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March 07, 2007
"Lennon Revealed" by Larry Kane
Larry Kane first published this reminiscence of John Lennon in 2005, twenty-five years
after Lennon's death. Kane is a journalist who first got to know Lennon when he
accompanied the Beatles on their 1964 and 1965 American tours. His treatment of his
material is thematic rather than chronological, and is based on his own recollections
of Lennon and on interviews with some of the people who were important in Lennon's life.
Kane's own memories span the time from the first meeting in 1964 to Lennon's death in
1980. In the preface, Kane says "I fundamentally and honestly really liked the man."
This point of view was clear throughout the book, and sometimes I felt that it got in
the way of letting Kane's and others' memories of the man speak for themselves.
However, as I went along, I started experiencing his bias as one of the features of the
story he tells. Anyone looking for a biography or for in-depth analysis of Lennon's
life would probably want to start with a different book: a more traditional,
chronologically arranged biography. However, there's no substitute for the memories and
experience of people who were there at the time, and this is one of many fascinating
pictures of a twentieth century icon and his effect on some of those who knew him.
ISBN: 978-0762429660 (paperback)
Linda, head
Posted by jnardine at March 7, 2007 09:49 AM