The Beatles Anthology Book

From Beatlemania to Breakup: “The Beatles Anthology” book set for fall publication
The following article was compiled from several publications, especially "The Telegraph" who originally broke the news - see "Links" area below for original news sources and author credits:

The 360-page "Beatles Anthology" book will be published worldwide this autumn and sell for about $80. The book will be published in Britain and America, and there are plans to have it translated into dozens of languages, including Chinese. With projected worldwide sales of more than 20 million, the book is expected to be a billion-dollar earner.

Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr have amassed 1,200 photographs - most of them unpublished - for the glossy hardback, described as "the size of an edition of Encyclopedia Britannica". The project, effectively the joint autobiographies of the three men, provides an insight into how closely the surviving members have been working together in the last few years. Researchers meticulously recorded hundreds of statements that John Lennon made and have woven them into the picture provided by the other band members.

Those who have seen the book, say it is sensational. Nothing is avoided or glossed over as it traces the rise of the Beatles from their working-class roots in Liverpool to the height of their fame and fortune. Only now, 30 years after they split up, are the surviving Beatles fully relaxed again in their own company. Friends say past differences have been put aside and the project has been brought about by their determination to put the record straight following the publication worldwide of an estimated 400 unauthorized books on the band. One friend said: "The truth is more important to them than the money".

Friends of the trio say they have met "dozens of times" in recent years to compare notes. They have visited each other's homes but most of the business meetings took place at the headquarters of Apple Corps, their company, in Knightsbridge, London. The book is chronological and all written in the first person.

The Beatles' Anthology book has taken six years to write and the trio had to overcome the difficulties of getting together because Ringo divides his time between homes in Monaco, New York and London, and McCartney, who was the driving force behind the project, lives in Arizona, London and Sussex. McCartney helped convince the other former band members of the merits of the book. He told George Harrison and Ringo Starr: "It will dispel some of the myths and put the record straight, as every Tom, Dick and uncle of a friend of the milkman has been writing books on the Beatles since 1963."

Much of the editing of the book, was done by the man who knew perhaps as much of the true story as any non-Beatle, their late press officer, Derek Taylor.

Paul McCartney's spokesman, Geoff Baker, said: "It is because it was edited by Derek Taylor that the book is so good."

Taylor, who died in 1997, began working with the Beatles in 1964 and later helped run Apple Corps. He drafted the press release announcing the band's split, and was one of very few associates who remained close to them throughout their career.

Geoff Baker explained, "You've got to remember, there have been around 300-400 books about the Beatles written, and in all but a few exceptions, the authors have never even met any of  them."

 "Paul and George have done stuff individually, but the three of them have never done stuff collectively."

Mr Baker said the Beatles Anthology book was "the last word" on the Beatles. He added: "This book answers all the questions and dispels a lot of the myths."

"It's taken the full six years, there's a lot of work which has gone into the book," Mr Baker said. "We're talking a huge volume of work, it's encyclopedic - it weighs something like two kilos,"  he said.

"It goes across the board, everything is in there. It is about the Beatles as a band, the music, but it deals with everything else - the tours, the drugs, the disputes." And Yoko Ono's influence will come under the spotlight. Many fans blamed her for luring Lennon away from the band.

Mr Baker refused to give away any of the secrets contained in the book - "it's a bit too early for all that" - but confirmed it dealt with the group's break-up at some length. "They hope it will put the record straight on a few things, for example the break-up of the band, that Paul was actually the last to leave."

The book will disclose that in 1996 the three surviving Beatles turned down an offer of $175 million (£113 million) to perform 17 concerts in the USA, Germany and Japan. The book will give credit to the role of Brian Epstein, the band's manager and affectionately known as the "fifth Beatle", who died from a drugs' overdose in 1967 at the age of 32.

One official at Apple said: "Most Beatles biographies have been based on press cuttings and ill-informed perceptions, while the men involved have hitherto said almost nothing."

The idea for the book first came from Neil Aspinall, who is now the managing director of Apple Corps. Apple officials say a huge publishing deal has been arranged, with Cassell in Britain and Chronicle Books in the USA. Both publishing houses have been asked to prepare for a multi-million print run.

Yoko Ono, the widow of John Lennon, will receive a quarter share of the profits, although she has not been actively involved in the project.

