Podrazik certainly knows the Fab Four. Having previously collaborated on the definitive three volume discography on the Beatles, he uses the opportunity of the new releases on CD of the Beatles' music to update us on their music, the impact of it on the world, and that intimate minutiae that only a real scholar can dig up. Well worth buying and reading. Michael Class

First off- the book itself is just beautiful; an amazingly well designed book. It's just HUGE, and every page is a treasure; lovely to look at. My big problem was the cost- I wouldn't mind so much if all (or even SOME..) of the proceeds went to charity. Do the Beatles (and the inexplicable Yoko) not have enough money?

That said, I enjoyed the book a lot. The book is laid out in a way that makes you feel that you're sitting around a table with The Fab Four, just shooting the breeze. Their stories are fascinating, especially the way their memories don't...quite....gel. John, unfortunately, comes off as something of an egomaniac, and a rather pompous one at that. It seems that everything of any worth (in his opinion) was his idea. I'm still a fan of his music, I'm just a little less a fan of the man.

My only real beef with the book is the lack of a narrative voice- The Beatles mention John's car accident, Mary Quant, etc., but there is no narrator to let the unenlightened in on what happened, who that person was, etc. Otherwise, Beatles fans will spend many a happy hour reading this book.

So very many books were written about the Beatles, and so many TV documentries were made about them. Anthology is definitely the best one yet, and I don't think there will ever be another book as complete and sincere as it. For the first time the Beatles tell their own story (yes, even John - material from old intreviews with him are beautifuly collected and edited into the book), along with some help from George Martin, Derek Taylor and Neil Aspinall and some old quotes from Brian Epstein, Mel Evans, Pete Best and others, and that makes Anthology a truly unique experience. The story is told from such a personal viewpoint that you will feel like you're part of the band. George, Ringo, Paul and John will become your closest friends for the period of reading the book.

Anthology covers every (well, probably almost every) aspect of the Beatles' life and musical career. It starts as four seperate stories as every band member describes his childhood, then melds into the story of the band. All the interviews from the wonderful Anthology TV series are in the book, but so are many more. There are far more details - especially about the music itself, which was neglected in the series. While in the series some albums were hardly mentioned, in the book the Beatles refer to almost every song, telling a thing or two about its background. Also, more touchy subjects which were avoided in the series appear here - such as, the (phony) death of Paul McCartney, the (real) death of Stuart Sutcliffe, the unfortunate Hell's Angels incident and the terrible case of Charles Manson and his connection to the White Album. The photographs and documents shown in the book are facsinating as well.

And no, it's NOT too long. The only problem with the book is its weight, which makes it quite uncomfortable to read. Anthology is a superb book, which reminded me why I used to love the Beatles so much and got me to hear all their albums again - twice.

The Beatles story is an incredibly fascinating one. In so many ways their history is not merely of a musical group, even a great one. The Beatles transcended mere music. From 1962-1970, the entire period of their recording career, the Beatles recorded hundreds ofbrilliant songs, groundbreaking albums and lived enough advenutre to fill a lifetime. When this book was published, the three surviving Beatles had lived more than twice as many years since the breakup as the entire time the group was together. It is really remarkable to read (or see in the video) McCartney, Starr and Harrison talking about the Beatle's times from the perspective of late middle age. The story itself will be familiar to any Beatle's fan. The early days in Britain, the crazy days of Beatle mania, the acid drenched mid-sixties when the times began to influence the Beatle's sound and the Beatle's music so headily influenced the times. The flirtation with Indian religion, the death of Brian Epstein, Yoko Ono, the slowly growing rigt and finally the acrimonious breakup. All in an incredible 8 years. What makes this book unique, even from earlier books that quote the Beatles is the perspective of time which has clearly mellowed the three surviviors. Lennon's quote's are necessarily taken from before his death in 1980 and it is interesting to see how his failure to reach middle age lends a different perspective to his memories of the Beatles, in his case memories less than fifteen years old. How fascinating to hear Paul and George discussing the making of "Let it Be" where the bitterness was clear. Paul essentially apologizes and it is nice to know he and George settled their differences before Harrison's death late last year. Not only do I recommend this book, it cannot be missed by anyone interested in the Beatle's history in their own words. No other auto-biography will be as comprehensive for one reason. It will require much of the book to focus on pre and post Beatles years. As I stated, the Beatles recording career lasted 8 years. Today a top band would record at most three albums in that time. Don't miss the book or the video collection

