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Fab: An Intimate Life of Paul McCartney
Howard Sounes, the bestselling author of Down the The Life of Bob Dylan and Charles Locked in the Arms of a Crazy Life, turns his considerable reporting and storytelling skills to one of the most famous, talented—and wealthiest—men Paul McCartney.
Fab is the first exhaustive biography of the legendary musician; it tells Sir Paul's whole life story, from childhood to present day, from working-class Liverpool beginnings to the cultural phenomenon that was The Beatles to his many solo incarnations.
Fab is the definitive portrait of McCartney, a man of contradictions and a consummate musician far more ruthless, ambitious, and moody than his relaxed public image implies. Based on original research and more than two hundred new interviews, Fab also reveals for the first time the full story of his two marriages, romances, family feuds, phenomenal wealth, and complex relationships with his fellow ex-Beatles.
658 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2010
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Howard Sounes
20 books118 followersBiographer of Bob Dylan, Charles Bukowski and Paul McCartney. Also histories and true crime - Fred & Rose, Heist - with The Fred West Tapes new in 2025.
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September 2, 2024
And in the End...
FAB: An Intimate Life of Paul McCartney
by Howard Sounes
3 1/2 stars. I try to make it a goal to read at least one biography a year. This one is about Sir Paul McCartney, known as the Jewish Beatle, because two of his wives were Jewish American women.
The first third of this biography covers the Beatles' early days forming their band in Liverpool, playing the Cavern, paying their dues in Germany, and ultimately being discovered and signed to contract with their first manager Brian Epstein.
This part of the book was long and tedious, and let's face it, we've all heard this part of The Beatles' story from every angle so it's like hearing your old aunt retelling the same family stories at every yearly reunion.
The early years give way to McCartney's three marriages to: Linda Eastman, being the enduring love of his life, followed by his disastrous and costly marriage and divorce with Heather Mills, and his current marriage to Nancy Shevell, cousin of Barbara Walters.
The personal aspects of McCartney's
life were interesting, especially his method of songwriting, as was his character growth from hard drinking, pot smoking, groupie groping rocker to monogamous family man.
My overall opinion: This is an overly-long and mediocre commentary on a famous and beloved cultural icon that focused, focused, and focused again way too much on money down to the cent which made it feel like the biography was overstuffed with fluff and filler like a great pretentious sofa and didn't give the reader much more information on McCartney and The Beatles than Peter Brown's Beatles biography THE LOVE YOU MAKE.
FAB: An Intimate Life of Paul McCartney
by Howard Sounes
3 1/2 stars. I try to make it a goal to read at least one biography a year. This one is about Sir Paul McCartney, known as the Jewish Beatle, because two of his wives were Jewish American women.
The first third of this biography covers the Beatles' early days forming their band in Liverpool, playing the Cavern, paying their dues in Germany, and ultimately being discovered and signed to contract with their first manager Brian Epstein.
This part of the book was long and tedious, and let's face it, we've all heard this part of The Beatles' story from every angle so it's like hearing your old aunt retelling the same family stories at every yearly reunion.
The early years give way to McCartney's three marriages to: Linda Eastman, being the enduring love of his life, followed by his disastrous and costly marriage and divorce with Heather Mills, and his current marriage to Nancy Shevell, cousin of Barbara Walters.
The personal aspects of McCartney's
life were interesting, especially his method of songwriting, as was his character growth from hard drinking, pot smoking, groupie groping rocker to monogamous family man.
My overall opinion: This is an overly-long and mediocre commentary on a famous and beloved cultural icon that focused, focused, and focused again way too much on money down to the cent which made it feel like the biography was overstuffed with fluff and filler like a great pretentious sofa and didn't give the reader much more information on McCartney and The Beatles than Peter Brown's Beatles biography THE LOVE YOU MAKE.
May 4, 2011
I am an admirer of Sounes' books on Bukowski.
'Fab' however, is riddled with Sounses' own irritating and unsubstansiated views. He is also clearly not a musical person. His descriptions of Mccartney's music ; 'Fiery licks', 'a hot track' etc are pathetic and risible.
More annoying though are his dismissals of anything he clearly doesn't understand. (an objectivity is surely a given for any biographer unless he has an argument to back up his dismissal).
Sounes doesn't seem to be able to understand that while Linda Mccartney loved the taste of meat she refused to eat it on moral grounds. (Why would this be so hard to understand)? He also dismisses Mccartney's interest in lay-lines, magick and anything non empirical out of hand. 'transcendental mediation - one the 60's silliest fads' quips the author. Really? No argument is given to back up such an outrageous statement. His assesment of mccartney's worth (or not) as a painter is also utterly nebulous.
I get the feeling this book was written by a minor Tory MP from a small village in Shropshire.
Mccartney's story itself is so incredible that the book never fails to be anything less than readable but Sounse's own conservative, square views that riddle the book to its detriment.
Imagine a (sober) geography teacher dancing akwardly to Roxy music at a 6th form disco. That's an image that sums up Sounses' work for me.
'Fab' however, is riddled with Sounses' own irritating and unsubstansiated views. He is also clearly not a musical person. His descriptions of Mccartney's music ; 'Fiery licks', 'a hot track' etc are pathetic and risible.
More annoying though are his dismissals of anything he clearly doesn't understand. (an objectivity is surely a given for any biographer unless he has an argument to back up his dismissal).
Sounes doesn't seem to be able to understand that while Linda Mccartney loved the taste of meat she refused to eat it on moral grounds. (Why would this be so hard to understand)? He also dismisses Mccartney's interest in lay-lines, magick and anything non empirical out of hand. 'transcendental mediation - one the 60's silliest fads' quips the author. Really? No argument is given to back up such an outrageous statement. His assesment of mccartney's worth (or not) as a painter is also utterly nebulous.