No one was immediately available for comment Sunday at the offices of George Harrison or Ringo Starr.
 

May 4, 2001 - This from Genesis Publications regarding The Beatles Anthology limited edition book: “I am afraid that I have some disappointing news. There is not going to be a limited edition after all. Any decision by The Beatles has to be unanimous to proceed and although there was a majority vote for the limited edition this was not sufficient.”

March 8, 2001 - Welcome to eFortSmith.com: Joseph Self - a review of Beatles "1" and Anthology book .

December 30, 2000 - NY Books: GEOFFREY O'BRIEN: Seven Years in the Life .

December 18, 2000 - asahi.com: The boys take us down their long and winding road .

December 2, 2000 - In the newest issue of "US Weekly," 12/11/00, there is an interview with Yoko called "Yoko Ono Remembers." During the course of the interview, they mention the Anthology book:

"US:  In the "Beatles Anthology," which just came out, you had to deal with each other in terms of the material and the presentation, didn't you?

Yoko:  I respected what Paul, George [Harrison] and Ringo [Starr] wanted to do.  And, of course, I'm not gonna touch what they said, what they wanted to say.  I mean, the only thing that I may have done was that they were putting words in John's mouth initially, and I said "No, just make sure that they're quotes of John's - actual quotes."  And also there were some photographs that were not particularly flattering to John - which were not put in there intentionally, I'm sure - compared to the others' photos, where they were just impeccable.  [Laughs]"

November 1, 2000 - Salon.com Books | "The Beatles Anthology" .

October 18, 2000 - The Onion | Infographic: "The Beatles Anthology" .

October 17, 2000 - Seattle Post -Intelligencer : "The Beatles are back, telling it like it was" .

October 14, 2000 - RollingStone.com: The Beatles: "Beatles Anthology Tops Bestseller List" : "High-priced Beatles book debuts atop "New York Times" list." ; RollingStone.com: The Beatles: "We Can't Work It Out ": "Beatles Anthology" and "Lennon Remembers" provide stark Fab Four contrasts" : "Rolling Stone" writer Anthony DeCurtis comments on the way the recent "Beatles Anthology" book is in sharp contrast to John Lennon's 1971 "Lennon Remembers" interview which has recently been reissued in book form.

October 13, 2000 - The Anthology book has hit #2 on the Wall Street Journal's list of best selling books (Harcover Non-Fiction). It has also hit #2 in the Montreal Gazette's book listing: Montreal Gazette - Thursday 12 October 2000 - "Beatles book a big hit" .

October 11, 2000 - Philadelphia Daily News: "Unbeatable Beatles" ; Miami Herald: "Those four fab lads with funny hair" .

October 10, 2000 - sonicnet.com: "Few Revelations in Beatles 'Anthology' Book" ; Ottawa Citizen Online: "Death threat sent Beatles running from Montreal" .

October 8, 2000 - Kansas City Star: "MEET THE BEATLES: Beatles Anthology gets to the facts in first-person style"

October 7, 2000 - Ananova - "Beatlemania greets new anthology" ; Detroit News: "Beatles come together with first memoirs" ; NY Times: "Let Us Now Praise Famous Men"  ; MSNBC: "Gee  this book weighs a whole lot" ; SF Gate: "All You Need Is Paul" ; The New Zealand herald newspaper online: The Beatles : "And in the end..." .

October 6, 2000 - Bergen Record: "A hardcover day's night".

October 5, 2000 - RollingStone.com: "Meet the Beatles . . . Again : "Beatles Anthology" stands as the last word on the Fab Four" ; Wall of Sound: "Definitive Beatles Book Arrives"  ; JamMusic!: "Fans snap up 'Beatles Anthology'" : "LONDON (AP) -- Beatles fans stood in line at some British bookshops to get the first copies of"The Beatles Anthology," which went on sale in Britain on Thursday."JamMusic!: "Beatlemania deja vu: Authorized book comes out today" : "Get back, Harry Potter. The next big shockwave in book publishing takes place today with the release of The Beatles Anthology."Boston Herald: "Fab Four-ever: Despite flaws, `The Beatles Anthology' should please devoted fans of John, Paul, George and Ringo" ; USA Today: "For $60, a ticket to read: Finally, The Beatles have completed their magical mystery tome." includes a photo slide show, trivia quiz and excerpts ; CNN.com - Books - "Ladies and gentlemen, the Beatles! -- in their own words" ;  NYPOST.COM News: HARD DAY'S NIGHT FOR BEATLES BOOK FANS By ZACH HABERMAN ; Post-Gazette.com: "Another Beatles hit -- their anthology" ; sacbee | "The write album: The Beatles Anthology promises an authoritative version of the Fab Four's glory years" .