I finished reading this book recently and I have to say it is an excellent book. When Hunter Davies first interviewed the Beatles for this book from 1967-1968, it was before all the bickering and fighting started and before Yoko came into the picture. Davies takes an inside look in thier home and family life, the songwriting process, and recording sessions. It also gives a pretty good background on their childhoods and how they all met. Not to mention a lot of great pictures, including some I never seen before. The only reason I didn't give it five stars was because it is not a totally definative bio. Lots of things were left out because it upset thier family members. For example, it is not mentioned that Brian Epstein was homosexual because it upset his mother at the time. And some things were left out of John's childhood because it upset his aunt Mimi. Other than that, I reccomend that you read this book. It is smart and thouroughly researched. A must have for all Beatles fans!

This is an essential document for Beatles scholarship. At the time it was simply a pop bio by a competent writer, but it depicts the Beatles at a fascinating juncture in their career. It is particularly notable for its accounts of songwriting and recording sessions, for a glimpse of their home lives, and for their opinions about life in general at the time. Since this is an authorized biography, critics may complain that it is whitewashed - but one can read between the lines and gather the full meaning of everything pretty well. All in all, it is remarkably honest. This updated edition features a sterling introduction by the author about the writing of the book and offers further insight into the personalities of the Beatles.

Thank heaven for Beatle scholarship that this book was written. Competent journalist Hunter Davies spent a year observing the Beatles and interviewing them in their own homes during the heady, fascinating year of 1967. He emerged with a time piece: the Beatles as they were at that time, reflecting on what came before and unaware of what was yet to come. A chapter describing the writing and recording of "With a Little Help From My Friends," "Getting Better," and "Magical Mystery Tour" offers unique and especially valuable glimpses of the Beatles at work. Chapters depicting the home life and personal outlook of each Beatle are also very interesting. I must also say that for an authorised biography, this is remarkably honest. Perceptive readers will be able to detect the whole truth here, and a fine introduction written by the author years later helps fill in any gaps. Apart from being hugely entertaining, this book is a tremendous boon to historians interested in the Beatles.

I loved MARCH UPCOUNTRY because it combined action with a coming of age story. Prince Roger grows from spoiled brat to a complex character with compassion, strength, and understanding of others. MARCH TO THE SEA takes the story forward but, Prince Roger is now all grown up and there isn't anything to take the place from the human perspective.

Authors Weber and Ringo do a fine job writing battle scenes. In fact, the frequent joke within the novel--one city, one battle--seems to be the basic plot device in this book.

Roger and the small remnant of human bodyguard marines are trying to get across an entire planet with a fast-ticking clock as their vitamin supplements start to get low. To survive, though, they need to get natives to help them build the ships they need to cross an ocean and the natives that have the technology skills to help them are about to be buried under an angry flood of barbarians. Roger and company set out to save civilization and themselves as well.

The fighting is bloody as Roger and company commit genocide to ensure that the barbarians won't be back. Although we get occasional point-of-view scenes in the barbarian's heads, we never get the idea that they are anything but dumb cannon-fodder which is just as well because that's what they are.

MARCH TO THE SEA keeps you reading, but it isn't nearly the tour de force that MARCH UPCOUNTRY was. Come on, guys, let's have some characters with our battles.

David Weber and John Ringo continue their outstanding re-telling of the story of Xenophon and the 10000...well, not exactly. Now it is the Prince, the captain, the Satanist, Nimashet, a platoon of troopers and an entire planet full of "scummies."

As begun in March Upcountry, Roger and his bodyguards are crashlanded on the planet Marduk, which is a death-planet, and controlled by the enemy besides. And they crash landed all the way around the planet...

Will Prince Roger grow up fast enough to live through this? Will Captain Pahner kill him before he grows up? Will His Evilness be thwarted?

The only way you'll find out the answers to these questions is to buy the book.

The style is reminiscent of Heinlein and Poul Anderson. The pacing is a headlong stampede from the first page to the last.

