First published 2016
Philip Norman presents the authorized account of Paul McCartney's journey from Liverpool teenager to global icon. Norman gained McCartney's cooperation and interviewed family members and intimates who had never spoken publicly before. The biography traces McCartney's childhood tragedy when his mother died, his father's musical influence, and his complicated creative relationship with John Lennon. Norman examines the personal crisis that followed the Beatles' dissolution and McCartney's determined effort to rebuild his career with Wings. The book details near-fatal encounters in Africa, imprisonment in Tokyo, and the formation of his partnership with Linda McCartney. Norman addresses the criticism of their musical collaborations and provides an intimate portrait of their marriage until Linda's death. The author combines fresh revelations with analytical depth to construct a comprehensive portrait of McCartney's character beyond his public image.
Genres: biography, 20th-century, music, 21st-century
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: family-secrets
Setting: Africa, Liverpool, Tokyo
Period: Childhood, The Beatles, Wings
864 pages · Hardcover · Little, Brown and Company