October 4, 2000 - MSNBC: "Remaining Beatles tell story in ‘Anthology’" ; Reuters: "Beatles release own account of band's history" ; AFP: "No end to Beatles' long and winding road" ; Launch.com: "Beatles' 'Anthology' Out Thursday" ; Reuters: "Japan's Beatles Fans Get First View of Anthology" . BBC News | ENTERTAINMENT | Epstein 'wanted Beatles fortune' : "The Beatles were asked to sign a contract by manager Brian Epstein which would have earned them just £100,000 each over their entire career, the band's autobiography says." ; San Fran Celebrates Beatles Day ; BEST OF THE BEATLES/`Anthology' pulls together rare photos and in-depth interviews with band members ; Amazon.com Celebrates Publication of Highly Anticipated Beatles Book With Dedicated Beatles Store ; Dear Sir or Madam Will You Read My Book? ; JamMusic!: "Beatles' love-in planned in San Francisco".

October 3, 2000 - Daily Yomiuri On-Line; "Eagerly awaited Beatles book under wraps until Thursday".

October 2, 2000 - NYPOST.COM News: "FAB FOUR WERE A BOYS-ONLY BROTHERHOOD" By ANDY GELLER ; CDNOW Offers Free Photo-Card Collectible to First 500 Purchasers of 'Beatles Anthology' ; "Kozmo.com to Offer Free One Hour Delivery of The Beatles Anthology; Kozmonauts to Deliver New Book Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Thursday".

October 1, 2000 - Amazon.co.uk: "Get Back: An interview with Paul McCartney" : basically to generate interest (and sales) for the Anthology book.

September 30, 2000 - The New Zealand herald newspaper online: "The Beatles: The madness of Apple" ; The New Zealand herald newspaper online: "One day only: The Beatles Anthology".

September 23, 2000 - New Zealand Herald Online - Online for one day only (23.09.2000) : The Beatles Anthology (excerpt) ; New Zealand Herald - Win The Beatles Anthology .

September 21, 2000 - Chronicle Books has an official web site for the Beatles Anthology book that includes photographs, press release(s) and quotes.New Zealand Herald Online - "The Beatles tell their own story": they'll also be running excerpts this Saturday.

September 17, 2000 - The October issue of Mojo has excerpts from the Anthology book concerning the recording of the “Abbey Road” album. The issue also includes many photo out takes from the “Abbey Road” sessions. Significantly, the Mojo issue includes interview transcripts by Derek Taylor with the surviving Beatles. The interviews were to be used for a promotional EPK for the Anthology book. The EPK was not completed due to Derek’s failing health. This interview material will not be in the Anthology book.

September 15, 2000 - Anthology book excerpt: Sydney Morning Herald: “One for the road” : “George Harrison blossomed as a songwriter and Paul McCartney was rumoured to have died - now, the inside story of The Beatles' Abbey Road.”

September 12, 2000 - The Genesis edition of The Beatles Anthology book has been pushed back to spring of 2001. George, Ringo and the Lennon estate had all signed the copies of the deluxe edition. Paul has yet to sign and wasn't able to do it in time for a fall release. As reported earlier, the Genesis publication will be a 2 volume set with a silver slipcase. Otherwise, it is not known how the Genesis edition will compare to the Oct. 5th version.