Along the way, we are treated to some rather deep discussion of philosophy and politics, feminism and cultural imperialism, coated with a veneer of action and adventure.

We have real characters, like Nimashet Despreaux, Sergeant, killer, beautiful woman...and Roger himself, with surprising depth. Even the vignette characters are impressively well drawn.

Weber proves once again that he can write something other than Honor Harrington, while John Ringo showcases his versatility and his continuing growth as a writer.

Eye candy. That's what it is.

Another winner for the big pusher of eye candy, Jim Baen.

The worst part of it is that the story isn't finished, and now I have to wait for the third installment.

I don't wait well.

Guess I'll just have to go re-read March Upcountry and March to the Sea.

Eye candy.

Let's be up front about this, I'm a David Weber cheerleader. I can say much the same about John Ringo. When the two combine, the seasoned veteran and the new gun in town, watch out!

MARCH TO THE SEA is book two in the ongoing series of one Prince Roger, Heir Tertiary to the throne of the Empire of Man. He begins the first book; MARCH UPCOUNTRY, as a spoiled brat who has great potential. By the end of MARCH TO THE SEA he has matured in every way to become the classical hero of Epic proportions.

I won't ruin the plot for you; it is a retelling of an ancient tale, with a few twists of its own. History buffs will see it right away; especially with hints other reviewers will surely give. I will say that buying the first book in the series, MARCH UPCOUNTRY, simply because I needed a Weber fix, opened my eyes to a rising star in the Science Fiction World, one John Ringo. For that alone, the price was worth it; never mind the great story inside the cover.

If you are (im)patiently waiting the next Honor Harrington book by Weber, might I humbly suggest two things:

1) Don't hold your breath, he has other projects and it probably won't be out till early next year if we are lucky.

2) Buy the two books in this series to tide you over until then. You won't be disappointed.

In case I wasn't clear enough:

BUY THIS BOOK!! BUY IT NOW!! BUY _MARCH UPCOUNTRY_ TOO!

In the very near future, humanity receives good news and bad news. The good news is that Earth has finally been contacted by a superior alien society - and they're friendly. The bad news is, the friendlies are on the losing end of an interstellar war with an implacable enemy - and Earth is directly in the line of fire!

How would mankind adjust to the double shock of knowing that "we are not alone" and the fact that the Earth will soon be ground zero in a seemingly hopeless battle? More specifically, how would the military men and women on the front lines deal with such daunting responsibility? This is the premise of freshman author John Ringo's novel A Hymn before Battle - the first in a proposed trilogy to be published by Baen Books.

Ringo, an Army veteran and admitted fan of such suspense writers as W.E.B. Griffin and Tom Clancy, plunges us into the world of the grunts - the men and women of our armed forces who do all the dirty work, and who must live (or die) with the consequences of incompetent command. This book is tech-heavy and combat-detailed - fellow veterans and fans of the military SF which is Baen's stock-in-trade should love this book. Foul-mouthed, tough and quirky, Ringo's good guys are forced to deal with alien technologies they'd never dreamed of, face foes that make previous human adversaries look like prom dates, and work around short-sighted bureaucrats pursuing personal agendas. In the background, Earth's new allies (a motley collection of intelligent species) are enigmatic and conniving - and it remains to be seen if humanity can trust them in the long run!

Despite a few warts, A Hymn before Battle is a fine first effort and John Ringo a good fit with Baen's stable of writers. With additional experience (and under the tutelage of accomplished SF author David Weber, with whom he is currently writing another trilogy), John Ringo will very likely rise to the top of his game.

A Hymn Before Battle is the first in what is bound to be the first in a long series of books about huanities forced alliance with a feudalistic federation of aliens, and their war against another group of aliens known as the Poslien. Humans, happening to be the only race in the Alliance that is willing or capable of fighting a war become cannon fodder, against the Poslien who have an interesting habit of using their POWs for food.

It is in a very real sense strictly military science fiction.

A Hymn Before Battle is not the first John Ringo book I've read. Before this one, I read the the books he co-authored with David Weber, March Upcountry and March To The Sea. I did not give either of those books very high marks mainly because in their attempt to create military Sci-fi, they forgot about Characters, plot, and the fact that Aliens probably would act, well, Alien.

