Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Fab: An Intimate Life of Paul McCartney

by Howard Sounes

Fab: the epic story of the musical and personal odyssey of Sir Paul McCartney, the torch bearer of the greatest band in pop history, the Beatles, told in deeply researched detail by the acclaimed biographer of Bob Dylan.

Howard Sounes, author of the definitive Down the Highway: The Life of Bob Dylan, spent more than two years investigating every aspect of Paul McCartney's life and work, including interviewing over 200 people for Fab. The result is the richest, most detailed, and most comprehensive life of McCartney ever written.

Unlike previous biographies of McCartney, the author pays equal attention to the story of his time with the Beatles and the ongoing story of his post-Beatles career, creating a comprehensive volume that spans the long arc of the artist's life and work. Fab culminates with the fascinating and sensational human story of Sir Paul's calamitous second marriage to Heather Mills, which is fully revealed for the first time. Sounes proves a judicious critic of the music of an iconic star while also delivering a superb psychological portrait of the man behind the music.

"Dylan comes alive," the New York Times wrote of Sounes's biography of the music legend. Now, Sir Paul McCartney comes alive in Fab, a detailed, revelatory, and hugely entertaining account of one of the most famous men in the world, spiced with anecdotes and candid comments from those who know him best.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Did we read the same book? The Wall Street Journal called the writing "ponderous" and I totally agree. The Independent called it a "cut and paste job." Worse, Sounes has absolutely no understanding or appreciation for McCartney's solo work. He rehashes the same tired thinking about it. He's not a "judicious" critic, he's just constantly negative about it.

And finally, Sounes' prudish attitude about McCartney's sex life and pot smoking is almost hilarious in this day and age. Sounes is particularly sexist in his treatment of Linda. This is NOT a good book.

Anonymous said...

Points taken; I haven't had a chance to read it yet. This text comes from the dust jacket.

SSycks said...

I heard about this. It looks like a wonderful read! I cant wait to read it! I have heard nothing but good things!

Anonymous said...

SSycks: If you've heard wonderful things about this book, then you've been misinformed. The Crawdaddy review of this book is especially withering. ... I wouldn't waste your money. If you want to read it, check it out of the library.

Anonymous said...

It's a drag, isn't it? ;-)