September 11, 2000 - NATIONAL POST ONLINE: "The original bed heads": "In 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono struggled to find a quick, quiet way to get married -- then invited the world to a 'bed-in' in their honeymoon suite, first in Amsterdam and later in Montreal"

September 10, 2000 - More Anthology book excerpts: Electronic Telegraph: "What is this meditation lark?" ; Sydney Morning Herald: "The beat goes on" . Daily Record: "WE WERE ON STAGE IN ONE CORNER OF A TINY ROOM IN ELGIN, THE BAR WAS IN THE OTHER .. SO YOU CAN GUESS WHO WAS MORE POPULAR": EXCLUSIVE: THE BEATLES, IN THEIR OWN WORDS AND PICTURES ON HOW THEY TOURED SCOTLAND BY TRANSIT VAN and it's companion piece: Daily Record: MY SCOTS LOVE AFFAIR By SIR PAUL McCARTNEY : "PAUL McCARTNEY has spoken for the first time of how he fled to Scotland as bitter in-fighting led to the break-up of The Beatles. In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Mail, Sir Paul reveals how he and his late wife Linda - then his new girlfriend Linda Eastman - headed for the Mull of Kintyre to escape the battles with John, George and Ringo." (I suspect the full interview is restricted to the print version). The Sunday Telegraph - Opinion: "The Beatles: Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" : an article in which the writer speculates about the continued interest in the Beatles.

September 8, 2000 - VH1 The Wire : "BEATLES: PAPERBACK PUFFERS" ; The Sept. 18th issue of US Weekly Magazine features photos from The Beatles Anthology Book (on pages 8 - 9 and 68 -75) in their "Book Bonus" section: "The Beatles: Eight pages of photos from the new book Beatles Anthology. Plus: how the four lads from Liverpool changed popular culture. By Natalie Nichols."

September 7, 2000 - Telegraph: Beatles Anthology book: "Gone to press" describes the latest promotional gaffe concerning the Anthology book: "The answers lie with the Beatles' press officer, Geoff Baker. With the book coming up, Baker had the bright idea of offering separate parts to different newspapers...."

September 6, 2000 - MSNBC: "Beatles still have dirty laundry to air".

September 5, 2000 - Calgary Herald: Anthology book excerpt: "Making of the White album" : Please Note: this article also includes a disclaimer which explains why John Lennon's comments are largely absent from excerpts used to promote the Anthology book: "Editor's Note: The estate of the late John Lennon did not grant rights for his words to be part of excerpts from Anthology. His words have been paraphrased in order to ensure the proper context is maintained."

September 4, 2000 - JamMusic: Lennon broke up Beatles, says book ;The Toronto Star - Entertainment Story: "Beatles books bonanza" - September 4, 2000 ; Independent: "McCartney sets record straight with a little help from his friends" (includes book excerpt on the recording of the 'Revolver' album) ; The Sun: More Excerpts from the Beatles Anthology book ; New York Post: "Bio bares Beatles as Fab 4-nicators" .

September 3, 2000 - Electronic Telegraph: "Beatles are a hit again as 1.5m order autobiography" , which also  includes an extensive excerpt section: "The time of their lives" . Please note, these excerpts are only available until Monday, Monday 0.00 GMT.
NY POST: "ALL YOU READ IS LOVE" By MEGAN TURNER.

August 31, 2000 - National Post: The other four sides of the story: What will The Beatles Anthology tell us that we don't already know?

August 30, 2000 - Fall's lineup of new books includes 9 about the Beatles

August 28, 2000 - Out of Liverpool

     "When it comes to Major Publishing Events, it will be hard to top the
                      authorized The Beatles Anthology, a 368-page, 6 1/2-pound (almost
                      half a stone!) collection of more than 1,300 photographs, plus
                      interviews, lyrics and memorabilia. More than 1 1/2 million volumes
                      will be shipped for worldwide sales that can begin only Oct. 5.
                      Publishers Weekly has reported that the presses in Hong Kong and
                      Italy began running 24 hours a day in May."

August 2, 2000 - Publisher's Weekly: The Beatles by the Beatles : Commenting on the "Beatles Anthology" book: "We had a good time doing it," Paul McCartney told PW in a recent phone interview. "And it brought us closer. In truth, we had healed the wounds already when we decided we wanted to do the book."

"The books are being kept tightly under wraps, with only a handful of pictures released prior to laydown date, and media reviewers must agree not to print reviews prior to October 5. The only prepub taste for the public will be excerpts in several national magazines in September. At BEA, booksellers who had heard about the book were given a quick glimpse, but only after walking some distance to a hidden, locked viewing room and only after signing a nondisclosure release."

July 30, 2000 - The following article outlines a advance promotion gaffe concerning the Anthology book: HELLO, GOODBYE TO BEATLES EXCERPT By KEITH J. KELLY ; NY POST .

