This engrossing and methodically researched volume charts the transformation of the Beatles from teen idols to leaders of the youth movement and cultural icons. Drawing upon mainstream print media, broadcasts, albums, films, and videos, "The Beatles" studies the band's career in the United States, and explores how their media image evolved in relation to cultural and historical events. When the Beatles first arrived in America in 1964, it was as sharply dressed teen heartthrobs. By the end of the decade, they had thoroughly absorbed the fashion and consciousness of the American counterculture and were able to use their interviews, media events, and music to comment on the issues of the time - from the Vietnam War to the civil rights movement. "The Beatles" traces the steps that led to this change, and explores how, throughout the evolution of their media profile, their mantra of optimism never wavered.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• v. 1. Way beyond compare, 1957-1965
• v. 2. That magic feeling, 1966-1970.

• The Fab Four narrative
• The Lennon remembers narrative
• The Shout! narrative
• The Lewisohn narrative.

Hundreds of books have been written about The Beatles. Over the last half century, their story has been mythologized and de-mythologized and presented by biographers and journalists as history. Yet many of these works do not strictly qualify as history and the story of how the Beatles' mythology continues to be told has been largely ignored. This book examines the band's historiography, exploring the four major narratives that have developed over time: The semi-whitewashed "Fab Four" account, the acrimonious breakup-era Lennon Remembers version, the biased "Shout!" narrative in the wake of John Lennon's murder, and the current Mark Lewisohn orthodoxy. Drawing on the most influential primary and secondary sources, Beatles history is analyzed using historical methods.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• volume
• 1. A-J
• volume
• 2. K-Z.

The Beatles have sold at least 2.3 billion albums; achieved 6 Diamond, 24 Multi-Platinum, 39 Platinum, and 45 Gold albums in the United States alone; and continue to experience impressive commercial success-now more than at any other time. What is it about this iconic group which continues to draw attention from each successive generation, even more than 40 years after their disbandment? The Beatles Encyclopedia: Everything Fab Four provides casual fans and aficionados alike with a comprehensive study of the historical, cultural, and musical influence of the Beatles, providing hundreds of insightful entries that address the people, places, events, and other details that have contributed to the band's status as a global phenomena.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)