Unlike the aforementioned novels, this one managed to keep my attention throughout, though it did not avoid all of the complaints I had about the other novels. The character development is shaky at best. While I have no military experiance, I found some of what the characters did and their reactions to certain situations to be contrived and unbelievable.

The alien tactics however, and human responce to them seem to be well thought-out. Unlike the aliens in the aforementioned novels, the Poslien truly do seem to think in an alien fashion about warfare. I do think we could have done without the "Poslien point of view" snippits in the way they were presented, as they only serve to humanize the threat, and weaken its overall impact.

Overall, A Hymn Before Battle is entertaining and imaginative. I wouldn't suggest it to anyone who isn't into military fiction (the death count in the book ranges into the millions, if you count all the aliens as well as humans), but if you enjoy books by David Weber, David Drake, Heinlien, and the like, you'll probably enjoy this one.

I have been reading this in pieces since it was available online at Baen. Take a little Heinlein, a little Clancy, mix in the imagination of this great new author and you have one of the best new SF books to come along in years. A stunningly realistic book that shows what would happen if today's soldiers wer forced to fight tomorrows war. Ringo accurately portrays the United States military, especially the Airborne warriors and writes a story that is amazingly real.

Read this book and then read it again so you catch all of the action. I sincerely hope that there is more to come from John Ringo.

Michael Hickey's book has been promoted as being an in-depth analysis of the death of outlaw John Ringo which provides a final answer to who killed him. In my opinion, this massive book fails utterly to do this. The "analysis" seems little more than speculation and the evidence presented is absurdly thin, especially considering Hickey's reliance upon the discredited memoirs of Josephine Earp as "edited" by Glenn Boyer. Some of the maps and photographs are marginally interesting, but the authenticity of some of the latter must be questioned in light of the minimal information given their provenance. Students of Tombstone know that phony photographs have long bedeviled this topic.

The first half of Hickey's book is written in what can only be called a "novelistic" form, and it seems that this really should have been published as a novel rather than history. Many of the details given have no possible real source, and the rest are built upon very shaky ground.

I cannot recommend this book to anyone who expects to learn who (if anyone rather than Ringo himself) killed John Ringo.

A Treasure Chest of Earpiana

"John Ringo: The Final Hours" is yet another superb volume on Earpiana from Michael M. Hickey and a must for all true enthusiasts. Like his earlier book which delved into the mystery surrounding the killing of Warren Earp, this work centres on another controversial death, that of John Ringo. Also, like the other book, it is as big as the great outdoors, exhibiting a remarkable generosity in the vast amount of information it has to offer pertaining to the Earp saga. In fact, basically, here is yet another Hickey treasure chest of Earp lore for those of us who just cannot get enough of the doings of Wyatt and Co.

The book is well written and immensely readable. Hickey has the knack of keeping the reader enthralled, never quite sure along which trail he is going to be taken next. His writing style reminds me of the classic whodunit crime writers who always loved to surprise their readers. Such a style is particularly appropriate here for Mr. Hickey is, as he says, telling a "Tale of the Old West", and the first third of the book is a vivid dramatisation of the events immediately leading up to Ringo's assassination as the author sees it.

Michael Hickey has not been afraid to use contemporary hearsay and local legend as a starting point for his theories but he is always determined to find documentary evidence to back it up if at all possible. This is clearly proved by reading the final two thirds of the book which is described as the "Author's Working Notes and Documentation". Here the reader will revel in a veritable cornucopia of reference material: maps (including Wyatt's own map of the Ringo killing), documents of all kinds, letters, newspaper reports, excerpts from other authors' work and, of course, a myriad of photos, each with a detailed caption. Even here, in the "documentary" part of the book, Hickey keeps us guessing, keeps the tension going for the reader as, little by little, he feeds us more and more information about that time and that place.

For this book is far more than just the story of how one notorious outlaw came to meet his end. It is a detailed analysis, told with extraordinary insight, of how Wyatt Earp and his posse put an end to the Cowboy depredations in Cochise County with the backing of Wells Fargo, the Pinkertons, various national and local government agencies and even the U.S. and Mexican governments.