June 27, 2000 - From the subscriber list at Genesis Publications

THE BEATLES ANTHOLOGY BOOK By The Beatles

Genesis Publications began work compiling The Anthology book for Apple Corps Ltd in 1995.

Genesis researched all of John Lennon's text, which is drawn from a multitude of worldwide sources (many previously unpublished), and undertook extensive new interviews with Paul, George and Ringo specifically for the book, in addition to having the use of the full
transcripts of the interviews conducted for the Anthology TV series and videos. Genesis carried out worldwide photo research, combed the archives of Apple and EMI for letters and documents and had access to the personal memorabilia collections of Paul, George and Ringo. Genesis delivered finished layouts for final approval by the three surviving Beatles and Yoko Ono.

The Beatles Anthology book will be published in the Autumn as a trade hardback, world rights being held by Chronical Books. Genesis has been closely involved in overseeing the preparation of the book for press.

In addition, Genesis will be publishing a 2-volume limited edition box set. The Beatles Anthology Limited Edition will be published worldwide by Genesis Publications in association with Apple. Full details will be available from Genesis in due course. For updated news check the Genesis website.

June 4, 2000 - The press release for the Beatles Anthology book from the Capitol web site:

     The Beatles Anthology by The Beatles

     On Sale Worldwide: October 5, 2000

     In their own words and their own images: here, for the
     first time in print, is the history of The Beatles--by the
     Beatles.

     The book contains 340,000 words and over 1300
     images, including unseen photographs and personal
     memorabilia.

     This extraordinary project has been made possible
     because Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and
     Ringo Starr have agreed to tell their combined story
     especially for this book. Together with Yoko Ono
     Lennon, they have also made available the full
     transcripts (including all the outtakes) of the
     television and video series "The Beatles Anthology."
     Through painstaking compilation of sources
     worldwide, John Lennon's words are equally
     represented in this remarkable volume. Furthermore,
     The Beatles have opened their personal and
     management archives specifically for this project,
     allowing the unprecedented release of photographs
     which they took along their ride to fame, as well as
     fascinating documents and memorabilia from their
     homes and offices.

     What a book The Beatles Anthology is! Each page is
     brimming with personal stories and rare vintage
     images. Snapshots from their family collections take
     us back to the days when John Lennon, Paul
     McCartney, George Harrison and Richard Starkey
     were just boys growing up in Liverpool. They talk in
     turn about those early years and how they came to
     join the band that would make them known around the
     world as John, Paul, George, and Ringo.Then,
     weaving back and forth, they tell the astonishing story
     of life as The Beatles; the first rough gigs, the
     phenomenon of their rise to fame, the musical and
     social change of their heyday, all the way through to
     their breakup. From the time Ringo tried to take his
     drum kit home on the bus to their much anticipated
     audience with Elvis, from the making of the Sgt.
     Pepper Album to their last photo session together at
     John's house, The Beatles Anthology is a
     once-in-a-lifetime collection of The Beatles' own
     memories.

     Interwoven with these are the recollections of such
     associates as road manager Neil Aspinall, producer
     George Martin and spokesman Derek Taylor. And
     included in the vast array of photographs are
     materials from both Apple and EMI, who opened their
     archives for this project. This, indeed, is the inside
     story, providing a wealth of previously unpublished
     material in both word and image.

     Created with their full cooperation, The Beatles
     Anthology is, in effect, The Beatles' autobiography.
     Like their music, which has been a part of so many of
     our lives, it's warm, frank, funny, poignant, and bold.
     At last, here is The Beatles' own story.

May 29, 2000 - In an interview with Cleveland Live , Ringo comments on the "Beatles Anthology" book:

"The memories did not come easy, according to Ringo. "They were pretty dim for most of us," he says. "We were all asked the same questions separately on a lot of incidents in the Beatles' lives. Then we were all asked the same questions sitting round together. After all of that, to fill in the blanks, we were re-interviewed separately. Then we had to read all of it and say, oh, we forgot about this or we forgot about that."

"Hopefully, it's the final chapter on the Beatles, by the Beatles. ... I'm sure someone will say you didn't mention this or you didn't mention that. Well, I'm afraid we've mentioned all we can."

