This book had a lot of interesting information about Paul McCartney, but if you want a book that embodies a hagiography, this is it. After I read it, I read his book on Lennon, and figured out this author likes to glorify whoever he is writing about, and vilify everyone else in the story. Very distracting. ( )

Norman has written an 850 page book each about John Lennon and Paul McCartney and a 600 page book about the Beatles. He seems to think that George is a glorified sideman with a bad attitude and Ringo is a non-entity. He is also treats both Lennon and McCartney in a pretty condescending manner. That's a lot of pages for a self-imporant jab at half the Beatles. ( )

Muy completa e interesante ( )

Philip Norman's mea culpa to Paul is largely good, has some flaws, and will fill in some gaps. But be forewarned - it's not a Beatles book, and it's not "authorized" in that the author sat with the subject. So, as such, it's a different animal.

Norman gained acclaim/was criticized for 1981's "Shout!," which was a Beatles book and helped lionize John Lennon after the murder. It had damning things to say about Paul.

Norman then buffed John's story anew in 2008 with "John Lennon: The Life." So when he approached Paul about a book, it was a surprise when Macca said fine, but wasn't interested in hashing it all out again. Norman relied on interviews with old friends, staff, family, etc. As such, it's a hit-and-miss collection of memories, from the beginning until Paul's marriage to Nancy Shevell.

There is silence from Jane Asher, which leaves a gap, and a lot of details from "secret" girlfriend Maggie McGivern. She does a good job of inserting herself in a prime spot in McCartney's life.

Linda, of course, was gone so she couldn't talk, so there's another gap. And no Lennon, no insights. And though he had access to previous books, interviews and letters, very little from either Brian Epstein or George Martin.

That said, there were good moments in the book, and sad moments, such as the recounting of Linda's death, and the stupidity of the Japan pot bust/jail time.

Norman also couldn't help himself and did relate Heather Mills' most scandalous accusations in her divorce petition - all of which the judge in the case dismissed as false. So why include them in detail?

Maybe Paul's life is too long now and has had too many chapters to attempt to gather it all into one volume. (For a look at Paul in the '70s, get "Man On The Run.") Maybe this would have been better as a two-parter, or an ongoing series. But it wasn't, so it leaves me a little disappointed.

See more of my reviews at Ralphsbooks. ( )

Having seen the Beatles twice in concert back in the 60s and being a rabid fan at that time, I was interested in reading this voluminous biography of Paul McCartney. The first part of the book covering Paul's childhood and the creation of the Beatles through their breakup was somewhat tedious since I've read several biographies of the Beatles and much of the same ground was covered. Most interesting was the period after the breakup - Wings, his solo work and philanthropy, Paul's courting of his wives and their personal relationships, and the oft-times bitter interactions between Paul and the other members of the group. If you're a Beatles fan, you should enjoy this book - otherwise, it might be a bit much to slog through. ( )