As an author, Michael M. Hickey combines an imaginative and intellectual grasp of the Arizona milieu of the late nineteenth century, the intellectual fervour of a detective determined to ferret out the truth, together with a vivid and most entertaining writing style. Long may he continue to give us these treasures of Earpiana.

The information, footnotes and research contained in Michael Hickey's book, "John Ringo - The Final Hours" are compelling evidence that Ringo did not commit suicide. It is indeed the "story behind the story."

I will start this review by saying this, if you want brand new, cutting edge, never been seen science fiction, look elsewhere.

However, if you want sit down and read good book, this is for you. Mr. Ringo brings forward the characters from "A Hymn Before Battle" quite nicely, and fleshes out most of them. Some new characters are introduced, and a welcome addition they are to the series. My only quibble would be the lack of terror that should be felt by the refugees from the fighting. It is touched on in a tangental manner, but we really don't feel it. But that is minor, and possibly these days best left to the reader's imagination anyway.

There was some quibbling about this being some kind of Clancy rip-off. I disagree. The book is long, 700+ pages. But well worth the space. The descriptions of the weapons are needed to show why the soldiers stand and fight the way they do. (Murphy's Law #7 of Combat: If the enemy is in range of you, you are in range of him.) This is important to why the story is done the way it is. As far as a complaint about why the American soldiers don't pick up the weapons of the Posleen and use them, how would they? Remember, the Armored suit troopers (not giving anything away here) are already better armed. The Posleen are ten times as strong as a human. How would a human pick up and use a weapon that is too heavy to field? First maxim of combat: It doesn't matter how good your weapon is if you can't bring it to bear on the enemy. (probably not #1, but it should be)

My final thought on this book is...Go and buy it. You will NOT be sorry.

In some ways, this was a harder book to read than Ringo's first novel, "A Hymn Before Battle." It was harder NOT because it is a poorer book, but because the writing is better, the characterizations more real, and I came to care very deeply about what happens to whom, and why. Ringo's first book was an absolutely beautiful work, and he has clearly improved his craft for the second one.

I do know this. For me, a book with the name "John Ringo" on it has become a "must buy."

GUST FRONT is John Ringo's second novel, the sequel to A HYMN BEFORE BATTLE. It's harder-hitting than AHBB, and is better written. Michael O'Neal, the hero of AHBB is back, not as the central figure, but as one of several well-developed characters in this novel.

The Posleen attack Earth, but much sooner than expected. Earth's defences are half-prepared, the politicians are unprepared, with disastrous and heroic consequences. One of America's most historic cities is attacked, and the defenders make every foot count.

Vignettes of the fighting give a spine-tingling depiction of combat as it really is, down, dirty, and in the mud. Mysterious plots begin to unfold and reluctant private turns into a hero.

GUST FRONT has it all, heroes, smugglers, plotters, politicians, good guys, bad guys and the soldiers on the front lines. Read it, you won't be disappointed.

Leon Jester

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If you enjoy Military SF Ringo is great.

The first book sucked you in, the second was a little slower but good and you said "Hey it'll pick up again" but then the long awaited final installment arrives and... it just creeps along, still good but a lot of hand waving in my opinion, you almost feel like the story is on hold for some reason.

Still if you liked the first one then your hooked, and well... your hooked! Now we have to wait another year for the next "Final" installment!

The only other criticism is he hasn't let us in on the behind the scenes conspiracy. Who are behind the Posleen? Who are the players in the galatic chess game? Come on John add some meat here!

I dont think he can apply the richness that subplot deserves in that last installment, unless this is going to be another 15 book series ala a certain roman alternate history series (Every one of which was suppoesd to be "Wrapping things up")

Anway, he is still better than 80% of the Military SF Wannabee's so take the plunge and buy all 3 (4,5,6,7?)

Ringo actually knows the difference between tactics and strategy so if you like technically correct and interesting military stuff he's your guy. Don't get me wrong he also has a pretty good handle on military culture and his stuff is anything but a dry read...

When I read "A Hymn Before Battle", the first book in the series, I thought the substance of the writing was excellent but the style undeveloped. Of course, that was Ringo's first published novel. Having put quite a few words on paper since then, the prose in "When the Devil Dances" reads considerably better.