I get the feeling this book was written by a minor Tory MP from a small village in Shropshire.
Mccartney's story itself is so incredible that the book never fails to be anything less than readable but Sounse's own conservative, square views that riddle the book to its detriment.
Imagine a (sober) geography teacher dancing akwardly to Roxy music at a 6th form disco. That's an image that sums up Sounses' work for me.
June 11, 2017
A more detailed review will follow on my book blog, but here I'll say that this is the first Beatle biography I've read that wasn't about John. I suppose I've resisted all this time to read a Paul bio because he's still kicking and apparently making news...therefore his story is far from over. Reading Fab, you get the impression that the author is only a marginal admirer of McCartney. While it may be mainly factual (it's certainly long) it doesn't read as an objective piece. A song is mentioned, and the author delivers an off-handed comment about how lousy it was, or how this album wasn't good, etc. While I don't expect McCartney to have lived as a saint, the author seems to highlight moments where McCartney most visibly acted like an ass.
If you believe Macca can do no wrong, you're probably not going to like this. I expect a thorough biography to pull up the occasional scab, but there are moments in Fab where the author appears to take great pleasure in doing so. It's off-putting.
If you believe Macca can do no wrong, you're probably not going to like this. I expect a thorough biography to pull up the occasional scab, but there are moments in Fab where the author appears to take great pleasure in doing so. It's off-putting.
September 30, 2011
I kept having the urge to get out a big red marker pen and scribble all over this as I was reading it. "FALSE", "CONJECTURE", "PERSONAL OPINION" and "DEAR GOD, ARE PEOPLE STILL BELIEVING THESE OLD PHILIP NORMAN MYTHS" would be the most frequent. It's always a bad sign when you start mentally correcting a biographer. I love Macca, I don't love this book. It's just a hatchet job.
June 9, 2013
Keep in mind, I am a HUGE Paul McCartney fan. Ever since I first saw him on Ed Sullivan on February 1964 I became instantly hooked on the Beatles and fell in love with Paul. Of course, in my adolescent fickleness, I switched to John for a few years, I was attracted to his rebellious edge and anger/hurt because they mirrored some on my own issues but then my fantasies returned to Paul. I just finished Sounes' biography last night. I felt so sad when it ended that needed to look up a few old you-tube videos of Paul to console and remind myself that Paul is everywhere and I can see videos of him whenever I want...sheesh, I AM a case aren't I?
This book was very well researched. I liked that is was not approved by Paul and revealed him with all his weaknesses and quirks. I really enjoyed learning more about Linda and their family life. They managed to create a sweet loving family in the midst of all that show biz/rock'n roll craziness. They were great parents. From day one, I liked Linda Eastman and thought she was a fascinating, creative and strong woman. I am not a vegetarian but if anyone could convince me to be one it probably would have been Linda. It did not take a trained psychologist to see that Paul was devastated by her loss. It was hard watching Paul get mixed up with Heather Mills, but I am impressed with Nancy Shevell and am glad he has found happiness again. Paul is one of those dear men who needs a wife and I believe he's found another gem.
However, I felt Phillip Norman's bio of John was a better biography. Norman created a more compassionate and intimate portrait of John than Sounes did of Paul. I think Sounes was afraid of getting too close to his subject. He clearly stated in his acknowledgements that he wanted to create an impartial biography, which he did. But John and Paul were very different characters. John's woundedness can be quite compelling, which is what made him such an intriguing character to write about. He also met with a tragic and senseless end. Paul is alive and well, living life to the fullest, is very good at getting what he wants and always lands on his feet, so he draws less sympathy. Overall, it was well written and fully researched bio. If you are a Beatles fan and especially a Paul fan this bio is a must read.
This book was very well researched. I liked that is was not approved by Paul and revealed him with all his weaknesses and quirks. I really enjoyed learning more about Linda and their family life. They managed to create a sweet loving family in the midst of all that show biz/rock'n roll craziness. They were great parents. From day one, I liked Linda Eastman and thought she was a fascinating, creative and strong woman. I am not a vegetarian but if anyone could convince me to be one it probably would have been Linda. It did not take a trained psychologist to see that Paul was devastated by her loss. It was hard watching Paul get mixed up with Heather Mills, but I am impressed with Nancy Shevell and am glad he has found happiness again. Paul is one of those dear men who needs a wife and I believe he's found another gem.
However, I felt Phillip Norman's bio of John was a better biography. Norman created a more compassionate and intimate portrait of John than Sounes did of Paul. I think Sounes was afraid of getting too close to his subject. He clearly stated in his acknowledgements that he wanted to create an impartial biography, which he did. But John and Paul were very different characters. John's woundedness can be quite compelling, which is what made him such an intriguing character to write about. He also met with a tragic and senseless end. Paul is alive and well, living life to the fullest, is very good at getting what he wants and always lands on his feet, so he draws less sympathy. Overall, it was well written and fully researched bio. If you are a Beatles fan and especially a Paul fan this bio is a must read.
February 12, 2011
I've read too many books on the Beatles to fully appreciate "Fab", I think. The first half of the book - which covers Paul until the Beatles' breakup - seemed like familiar territory, and there were few anecdotes or interesting insights that I hadn't heard before - if that part of Paul's life is what you're interested in, you're better off reading the Hunter Davies or Bob Spitz books. The second half of the book was the more interesting half, as I wasn't as familiar with the story, and there were lots of interesting anecdotes. The Heather Mills section is fascinating; almost no-one in the book is willing to defend her. However, I don't think it's quite as strong as Sounes' biography of Dylan, because I don't feel that Sounes ever really nailed Paul McCartney's character with much insight or depth - there are various McCartneys who act very differently from page to page, and Sounes doesn't quite have a handle on which ones are real. All in all, if you want to know the post-Beatles McCartney story, this is pretty good.
