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Nowhere Man: The Final Days of John Lennon
Written by one of the few people outside John Lennon's inner circle to have read his personal diaries, Nowhere Man reveals an emotional truth about the ex-Beatle that can't be found in any of the approximately 400 other Lennon biographies currently in print. Fifteen years after its publication, the book is an acknowledged cult classic in the U.S. and U.K. It has been translated into six languages, and the Spanish Web magazine iLeon has chosen it as one of the "10 essential music biographies of all time."
The "official" version of Lennon's five-year tenure as househusband was one of domestic bliss. In reality, his daily life at the Dakota drifted between contradictory desires and minor obsessions--all magnified by the tedium of isolation.
Nowhere Man is an intimate journey through Lennon's last years, carrying us from his self-imposed seclusion to his re-entry into public life with the making of Double Fantasy . Each chapter offers a glimpse into a different aspect of Lennon's life, including his relationship with Yoko Ono, parenthood, drug use, and his pseudoscientific, esoteric, and religious forays. The portrait that emerges is a life during a time of turmoil that is just reaching creative renewal, only to be cut short by an act of delusional violence.
Nowhere Man reveals a very human side of a beloved cultural icon, giving the reader a compelling account of John's solitary struggle to create a meaningful life in the glaring spotlight of fame. Robert Rosen does not let us go until we've faced the abrupt and tragic fate of one of the most creative minds of our time.
The addition of photos throughout the book places the reader in Lennon's environs, adding a strong visual dimension.
The "official" version of Lennon's five-year tenure as househusband was one of domestic bliss. In reality, his daily life at the Dakota drifted between contradictory desires and minor obsessions--all magnified by the tedium of isolation.
Nowhere Man is an intimate journey through Lennon's last years, carrying us from his self-imposed seclusion to his re-entry into public life with the making of Double Fantasy . Each chapter offers a glimpse into a different aspect of Lennon's life, including his relationship with Yoko Ono, parenthood, drug use, and his pseudoscientific, esoteric, and religious forays. The portrait that emerges is a life during a time of turmoil that is just reaching creative renewal, only to be cut short by an act of delusional violence.
Nowhere Man reveals a very human side of a beloved cultural icon, giving the reader a compelling account of John's solitary struggle to create a meaningful life in the glaring spotlight of fame. Robert Rosen does not let us go until we've faced the abrupt and tragic fate of one of the most creative minds of our time.
The addition of photos throughout the book places the reader in Lennon's environs, adding a strong visual dimension.
- GenresMusicBiographyNonfiction
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
34 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
About the author
Robert Rosen
8 books9 followersRobert Rosen is the author of "Nowhere Man: The Final Days of John Lennon," an international bestseller that's been translated into six languages. His latest book, "A Brooklyn Memoir," is a story about growing up in Brooklyn in the 1950s and 60s, surrounded by Auschwitz survivors and W.W. II vets. His investigative memoir, "Beaver Street: A History of Modern Pornography," received critical acclaim across the cultural spectrum, from Vanity Fair to academic journals to Adult Video News. Over the course of his career, he's edited pornographic magazines and an underground newspaper, written speeches for the Secretary of the Air Force, and was awarded a Hugo Boss poetry prize. Rosen's work has appeared in publications all over the world, including The Independent (U.K.), Uncut (U.K.), Erotic Review (U.K.), Mother Jones, The Soho Weekly News, La Repubblica (Italy), Dagospia (Italy), VSD (France), Proceso (Mexico), Reforma (Mexico), and El Heraldo (Colombia).
Born in Brooklyn, Rosen attended Erasmus Hall High School and the City College of New York, where he studied creative writing with Joseph Heller and Francine du Plessix Gray. He lives in Manhattan with his wife, Mary Lyn Maiscott, a writer, editor, and singer. They both do freelance editorial work for Vanity Fair magazine.
