Beatles: Here, There, and Everywhere

by Nancy J. Hajeski

One of the most recognizable, enduring, and best-selling bands of all time, The Beatles’ influence spans time, genre, and geography. Originally popular in Liverpool and Hamburg, their fame soon spread worldwide, and they enjoyed immense popularity in the United States.

Now The Here, There, and Everywhere maps out the journey of this legendary rock sensation. Relive everything from the tentative debut of the Liverpool natives in Hamburg’s tawdry red light district to their innovative recordings at Abbey Road Studio. In this unique book readers learn about the Beatles’ famous audition at Decca studios, the flat at 57 Green Street, their American debut on The Ed Sullivan Show, plus many other stops along their road to stardom. With full spreads devoted to each British album, additional notes on instrumentation and solo careers, plus tons of Fab Facts, this book captivates fans of all ages.

A unique way to explore the history of this legendary group, The Here There, and Everywhere provides you with a ticket to ride on their journey.

Genres: Nonfiction, Music, Biography

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 14, 2014

About the author

Nancy J. Hajeski is the real name of author Nancy Butler.

Nancy Butler had been—more or less—living in the 19th century since the publication of her first Signet Regency romance in 1998. Twelve novels and three novellas later, she found herself rudely back in the 21st century when the Regency romance genre faded (yet not, oddly, Austen-mania). Fortunately, in 2009 Marvel offered her a chance to adapt Pride and Prejudice for their illustrated classics line, putting her firmly back in the era she adored. The hardcover compilation became a New York Times bestseller in the graphic novel category, and when it reached No. 2 on the list there was great rejoicing.

Butler also writes nonfiction for middle-schoolers under her real name, Nancy J. Hajeski, and is the author of The Hammond Book of Presidents and of three Hammond Undercover titles: Rocks & Minerals, Princesses, and Sharks.

She has won two RITAs from the Romance Writers of America, two Reviewers’ Choice Awards from Romantic Times magazine, and was retired to their Hall of Fame by the New Jersey Romance Writers. Butler lives in the Catskills with two mellow cats and a temperamental Jackabee.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Beatles: Here, There and Everywhere by Nancy J. Hajeski is a 2014 Thunder Bay Press publication.

Growing up, in the mid-seventies, I associated Paul McCartney with 'Paul McCartney and Wings'. The radio played a few Beatles songs now and again, but none of my classmates were into the Beatles and so I wasn't really interested in them, either. However, when a local resident needed expensive surgery, our town held a garage sale to help raise money for them. Someone, who obviously didn't know the value of their collection, donated a stack of Beatles albums and stuck a 25 cent tag on each of them. I didn't know that much about the group, but I snapped up every one them. From that day forward I was a HUGE fan.

So, when I saw this book, I couldn't pass it up.

This is a beautiful coffee table book with spectacular color photographs and offers a history of the band from their humble background in Liverpool to the their solo careers and offers the up to the minute last known facts about the surviving members, the wives, and children.

I have had so much fun sitting down with this book and looking through all the nostalgic photos, reminders of the turbulent sixties, the various trends and political climate that the Beatles seemed to personify at times, and my children have also found the book to be very interesting as well. If you have this book sitting out on your coffee table, it is sure to encourage a lot of discussion, evoke fond memories, and is sure to impress friends and family.





HIGHLIGHTS:

Since this is a 'coffee table book, the story is told more so with pictures and less with words, but wow! What a collection of photos. Album covers, clothing styles, all manner of memorabilia, from the famed Beatles lunch boxes to wigs, and coloring sets... You name it.

Who influenced the Beatles? Who did they influence? What were the many moods of the group? Who were the people they spent time with? Who worked behind the scenes with the group?


There was a section devoted to the movies the group made, which thankfully have pretty much stood the test of time and don't elicit the usual eye roll that Elvis movies do.

One of the most interesting sections in the book was the photographs of the instruments used toward the middle of the group's success. They were being influenced by groups like the Byrds at this point, but they were also beginning to see a little more income. This provided them with the opportunity to experiment with various instruments and styles.

There is a section devoted to the Apple label, a section about the private lives of the members, a section offering an individual profile of each member, updating us on everything from marriages, children, and of course the sad deaths of two of the group's members.

Although the world as moved into a whole new hemisphere, people are still discovering this group, still respect the world they opened us up to, which influenced so many others, and had such an incredible impact on music as we know it.

No one could have predicted Beatlemania, the British invasion, the concept album, and many other events that shaped so many lives during the sixties. It's a testament to the talent of these men who turned the music world on its ear and gave us all so much pleasure over the years, that they all managed to overcome the stereotypes and forge their own success individually. Every time I hear a Beatles song, or pick up a book about the Beatles I am once more reminded of how awesome they were and how far they came. I am impressed all over again.


This is a fascinating look through history, pop culture, and the band that started a whole new era in our lives. Even if you think you are not a big fan of this group, you may discover after looking through this book, that they influenced you in ways you never realized.

John, Paul, George, and Ringo - forever!

This book is over three hundred pages long, but you will need to know that if you buy the hardcover copy, this book is massive in size and is simply breathtaking. If you love the Beatles, history, pop culture or if you know someone who does, this would be a perfect gift. I can't say enough nice things about this book.

[Amy C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this poignant, compendious overview of arguably the most beloved classic band of all time. Hajeski writes consummately, delving into the nuances of the lives and formative experiences of the band as well as each band member with a scrutinizing eye and characteristic verve.
At times, this memorable biography veered into tragic parameters deftly, evading the sugarcoated interpretation of events in favor of the candid circumstances.
Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and John Lennon; four names that have endured the test of time as radical phenomena in the realm of musical ascendancy remain popular with the general public to this day.

