It's hard to remember a time when the Beatles weren't part of our lives. It seems like we went from listening to our big sister's records of Pat Boone and Perry Como to wanting to hold your hand. Author Ian Leslie does an excellent job taking us along on the ride, introducing pivotal characters like Brian Epstein, Derek Taylor, and all things hippy and New age. It's a deep dive into the shadows, not to mention the uneasiness of the spotlight. It was a time that changed us and the world forever.

While I'll admit upfront to not being familiar with many of the musical terms tossed about -- aclion cadence, anyone? -- after a few pages they seemed to just waft right on over my head without demanding I stop to figure out what they actually meant. What can I say? I tend to be one of those who enjoys the music without knowing every little detail in it. That said, I'll certainly never listen to a Beatles tune again the same way. At the same time, we're taken into the psyche of both John and Paul as individuals as well as the singular entity of Lennon-McCartney. Despite the labels rabid fans were eager to attach to them, the four Beatles were complicated individuals. They went through incredible highs and lows together, certainly being prisoners of their own success and images.

I can't even begin to summarize the book. It's lengthy but don't let that daunt you. For the most part, it's an easy read and most of the names you encounter will be familiar. Actually, much of the material was familiar to me although I was delighted to discover John's discovery of a new sport in his latter days. I definitely don't want to give away that story but it was somehow comforting to know he had that in his life before his tragic death. I also came away with even more respect for actress and former McCartney girlfriend Jane Asher for not allowing herself to be pulled into Paul's life to the detriment of her own hopes and dreams. Even better, she's never written a tell-all book, not true of many.

Bottom line, I could go on and on or list countless descriptive words and phrases that popped into my head as I read but will simply wind this up by saying music and Beatles fans will enjoy this read. Those who devour every tiny mention of anything Beatles will definitely find much to ponder within. Will they agree with it all? Surely not, but that's part of the fun, isn't it? The Beatles were something different to everyone. For fans like me, who enjoyed their music and the rush of Beatlemania, it was fun. You don't have to understand the musical references or even agree with Leslie's comments to enjoy hanging out like that proverbial fly-on-the-wall as John and Paul created something magical out of a boyhood meeting. I simply didn't have the time to do so but would strongly recommend you call up the various songs as discussed and listen to them as you read, too. Since this is a book that just begs for a re-read, that's my plan for my next visit. As it is, my thanks to #CeladonBooks for sending me this advance invite for my own trip back to "Yesterday". It was magical.

I enjoyed this read about John & Paul. They happen to be up there with Rodgers and Hammerstein to me. The thing that puts them at the top, for me, is the way they wrote their songs and then often blended their voices into one. This book is kind of pro Paul in some of the stories, and while Paul is my favorite, that is hard for me because John started this fire. I enjoyed the text, but I feel that the author hasn’t see the Let it Be movie. While Get Back is superb, Let it Be shows how things were imploding on the band and is a large piece of the puzzle for me. I like how this book showed that the boys were growing up, and wives and family were becoming important, that is another factor for the end. Then the author said something I thought was perfect and something that I have thought of for years……The song The End, it showcases everyone for a few seconds, a finale. Four solos to make one ending……an ending for something that is simply magical.

This book is for the Beatles fan that might want to know more about the music, or the fan that loved that all the pieces were in the right place, at the right time and perfection was made. Well done, Ian Leslie.

I have been a fan of the Beatles all of my life. In fact I can't remember not loving the Beatles. When people much younger than me talk about them, I somewhat jokingly remind them that I actually remember when they were a group. I own all the original albums and then the CD releases and then the remastered releases. I've read any and all books i can obtain.
All that to say, did we truly need another book about the Beatles?
Many would say no, what could possibly be written that we don't already know?,
My answer to this query is a definite yes.
I found the author has taken a new and unique dive into the world and the relationship between John and Paul. We have read and heard so many stories and listened to same songs repeatedly that we do not always hear or listen to what is perhaps a new perspective on John and Paul's relationship.
I found it interesting how the author chose to organize the chapters baaed on songs that John and Paul wrote either together, separate, or as solo artists.
Also by taking a deep dive into the psyche od each and how their relationship evolved throughout their lives and how they sought each other's approval, while all the while also being competitive, attempting to not only grow as songwriters but to out perform the other.
Wonderful book...truly enjoyed it.

3.5 stars. I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own,
I’ve read quite a few Beatles books, as well as bios of John and Paul, and while the subject has been studied from almost every angle, Ian Leslie manages to inject some perspective into the subject by focusing on the unique bond between the two, as friends (practically brothers) and songwriting partners, and how the two relationships were inextricably connected. While some of the typical beats are discussed, following the highs and lows of their relationship, I really appreciated some of the insights, especially in terms of how it uses the songs so directly to trace their story. Textually, it does get a little tedious in places, especially given it’s not all that groundbreaking, and Leslie is relying almost entirely on secondhand info. So while it’s not the most essential of Beatles books, it’s definitely worth reading for the diehard fan.