Born in Brooklyn, Rosen attended Erasmus Hall High School and the City College of New York, where he studied creative writing with Joseph Heller and Francine du Plessix Gray. He lives in Manhattan with his wife, Mary Lyn Maiscott, a writer, editor, and singer. They both do freelance editorial work for Vanity Fair magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 16, 2025
I found out about this book after reading a recent biography of Yoko Ono. Probably over twenty years ago I bought a hardcover book at Beatlefest written by Fred Seaman (called The Last Days of John Lennon: A Personal Memoir) who was hired as an assistant to John Lennon during the last year of his life. He was with John when he was sailing in Bermuda with his son Sean and writing songs for his final album "Double Fantasy". Fred insisted that John Lennon told him that he wanted the diaries/journals he was keeping to be given to his eldest son Julian if something happened to him. After John's death Fred took these diaries and gave them to this author (Rosen) for his journalistic abilities. Rosen proceeded to transcribe the journals using his typewriter, and through that action retained the memory of the content- but Yoko Ono made sure she got those journals back. I read Fred Seaman's book decades ago and remember enjoying it, and I enjoyed this one also. It's good to look at all sides of a story from different perspectives. I know that the general/accepted story is that John Lennon was content being a househusband, baking bread, and being a dedicated father to Sean, but it's intriguing to read the other side to this story and make your own conclusions. It's a fact that Seaman and Rosen had possession of and read these diaries, so there has to be some credible information there.
May 21, 2020
I've been thinking of reading this for awhile, but it was hearing an interview with the author on the "Something about the Beatles" podcast that made me find it.
Mr. Rosen was one of the very few people to ever look at John Lennon's diaries after he lost his life. Obviously reading someone's diary--and then writing about it--is a big ethical problem, and therein lie the most convincing arguments against this book. I know Fred Seaman, John's former assistant who originally took the diaries, said John wanted him to have them for an official biography project, but who knows? There's no way that can be verified.
Anyway, a lot of other fans don't like this book because it counters the official narrative put out by Yoko that John was a blissful, sober "househusband" during his years away from the music industry--but it doesn't take much of a deep dive to recognize that official line is a bunch of hooey anyway. In fact, I think we all feel a little like "househusband" John during this quarantine period, and his frustration, boredom, and helplessness are likely to resonate with readers right now in particular. He was a human being, not a deity or a Disney character, the author reminds us.
The section at the conclusion about the individual who murdered John, I don't know if that was really necessary in this book. There have been other books and media about this person, and while I get that we need to be able to recognize the behavioral traits of dangerous individuals before they destroy lives, I don't think a biography/memoir about John is really the place for it.
Mr. Rosen was one of the very few people to ever look at John Lennon's diaries after he lost his life. Obviously reading someone's diary--and then writing about it--is a big ethical problem, and therein lie the most convincing arguments against this book. I know Fred Seaman, John's former assistant who originally took the diaries, said John wanted him to have them for an official biography project, but who knows? There's no way that can be verified.
Anyway, a lot of other fans don't like this book because it counters the official narrative put out by Yoko that John was a blissful, sober "househusband" during his years away from the music industry--but it doesn't take much of a deep dive to recognize that official line is a bunch of hooey anyway. In fact, I think we all feel a little like "househusband" John during this quarantine period, and his frustration, boredom, and helplessness are likely to resonate with readers right now in particular. He was a human being, not a deity or a Disney character, the author reminds us.
The section at the conclusion about the individual who murdered John, I don't know if that was really necessary in this book. There have been other books and media about this person, and while I get that we need to be able to recognize the behavioral traits of dangerous individuals before they destroy lives, I don't think a biography/memoir about John is really the place for it.
July 12, 2017
What do I think? What do I think?
I think a guy I once considered one of my musical heroes was, through most of the 70s, an insecure, jaded, jealous and even shattered man. Knowing he was a good dad to Sean was great, but also knowing that he basically ignored his first son and wife was disturbing. Then there was all the astrology and numerology -- should I leave the house today, is this address auspicious, does his or her name bode well for the future? What the hell, John? Did the heroin you so casually used rot your brain? I know some of it was the thinking of the era, but man, paranoid is the first word that comes to mind when I think of this Beatle.
The worst for me may have been his jealous obsession to outdo his once kindred spirit, now rival, Paul McCartney. John always thought himself superior to the younger and more commercial Paul, but actually wishing him harm and resorting to black magic to sabotage his fame was outrageous. Why not just write better songs and congratulate Paul for his achievements? Were you that insecure? Not exactly hero material.
Still, a riveting read. Even the mundane stuff (what he was reading, wearing, eating), interested me. The sailing trip to Bermuda and his life-altering attempt at piloting a vessel during a violent storm reminded me of Job, King Lear, maybe even Lieutenant Dan. Then my admiration would wan with John's irresponsible attempts at getting high. Seems to me that his self-esteem took a plunge with continued use of hard drugs; add to that a life of seclusion and you have a man searching for identity. Even his journals begin to show a decline in creative thought by the end of the decade. Meanwhile Paul, who shied away from those dead-end substances, continued to flourish during his mentor's implosion. Drugs, man. Drugs.
