Paul McCartney Paperback – 24 Sept. 1998

Some writers have criticised what they see as Paul's self-serving revisionism of the Beatles post-Lennon. Others sympathise with Paul's defensiveness as a natural reaction against the sanctification of Lennon. I began this book open-minded but alert for signs that it was an apologia for Paul written by a partisan insider. It is full of extensive quotes from Paul, said to be taken from interviews, and I wondered to what extent these might be polished and selected to serve the writer's/subject's agenda. I finished it feeling that I had read a sympathetic portrait but one containing a lot of truth.Outside of a physics textbook (maybe not even there), nobody ever wrote anything that didn't have an agenda, so Miles has a point of view of course, His perspective is that of someone who knew both Paul and John, but who found more of an affinity for the former because of background, character and circumstance. Miles clearly can understand things better from Paul's point of view than from John's and occasionally Miles' underlying distaste for some of the coarser, more ungenerous sides of John's own flawed character does show through. But generally he does not allow this to obtrude and there is a certain amount of what might be called "evidence against interest" from Paul, especially in the later chapters, self-justification being balanced by admissions of failings and regrets that help give the whole the ring of truth.Paul's comments on song-writing credits that occur throughout are always interesting. Of course the truth is in many cases impossible to know, and probably impossible even to define - both co-writers themselves have often been confused and contradictory in their recollections, and collaborators who often worked so closely can honourably have different perspectives on the same facts. I had the impression in the early chapters that there may have been a tendency to slightly guild the lily in Paul's favour, but I found this impression corrected later on when Paul gave attributions to John that I did not expect.On the whole there is (I think) a lot of fairly objective reportage here including much indispensable background on Paul's connections with Indica and the so-callad avant garde London scene of the 60s. There is a great deal that you will not find anywhere else. I don't think it would possible to have a balanced view of what The Beatles (and specifically Lennon-McCartney) were and achieved without this book. Unmissable read.

Having read 'Shout' a few years ago , this provides more detail re- Paul inevitably. The transcripts of his converstions with Miles are fascinating especially when he talks about how all those Lennon-McCartney songs were composed. These insights into the process is worth reading and re-reading. Some of them that he calls 'fillers' that were included on certain albums comes as a surprise as I like so many of them . A great read .

Great read - Paul through a close friend association with author gets over his thoughts on Beatles place in pop history and his primacy .Paul wants credit got everything he has done and seeks to credit himself with Lennon led Beatles classics. Paul is all about Paul his agenda you never feel that there is any sense of absolute pain whether the death of his mother or murdet of John Lennon.Same for George Harrison it Stuart Sutcliffe .He has had the fame the longevity the knighthood nothing satiates his desire to be regarded as the reason for Beatles success. I admire Paul his insight creativity part in The Beatles. The book is a much sought insight and the author talks almost as if Paul himself in the first person.I recommend the book of you are like me fascinated by John and Paul. In the end they were and are a credit to themselves and each other-I sometimes wish Paul recognised the fans admired them both for their part in all out lives particularly the baby boomers

The book is packed with information about Paul McCartneys private life and what he thought about The Beatles.

I always rated John Lennon to be the most influential and interesting Beatle and I appreciate this book is coming from Paul McCartney's point of view but I have to say my opinion has changed somewhat. This is a riveting read - in so many areas McCartney appears to have been the driving-force - his life with the Asher Household is fascinating as is his early life as a Beatle in London. He has often been described as the 'pushy' Beatle, but like he says (especially after Epstein's death and hence guidance) no other band member seemed bothered to do anything (not his exact words which contain expletives!) This isn't a true autobiography but the next best thing, it has copious amounts of input by McCartney and this together with the author's contribution really works and adds up to a great and informative read. This book has definitely changed my opinion and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone even with just a passing interest in one of the true icons of the 20th century.

A very good book about most of Paul McCartneys incredible life and work (I'd liked more about his poems and paintings!) where the author has digged quite deep. The «witch» chapter about the one legged lady, is the worst part, and Lina's important role in Paul’s life could have been more outspoken.

First off, hats off to the bookseller. It was marked as 'OK quality' but was pristine and clearly had not been opened before. For quite a rare book from the mid 90's that's outstanding service - especially considering the book only cost me pennies.As for the book itself. I'm a Beatles fanatic and read many books on the subject but no other biography delves deeper into the writing and inspiration for the music instead of focusiing on the personalities and squabbles. In fact its a cheek to call this a biography, Paul McCartney has such a big imput that its his only ever auto-biography in all but name. Can't recommend highly enough.

Excellent read. Great insight into a magical and unique time in British music and culture. Lots of little gems hidden away.I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I love this book!

O livro provavelmente é a referência mais completa da vida do Paul McCartney. Por mais que algumas partes tenham sido recordadas 20 anos após o ocorrido, o autor (Barry Miles) faz um bom papel como mediador.Fiquei decepcionado com a qualidade do papel. Mesmo para um livro brochura, o papel deixa muito a desejar: as páginas são demasiadamente finas e a impressão parece datilografada.

Habe dieses Buch meinem Papa geschenkt und er schwärmt ununterbrochen wie gut dieses Buch ist und das er es kaum zur Seite legen kann. 👍🏽👍🏽

Un libro pieno di aneddoti, in cui Paul si racconta facendoci conoscere particolari inediti della sua vita e dei suoi "compagni di viaggio" fino al 1970. Poi il suo racconto diventa ancora più bello quando comincia la sua nuova vita senza i Beatles, per finire con la commovente lettera scritta a Linda dopo la sua morte. Scritto in inglese , ma comprensibilissimo se si conosce un pò la lingua.

This is a very good, very in-depth view of the life of Paul McCartney, up through the mid-nineties. It was written by Barry Miles, one of several who knew Paul very well, but was also a writer and involved with the Indica Shop in London as was Paul in his early years. This biography chronicles Paul's life from the beginning and is well written and informative. The perspectives and data given are not fiction, or somebody's crazy notions of a famous individual's life. I'm almost done with it, and I have found it very interesting. It's probably a book I will re-read in the future. There is some mention of The Beatles included here and there, naturally, but it is not a book about The Beatles. This is an excellent story of one man's life who happened to be the bass player for The Beatles. Relationships between Paul and the other members of that band are explored a little, but if that's what you're looking for, you won't find much of it here. This is Paul McCartney's story, with numerous quotes from him on his life and perspectives, and why he got involved with the things he did throughout his life, as any good biography should do. I feel it's a well done, honest portrayal, and I'm glad I bought it and read it. If you have any interest in this one-time member of the most famous rock band in history, and what his life was like up through his 50's, then this is a good book I highly recommend. You may be surprised to learn some little known, or at least little publicized, facts of his life. I've always felt this man was especially gifted musically. His talents combined with those of the other three lads from Liverpool is what made The Beatles such an incredible band during an incredible decade.This book reaffirms that belief and reveals in Paul's own words just how some of the ideas for many of his songs came to him. It's a keeper. Buy it and read it.