Amanda
Mr. Moonlight
I am in no way, shape, or form a Beatlemaniac, but even I've heard of the band's manager, Brian Epstein, and knew he played a pivotal role in making The Beatles one of the most famous bands in the world. Despite knowing of Epstein, I knew little about him and was curious enough to read this biography.
Philip Norman gives a satisfactory account of Epstein's childhood, schooling, and his various pre-managerial jobs. Norman devotes a fair amount of ink to Epstein's work at his family's music store, and does a good job showing how that work allowed him to hone many of the skills which would serve him well in his future career.
A large portion of the book naturally deals with how Epstein helped turn four guys from Liverpool into some of the most famous people on the planet. Norman shows the hard work and dedication Epstein gave to his role as manager; he is portrayed as a man who didn't always make the best business decisions, but was largely honest and fair in his business dealings.
Norman does discuss Epstein's romantic life and the complications of his being a gay man in a time when sex acts between men were illegal in a way that feels cursory, but not disrespectful.
I only have two complaints about the book: first, Norman sometimes loses focus on Epstein when he's covering the height of Beatlemania; and second, he felt the need to include a salacious implication that Epstein's death may have been a murder, even though Norman himself admits that his sources on the subject are suspect.
Overall, I feel this is a respectful and informative biography, although I wouldn't call it either revelatory or essential.
Received via NetGalley.
I am in no way, shape, or form a Beatlemaniac, but even I've heard of the band's manager, Brian Epstein, and knew he played a pivotal role in making The Beatles one of the most famous bands in the world. Despite knowing of Epstein, I knew little about him and was curious enough to read this biography.
Philip Norman gives a satisfactory account of Epstein's childhood, schooling, and his various pre-managerial jobs. Norman devotes a fair amount of ink to Epstein's work at his family's music store, and does a good job showing how that work allowed him to hone many of the skills which would serve him well in his future career.
A large portion of the book naturally deals with how Epstein helped turn four guys from Liverpool into some of the most famous people on the planet. Norman shows the hard work and dedication Epstein gave to his role as manager; he is portrayed as a man who didn't always make the best business decisions, but was largely honest and fair in his business dealings.
Norman does discuss Epstein's romantic life and the complications of his being a gay man in a time when sex acts between men were illegal in a way that feels cursory, but not disrespectful.
I only have two complaints about the book: first, Norman sometimes loses focus on Epstein when he's covering the height of Beatlemania; and second, he felt the need to include a salacious implication that Epstein's death may have been a murder, even though Norman himself admits that his sources on the subject are suspect.
Overall, I feel this is a respectful and informative biography, although I wouldn't call it either revelatory or essential.
Received via NetGalley.