March 23, 2021
A very extensive biography of Paul McCartney covering his early life right up to the present. A bit uneven though . Not tgat thorough in Paul's friendship with John or the death of Brian Epstein - 2 very important influences in his life - but chapters on his disastrous second marriage. The author also, disparages Paul's songwriting ability over and over again. I mean really this is the guy who wrote some of the best pop songs ever.
January 9, 2011
Minus one star for taking shots at RAM
December 7, 2024
Howard Sounesin "Paul McCartney" (Otava, 2011) kaikin puolin ihan oivallinen elämäkerta the Beatles-legendan elämästä ja musiikista, vaikka loppupuolella käytettiinkin omaan makuuni liian paljon sivuja skandaalinkäryiseen avioeroprosessin kuvaamiseen (sama juttu vaivasi myös Philip Normanin Paul McCartney -kirjaa).
Elämäkerran sävy oli neutraali, eli kirjailija osasi olla myös kriittinen McCartneyta kohtaan kun siihen tarvetta oli - ja olihan siihen, sillä kiistattomista ansioistaan huolimatta hänen tuotantonsa on epätasaista, eikä käytöskään ole ollut aina ihan niin sympaattista kuin julkisivu antaisi ymmärtää.
Vaikka tunnen Paulin elämäntarinan paremmin kuin monet muut asiat joista olisi enemmän hyötyä, niin opinpahan tästäkin jotakin uutta muun muassa Linda McCartneyn ja muiden perheenjäsenten tekemisistä.
Lievänä tyylirikkona kirjassa näkisin sen, että Ringoa kutsuttiin Ritchieksi, koska kerran hänen lähimmät ystävänsä niin tekevät.
Elämäkerran sävy oli neutraali, eli kirjailija osasi olla myös kriittinen McCartneyta kohtaan kun siihen tarvetta oli - ja olihan siihen, sillä kiistattomista ansioistaan huolimatta hänen tuotantonsa on epätasaista, eikä käytöskään ole ollut aina ihan niin sympaattista kuin julkisivu antaisi ymmärtää.
Vaikka tunnen Paulin elämäntarinan paremmin kuin monet muut asiat joista olisi enemmän hyötyä, niin opinpahan tästäkin jotakin uutta muun muassa Linda McCartneyn ja muiden perheenjäsenten tekemisistä.
Lievänä tyylirikkona kirjassa näkisin sen, että Ringoa kutsuttiin Ritchieksi, koska kerran hänen lähimmät ystävänsä niin tekevät.
January 27, 2012
I enjoyed this book but I have two quibbles:
--Despite being called an "intimate" biography I never really felt like the author got into McCartney's skin.
--the section on the Heather Mills debacle is far too long,going into far too much detail for what is (while admittedly sordid and weird) ultimately a kind of trivial matter.
That being said, I thought it was an interesting book that actually had some great insights.
--Despite being called an "intimate" biography I never really felt like the author got into McCartney's skin.
--the section on the Heather Mills debacle is far too long,going into far too much detail for what is (while admittedly sordid and weird) ultimately a kind of trivial matter.
That being said, I thought it was an interesting book that actually had some great insights.
May 7, 2011
I suppose if "Intimate" means "cut and paste timeline with cutesy writing interspersed interviews with various hangers-on that the subject no longer speaks to," why Yes! this is quite Intimate!
February 7, 2012
It's getting harder and harder to write a Beatles book that breaks away from the pack, but Sounes gives it a good effort -- especially since he's trying to compress McCartney's long and winding career into less than 500 pages (no mean feat, considering it took Philip Norman nearly twice that amount to cover Lennon).
For hardcore Beatles fans, I'm not sure there's much on McCartney himself that's new or surprising here -- but Sounes does provide plenty of new or improved information on some of the old stories, filling in details on some of the hazier, shadier sides of Macca, such as the several paternity suits that turned out to be baseless, McCartney's sometimes phenomenal ego, his relationship with the other Beatles, and his ability to run nearly every music producer through the wringer.
He's much more interesting in his handling of Linda McCartney, who comes off as a shallow, spoiled, pot-smoking, sanctimonious vegetarian phony -- and someone who Paul loved and adored without question. Their love story is the focus of the second half of this book, and it makes for really interesting reading. The final fifty pages or so chronicle Macca's relationship with, marriage to, and divorce from the amazingly vapid and greedy Heather Mills, about whom it seems no one had anything good to say. This, too, is great reading, simply because the Mills/McCartney relationship is such a train wreck.
All in all, a respectable entry in the ever-growing library of Beatles books, and belongs on your shelf right there next to Barry Miles' MANY YEARS FROM NOW.
For hardcore Beatles fans, I'm not sure there's much on McCartney himself that's new or surprising here -- but Sounes does provide plenty of new or improved information on some of the old stories, filling in details on some of the hazier, shadier sides of Macca, such as the several paternity suits that turned out to be baseless, McCartney's sometimes phenomenal ego, his relationship with the other Beatles, and his ability to run nearly every music producer through the wringer.
He's much more interesting in his handling of Linda McCartney, who comes off as a shallow, spoiled, pot-smoking, sanctimonious vegetarian phony -- and someone who Paul loved and adored without question. Their love story is the focus of the second half of this book, and it makes for really interesting reading. The final fifty pages or so chronicle Macca's relationship with, marriage to, and divorce from the amazingly vapid and greedy Heather Mills, about whom it seems no one had anything good to say. This, too, is great reading, simply because the Mills/McCartney relationship is such a train wreck.