As a child born during the 1970's I was a little late to be alive during "Beatlemania," but I felt it deeply nonetheless. Thank god my parents played their music relentlessly, because I did still grow up to be a huge Beatles fan. John& Paul: A Love Story in Songs is just that - a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to this dynamic duo that created music that defined a generation and forever changed the face of popular music. At times it is sad and times it is joyous, but that is life. I loved every inch of this biography as it brought me right back to my childhood and offered a glimpse into their lives that we have not yet seen. Leslie has crafted something new for Beatles fans as their lives are, at its core, about the music they created together. Each chapter delves into one of their biggest hits to give not only the background of how the song came into existence, but what was happening in their lives that impacted it. If you love The Beatles, even if you just love music, this is a great read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Beatles fans, gather ’round because you will want to add this book to your fan collection! Analyzing John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s relationship through a deep dive into the songs they wrote at the time is not the usual book about the Fab Four. Showing the ultimate bromance as John and Paul wrote some of the most memorable songs of the last half of the 20th century is a genius way to look at their relationship and how it impacted their lives and the lives of others.

I enjoyed the deep dive into how certain songs were created, and the analyzing of the push-pull of the Lennon & McCartney relationship. They truly behaved like brothers from another mother. They leaned on each other and at times, pushed the other one away. The actual songs take second stage as the John/Paul relationship is dissected, which actually makes the songs meanings all that more poignant.

This is a book for music fans young and old alike. It’s definitely one of the better books on the Beatles that I’ve read. Highly recommend!

ohn & Paul: A Love Story in Songs is a biography of John Lennon and Paul McCartney and how their collaborative efforts produced the various iconic songs that we know and love today.

The book outlines how each of the top songs were thought out and made real by John and Paul. Both men had an uncanny connection when it came to music and song writing. They were like the Yin and Yang of music composition. With John the Yin and Paul the Yang.

There were a lot of musical phrases and terms. And being a novice in music composition, I found the terms to be too techinical for my abilities. But, what I found helpful in my understanding was listening to the songs that were mentioned. It made it easier to get more insight on the composition of the songs and the terminology being used. And listening to the songs enhanced the overall experience of the book.

John & Paul is the perfect book for diehard Beatles fans who also have a greater understanding of the music world. Four solid stars.

I received a DRC from Celadon Books through NetGalley. This review is completely my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.

Thank you for giving home to this book. Sometimes The Beatles fandom disregards that what built the foundations of one of the greatest bands of all time was the love of two boys...

I found this to be an extremely engaging, entertaining and nostalgic read. As a fan of the Beatles, this gave me an inside look into the relationships, inspirations and processes that lead to so much amazing music. I may not use this entire read in the classroom but will certainly use sections to help students on their creativity journey and to better access the creative process on their own lives.

Fascinating look at one of the most formative partnerships in the history of music. Filled with facts and insight, it is a tribute and exploration to both men.

I am an ardent Beatles fan dating back to the sixties and own a king's ransom of Beatles books spanning the decades, so was pleasantly surprised to find that good and relevant ones are still being written- a contented feeling as I closed this book. Honestly, I was a bit cynical about the premise of this book, the provocative whisper that John and Paul loved each other...but in what way? The implication was: possibly in ALL ways. While this was a biography about The Beatles, it focused primarily on the core relationship of its main composers: John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Throughout the biography as it explored each of The Beatles albums and singles, there were deep dives into how songs were written (which parts John and Paul contributed) and the author's interpretations of their meanings. At times I get weary of psychoanalyzation, where people wax poetic about what these songs mean. However, as the book neared its end I found myself gleaning new insights on certain song lyrics in a profound way. The book ended with the aftermath of John Lennon's assassination, how Paul learned of it, and the evolution of his grief over the decades since. This was a quality book that offered new kernels of Beatles lore and will be very much enjoyed by Beatles fans.

Thank you to the publisher Celadon Books for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

Celadon Books provided an early galley for review.

One of the very first albums I remember listening to as a child of the late 60's was Meet the Beatles. As far back as I can recall music being in my life, I was a fan. Still am.

Leslie does a wonderful job pulling the reader into the youthful world of John and Paul, taking the time to weave in the details of the tapestry of the history of their relationship. I very much felt like a comfortable fly on the wall as the events unfolded. It is also amazing to see how much unfolded over a relatively short period of time - everything the group went through in less than a single decade together. And just as there is a lot of time spent on the coming together of the group, an equal amount of time is spent on the drawing up to the end and the aftermath. The situation was complex and messy; Leslie puts all the pieces out there for the reader to make their own judgments.

I feel like I came away knowing a lot more about the relationship between John and Paul after reading this book.