I've read a dozen or so books on Lennon or the Beatles, but this one was different. This one showed John as a flawed, imperfect man unable to find contentment even with everything and everyone at his disposal. And strangely, Mark David Chapman's mostly illogical reasons for killing Lennon have a shred of sense to them. John's quote about being destined to be rich doesn't square well with the "no possessions" argument in Imagine. Maybe even John himself would admit to some form of "phoniness" by the time he was murdered, that money was an essential part of his life. Chapman was demented, for sure, but I guess that tells you how powerful The Beatles were and are to fans. My father used to tell me that if you didn't like the Beatles in the 60's you would get beat up. Chapman took that to a whole new level, unfortunately.
I would have liked to have seen the elder, sober John Lennon record more music.
Maybe even a Beatles reunion.
I think a guy I once considered one of my musical heroes was, through most of the 70s, an insecure, jaded, jealous and even shattered man. Knowing he was a good dad to Sean was great, but also knowing that he basically ignored his first son and wife was disturbing. Then there was all the astrology and numerology -- should I leave the house today, is this address auspicious, does his or her name bode well for the future? What the hell, John? Did the heroin you so casually used rot your brain? I know some of it was the thinking of the era, but man, paranoid is the first word that comes to mind when I think of this Beatle.
The worst for me may have been his jealous obsession to outdo his once kindred spirit, now rival, Paul McCartney. John always thought himself superior to the younger and more commercial Paul, but actually wishing him harm and resorting to black magic to sabotage his fame was outrageous. Why not just write better songs and congratulate Paul for his achievements? Were you that insecure? Not exactly hero material.
Still, a riveting read. Even the mundane stuff (what he was reading, wearing, eating), interested me. The sailing trip to Bermuda and his life-altering attempt at piloting a vessel during a violent storm reminded me of Job, King Lear, maybe even Lieutenant Dan. Then my admiration would wan with John's irresponsible attempts at getting high. Seems to me that his self-esteem took a plunge with continued use of hard drugs; add to that a life of seclusion and you have a man searching for identity. Even his journals begin to show a decline in creative thought by the end of the decade. Meanwhile Paul, who shied away from those dead-end substances, continued to flourish during his mentor's implosion. Drugs, man. Drugs.
I've read a dozen or so books on Lennon or the Beatles, but this one was different. This one showed John as a flawed, imperfect man unable to find contentment even with everything and everyone at his disposal. And strangely, Mark David Chapman's mostly illogical reasons for killing Lennon have a shred of sense to them. John's quote about being destined to be rich doesn't square well with the "no possessions" argument in Imagine. Maybe even John himself would admit to some form of "phoniness" by the time he was murdered, that money was an essential part of his life. Chapman was demented, for sure, but I guess that tells you how powerful The Beatles were and are to fans. My father used to tell me that if you didn't like the Beatles in the 60's you would get beat up. Chapman took that to a whole new level, unfortunately.
I would have liked to have seen the elder, sober John Lennon record more music.
Maybe even a Beatles reunion.
April 27, 2016
A very heavy- hearted book based on John Lennon's own personal journals. The last 5 years of his life were obviously miserable. Paranoid, no self confidence and COMPLETELY CONTROLLED PSYCHOLOGICALLY AS WELL AS FINANCIALLY BY YOKO ONO. Lennon over and over professed his love for Ono and their son Sean. Ono controlled his life and he let her. The book shows Ono's only interest in Lennon was to further her musical career and create an empire out of John's money that her earned as a Beatle and solo artist. Money she stood to gain and did after Lennon's murder in 1980. Lennon was completely under her influence, most likely from the beginning of their relationship and only wanted to please her in exchange for her love. What he got instead was footing the bill and being the catalyst for her to record and release her horrendous cackling, screaming and out of tune singing because that's what she wanted. Is it any wonder why his musical career and abilities suffered after leaving The Beatles? " REAL LOVE " from Ono? O NO!