[John Russo · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable coffee table book. I’ve read about 30 Beatles books over the years. This one was different, different stories, different pictures. Shorter bites to read from chapter to chapter. From early days to single lives up to 2012.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. rated 4.5 of 5

I've read quite a few books on The Beatles lately.  I'm glad to know that their music and their magic is still prompting people to seek out information on these musicians.  This coffee-table-style book is a delightful summary of The Beatles ... who they were, how they came to be, how they came to be popular, and what happened to them.

Each of the Beatles' books I've read recently has had its own niche, from a detailed book on the albums and songs, to sociological effects on their influence to a generation.  This particular book would be a summary of their career(s).  A moderately thorough summary, to be sure, but a summary nonetheless.

Because The Beatles, their music, and books about them have been around for a while now, it is hard to say something new.  I'm not well-versed in Beatlemania (I enjoy their music, a lot, but I haven't studied them) but I suspect that once the book is published there will be the ardent fans who've read everything commenting on what's 'accurate' and what's been published and where.  For me, there was a little 'new' information.

I very much enjoyed the chapter on their years in Germany and the strong friendships they had formed at this time (Astrid, Klaus, Jürgen).  Something that was addressed more in this book than any other Beatles book I've read is their philandering.  One would expect that young men, musicians, would have a strong sexual appetite, but I've never heard much about this until now.  We learn a little about the Hamburg red-light district and the different affairs that the men had, despite their marriages at times.  I was not aware (and this is probably because I'm not typically a fan who needs to know every little detail) that Paul had paternity suits against him.  It doesn't surprise me but, as I say, these bits of information have been well swept under the rug as far I am concerned.

The book even covers a chapter on each member of the Beatles after the break-up of the band.  Their successes and failures.  One moment is rather conspicuously missing -- the plagiarism lawsuit against Harrison.  With as much detail as Hajeski has managed to include in the book I did expect to get a glimpse at how the lawsuit affected the former Beatle.

The book is filled with photos, making it very attractive as a coffee-table book.  One would have to believe that there aren't too many photos of The Beatles that haven't already seen print somewhere, but it's nice to have them collected and arranged in this format.

My 17-year-old son has become quite a Beatles/McCartney fan and this is just the sort of book that he would find interesting.  Hopefully this book will keep a new generation of music-lovers interested in one of the most famous rock/pop groups tio ever record.

Looking for a good book?  The Beatles: Here, There and Everywhere is a fact and photo filled summary of four young men who, together, became pop culture icons and rock music legends.

[Always Pink · Rating 4 out of 5]

This absolutely wonderful book delivers on all accounts: It offers ALL you ever wanted to know about the Fab Four in one amazingly (!) illustrated and beautifully designed volume that earns a place on every cultural history shelf. Nancy J. Hajeski did a fantastic job and compiled all important facts (and many, many quotes) on John, Paul, George and Ringo and a lot on Pete, Stuart, Brian, George Martin, and even Astrid, Klaus and Jürgen too... We follow the lads from Liverpool to Hamburg, London, India and back, from the Cavern to Abbey Road, we learn about Mersey beat, Mods and rockers, Swinging London, Beatlemania, and early merchandising. "Fab fact"-info squares are strewn in, single and LP single covers depicted, even the favourite instruments of the four feature. A whole chapter is dedicated to the enourmously successful movies of the Beatles. We watch them become a worlwide phenomenon and a household name but split up nonetheless. Final chapters on each of the four show how their lifes and careers went on separately, and also sheds light on their legacy for us today. - I have always been an ardent fan of the Beatles and if I had children, this is the book I would give to them, to help them understand to what huge extent these four musicians definded a whole era.

This has been written on the basis of an advance e-copy kindly provided by the publishers via NetGalley

[Terry Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Massive, MASSIVE, collection of photos, quotes and histories of the Fab Four - going from childhood to solo careers (and the deaths of John and George) to the present day with recent events in the lives of The Beatles and their families. Lots of photos from the Hamburg crucible that forged the band that I wasn't familiar with, along with candid shots you don't see that often (if at all) in other Beatle books. Hajeski does an amazing job of focusing on one particular moment in time per each two page spread, giving us stories and history to accompany the photographs. If you're a Beatle-holic, much of this information might be familiar - but there is still enough new gold in her research that, when combined with the great layout and artwork and graphics, makes this a must have for any dedicated Beatle fan's library. Be prepared to spend several days reading and drinking in this oversized and hefty tribute, and make sure you reinforce your coffee table, because this is a weighty tome in more ways that one!

[AerinLuvs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lavishly illustrated (each page has at least 1 photograph) from black and white to the color photos of later years, this coffee-table worthy book tells about the formation and development of The Beatles. I have never read any previous books about The Beatles, so I don't know how much of this book is new, but I learned quite a bit about the 5th Beatle, Brian Epstein, along with Stuart Sutcliffe and even Peter Best. The book talks about the fashions and trends that The Beatles started and ends with each band member's solo efforts after the death and tragedy of John Lennon. There is an extensive index and many album playlists. A Must Have for fans of this legendary band!

This was an ARC that I read and reviewed.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I spent a lot of time with The Beatles last year.
Like a lot of time:

To a point where I could name all their songs. I don't think I can anymore.
It also gave me some bonding time with my dad.

Despite being overly familiar with their music for that short period, I wasn't too familiar with the group itself.
Which is what made this a great book.
It had everything broken down in sections so it was easy to jump into each story of the four members and flow along with the history of the group from start to finish.


I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.