The Beatles White Album and the Launch of Apple

I've finally gotten around to reading this book (after the Dexter Gordon, Rory Gallagher, and The Art Ensemble of Chicago books) compiled by Beatles expert Bruce Spizer. As I post this, this book is still not widely available. Hopefully that will be soon rectified because, like his previous book on "Sgt. Pepper's...", this is a pretty cool book, from the text to the photos, and other ephemera. Even the end papers are done nicely.The book itself is approximately the size of the the "Pepper" book and of the same printing quality--the graphics are sharp and clear--I particularly like the full page color photo of an Apple dartboard. The book is divided into fifteen parts, with Spizer writing eight of those. Al Sussman weaves the year 1968 into The Beatles' activities. Bill King contributes a period piece from Beatlefan. Piers Hemmingsen has an essay on the Canadian point of view. Frank King has an essay on the numbering of the "White Album" which is actually quite interesting. And Pascal Lambini has a piece on stereo and mono versions of the album.For many Beatles fans much of the information on the band and the formation of Apple won't be new. But the layout of Apple's first four singles is handled nicely--with the left-hand page containing text on each single, and the right-hand page used for a related period graphic. The singles are--"Hey Jude"/"Revolution", "Thingumybob"/ "Yellow Submarine", "Those Were The Days"/"Turn,Turn, Turn", and "Sour Milk Sea"/"The Eagle Laughs At You".The section on the year 1968 may have some new information for people not around back then, and it covers some of the major events of that year plus portions of reviews from the time--both pro and con--which do help put the album in it's time. Plus, the pieces on the album's release in both the U.K. and Canada helps paint a broader view of how this album was heard. There's a short section on the Manson Murders and "Helter Skelter" by Spizer only because so many fans aren't familiar with the facts and had not listened to the album because of the prevailing Manson connection.The artwork gets a couple of pages with information most fans will already know--but it's inclusion is proper. There's a piece on the "Esher Demos" (by Spizer) and a much longer, more detailed section on the recording of the album (also by Spizer), with track-by-track information. But (for me) one of the most interesting sections is the collection of fan recollections--some who also included their album number along side their name. These short pieces (and a few color photos snapped by a fan) really tell a big part of how both the album and the band was viewed, and gives some good period insight for those of us who remember those days, and especially for those who weren't yet Beatles fans.Bottom line--if you're a Beatles and/or "White Album" fan, this book is worth your money and time. The information Spizer has collected is laid out intelligently and is just plain fun to read. And with all the great graphics (photos, labels, press packs, magazine covers, etc.) this is another good book to sit alongside Spizer's other great books on The Beatles.

Reading this book helped me to remember not only the experience of enjoying this music as a then 12 year old, it also informed me of a bigger picture that I could not appreciate at that time. Such is the effect of all the books in this series by Bruce Spizer. I love the Beatles and their music. I found these books informative and helpful in recalling some of my own memories.

Bruce Spizer is the ultimate expert on The Beatles. He does not miss the smallest of details. This is an excellent book that focuses on the beginning of the end of The Beatles’ close relationship-and he does it with class! Even if you THOUGHT you knew the whole story of how The Beatles decided to form their own business (and the problems that it caused) - you will still find some artifact in this book that you were not aware of previously! It is also THE LAST WORD on The White Album - it has every ounce of trivia that a Beatles' fanatic can ask for - and then some! I LOVED this book!

Bruce Spizer can always take an oft-revisited tale and make it new and refreshing. With his penchant for minute detail, Spizer brings The White Album to life all over again. His discussion of the Esher demos was especially enlightening. I now have hard copies of all 11 of Spizer's Beatles books, and I hope he keeps churning them out. I only wish he had given the same treatment he's given to SPLHCB and The White Album to my personal favorite: Revolver (or its American counterpart "Yesterday...and Today). Keep 'em coming, Bruce! Whatever's next, I'll buy it!!

I have all of the Bruce Spizer Beatles books and this is another great one to add to your collection. Very insightful articles on the state of the world, and in particular, the music of 1968 that puts the White Album's release in perspective. The track by track analysis is informative and actually I came away with something new. Like Bruce's Sgt Pepper's book, the fan perspectives are interesting to hear. Some of them are similar to mine, and some are completely different. A nice book, well worth it.

I purchased this book hoping to get more incite into the songs and the behind the scenes information concerning THE WHITE ALBUM. I was disappointed as I already had most of this information before reading this book. I found the information about the initial history and non-Beatle artists in Apple's infantcy interesting. Too many fan recollections became tedious reading. But I do feel it was written and the pictures were nice.

This book is full of great info. A must have.

I expected this book to tell me all about the making of the White Album. Instead it gives a lot of meaningless facts and details that aren’t satisfying at all, even to this obsessed Beatles fan. If I could sum up this book in one word it would be BORING. I expected to add this book to my collection, but instead I just plan to just resell it.

Excellent read.

Um bom livro para quem gosta dos Beatles.

Great book

Bought as an upgrade from my 1968 record and my mono cd tape to play on my Bose. Absolutely brilliant!!!!!!!

Nothing greater than the Beatles