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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
Yes, 5 stars. That puts it in a small group of my Goodreads reviews, joining Fahrenheit 451, The Grapes of Wrath, and a few other assorted classics. Why? Well the Goodreads definition of 5 stars is "amazing". The number of books about the Beatles could fill a small library. That yet another one has been written and offers plenty of insight, new ways of looking at the band, and is simply a joy to read is amazing. Even the most studied Beatle fanatic will find something new here, or at least a new perspective. This is the kind of book that you could read through, keep on your shelf and then pick up later and just read random passages for the enjoyment and enlightenment (I guess like the Bible, but I don't know firsthand). Written by a superfan but with the skill of a good rock critic, I loved every page of it.
total delight for anyone who went through Beatles phase or never left one...will make you fall in love again but with a sharp critical eye
Wonderful reflections on the Beatles and a great read after watching the Get Back documentary. There were a couple sections I skimmed/skipped that just didn't interest me much (other artists' takes on Beatles music, Beatles vs. Rolling Stones), but otherwise really good stuff.
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Sure, the world needs another book about the Beatles the way the world needs another tweet from the current occupant of the White House. But given that it's Rob Sheffield that's authored this tome on the Beatles - and, honestly, Rob, what took you so long? - it's well-worth the read. Sheffield is probably the one music journalist that really deep-dives into the emotional connections we make with music (Chuck Klosterman runs a close second); his tribute to Bowie, On Bowie, makes the genius argument that we can love the Ziggy-era Bowie and totally ignore the Berlin Trilogy, and yet that still makes us fans. Dreaming the Beatles follows a similar concept; loving the Beatles means finding fault with what they've accomplished (Sheffield's chapter on why hating Paul is a time-honored tradition is hilarious and dead-on accurate).
Sheffield does rely, rather lazily, on Beatle tropes, but, what the hell. Sheffield gets why we love the Beatles, why they've meant so much to us, and still do. We may fall in and out of love with other bands, but we always return to the Beatles, to find our well of love for them is more bottomless than we realize.
Sheffield does rely, rather lazily, on Beatle tropes, but, what the hell. Sheffield gets why we love the Beatles, why they've meant so much to us, and still do. We may fall in and out of love with other bands, but we always return to the Beatles, to find our well of love for them is more bottomless than we realize.
DNF.
I was recommended this book and quickly checked out the digital audio version from my library's app. I just couldn't connect with any of the essays. Might be better to read them instead. Will try again when time permits.
I was recommended this book and quickly checked out the digital audio version from my library's app. I just couldn't connect with any of the essays. Might be better to read them instead. Will try again when time permits.
3.5 stars. Interesting approach to tell a fresh story of appreciation for the Beatles.
I love Rob Sheffield’s writing, and I’m still obsessed with the Beatles. (Junior year of high school, in fact, I did a semester-long independent study on the Beatles.) So, this has been a delight to read. And I learned so much!