All in all, a respectable entry in the ever-growing library of Beatles books, and belongs on your shelf right there next to Barry Miles' MANY YEARS FROM NOW.
August 12, 2011
written very poorly by a man who clearly hates paul mccartney.
February 8, 2014
Beatles books have come in phases. First was the "authorized" biography, The Beatles, by Hunter Davies, published all the way back in 1968, before the group had even split. There was a relative lack of written work on the band in the 1970's. Apparently, many people were hoping that their story as a band wasn't over, and a reunion would occur. The scant handful of 70's books seemed to take a sociological approach, focusing on their impact on popular culture. After John Lennon's murder in 1980 ended reunion hopes for good, the floodgates opened, and Beatle-related books abounded in the 80's, including a new "definitive" band biography, 1982's Shout: The Beatles in Their Generation by Philip Norman, the gossipy "insider" tome The Love You Make by former Beatle assisstant Peter Brown, and the first major biographical works on the individual band members (Ray Coleman's 1985 doorstop Lennon, Chet Flippo's glib Yesterday.)
The Beatles books of the 90's and early 2000's assumed everyone knew the "story of the band," and tended to be technical, encyclopedic break-downs of their live appearances, recording sessions, and equipment. And now, we've come full circle, with the basic story being laid down again, with new research and perspectives, for a new generation. There has been a new band biography, once again entitled simply The Beatles, published by Bob Spitz in 2005, an excellent recent bio of John Lennon by Philip Norman (again) in 2008, and now two new McCartney bios.
The first one published, Paul McCartney: A Life by Martin Ames is the slighter one, laying out the basic story competently and succinctly, focusing attention on the Beatle years, which is the conundrum of any Beatle bio. Yes, these are the years that the casual reader would be the most interested in, but this era has been written about time and time again. Ames brings very little new to the table here.
Like Norman's John Lennon: The Life, Howard Sounes' heftier Fab does the experienced Beatle-reader a favor and gives equal weight to McCartney's post-sixties career (including his wince-inducing, train-wreck second marriage to former high-class callgirl Heather Mills in the early 2000s.) Is the recording of Wings' 1979 album Back To The Egg as fascinating as the recording of Sgt. Pepper? Probably not. But I've already read about the recording of Sgt. Pepper 10,000 times.
Sounes is a typical British journalist, with all that implies -- impeccable prose and a clear taste for the salacious, while pretending to be above such things. He's not a particularly gifted music writer, though, and tends to inject his own opinions a little more than necessary. To his credit, he interviewed over two hundred people for this book, many of whom had never been interviewed before. Most Beatle aficionados know about all the trouble they got into in the Philippines on their 1966 world tour by refusing to attend a state reception given by the evil, dictatorial Marcos family. Sounes actually interviews Imelda freakin' Marcos about this "snub." Unfortunately, she's kind of an idiot and offers no real insight. But I appreciate the effort. Interviews with former Wings members such as Denny Laine and Hugh McCracken add much more to the tale.
For all that, does Sounes reveal anything about the McCartney personality that we didn't already know? Not really. Macca's a cheerful, dedicated family man, a driven businessman, frequently kind and generous, sometimes thoughtless and gauche, militantly (at times obnoxiously) vegetarian, with an overstuffed ego that few are brave enough to puncture. Heard it all before, but it's nice to have it set down in a meticulously-researched work that can stand as the go-to source for all things McCartney -- at least until the wheel turns again, and the next generation gets their "definitive" biography.
The Beatles books of the 90's and early 2000's assumed everyone knew the "story of the band," and tended to be technical, encyclopedic break-downs of their live appearances, recording sessions, and equipment. And now, we've come full circle, with the basic story being laid down again, with new research and perspectives, for a new generation. There has been a new band biography, once again entitled simply The Beatles, published by Bob Spitz in 2005, an excellent recent bio of John Lennon by Philip Norman (again) in 2008, and now two new McCartney bios.
The first one published, Paul McCartney: A Life by Martin Ames is the slighter one, laying out the basic story competently and succinctly, focusing attention on the Beatle years, which is the conundrum of any Beatle bio. Yes, these are the years that the casual reader would be the most interested in, but this era has been written about time and time again. Ames brings very little new to the table here.
Like Norman's John Lennon: The Life, Howard Sounes' heftier Fab does the experienced Beatle-reader a favor and gives equal weight to McCartney's post-sixties career (including his wince-inducing, train-wreck second marriage to former high-class callgirl Heather Mills in the early 2000s.) Is the recording of Wings' 1979 album Back To The Egg as fascinating as the recording of Sgt. Pepper? Probably not. But I've already read about the recording of Sgt. Pepper 10,000 times.
Sounes is a typical British journalist, with all that implies -- impeccable prose and a clear taste for the salacious, while pretending to be above such things. He's not a particularly gifted music writer, though, and tends to inject his own opinions a little more than necessary. To his credit, he interviewed over two hundred people for this book, many of whom had never been interviewed before. Most Beatle aficionados know about all the trouble they got into in the Philippines on their 1966 world tour by refusing to attend a state reception given by the evil, dictatorial Marcos family. Sounes actually interviews Imelda freakin' Marcos about this "snub." Unfortunately, she's kind of an idiot and offers no real insight. But I appreciate the effort. Interviews with former Wings members such as Denny Laine and Hugh McCracken add much more to the tale.
For all that, does Sounes reveal anything about the McCartney personality that we didn't already know? Not really. Macca's a cheerful, dedicated family man, a driven businessman, frequently kind and generous, sometimes thoughtless and gauche, militantly (at times obnoxiously) vegetarian, with an overstuffed ego that few are brave enough to puncture. Heard it all before, but it's nice to have it set down in a meticulously-researched work that can stand as the go-to source for all things McCartney -- at least until the wheel turns again, and the next generation gets their "definitive" biography.