The things that I liked in "Hymn" have gotten stronger in "Devil"- lots of hardcore military SF action, hard-bitten survivors, and a touch of conspiracy. Some of the things that turned readers off to "Hymn" are still there as well. In particular, Ringo continues to string some subplots along with only minor attention or development. Also, I found the ending of "Devil" irritating- unlike the prior books, which at least told complete stories, this one virtually requires a sequel to let us know what happens next.

Still, I'm glad I pre-ordered and got to read it right away. Anyone who liked "Hymn" will enjoy this book quite a bit. Readers who put "Hymn" down will have no reason to change their minds.

Reading the other reviews I find a repeated criticism of this book as not being long enough, the series being too long, etc., etc. I come to John Ringo via David Weber and going on 60 years of SF background and the library to prove it. This book is every bit as good as those that preceded it in this series and that means VERY, VERY GOOD (if you like this sort of thing). As the series develops the stories keep getting richer and more believable. Here is a saga of interstellar invasion in a setting of galactic society with all sorts (maybe too much) of political incompetence and duplicity. It starts nearly in the present. Anyone who thinks that Ringo is going to compress this into 2 or 3 books is fooling themselves, Especially with his style of gemlike episodes and emphasis on individual military actions. Yes, I too wish there were more books readily available without waiting years for the series to end. But it's worth it to have such good stuff at all!
If Ringo could wrap up the battle for Earth in one more volume and then the battles to take over the galaxy from its evil (and still unknown) overlords in one more I would be very surprised. To stop short of that would REALLY be frustrating and upsetting. I fear for the worst in this respect because of his recent association with David Weber who is well known for leaving nascent series to die on the vine. Practically every book Weber writes cries out for a sequel, a cry which is seldom answered - except in the one Honor Harrington series which is almost too much the other way. I do wish that his publisher would get the word to publish hardcovers first instead of later if at all. Both Weber and Ringo are now "big boys" and deserve full scale publication.

I am a huge fan of Weber's 'Honor Harrington' series, read them all and eagerly await the next. It looks like this volume is the start of a new series (there is already a second volume) and I wholeheartedly approve.

This book is well written, with an interesting world and well developed characters. It is a mix of a military tale with a travel tale, a group of human soldiers travelling across a foreign and barely known world with the odd battle along the way.

I was also pleasantly suprised at the way some of the sub-plots either petered out or wandered off in unexpected directions rather than followed familiar old ways.

A well written military science fiction novel that grabbed me quickly and kept me reading.

I'll say I enjoyed this book as David Weber is a wonderful writer, but I didn't love this book. Why? While the plot which continues on for 2 more books and isn't yet finished, is a great plot, goal of the main characters is to get to a space port to get off a planet. And it takes them 2.75 books to get to said space port!!!! There are a LOT of battle scenes and while Weber writes great battle scenes, there are TOO many battle scenes which just stretches the whole series out over a great many pages!!!! On whole this book is a decent read, and worth the time if you are a David Weber Fan.

I love John Ringo. It's as plain as that.

Having read and re-read "A Hymn Before Battle" and "Gust Front" I eagerly purchased this collaboration between Ringo and another wondeful author, David Weber.

I was not disappointed.

The story of Prince Roger and his Marine guards is well-written and keeps up a good pace. This new universe is full of imainative characters and creatures and is sure to please many sci-fi fans.

Ringo is clearly one of the best new authors to come along in a number of years. I can't wait to read the next one.

As if we need any more evidence that Geoffrey Giuliano is a opportunist hanger-on disguised as a "expert" - this book is strictly the work of a clerk, not an author. Collate a bunch of old, dubious interviews, insert one's own impressions, call it a book. That great effort of journalism must have taken, what, a weekend to toss together?

And isn't it nice Geoffrey Giuliano can take credit for this "monumental" work and collect royalties off it.

Some expert.

I sure did. So should any serious beatles fan. Great shots too. I keep it a reference book and go through it often.

I have been a Beatle fan for thirty years, and it is great to finally hear the Beatles own story as told in their own words. Not only are the Beatles featured, but so are their closest family and friends. It was a great read, as are all Beatle author Giuliano's works.