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  • The Beatles: The Authorised Biography

  • By: Hunter Davies
  • Narrated by: John Telfer
  • Length: 18 hrs and 1 min
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (530 ratings)

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The Beatles: The Authorised Biography

By: Hunter Davies
Narrated by: John Telfer
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Summary

There's only one book that ever truly got inside the Beatles, and this is it....

During 1967 and 1968, Hunter Davies spent 18 months with the Beatles at the peak of their powers as they defined a generation and rewrote popular music. As their only-ever authorised biographer, he had unparalleled access - not just to John, Paul, George, and Ringo, but to friends, family, and colleagues. He collected a wealth of intimate and revealing material that makes this the classic Beatles book - the one all other biographers look to. Hunter Davies remained close with the band and as such has had access to more information over the years.

This 40th anniversary edition contains new material which has never been revealed before, from the author's archives and from the Beatles themselves, that will bring new insights to their legend.

©1968, 1985, 2002, 2009 Hunter Davies (P)2014 Audible, Inc.
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What listeners say about The Beatles: The Authorised Biography

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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A must listen

If you’re a fan of the Beatles, read this book. The readers scouse accent is a bit ropey at times but it’s a great story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Biography of The Beatles

This is an excellent audio book recounting The Beatles lves and career as of the late 60s and then subsequently updated. Excellently read.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Revealing

I had always assumed that this would be quite sterile as the official biography but it’s quite revealing about the Beatles. Definitely not a kiss and tell but equally not a hide it all. The updates are quite revealing too. One to read for fans of the band.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great narration and interesting accounts

Having been born long after Beatle Mania, I found their history and accounts interesting. The narrator made the quotes seem authentic and I really enjoyed it from start to finish.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A perfect book for someone who is a casual fan

I've always been a casual fan of The Beatles and this book the perfect length for someone like me. It isn't too long an covers all the necessary points. Even though the original book only covers up until 1968, this is the revised volume so extra stuff has been added to cover the break-up period and some random stuff up until 2009.

The narrator is good, he affects different accents for each different Beatle and others. Highly recommended!

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great listen

Just going to keep this short as it’s late. Fascinating book. Couldn’t put it down (turn off!)

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Revisit to a previous read

I first read this as a teenager in the late 1970`s in hard copy form. A delight to have it read to myself and found quite a lot I did not remember after 40+ years. Obviously this is the updated version so there are additions to the story. Time well spent

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Quality Writing, The Beatles Are from Birmingham?

I love this book and still one of the best Beatles books ever. The only author to interview the Beatles at length, plus their families and friends.

As with most people not from Liverpool, the accents end up closer to Birmingham than anywhere else, which is a shame and frustration.

But don't let this put you off. a great book.

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History as it was made

The author provides a first hand source of living and working alongside the Beatles . His prescience is remarkable and his journalistic style keeps the story moving along at pace . I also appreciated and enjoyed the updates which bring the reader up to date . Narration smooth and very listenable . All round an excellent listen .

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I love the beatles

Hunter deserves credit for this book he has done his research I love music biographies that is why this is another good addition to my collection he really delves into the subject I agree too many books print rubbish but hunter knows what he's talking about and it's worth buying thanks for this great book not many know that the Beatles was on polydor before parlophone they did some good songs with tony sheridan thanks hunter for the best and true biography and a good read

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2 people found this helpful