June 28, 2012
For starters, I have read probably 100 books about the Beatles since I was a kid so my only reason for picking this book up was because of Paul's 70th birthday. This felt like as good a time as any to catch up on his life. But I only ready the 2nd half of the book in its entirety then skimmed the 1st half which is all about the beginning of the Beatles (and who hasn't heard that story yet?!).
Anyhow, it was an interesting read as it covered items from Beatles quasi-reunion through Linda McCartney's death up to the enagement to Nancy Shevell. It really didn't get into gossip but rather stuck to facts (at least as much as I would know to be facts). I particularly liked the way the Heather Mill's items were covered which could at times appear a little biased because the author is obviously a Paul McCartney fan. The divorce was the usual bantering of who was to blame for what.
Honestly, I never thought Paul would get married again (or so soon) after his wife died simply because their marriage had lasted so long. Despite whatever issues Mills brought into her relationship with him, in fairness to her (as the divorce judge states), she was swept up in the face of all the attention she suddenly got becoming Paul's new partner. She never had a chance and I think he expected too much of her. The whole relationship was a grieving process for him without a doubt.
Are there any surprises in this book? Not really. Perhaps one issue could have been better addressed and that is the relationship between Paul and George Harrison. John Lennon was only in Paul's life for about 25 years and it has been well-documented. However, Paul and George knew each other from the time they were little kids and had an even longer history. That Paul and George never reconcile to the point of getting together and writing some songs seemed to be a big mistake on Paul's part. On George's behalf, I am sure the reason the relationship never evolved further was due to the resentment of being treated like an employee during the Beatle years rather than as a friend for all time. I guess that is how it can be with famous people, they see each other as we see them...one is "more important" than the other.
As far as Paul's music, the book covers this item closely. The guy who wrote "Hey Jude" is also the guy who wrote "Bip Bop" (look this song up on an early Wings album, Wildlife...just stupid and bad). "When did you write your last #1?", he is quoted as excusing how bad some of his albums have been.
Bottom line, Paul seems to learn everything too late and as he has grown older this doesnt seem to be changing. He didn't become Paul McCartney without there being talent around him for some of his best songs. Unfortunately, he seems to think otherwise.
Anyhow, it was an interesting read as it covered items from Beatles quasi-reunion through Linda McCartney's death up to the enagement to Nancy Shevell. It really didn't get into gossip but rather stuck to facts (at least as much as I would know to be facts). I particularly liked the way the Heather Mill's items were covered which could at times appear a little biased because the author is obviously a Paul McCartney fan. The divorce was the usual bantering of who was to blame for what.
Honestly, I never thought Paul would get married again (or so soon) after his wife died simply because their marriage had lasted so long. Despite whatever issues Mills brought into her relationship with him, in fairness to her (as the divorce judge states), she was swept up in the face of all the attention she suddenly got becoming Paul's new partner. She never had a chance and I think he expected too much of her. The whole relationship was a grieving process for him without a doubt.
Are there any surprises in this book? Not really. Perhaps one issue could have been better addressed and that is the relationship between Paul and George Harrison. John Lennon was only in Paul's life for about 25 years and it has been well-documented. However, Paul and George knew each other from the time they were little kids and had an even longer history. That Paul and George never reconcile to the point of getting together and writing some songs seemed to be a big mistake on Paul's part. On George's behalf, I am sure the reason the relationship never evolved further was due to the resentment of being treated like an employee during the Beatle years rather than as a friend for all time. I guess that is how it can be with famous people, they see each other as we see them...one is "more important" than the other.
As far as Paul's music, the book covers this item closely. The guy who wrote "Hey Jude" is also the guy who wrote "Bip Bop" (look this song up on an early Wings album, Wildlife...just stupid and bad). "When did you write your last #1?", he is quoted as excusing how bad some of his albums have been.
Bottom line, Paul seems to learn everything too late and as he has grown older this doesnt seem to be changing. He didn't become Paul McCartney without there being talent around him for some of his best songs. Unfortunately, he seems to think otherwise.
November 1, 2011
In spite of the fact that this book is so large I thought I’d never finish it, I enjoyed it immensely. Even though I am a “child of the Sixties” and have always enjoyed the music of that decade - including the Beatles’ - I never thought or cared much one way or another about the details of the Beatles’ lives (or about “post-Beatle” Paul McCartney.) In spite of that, I was aware on some level of what was going on in music and in the world during that decade and since then, so I had heard bits and pieces about many of the things that are in this book. But, I knew none of the actual details, and that might be what made this book so fascinating for me.
I appreciate the fact that the author appears to have done exhaustive research in writing this book, because that makes me think that he pretty much knows what he’s talking about, and that most of the information is true. This is not a “tabloid piece.” Rather, it’s what the title implies: an intimate look at the life of the “cute” Beatle. By the end of the book I found myself truly admiring this man who, at least as he is portrayed in this book, appears to be a truly class act...especially for someone who suddenly found himself on the world’s biggest stage, as a member of one of the biggest musical acts in history, before age 20.
I think anyone who enjoys biographies and memoirs would like this book. (And, in the end, it’s not as huge as it first appears, because the final one-fourth of it consists of notes, acknowledgments, index, etc.) There are also quite a few photographs in two sections of the book, which I always appreciate in a biography. Reading the book reminded me of many Beatles songs (and Paul’s solo songs) that I had forgotten about, and I enjoyed that aspect of it so much that I have purchased two albums as a direct result of reading the book, and plan to buy more in the future.
Finally, I want to add that I checked this out from my local library as an e-book, and found the formatting to be pretty much flawless. This is always welcome, and gives me some hope that e-book publishers are finally starting to get it ...