September 10, 2016
After reading Fred Seaman's memoir, this book was spoiled for me. Why? Because it's tacky. It's cheesy, and although a good portion of the material was based off of diary entries (so we think), a lot of it seemed greatly exaggerated and forced. The diary scandal was pure fraud and this guy set Fred up w the Lennons so Fred would get the worst side of things. It's a shame. And the price he paid? For us to read this....all I know as a Lennon fan is this only felt like John to an extent. Whether it was sailing the Long Island Sound or snoozing all day with his cats, some of it I found to be accurate. But the little details like John's inner thoughts and emotions didn't feel real. I felt it was very forced. A play on John's image and private life together.
May 29, 2009
Rosen has done the public a great service. He gets into the heart & mind of John Lennon, with rare insight, having had access to Lennon's journals. For those of you seeking fame & fortune - there's something to be learned here. Lennon had more money than God and was more loved than Jesus - and was misserable. A facinating and unique read that looks at the creative mind via one of the most successful personalities of the 20th century.
October 18, 2015
I received a copy of the galley to this book several years ago, before it was published. I could not put it down! Robert Rosen effectively delves into John Lennon's dark side, but from a wholly analytical, non-judgmental perspective. Rather, Rosen affords an in-depth exploration of the complexities of Lennon's often tortured psyche, with the insight and precision that only a seasoned journalist can provide. His writing is stark, intelligent and authoritative. I highly recommend this book.
November 11, 2010
Thought it was really good. I will admit, though, that a week after finishing the book, I was drunk in a bar and I pretty sure I was calling some girl Yoko.
March 18, 2018
I have to start by saying I have never held a high opinion of John Lennon. Learning additional facts about him (based off supposed diary entries) I did not feel a great deal more sympathy for John. It is a dovetailing of the universe, I suppose, him being slain by a lunatic assassin. Fans of the weird were surely robbed, the world was deprived of many years of ridiculousness which John was sure to have pulled. He allowed himself to be Yoko'd and this was the ensuing head that became. I will speak no more ill on a dead man, focusing the rest of the review on the author who did a good job getting me through a biography of the last days of a character I don't care for.
The material for writing a Lennon piece had to be pretty succulent for the taking and Rosen does a good job of focusing on a few characters within Lennon's life to push the story along. The numerologist bit is pure gold. Yoko feels distant, as she may have been, before embracing the casket for all of eternity. The most uplifting remembrance (to me) is when John is steering the small ship across the Caribbean when the crew he hired becomes seasick, pulling on his paternal lineage for the feat.
In conclusion, I will probably read more Rosen, probably Beaver Street because the porn industry is another seedy realm with plenty off gold to be gleaned off society's underbelly.
The material for writing a Lennon piece had to be pretty succulent for the taking and Rosen does a good job of focusing on a few characters within Lennon's life to push the story along. The numerologist bit is pure gold. Yoko feels distant, as she may have been, before embracing the casket for all of eternity. The most uplifting remembrance (to me) is when John is steering the small ship across the Caribbean when the crew he hired becomes seasick, pulling on his paternal lineage for the feat.
In conclusion, I will probably read more Rosen, probably Beaver Street because the porn industry is another seedy realm with plenty off gold to be gleaned off society's underbelly.
March 12, 2013
I really enjoyed this book and will be interviewing the author about it. My favorite part was when the author got into Lennon's death and the bits about fighting over money. For fans of True Crime, the later chapters in the book will be the most interesting.
August 23, 2019
I liked the book but I felt it a bit annoying that in more than a one place in the book Julians birthday is wrong. Julian is born 8 April 1963 but not 4 April and seeing this makes me wonder about other facts in the book. But the book is interesting and I liked it.
February 11, 2022
(En realidad leí "John Lennon" de Miguel Martínez y Vicente Escudero, pero no está en Goodreads). Libro corto que se centra en la dualidad de la personalidad de John Lennon, violento pero pacifista, cínico y malhablado pero a la vez encantador... Y en su búsqueda incesante, pese a ser defraudado y volver a los inicios una y otra vez, de la "próxima cosa grande" que lo salvara de la herida abierta que se creó en su infancia. No está mal pero no sigue un hilo del todo cronológico ni se mencionan algunos de los hecho relevantes en su vida, por lo que hay que conocer un poco su historia para no perderse en la lectura.
July 31, 2024
Hack job, zero stars
May 28, 2024
Engrossing revelation about John Lennon and Yoko Ono
Robert Rosen has memorized what he can from John Lennon's diaries after they apparently were stolen. Part fact, part assumed fact bordering on fiction, Nowhere Man is a real page turner.
