Book Summary
The photographic
biography of John Lennon wonderfully describes Lennon’s life before, during and
after The Beatles. The book is rich with photographs, but Patridge’s writing
really makes this book engaging. Patridge really tells Lennon’s storied life
with ease and straightforward writing.
Reference
|
Partridge, E. (2005). John Lennon: All I Want is the
Truth: a Photographic Biography. New York. Viking.
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Impressions:
The photographs in this book are extensive and
introduce readers to images that even a diehard Beatles and Lennon fans may
never have seen before. The writing is very straightforward and easy to read
and includes some of Lennon’s own writings. A reader seeking more thoughts from
Lennon may be better served reading another book with more direct quotations.
The book includes his life from birth to death and ends with a section about
his legacy.
Professional Review:
Gr 9 Up-- Partridge cuts through the mythology and misinformation surrounding the life of the legendary singer/songwriter and goes a long way toward revealing the complexities of his personality. She relies heavily on Lennon's own writings and the wealth of interviews he granted during his lifetime. What emerges is an unflinchingly honest portrait of a troubled, angry, and highly creative individual who was captivated by rock 'n' roll and often used it as a means of expressing his unhappiness and confusion. Partridge skillfully captures the amazing speed at which the Beatles were swept into astonishing popularity that led to an unrelenting schedule of touring, songwriting, and recording that slowed down only when touring became both too grueling and too dangerous. She doesn't shy away from the sordid details of the band's mercurial rise to fame and fortune but her nonjudgmental commentary focuses first and foremost on the music. Lennon's life after the dissolution of the Beatles is explored in depth, as are Yoko Ono's influence and the worldwide impact of his death. With an abundance of gorgeous black-and-white photos, some of them full-page or even spreads, this handsome book will be eagerly received by both Beatles fans, who are legion, and their elders, who will enjoy reliving the glory days of the Fab Four and exploring the inner workings of a creative talent.
Gustin,
G., Jones, T. E., Toth, L., Charnizon, M., Grabarek, D., & Raben, D.
(2005). John Lennon: All I Want Is the Truth. School Library Journal, 51(10),
192.
Library Uses:
Librarians
who are seeking books about cultural understandings of the 1960s and 70s could use
this book for historical context. The book really thrives at describing the
activism of Lennon’s life post Beatles, particularly around subjects like
Vietnam. This book should be included in any bibliographies about the war.