I appreciate the fact that the author appears to have done exhaustive research in writing this book, because that makes me think that he pretty much knows what he’s talking about, and that most of the information is true. This is not a “tabloid piece.” Rather, it’s what the title implies: an intimate look at the life of the “cute” Beatle. By the end of the book I found myself truly admiring this man who, at least as he is portrayed in this book, appears to be a truly class act...especially for someone who suddenly found himself on the world’s biggest stage, as a member of one of the biggest musical acts in history, before age 20.
I think anyone who enjoys biographies and memoirs would like this book. (And, in the end, it’s not as huge as it first appears, because the final one-fourth of it consists of notes, acknowledgments, index, etc.) There are also quite a few photographs in two sections of the book, which I always appreciate in a biography. Reading the book reminded me of many Beatles songs (and Paul’s solo songs) that I had forgotten about, and I enjoyed that aspect of it so much that I have purchased two albums as a direct result of reading the book, and plan to buy more in the future.
Finally, I want to add that I checked this out from my local library as an e-book, and found the formatting to be pretty much flawless. This is always welcome, and gives me some hope that e-book publishers are finally starting to get it ...
May 2, 2012
Macca is now very nearly 70, and yet most of the examinations of his very full life only focus on the years between 1962 and 1970. While naturally the Beatle years are covered here, I enjoy that FAB gives us a more complete portrait of the man.
I was particularly intrigued by his life with Linda. Two people had definitely sown their wild oats, they finally found security and stability with one another and had a decades-long, monogamous and evolving union, "living in a home in the heart of the country." The author makes the point that Linda was as strong and driven as her opposite number, Yoko, but the difference is that Linda was obviously ambitious for her man, not for herself. She seemed to find the greatest fulfillment not with Wings but with the animals that made her go "soppy." I had no idea that (daughter) Heather had been so troubled, and was impressed by how seriously her parents took her issues. Sir Paul and Lady McCartney came off as a couple who had unusual common sense for their extraordinary circumstances.
The unraveling of his second marriage to Heather Mills is detailed, and I enjoyed touring his Liverpool haunts with little Bea, the child of that union who is living in luxury with her mother but was exposed to her father's workingclass beginnings.
Some other reviewers have commented on the author's opining on the music. It didn't bother me one way or the other. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool McCartney fan and am familiar with the songs and have come to my own conclusions.
I was particularly intrigued by his life with Linda. Two people had definitely sown their wild oats, they finally found security and stability with one another and had a decades-long, monogamous and evolving union, "living in a home in the heart of the country." The author makes the point that Linda was as strong and driven as her opposite number, Yoko, but the difference is that Linda was obviously ambitious for her man, not for herself. She seemed to find the greatest fulfillment not with Wings but with the animals that made her go "soppy." I had no idea that (daughter) Heather had been so troubled, and was impressed by how seriously her parents took her issues. Sir Paul and Lady McCartney came off as a couple who had unusual common sense for their extraordinary circumstances.
The unraveling of his second marriage to Heather Mills is detailed, and I enjoyed touring his Liverpool haunts with little Bea, the child of that union who is living in luxury with her mother but was exposed to her father's workingclass beginnings.
Some other reviewers have commented on the author's opining on the music. It didn't bother me one way or the other. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool McCartney fan and am familiar with the songs and have come to my own conclusions.
November 25, 2011
I quite enjoyed this "fab" book about the cute (and super-talented) Beatle, Paul McCartney. We learn about two very different sides of Paul from child to adult - the kind, loving friend and family member and the autocratic, calculating, inflexible man (especially when it comes to his music and business). Although a lot of the Beatles history has been reviewed in previous books, Fab also explores his "Wings" period, and I particularly liked the description of his time with his family in the isolated Scottish countryside. The book also offers new insights into his relationships (with Linda, and later with Heather Mills - a rebound that....didn't work out too well). Whether you are a Paul fan or not, he is a giant in the history of music, and the book provides some interesting insights into the man.
December 28, 2010
Good good good read! The last 50 pages or so kinda drug, but that was mostly b/c I didn't want to read about Heather Mills anyway. When I first found out about her, I tried to like her, but now I understand that all that effort was in vane. She's just not a very likable person.
I feel better. :)
I feel better. :)
Read
July 30, 2011Ehh...I'm partial to Peter Amos Carlin's bio -- this one gives a meticulous and overwhelming account of Paul MCartney's ancestors, but only a brief introduction to his union with John Lennon. I was amazed how overly persnickety this biographer is about trivial details, yet overgeneralizes significant events in McCartney's life, like meeting Lennon or Linda's death.
July 15, 2014
Beatle years well researched and very balanced. Post Beatles, usual heavy handed (Linda bad, music not up to par, etc etc).
Ok read, but do not use as only source of information of this talented genius. There is a difference between opinion and fact, he writes his opinion.
Ok read, but do not use as only source of information of this talented genius. There is a difference between opinion and fact, he writes his opinion.
December 1, 2010
if you must read it, borrow it. otherwise a waste of good money. nothing new.
July 3, 2011
boring. . .
October 19, 2019
This is the third biography of Paul McCartney I've read this year, and the only one of the three which really attempted to do what we usually understand biographies to be: a telling of the full story of a person. Barry Miles's Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now was almost an autobiography or an oral history, with little perspective or controlling narrative, but it was a good if limited (it only covered Macca from birth through the end of the Beatles) read. Tom Doyle's Man on the Run was a better book, though also limited; he genuinely had a coherent tale to tell about the fabulously rich and talented and oblivious Paul McCartney trying to figure out how to be his own person in the 1970s, and he told it well, but again, that's a story that ended a long time ago. Sounes, by contrast, attempts a complete biography, without any direct input or assistance from McCartney whatsoever. Since he takes up through about 2009, his book is obviously much more full than the previous two.