April 21, 2000 - Jody Denberg interviews Yoko Ono : This April, 15, 2000 interview mainly deals with Lennon's artwork but also touches on the reissue of "Imagine"; the "Gimme Some Truth" documentary; the December parole hearing for Lennon's killer; the upcoming Beatles Anthology book; and other future projects. Yoko also verfies the reissue of other Lennon solo albums in a similar fashion to what was done with "Imagine" from Steve Marinucci’s “Abbeyrd’s Beatles Page”

April 17, 2000 - The Beatles' legacy - sfgate.com ;  VH1 The Wire : The Beatles Anthology Book .

April 10, 2000 - New York Daily News Online | Arts and Lifestyle | Music | Critics: "The Long & Winding Road: Can 'autobiography' by surviving Beatles say anything new?" by David Hinkley.

April 9, 2000 - The Independent: Hello Goodbye to the Beatles scoop that never was . An expected bit of backlash against the Geoff Baker generated hype for the Beatles Anthology book.

In another reaction to the Anthology book, New York Daily News writer, David Hinckley told US Weekly (April 17, 2000), "If only three of them tell their story, even if they don't set out to blame John, they may do so unintentionally." Hinckley explains, "It always bothered Paul that John was thought of as the sharp one. And George didn't want to be the quiet one, or Ringo the guy who showed up and just did as he was told. They each have their own version of the story." With just the three Beatles giving their input, the door is left open for doubts and speculation about the various stories being told. And it's just three-quarters of the whole story.

This article takes the "blame John" issue a humorous step further: Other stuff we didn't know about Lennon - that scamp .

April 6, 2000 - The rumour we've heard for all these years: The New York Post has reported that according to "the best of sources," the surviving Beatles will reunite next spring for a series of concerts or a one-time only pay-per-view event to promote the Beatles Anthology book. A digital image of John will be used during the performance or Sean Lennon will stand in his place. The only surprise to this rumour is that it's taken 4 whole days to circulate. Also see: ShowbisData - Beatles Reunion Story .

April 4, 2000 - More Anthology book hype, this time from a Canadian news source: Toronto spelled the end for the magical mystery tour By Mitch Potter and Peter Goddard Toronto Star Entertainment Reporters."Toronto gig spelled the end for the magical mystery tour. Surviving Beatles say concert led Lennon to quit. Never mind Yoko Ono. It was Toronto that broke up the Beatles...." Speaking of break, I think we could all use one! Unfortunately, this article delivers more inaccuracies about the Beatles breakup. Once again, according to "Lennon Remembers," John Lennon had decided to quit the Beatles before his arrival in Toronto and he informed his band members of that decison on the way there. There was a brief period where Lennon was considering forming a permanent group (possibly using Eric Clapton and Klaus Voormann who played with him in Toronto) but he later decided against it. However, the Toronto appearance may have been the catalyist for his final decison to quit the Beatles but the reason being a "action-reaction" response to solo performing (that is suggested in this and other articles) is way too simplistic. And blaming Toronto (if not done in a tongue in cheek style) is simply childish.

The article quotes, "According to Starr, it was Lennon's first-ever solo performance - the famed Plastic Ono Band concert at Toronto's Varsity Stadium in September, 1969 - that proved the turning point. After the concert Lennon returned to London with his mind made up to quit, Starr is quoted as saying in The Sunday Telegraph, which published excerpts of the book last weekend. ''After (John Lennon's) Plastic Ono Band's debut in Toronto we had a meeting in Savile Row where John finally brought it to a head,'' Starr writes. ''He said: ''Well, that's it lads, let's end it'.'' Unfortunately, Ringo's quote can be easily (mis)interpreted as John simply quiting one band (the Beatles) to form another (the Plastic Ono Band). Such is the danger of trying to (re)write history 30 years later. This example does not bode well for the reception of the upcoming book.
For more of the same: CBC News: Why did the Beatles break up? Blame Canada!

April 4, 2000 - An April 4th article on the  Rolling Stone website quotes an Oct. 5th release date for the Beatles Anthology book and a $60 price tag. The article also provides comments from Christine Carswell, the Associate Publisher of the adult trade division of San Francisco's Chronicle Books, who will publish the book. According to the article: “Other members of the Beatles entourage also contribute thoughts, including producer Sir George Martin, road manager Neil Aspinall and early bassist Stuart Sutcliffe, who is represented by some archival material. But Chronicle insists the book is principally the work of the Fab Four themselves.”