I learned so much about Lennon, the complex, tortured man. I learned why he called Ono mother, and why he genuinely meant it.
Lennon's relationship with his former wife, his not so secret lover, and his sons Julian and Sean unveil a lot about this insecure superstar.
Why did his assassin carry out his act of madness? How did the occult feature heavily over John and Yoko? Much is revealed, and much remains mysterious.
Rosen's Nowhere Man, it turns out, impacted millions globally. If anything, an Everywhere Man.
Robert Rosen has memorized what he can from John Lennon's diaries after they apparently were stolen. Part fact, part assumed fact bordering on fiction, Nowhere Man is a real page turner.
I learned so much about Lennon, the complex, tortured man. I learned why he called Ono mother, and why he genuinely meant it.
Lennon's relationship with his former wife, his not so secret lover, and his sons Julian and Sean unveil a lot about this insecure superstar.
Why did his assassin carry out his act of madness? How did the occult feature heavily over John and Yoko? Much is revealed, and much remains mysterious.
Rosen's Nowhere Man, it turns out, impacted millions globally. If anything, an Everywhere Man.
May 28, 2012
I love John Lennon and The Beatles and so I've decided to learn something more about my idol. The detailed descriptions make the reader feel like being there with the character. Surely I got acquainted with "Lennono's life", his peculiar habits and his secrets. Sincerely I thought the couple's life was better, full of love and happiness.. In reality, they faced the addiction to money, to sexual pleasures and love between them has been put in the background. This is so sad but that's how life can be.. Peace & Love Dear John.
September 20, 2017
I didn't feel it is a deep book about John Lennon. Felt it was a compilation of what magazines said.
February 13, 2019
A complete guilty pleasure that was probably 85% dogshit!
January 10, 2024
Step into the final days of John Lennon's life with "Nowhere Man," a riveting tale crafted from the pages of his journals and diaries. Lennon poured out his soul in these intimate writings, treating them like a personal religion. Though I felt that his privacy was laid bare, I couldn't help but respect his fervent desire for his story to be told.
The journey turns unexpectedly when a trusted insider betrays Lennon, pilfering his diaries and personal belongings. The theft adds a layer of secondhand betrayal that tugs at the heartstrings and leaves you questioning the lengths people will go to for a piece of history. I felt like Lennon had been robbed, figuratively and literally, even after his kindness to people.
As I delved into the narrative, Lennon's post-Beatles era unfolded before me, revealing a man deeply passionate about his musical creations. Surprisingly, it also unveiled a side of Lennon that went beyond the music – a profound love for his family, a facet I had not anticipated.
While part of me yearned for firsthand writing from someone who knew Lennon intimately, the authenticity of the outsider's perspective intrigued me. Having lived through Lennon's lifestyle, from diet to routines, the author brings a genuine touch to the narrative. It's a glimpse into Lennon's world, minus the fame and musical genius.
ℕ𝕠𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕄𝕒𝕟: 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝔻𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕁𝕠𝕙𝕟 𝕃𝕖𝕟𝕟𝕠𝕟 goes beyond portraying John Lennon as just a musical icon. It peels back the layers to reveal a man driven by passion, haunted by betrayal, and unexpectedly devoted to his family. Dive into this compelling story that captures the essence of a legend whose impact extends far beyond the realm of music.
The journey turns unexpectedly when a trusted insider betrays Lennon, pilfering his diaries and personal belongings. The theft adds a layer of secondhand betrayal that tugs at the heartstrings and leaves you questioning the lengths people will go to for a piece of history. I felt like Lennon had been robbed, figuratively and literally, even after his kindness to people.
As I delved into the narrative, Lennon's post-Beatles era unfolded before me, revealing a man deeply passionate about his musical creations. Surprisingly, it also unveiled a side of Lennon that went beyond the music – a profound love for his family, a facet I had not anticipated.
While part of me yearned for firsthand writing from someone who knew Lennon intimately, the authenticity of the outsider's perspective intrigued me. Having lived through Lennon's lifestyle, from diet to routines, the author brings a genuine touch to the narrative. It's a glimpse into Lennon's world, minus the fame and musical genius.