In truth, I ended up liking it more than I thought I would when I was about halfway through. Sounes didn’t set out to right a purposefully deconstructive biography, I’m sure, but in the midst of the very, very well-trod ground of the Beatles, whenever there was a pro-Paul and an anti-Paul reading of any particular conflict or circumstance--a lawsuit, a paternity claim, an artistic disagreement, whatever--and whenever there was no obvious interpretive reason to prefer either reading, he would always go with the anti-Paul one. By the time I was all the way through Macca's Wings period, I was finding it pretty predictable, if still informative. But sometime in the mid to late-1980s or early 1990s, Sounes's tone changes, or maybe Macca himself changed, and Sounes captured that. Either way, I felt that the snark dropped away, and Sounes was writing about the foibles and triumphs of a force of nature, a crazily rich and brilliant and hard-assed and hard-working and even kind of old-fashioned artist that he couldn’t help but be impressed by. Unlike Doyle, he really doesn't provide us with any kind of distinct interpretive portrait of the man, except that he, like anyone who reaches their 7th decade, is filled with changes and contradictions. And that's okay. You'd expect nothing less from such an inexhaustible font of musical ideas and always evolving desires.
The final chapters of the biography deal with McCartney's miserable Heather Mills marriage, so that was no fun. But really, in the end I thought it taught me something about the man, and thus perhaps even myself. He's a man who just keeps on keeping on, a fundamentally decent person for whom work--not necessarily excellence; really, just doing the work and then going on to the next thing--is the main thing, and who more than anything just wants a family and a living environment that will allow him to work as he will. Sounes communicates that well. I don't think it's as good a book as Man on the Run (for one thing, Sounes really dismisses some of McCartney's music that I think deserves at least a second or third listen), but it's a good read nonetheless.
In truth, I ended up liking it more than I thought I would when I was about halfway through. Sounes didn’t set out to right a purposefully deconstructive biography, I’m sure, but in the midst of the very, very well-trod ground of the Beatles, whenever there was a pro-Paul and an anti-Paul reading of any particular conflict or circumstance--a lawsuit, a paternity claim, an artistic disagreement, whatever--and whenever there was no obvious interpretive reason to prefer either reading, he would always go with the anti-Paul one. By the time I was all the way through Macca's Wings period, I was finding it pretty predictable, if still informative. But sometime in the mid to late-1980s or early 1990s, Sounes's tone changes, or maybe Macca himself changed, and Sounes captured that. Either way, I felt that the snark dropped away, and Sounes was writing about the foibles and triumphs of a force of nature, a crazily rich and brilliant and hard-assed and hard-working and even kind of old-fashioned artist that he couldn’t help but be impressed by. Unlike Doyle, he really doesn't provide us with any kind of distinct interpretive portrait of the man, except that he, like anyone who reaches their 7th decade, is filled with changes and contradictions. And that's okay. You'd expect nothing less from such an inexhaustible font of musical ideas and always evolving desires.
The final chapters of the biography deal with McCartney's miserable Heather Mills marriage, so that was no fun. But really, in the end I thought it taught me something about the man, and thus perhaps even myself. He's a man who just keeps on keeping on, a fundamentally decent person for whom work--not necessarily excellence; really, just doing the work and then going on to the next thing--is the main thing, and who more than anything just wants a family and a living environment that will allow him to work as he will. Sounes communicates that well. I don't think it's as good a book as Man on the Run (for one thing, Sounes really dismisses some of McCartney's music that I think deserves at least a second or third listen), but it's a good read nonetheless.
June 20, 2011
I almost married Paul McCartney. The only thing that came between us is that we never actually met. But seriously when I was a little girl in the 60s I LOOOOOOVED Paul McCartney. He was the best Beatle. George? Too much in the way of eyebrows & teeth. Ringo? Kinda sad & pitiful, like a puppy you'd rescue from the pound. John? Smart-ass. The kind of mean boy who'd nickname you Spaz for the next 5 years because you tripped over your feet one time in gym class. But Paul...ohhhh, he'd wake up early to scratch your names in a heart on a rock on the beach, then take you walking on the beach and randomly "find" that exact rock. Seriously. He actually did this for his second wife, Horrible Heather.
I like music that is kind of raw, not over-produced, so I liked the early Beatles, but I was never a huge Wings fan. I like some of the classical music that McCartney has composed. I agree with the author of this bio that Paul's music is sometimes a little shallow and slick, but, at its best it is great. And one thing you have to give Paul is that he keeps doing it He sure doesn't need the money. He just likes to make music and entertain people.
I don't usually read celebrity bios, but I couldn't pass up anything with such an adorable picture of my almost-husband on the cover. I thought it was well-balanced. It shows Paul as a smart money manager, and a generous person, one who did not need to live extravagantly, who had a wholesome life after he married Linda (other than being a hard-core pothead). It also portrays the unsurprising sexual excesses of a young man who could have any woman he wanted - and pretty much did - and the ego excesses of the incredibly rich, famous and successful.
And how about that Jane Asher? Wow, what was up with her when she and Paul were supposedly engaged and he was boinkin' everything is sight that had a vagina and would hold still for 5 seconds. She was either incredibly naive and didn't know or she just didn't care. Anyway, she finally had enough of him, and, to her great credit, has never had a word to say about it since. Classy!
My only complaint about this book is that, for the sake of thoroughness, it sometimes got tedious. Then Paul did this, then he did that, then he made this album, then he went to this that and the other city on tour. It got a little boring in spots.
