describes personal events that only the Beatles could know about, Norman has the advantage of interviewing other people for a more complete perspective.
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