Rating: 
Summary: Is He Rocky Raccoon?
Review: This book is so great it hardly matters, but that was what I heard through the grapevine that made me want to check it out. As any fan knows, The Beatles wrote most of the White Album during their brief stay in Rishikesh, where George dragged them to study transcendental meditation. They took off when the Maharishi allegedly fondled Mia Farrow, but not before writing Dear Prudence, Ob-La-Di, Back in the USSR, Sexy Sadie ("Ma-ha-rish-i..what have you done? Made a fool of everyone...") This book is an incredible look at that creative time, and it's obvious through the pictures and through Salzman's story that -- contrary to popular belief -- they were still happy working together, funny and loose, and very much a family. But you can also see how it would be the last happy time together -- John was considering ending an unhappy marriage, George was being drawn further into Indian music, and Ringo was tiring of the non-stop circus. As such this book captures one of the most pivotal interludes of their history. The book is a record of the experience every Beatles fan wishes he or she had: Salzman got to hang out with them, talk to them, hear a private concert, watch John and Paul try to work through Ob-La-Di, et cetera. The photos are wonderfully intimate -- you can even see the sunburn on Pauls' nose, and John reveals himself completely to the camera -- and the design of the book is fantastic, vivid and funky. It's an utterly captivating book, a must-have for anyone interested in the band that changed the world. (Whether Salzman is Rocky Raccoon or not.)
Rating: 
Summary: A visual treat but no new secrets revealed.
Review: Visually, this book is a treat. Thick pages similar to the recently released Anthology, great graphics and font. The photographs of the Beatles, who are relaxed and acting like themselves are intriguing. I was disappointed, however, that I sat down and read this book in its entirety in a little over an hour. While Mr. Saltzman's casual chats with the Beatles are interesting there's no great revelations here that many fans won't already know. The photos are good but are pretty repetitious, most of them having been taken in about three different sessions. This book makes a great "coffee table" book and a good conversation starter but don't buy it expecting to learn anything new - it's just not there.
Rating:
Summary: A visual treat but no new secrets revealed.
Review: Visually, this book is a treat. Thick pages similar to the recently released Anthology, great graphics and font. The photographs of the Beatles, who are relaxed and acting like themselves are intriguing. I was disappointed, however, that I sat down and read this book in its entirety in a little over an hour. While Mr. Saltzman's casual chats with the Beatles are interesting there's no great revelations here that many fans won't already know. The photos are good but are pretty repetitious, most of them having been taken in about three different sessions. This book makes a great "coffee table" book and a good conversation starter but don't buy it expecting to learn anything new - it's just not there.
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