I like music that is kind of raw, not over-produced, so I liked the early Beatles, but I was never a huge Wings fan. I like some of the classical music that McCartney has composed. I agree with the author of this bio that Paul's music is sometimes a little shallow and slick, but, at its best it is great. And one thing you have to give Paul is that he keeps doing it He sure doesn't need the money. He just likes to make music and entertain people.
I don't usually read celebrity bios, but I couldn't pass up anything with such an adorable picture of my almost-husband on the cover. I thought it was well-balanced. It shows Paul as a smart money manager, and a generous person, one who did not need to live extravagantly, who had a wholesome life after he married Linda (other than being a hard-core pothead). It also portrays the unsurprising sexual excesses of a young man who could have any woman he wanted - and pretty much did - and the ego excesses of the incredibly rich, famous and successful.
And how about that Jane Asher? Wow, what was up with her when she and Paul were supposedly engaged and he was boinkin' everything is sight that had a vagina and would hold still for 5 seconds. She was either incredibly naive and didn't know or she just didn't care. Anyway, she finally had enough of him, and, to her great credit, has never had a word to say about it since. Classy!
My only complaint about this book is that, for the sake of thoroughness, it sometimes got tedious. Then Paul did this, then he did that, then he made this album, then he went to this that and the other city on tour. It got a little boring in spots.
December 7, 2012
After years of refusal Reader met Author amongst the lazy sunbathers with the half-hearted introduction
You were good in your time.
Author, typically hated for loving, mussed aloud I'll never be anybody's hero now.
After a pause, pregnant, roughly four seconds in duration, Author intoned There speaks a true friend and then probably murmured There's a place in hell for me and my friends.
After a joyous dinner interspersed with drinking, Author spoke to true friend Reader of Alma, Author's only true love:
"It was a sweet Thursday when I snuck up behind Alma at the gallery and observed The world is full of crashing bores. Taken aback while putting up a front, Alma smiled.
I continued: To me you are a work of art.
Unsure as to Alma's threshold RE: clever puns, I immediately sealed the start of our relationship with You are my pastichenate love."
It was towards the end of the joyous dinner that Reader was abruptly misinformed that the Alma affair eventually graduated into failure, leaving Author amiss in bliss; a writer broken into piecemealed dismalness.
Reader's call to action was inspire Author with a terrible pun: From Reader to Author, I must tell you to give the affair another college try because quite clearly Alma matters.
Unfortunately, the next day was 30 January 1972 and both Reader and Author, after first donning their civil-right protester and bystander hats, were shot by soldiers of the British Army in Derry, Northern Ireland.
Author, typically hated for loving, mussed aloud I'll never be anybody's hero now.
After a pause, pregnant, roughly four seconds in duration, Author intoned There speaks a true friend and then probably murmured There's a place in hell for me and my friends.
After a joyous dinner interspersed with drinking, Author spoke to true friend Reader of Alma, Author's only true love:
"It was a sweet Thursday when I snuck up behind Alma at the gallery and observed The world is full of crashing bores. Taken aback while putting up a front, Alma smiled.
I continued: To me you are a work of art.
Unsure as to Alma's threshold RE: clever puns, I immediately sealed the start of our relationship with You are my pastichenate love."
It was towards the end of the joyous dinner that Reader was abruptly misinformed that the Alma affair eventually graduated into failure, leaving Author amiss in bliss; a writer broken into piecemealed dismalness.
Reader's call to action was inspire Author with a terrible pun: From Reader to Author, I must tell you to give the affair another college try because quite clearly Alma matters.
Unfortunately, the next day was 30 January 1972 and both Reader and Author, after first donning their civil-right protester and bystander hats, were shot by soldiers of the British Army in Derry, Northern Ireland.
May 13, 2011
I always knew McCartney had a over-blown ego and this book really helps verify that fact.
Though, there is more of McCartney's early childhood history and his relatives are mentioned here than in any other book about him that I've read.
Sadly this really didn't do it for me. Spelling mistakes as in Montreal was Montral (pg. 109). The Editor was really asleep at the wheel, and in this age of spelling checkers there isn't any excuse for this.
There are better McCartney historical books out there and this is not one of them. Disappointing read. I did give it a chance, but...
Lame. Quite lame.
Though, there is more of McCartney's early childhood history and his relatives are mentioned here than in any other book about him that I've read.
Sadly this really didn't do it for me. Spelling mistakes as in Montreal was Montral (pg. 109). The Editor was really asleep at the wheel, and in this age of spelling checkers there isn't any excuse for this.
There are better McCartney historical books out there and this is not one of them. Disappointing read. I did give it a chance, but...
Lame. Quite lame.
February 14, 2012
A few handfuls of previously unknown tidbits, just enough to keep a Fab-Four-Fan enticed; but this self-proclaimed "objective historian" can't seem to keep his jaded views in check. He seems intent on ripping Sir Paul, and delights in exposing details that only the tawdry-minded could find truly fascinating. (I swear I could envision him salivating as he feverishly scribbled his groundbreaking "revelations.") Should the yellow press Fox Network ever want to hire a celebrity stalker, this hack could be their blaspheming star.
August 26, 2014
I would have given five stars were it not that the first section of the books concentrates on Paul's Beatle days, which is what you'd expect I suppose but this part of the story is so well known that the book didn't really start to get interesting for me until the Beatle days were over. I didn't agree with the author's opinions on the solo albums but this was a compelling read, and painted Paul warts and all, but overall the author showed a healthy though not fawning respect for the genius that is McCartney.
August 22, 2011
Loved this biography of Paul McCartney and even though I had heard many of the stories, there was lots of new details, and yes, gossip. My only warning is don't even think about reading the hardback if your vision isn't sharp. I had a terrible time and wonder why the publisher chose to print this big book in such a faint and hard to read font. If you want to read this and have an e-reader, think about getting it in e-book format.
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