John and Paul cover art

John and Paul

A Love Story in Songs

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John and Paul

By: Ian Leslie
Narrated by: Chris Addison, Geoff Lloyd
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About this listen

'The first new Beatles story in decades - and the one that will make your heart burst.' CAITLIN MORAN
'Ian Leslie has done the impossible, and breathed new life into one of the world's most studied bands.' GQ
'The most moving and revelatory book on Lennon and McCartney I have ever read. So joyful, so sad.' TOM HOLLAND
'This thoughtful, fresh look at the creative collaboration of Lennon and McCartney turns the clichés on their heads.' SUNDAY TIMES

A majestic biography of two young geniuses who merged their talents to create one of the greatest bodies of music in history.

John & Paul begins in 1957, when two teenagers in suburban Liverpool meet and decide to play rock n'roll together. It ends twenty-three years later, when one of them is murdered. In between, we see them become global stars, create countless indelible songs, and play a central role in shaping the modern world.

Lennon and McCartney were more than friends, rivals or collaborators. They were intimates who both had the fabric of their world ruptured at a young age, and who longed to make emotional connections; with each other, and with audiences. The pop song was a vessel into which they poured feelings of grief and euphoria and everything in between. When they couldn't speak what they felt, they sang it. After the break-up of their group, they maintained a musical dialogue at a distance, in songs full of recrimination, regret, and affection.

Ian Leslie traces the twists and turns of their relationship through the music it produced and offers rich insights into the nature of creativity, collaboration and human connection. Drawing on recently released footage and recordings, this is a startlingly fresh take on two of the greatest icons in music history.

Leslie's majestic and wildly enjoyable biography will make us see and hear Lennon and McCartney anew.

©2025 Ian Leslie (P)2025 Faber & Faber
Communication & Social Skills Creativity & Genius Entertainment & Celebrities Personal Development Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Sciences Words, Language & Grammar Thought-Provoking

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Avid Beatles fans won't learn much new and if you are a Lennon fan, you might be a bit offended by the strongly pro Paul approach. You will hear some hard truths about John. Having said that I did enjoy hearing the story told in 10 hours rather than 50 and it was nice to tell it through the songs. I think I've heard just about all the interviewd and books there out there are and still enjoyed it. Highly recomended for anyone who isn't digging for new or hidden beatles knowledge.

Very good little Beatles book. Go for it.

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Like discovering The Beatles all over again: the astonishing achievement, the incomparable songwriting, the central, abiding, tragic, transcendent partnership of John & Paul. So good to get a deeply nuanced retelling that definitively undoes the egregious biographical imbalances of the past and does right at last by Paul—without denigrating or sugarcoating his erstwhile partner and, as it were, “lover in song”.

If you’re fascinated by how creativity works and genius expresses itself in any field, you won’t regret time spent with this always freshly insightful, passionate book. Beautifully written, brilliantly read, its sense of mingled history and human perspective never falters. A deeply sympathetic story of how complex and aching male friendship can be. And of the abiding solaces music can bring to artist and listener alike. For all the sturm und drang of those seven world-changing years from Liverpool to Hamburg to NYC, our privileged sense of being close to uncanny inspiration relevant beyond its era is never far away.

As the mythic story unfolds, we know the author has captured something of the specific magic of the age, and of what remains. Through the lives of the people involved, in the morphing, majestic, ever maturing bodies of work, something indelible and recognisable is there, shimmering. We can only wonder and learn.

Magic ✨

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Lovely take on John and Paul it’s
Sad at times. But really informative and insightful xxx

John and Paul

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I didn't know what to expect when buying this book but all I can say is it's a fascinating different take on the genius of Paul and John. All in all an extremely satisfying book to listen to, so much so I couldn't wait for the next chapter. If you're a fan of The Beatles in general and of Paul and John in particular you'll love this book

Amazing Insights Into Genius

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To reminisce on the brilliance of the songs that were written throughout their Beatles presence, particularly John and Paul. The musicality of the four members just enforced each of their individual talents.

The Great Combination of Differing Talents.

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fantastic insightful book on the Beatles, stop whatever you're doing and read this!! i loved this book so much!

a must read!!

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Excellent. Another great book on the Fabs. Well worth your time. Give it a listen!

Very enjoyable

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The knowledge of the author is striking. He breaks down some of the Beatles biggest successes and explains what Paul and John were trying to do with them, and where they lie on their path to immortality

Analysis of the songs musically is really interesting

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This book gives a more detailed analysis of the relationship between John and Paul as songwriters and as men in a particular context and time than seems to have been presented by any writer so far. The contents provide a lot to think about and this book is a welcome addition to the Beatles literature. Highly recommended.

A thoughtful approach on the relationship between John and Paul as songwriters and personalities

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A beautiful story beautifully told. Insightful, heart warming, tragic. Whether you an obsessive or just beatlecurious, you’ll love this

Just lovely

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