Black Friday — the semi-official name given to the kickoff of the retail holiday shopping season in recent years — has become one of the stranger (and more curiously named) ways that Americans have come to celebrate our annual religious holiday traditions, by indulging our equally rabid lusts for rampant consumerism.
Whoever actually came up with the name "Black Friday" — a moniker which conjures images of occult ritual more than anything having to do with Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Jesus, or even Santa Claus — is anyone's guess.
You've also gotta' feel at least a little sorry for the illegitimate bastard son of a holiday that Thanksgiving has become — what with the trees and lights already up, and the door-busting TV ads already in place. All that turkey on your dinner table asks in return for allowing himself into your gut today, is a little love in return.
More than anything though, the whole "Black Friday" concept serves as a reminder of just how stressful the holiday season can be. Fears of being trampled to death by that angry mob when Walmart opens at 4 AM on Friday aside though, what is perhaps most daunting is deciding which bargain to choose once those gates have been appropriately crashed.
When it comes time to play the real life version of "Let's Make A Deal" does one opt for Doorbuster #1 or Doorbuster #2?
Fortunately, when it comes to buying the perfect gift, there is one thing that nearly everyone can agree on, and that is the Beatles. I mean, who doesn't have a person on their list this year who wouldn't be delighted to find the Fab Four in their stocking or underneath the tree?
The only problem there of course (at least when it comes to the music), is the likelihood that the Beatlemaniac on your list may already have it all — particularly with the music now only a click away on iTunes.
Which is what makes a Beatles book the perfect solution. One of the greatest things about having left behind a legacy as rich as the Beatles did, is the fact that even after all these years, writers keep finding fresh new things to say about the Fabs year after year. The books just keep on coming, and this year is no exception. Here are a few recommendations on making the most of your Black Friday with the Beatles at the bookstore this holiday season.
Article comments
1 - Greg Barbrick
Jesus Glen! You nailed it, when I hear the term "Black Friday" I hear the Steely Dan song in my head, not the lovely shopping experience retailers are hoping for.
You should get an advance copy pic of your upcoming Neil book to promo along with the Fab Four FAQs.
2 - Glen Boyd
Hey Greg,
There isn't a proof for a cover yet...and in fact, we haven't even discussed it at this point (the book itself is barely half done). But thanks for asking.
Happy Turkey day to you sir, and good luck at the mall on Friday. Break a leg....
-Glen
3 - El Bicho
absolutely disgusting to see yet another person bringing that sick bastard the attention and fame he sought by killing Lennon.
4 - Alan Kurtz
El Bicho (#3), this is not the first time in BC comment threads that you've expressed your disgust at the mere mention of John Lennon's murderer. It's touching that you're such a loyal Lennon fan that you still cannot abide the assassin's name 30 years after the fact. But I don't understand how Keith Elliot Greenberg, or anyone else, could write a book titled December 8, 1980: The Day John Lennon Died without naming Mark David Chapman, describing his background, and detailing his actions on that day and during the period leading up to it. That would be like writing a book about the JFK assassination without mentioning Lee Harvey Oswald. Unlike loyal fans, history does not wear blinders.
5 - Boeke
It's called "Black friday" because this is the day that sales put stores 'in the black', compared to the previous 10 months which, presumably, have created red ink.
6 - El Bicho
Alan, the people with blinders on are those like the author of the book and this post who have decided to become accomplices in Lennon's murder.
That lunatic's plan was to become famous by killing Lennon. Any books, films, or articles about him contribute to his goal and may well suggest to other imbalanced fools it's an easy way to gain notoriety.
Unless there's some new information to be had, there's no need for Greenberg to write a new book. It's bad enough he makes money off Lennon's murder; Glen takes part in Lennon's death for free.
Once the killer is dead, I wouldn't care if someone tried to get a national holiday installed in his honor, but until then I will continue to speak out against those who side with evil.
7 - Alan Kurtz
Glen Boyd is an "accomplice in Lennon's murder" because he reviewed this book? Man, that is so over the top!
In the 30 years since Lennon died, there've been thousands of books and articles about his assassination. Can you cite even one single example of another "imbalanced fool" who has followed in Chapman's footsteps as "an easy way to gain notoriety?"
8 - Glen Boyd
Bicho,
We have had this conversation before. but the notion that by reviewing a historical account of a tragic event I am somehow "siding with evil" is just patently absurd.
It's history, plain and simple. To write about a book chronicling an historical event, and not talk about the perpetrator of the crime would be less than honest. History is filled with a variety of murderous scumbags, some of which are far greater than Chapman (Hitler, Pol Pot)...and the history books about them do not gloss over any of the details.
Hopefully, by reading about their crimes, society learns something about the nature of evil. Trying to simply wish away reality is not only naive, but in many ways contributes to the perpetuating of said evil.
I stand by my review, written for free as it was.
-Glen
9 - Glen Boyd
Restricting free expression and speech...under any guise...now, that's evil.
-Glen
10 - El Bicho
It's intended to be over the top to get people's attention.
Yes, Glen, you've made clear you have no qualms about contributing to a killer's goals. Looks like Lennon's "How Do You Sleep?" applied to more people than Paul.
The event has already been chronicled, thousands of times apparently. What exactly did society learn about evil with each of those accounts? Just one example will be fine.
From your coverage, there doesn't appear anything significant added to the story so what's the need to go over it yet again? Greenberg is a ghoul who couldn't find any other way to make a buck and you are riding on his coattails to get yourself a little attention.
The naivety on display is all yours. No one is wishing away reality. I am not saying scrub all the records. I am saying stop glorifying this guy while he's alive. Your comparison to mass murders is also off base. Did you not get the news Hitler and Pol Pot are dead? And when did they state fame was their goal?
Speech and expression are restricted all the time by the government, by society, and even by our parents when we were growing up. I am sure yours will be happy to know you think they are evil.
11 - Glen Boyd
If by writing articles for free on a site like BC is simply means of trying to get myself a little attention, then aren't you and countless others here guilty of exactly the same thing?
We all write about numerous subjects here, including the occasional controversial one like the topic that I chose to write about here. By writing articles about books or movies that cover historical events -- including the tragic or gruesome ones -- it does not necessarily mean that we condone them (which in Chapman's case, I most certainly do not).
Information is meant to inform and educate, and yes, that does include information about unfortunate and even heinous acts. We learn from our history. It doesn't mean that we put the gun into his hand. It's just not the same thing.
Did it ever occur to you that by continuing this line of argument here you are also contributing to the same things you object so vociferously to? But hey, it's your right to voice your opinion too. Just don't tread on my right to express mine.
It's called freedom of expression, and it's one of the things that makes America great, and separates us from places where the flow of information is strictly controlled. As a writer yourself, I'd suggest looking into it.
-Glen