Teenagers Guide To The Beatles - review
Robert Rouse
November 21, 2005
We have an amazing, albeit disturbing, propensity in this country to eventually try to tear down and destroy our heroes. What goes up must come down. That is pretty much because of psychological physics and societal gravity. Perhaps we cannot let anyone stay admired too long lest that become like deities. Many times, that rapid contrariwise opinion is deserved - Elvis' fall into an obese caricature and Michael Jackson's bizarre and probable deviant behavior - and calls out for criticism and vilification. However, for the most part, the ripping apart of our celebrities and heroes is simply a cultural malady.
With this in mind, I hereby declare that hunting season is over for the Beatles. I suppose it really began in earnest with Albert Goldman's fascinating yet disturbing look into the dark side of John Lennon ("The Lives of John Lennon"). Goldman essentially went to ever person who had a grudge against Lennon and had a talk . . . in many cases, a very long talk. And while the Beatles' did their own "warts and all" documentary, it wasn't self-scathing. A recent book by Bob Spitz ("The Beatles: The Biography") also tackles the dark side of John Lennon and the Beatles. Hey we get it, Lennon grew up a fairly violent street kid with no real parental guidance. Yes, Lennon did his share of drugs and nearly succumbed to them a long time before the man (who shall not be named) killed him outside the Dakota. But Goldman and Spitz's books aside, it seems as if there is suddenly a plethora of books about the Beatles. I'm not sure there has ever been a more covered and photographed entity of panjandrums than the Beatles. Most real Beatles' fans probably know more about the Fab Four than the Fab Four ever knew about themselves. I'm not sure there is really any need for new books about the Beatles unless it is to fill a bookcase in a Beatlemaniac's study.
That said, I've recently come across two books about the Beatles that take refreshingly different paths. The first, "Before They Were Beatles" by Alan J. Porter, takes an in depth look into the Beatles as teenagers - years before they became the mop tops who led the British Invasion. The second book is "Teenagers Guide to the Beatles" by Zane Lalani. And while Lalani's book covers a lot of ground that even your average fan knows by heart, the average Beatles' fan isn't the target audience. The book is written for and aimed directly at teenagers. I would say specifically young teenagers (I wouldn't be afraid to offer this book as a gift to a ten year old - I read Hunter Davies' official biography of the Beatles when I was in my teens). The birth, childhood and early musical leanings of each Beatle are briefly explored. Their rise, coming to America, the films, the break-up, and the solo careers are all covered. Omitted are the vices. Good. As I said before, the dark side of the Beatles has been over-covered and I don't really think promiscuity and drug use should be topics in a book aimed at kids.
Lalani wrote and dedicated the book for his daughter, Riyana. This is a good thing. I highly recommend this book for any Beatles' fan with children. Your child will thank you for it later.
Anyone who reads my stuff with any regularity knows I named my son Harrison and my daughter is McCartney. They're already well acquainted with "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da", "All Together Now", "Octopus' Garden" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand". I've decided they will be taught about the Beatles in stages so they can gain an appreciation for the talent and musical vision of the Beatles and other classic rock icons. They will also each be given their own copy of Lalani's book on their tenth birthday. I can't think of better praise for a book than the fact you're anxiously awaiting the day you can pass it on to your children.
Thanks Zane!
With this in mind, I hereby declare that hunting season is over for the Beatles. I suppose it really began in earnest with Albert Goldman's fascinating yet disturbing look into the dark side of John Lennon ("The Lives of John Lennon"). Goldman essentially went to ever person who had a grudge against Lennon and had a talk . . . in many cases, a very long talk. And while the Beatles' did their own "warts and all" documentary, it wasn't self-scathing. A recent book by Bob Spitz ("The Beatles: The Biography") also tackles the dark side of John Lennon and the Beatles. Hey we get it, Lennon grew up a fairly violent street kid with no real parental guidance. Yes, Lennon did his share of drugs and nearly succumbed to them a long time before the man (who shall not be named) killed him outside the Dakota. But Goldman and Spitz's books aside, it seems as if there is suddenly a plethora of books about the Beatles. I'm not sure there has ever been a more covered and photographed entity of panjandrums than the Beatles. Most real Beatles' fans probably know more about the Fab Four than the Fab Four ever knew about themselves. I'm not sure there is really any need for new books about the Beatles unless it is to fill a bookcase in a Beatlemaniac's study.
That said, I've recently come across two books about the Beatles that take refreshingly different paths. The first, "Before They Were Beatles" by Alan J. Porter, takes an in depth look into the Beatles as teenagers - years before they became the mop tops who led the British Invasion. The second book is "Teenagers Guide to the Beatles" by Zane Lalani. And while Lalani's book covers a lot of ground that even your average fan knows by heart, the average Beatles' fan isn't the target audience. The book is written for and aimed directly at teenagers. I would say specifically young teenagers (I wouldn't be afraid to offer this book as a gift to a ten year old - I read Hunter Davies' official biography of the Beatles when I was in my teens). The birth, childhood and early musical leanings of each Beatle are briefly explored. Their rise, coming to America, the films, the break-up, and the solo careers are all covered. Omitted are the vices. Good. As I said before, the dark side of the Beatles has been over-covered and I don't really think promiscuity and drug use should be topics in a book aimed at kids.
Lalani wrote and dedicated the book for his daughter, Riyana. This is a good thing. I highly recommend this book for any Beatles' fan with children. Your child will thank you for it later.
Anyone who reads my stuff with any regularity knows I named my son Harrison and my daughter is McCartney. They're already well acquainted with "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da", "All Together Now", "Octopus' Garden" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand". I've decided they will be taught about the Beatles in stages so they can gain an appreciation for the talent and musical vision of the Beatles and other classic rock icons. They will also each be given their own copy of Lalani's book on their tenth birthday. I can't think of better praise for a book than the fact you're anxiously awaiting the day you can pass it on to your children.
Thanks Zane!