April 4, 2000 - "Lennon Remembers", The Guardian forgets: “It was John Lennon's fault ... The three surviving Beatles are to lift the lid on their time together in a candid first-person book which is expected to reveal that it was Lennon who triggered the
band's split in 1970 and not Paul McCartney.” Thus reads the first paragraph in an article entitled,“Listen, do you want to know a secret? Ex-Beatles write a book to put the record straight on why they split” by Vikram Dodd which was published on Monday April 3, 2000 in “The Guardian.” Dodd’s declarative opening leads the reader to believe that the facts of the Beatles breakup is “Breaking News”, when in fact, this informative is no more newsworthy than last year’s “Hey Bulldog” fiasco (remember, the “previously unheard” Beatles track). I have two words for Mr. Dodd and anyone who follows his example....”Lennon Remembers”. John Lennon’s late 1970 “Rolling Stone” interview which was later published in book form. The Beatles breakup details are all there as told by the most candid and outspoken member of the group. After all, it’s now April 2000, not April 1970. These details have been a matter of record for almost 30 years now! One can imagine Lennon ripping off one of his “Melody Maker” style letters in response to this article ...if only he could. Outside of this first paragraph, the article is a straight reading of the Anthology book press report but nonetheless, it’s the first example of what is bound to be an endless stream of spin doctoring - that is, in addition to the original report.

Other “news” such as the Beatles refusal to consider a $175m (£113m) offer to perform a series of concert in 1996 also isn’t news. Neither are the hundreds of other offers that they’ve received over the years. Treating this as news just adds to the spin. On “nme.com”, Geoff Baker further specifies the origin of the book:"It's the whole band who have put this together. It's wasn't just at Paul's insistence as has been reported elsewhere, but all of them, including Yoko (Ono, Lennon's widow). She's one of the four heads, if you like, and was consulted widely. Nothing has been left out, except the bollocks." This statements serves as a preemptive response to the usual rumbling about McCartney’s attempts to revise Beatles history and Yoko’s involvement in the project. These are bound to be two controversial issues if the past is to be used as a reference.

Perhaps at this time, it would be appropriate to speculate on  what the Anthology book is and maybe more relevant, what it “isn’t”. First of all, this book will not be the “bible” on the Beatles in spite of how it’s being promoted. I expect that the book will go down similar to the Anthology videos - a snapshot of how the Beatles think and feel about their career at a certain point in time. Depending on how long the book has been “on the shelf”, these views may go back to the mid ‘90's. Sadly in the case of John Lennon, his views will date back to the mid '70's. It's a sad fact and a great, immersurable loss that will undoubtedly be a subtext in this book.

The Anthology book will be prone to the surviving Beatles' selective memory and recollection processes and many issues will remain uncovered - like in the videos. In fact, I suspect that the text will indeed be the full transcripts of the Anthology interviews. After all, we can’t really expect Paul, George and Ringo to be furiously scribbling down their recollections in full prose. That’s what ghostwriters and researchers are hired for. In spite of all us “reunion” junkies, the book will also largely ignore the solo years. I would personally like their views on their own and each other’s solo careers along with candid pictures of when “two or more are gathered together”. But I suspect that I (and others) may be disappointed in this regard. Like the videos, this world probably ends in 1970. Like it or not.

The release of the book would also be a grand opportunity to release new musical material. It would certainly add value to the book but once again, don’t hold your breath.

I think I’ve done an adequate job of saying what we shouldn’t expect. Here’s the flipside...

Basically, the Beatles will tell their story in their own words. We’ll get many interesting
perspectives, stories and their unique personal take on the Beatle years. We’ll probably get many interesting, previously unseen photographs, all lavishly presented as a greeting card to the fans. However, I don’t expect we’ll learn much factual detail. I don’t expect any shocking revelations or surprises. They probably could, but they *won’t* rock the boat. Once again, like the videos, the book will leave a pleasant aftertaste but over time, we’ll slowly discover that we haven’t really gained more insight than what the previously published interviews, articles and books have already given us. There may be an initial knee jerk reaction among fans to resist this project but lets’s not kid ourselves, we will buy this book. We may dislike ourselves for a while but we’ll eventually give in. So don’t hurt yourself in overanalyzing this purchase decision. The trick is ... enjoy the ride, and remember, when all is said and done.... it’s just a book.