I was born too late to be a Beatles fan in the moment, but I wasn't too far behind. Their music played all around me as I grew up in the '70s, part of the fabric of my childhood. I learned about them in bits and pieces, became fascinated with their obvious musical arc from good old-fashioned rock 'n' roll to whacked-out psychedelic tunes and back again, before disbanding forever.

Despite the density of this book, it's hard to believe that they made the entire journey from twanging guitars and rockabilly-style wailing to sitars and sound collages in such a short amount of time. Perhaps that is the most important theme of this book, the lack of randomness in their story, the obvious steps that they took from song to song to build their catalogue. Every piece mattered. Every song moved them perceptibly forward.

The book does progress chronologically through song titles as emblematic of the Beatles timeline, but settles firmly into the story of the relationship between John and Paul. The author immerses us in their characters - their fears, their worries, the tragic events that drove them together and ultimately apart - and carries us from day one to the horrific end. John and Paul spoke together through song, sometimes jointly as the doubly-voiced first-person narrator of a tale, and then spoke to each other through songs, taking vicious shots at each other in the post-break-up years. John claimed that all brothers fight, and he had no closer brother than Paul. Sadly, their reconciliation never fully actualized before John was murdered. The author weaves in all of the lives surrounding theirs - George, Ringo, Yoko, Linda, etc. - and explains their impacts on the John and Paul story.

He works deeply in the lyrics, vocalizations and the music, helping us to understand true meanings behind the Lennon-McCartney songs, even why specific individual notes can tell us things we need to know. We come to see the subtle nuances that made John and Paul great, and the individual styles that eventually set them on different paths. Lennon was rock 'n' roll. Paul would have been happy on a piano in an echoing music hall. Together as they were for so long, with thousands of hours on stage in Hamburg and Liverpool, they perfected their craft.

Like the author, I, too, saw Paul sing with "John" in concert a few years ago, at Fenway Park. Paul was overcome with emotion as John's image played on the screen behind him (Paul turned to face it) and they sang together, as were so many of us that day, believing, if momentarily, that we were seeing the Beatles finally reunited for one night, one song only. This book makes me appreciate that moment that much more. It reminds us of what the world had, what the world lost, and not what may never happen again, but what has been preserved for all time. The Beatles will live on, and the remarkable story of John and Paul will be shared for generations to come.

Like so many other readers, my teenage years were touched, formed, affected, and filled by The Beatles and their music. Surprisingly, I have never read any other comprehensive histories of the group or its individuals, and Ian Leslie gives us a plethora of sources he used so that will be of help in the future. I won't be fact-checking Leslie's many footnotes so I can only say that the story he weaves is intriguing and very emotional. In fact, "John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs" is a mixture of psychology, emotion, and musicology and the combination is enlightening and enjoyable. There were, of course, things about John's and Paul's lives - separately and together - that I knew little about. As a teenager, I'm sure I was less than aware of the volume of drug and alcohol use/abuse. The extent of their codependency certainly wasn't something I thought about. "John & Paul" often left me crying because the anecdotes were so heart wrenchingly sad. After each reading session I found myself listening to one or two of the songs that the chapters are named for. It gave me some closure for the many wounds this book opened up. Regardless of some of the disturbing things that are revealed here (and probably in many of Leslie's sources), The Beatles and their songs will always remain, for me, tremendously important. I have recommended this book for my library to purchase once it is published. Amusingly, when I submitted the title - John & Paul - the librarian asked if it was about Popes!!

An exciting and very entertaining look at the partnership of Lennon and McCartney. In forty three chapters each focused on a Beatles song, Ian Leslie charters their remarkable journey. Theirs is a love of friends, partners, competitors, polar opposites, inspiration and of finding the emotional balance missing in each other. Their relationship was a duet of differences and like mindedness, wanting to impress and wanting reach new heights. The depth of who they were, how they collaborated and the security of knowing the other was there provides a fresh and insightful look at this ‘once in a lifetime’ partnership.
A must read for Beatle fans!
Thanks to NetGalley, Ian Leslie and Celadon Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Big Beatle's fan here and I really liked this book. Put the relationship into context in a way I hadn't read about before. Other books seem to focus on professional jealousy and this one showed the depth of the friendship and collaboration. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I've read a lot of books about The Beatles and this one is the best I've ever seen. It turns out to be the book I was always hoping to read without knowing it--a book focused exclusively on John and Paul's remarkable relationship. Leslie has amazing insight into The Beatles as well as into an artist's psychology. He hunts through lyrical clues to show how some instances where they're talking about their relationship in the songs.

It seems like Paul wanted to impress John who he viewed as a leader, but never realized how much John insecurity made him desperate to impress Paul. Leslie even makes a fairly convincing case that John may have had a confusing attraction to John.

Leslie has a great description of their respective songwriting styles-- "Paul created songs that felt as if they had always existed; John channeled transmissions from another planet. "

Thanks to Celadon Publishing for sending me a galley of the book in return for an honest review. Tell all the Beatles fans in your life that this is a book they need to read.