John, Paul, George, Ringo & Me: The Real Beatles Story

Barrow, the media agent who concocted the Fab Four's nickname, weighs in with a raucous re-telling of the Beatlemania years that follows the foppish rockers from a Manchester Square pub in 1962 through world tours, stadium gigs, movie deals, death, controversy and chaos. Chapters are devoted to painting ""a sad and desperately lonely picture of The Beatles' millionaire manager,"" Brian Epstein, and his downward spiral into fatal drug addiction; profiling band members and their sundry girlfriends and wives; and recounting behind-the-scenes moments during recording sessions or while on the road. Highlights include Barrow's description of the band's beeline ascent to stardom following the release of their first Parlophone single, ""Love Me Do;"" their ill-fated trip to Manila in the summer of 1966, when they inadvertently snubbed Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and First Lady Imelda by missing a luncheon at which they were the guests of honor; and their attempts to deal with the backlash that ensued after John Lennon claimed the Beatles were more popular than Jesus. Beatles fans will know much of this story, but Barrow's swift telling and catchy prose makes for an addictive read that still manages a few surprises. 24 pages color and b&w photos.