FAB: An Intimate Life of Paul McCartney by Howard Sounes
A pretty good biography about Paul. Quite fair, it seems to me, pointing out his weaker records and the problems with being both a boss and a buddy in Wings. Was he a bit tight with money? Maybe. Also, just as in the Philip Norman book, there are about fifty depressing pages about his second marriage and then divorce. Come on, Macca, you should have known better!
Fly Away Paul by Lesley-Ann Jones
About Paul being a bit lost after leaving The Beatles. And actually suffering from a depression on his little farm in Scotland. It was up to Linda to get him back in the saddle and making music again. There is the high point of Band on the Run, and Paul then losing a bit interest in being in Wings. Minus point for putting herself into the book too much.
Man on the Run: Paul McCartney in the 1970s by Tom Doyle
Like the previous book, but better. Should have just bought this one from the start.
Revolution: The Making of The Beatles' White Album by David Quantick
A bit superficial, this book, going through each song, but not really saying anything too deep about Beatles at this time in history.
And in the End: The Last Days of The Beatles by Ken McNab
What was the problem? Moolah! Epstein dead, Apple bleeding money, Allen Klein sniffing around. Yoko didn't help, probably, but they were already growing apart. Too bad, because you really want these guys to get along. It's like your parents fighting. If your parents wrote some of the best pop songs ever.
Beeswing by Richard Thompson
I didn't really know much about Thompson except his role in Fairport Convention and his link to Nick Drake. I need to listen more to his solo records. And the ones he did with Linda Thompson. Beeswing is certainly a terrific song.
A Thing of Unspeakable Horror: The History of Hammer Films by Sinclair McKay
The rise and fall... I only knew a couple Hammer films, but I was interested in finding out more about their history. And this book does a decent job in that regard. Yes, Christopher Lee was not too happy about the later Dracula films.
The Final Programme by Michael Moorcock
Where to start with Moorcock? Sure, here, why not. Moebius was a fan. The book is less dated than I feared, is well written and even... interesting? Plus, it's short.
A Cure for Cancer by Michael Moorcock
Okay, a bit harder to get through this time. A plot would be nice. But not a complete waste of time, so I will probably read the two next volumes as well, if he doesn't completely go off his rocker.
Strange and Stranger: The World of Steve Ditko by Blake Bell
Great coffee table book about this artist. And I found a used copy that was not too expensive. It gets less interesting in the second half when he reaches his Ayn Rand period. But... the guy co-created Spider-Man and Doctor Strange, let him do whatever he wants!