ℕ𝕠𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕄𝕒𝕟: 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝔻𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕁𝕠𝕙𝕟 𝕃𝕖𝕟𝕟𝕠𝕟 goes beyond portraying John Lennon as just a musical icon. It peels back the layers to reveal a man driven by passion, haunted by betrayal, and unexpectedly devoted to his family. Dive into this compelling story that captures the essence of a legend whose impact extends far beyond the realm of music.
November 8, 2023
This one has an interesting backstory. The author purportedly received voluminous John Lennon diary excerpts from I think his name is Norman Seaman something Seaman, a former employee, who wrote another book, then the same were purportedly stolen purportedly by Seaman, after which, this author Rosen had to recreate the secret stories from memory. I feel like both Seaman and Rosen are now discredited according to the estate, one maybe more than the other, whatever that means, but I might be wrong. The results are largely unimpressive, Rosen makes a few terrible mistakes, like he thinks it was Howard Cosell and not Lorne Michaels who wanted the Beatles to reunite on his show, and he misspells the title of Julian Lennon's first album. To be fair: was it the author, or the editor, or the publisher who made these mistakes? But still.
September 26, 2019
It took me a while to complete this short book because I did not enjoy it. Several reviews suggested it was must-reading for Lennon fans who want to learn about his five years of isolation at the Dakota before finishing "Double Fantasy." No, it isn't must-reading. In fact, it's a total waste of time! The only thing I got from it was a headache!
The author claims he had access to Lennon's diaries, so, I had some expectation of a few revelations. However, if he did have access, he did a very poor job of taking notes. There is nothing in this book that hasn't been published elsewhere and written much better.
Bottom line: you will get nowhere by reading "Nowhere Man." It's terrible!
The author claims he had access to Lennon's diaries, so, I had some expectation of a few revelations. However, if he did have access, he did a very poor job of taking notes. There is nothing in this book that hasn't been published elsewhere and written much better.
Bottom line: you will get nowhere by reading "Nowhere Man." It's terrible!
December 30, 2023
Would say I enjoyed Frederic Seaman’s similar book based on the same diaries more, however the breakdown of Mark David Chapmans life was really interesting. The numerology side of the book dragged a bit.
November 14, 2021
Great insight into Lennon’s Dakota years.
May 17, 2022
Wasn't sure at all about the style of this. I liked big chunks of it, but then there were some descriptions that really left me cold.
May 16, 2023
I'd recommend Fred Seamans book.
September 12, 2023
A riveting account about the sad last years of John Lennon. He could've had it all, but sadly he chose the life he had, the life cut short.
January 11, 2024
Menuda fumada que se metió el escritor
April 23, 2024
Loved and hated
February 7, 2025
An intriguing exercise but this is a little offensive and giving the coda to the assassin just seems insulting.
September 23, 2009
Just finished this one---only the 2000 edition, which had a much more tasteful cover than what's pictured above.
The book is allegedly a combo of what Rosen remembers from John Lennon's diaries---which he claims to have been transcribing at one point, before said diaries were stolen from him---and Rosen's imagination. So what you have is a cross between truth & fiction.
After reading this book, I came to 3 conclusions: 1.) Despite his fabulous wealth, John Lennon in his final days was one very unhappy man; 2.) Robert Rosen might have a photographic memory; 3.) Robert Rosen might have a very active imagination.
So this book is either a sadly insightful chronicle of the end of a great artist's life or a sad novel with John Lennon as its main character. Until Yoko coughs up the diaries (if said diaries truly exist), this is the best we've got. Poor John.
The book is allegedly a combo of what Rosen remembers from John Lennon's diaries---which he claims to have been transcribing at one point, before said diaries were stolen from him---and Rosen's imagination. So what you have is a cross between truth & fiction.
After reading this book, I came to 3 conclusions: 1.) Despite his fabulous wealth, John Lennon in his final days was one very unhappy man; 2.) Robert Rosen might have a photographic memory; 3.) Robert Rosen might have a very active imagination.
So this book is either a sadly insightful chronicle of the end of a great artist's life or a sad novel with John Lennon as its main character. Until Yoko coughs up the diaries (if said diaries truly exist), this is the best we've got. Poor John.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2007
I'm still uncertain of the content being accurate, but I found myself glued to this book every night since I picked it up. The author is said to have read Lennon's personal journals and this book was his transcription of them. This book demystifies Lennon down to a very personal level with all his eccentricities showing and not being hidden by the facade of being the solid character that his documentaries show him to be.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews