Amazingly, Mansfield recounts these stories (and many more) not only fondly, but without even a hint of the scandal which colors so many of the other Beatles biographies and tell-all books which have come out over the years.
His credentials of having actually been there at a very high level are without question, having run Apple in the U.S. for the Beatles. The numerous photographs and personal recollections which color this book only further cement Mansfield's credibility. Yet it's clear that despite being the ultimate insider, Mansfield was also the Beatles' friend first and foremost. And that he remains so without a single ax to grind here.
It is little wonder that this book is the only Beatles retrospective outside of the official Anthology that McCartney, Harrison, Starr, and the Lennon estate represented by John's widow, Yoko Ono, personally signed off on and approved.
Likewise, Mansfield never really dishes up any dirt on his own eventual fall from grace in the music industry, though it is clearly implied that such a fall did in fact take place at some point. Rather he fast forwards throughout the book to the present. This is a time which finds Ken Mansfield at peace. With his past. With his family and his marriage. With his life. And at peace with the God who he finds himself in deep devotion and prayer with in his daily walks along his beloved Bodega Bay.
Mansfield is a man who has lived several lifetimes worth of experience, and any one of us should find ourselves so lucky at the journey's end.
Article comments
1 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
Nice write-up, Glen--evocative.
2 - Glen Boyd
Thanx Gordon.
I not only found Mansfield's memories absolutely fascinating, but I found his perspective to be the purest I've ever read on the Beatles.
This is a guy who was unquestionably there, and witnessed everything first hand, yet came out of it not only relatively unscathed, but with his very soul rejuvenated at the end of the day.
In my personal opinion, it is the single best book I have ever read about the phenomonon that was the Beatles.
But more impotantly it's about a guy who lived through it all from the inside, and came out on the other side with his soul not only intact but unscathed.
As a guy who has experienced the "music business" (albeit at a far lesser level than Mansfield did), I know exactly of what he talks about in this book.
I cannot recommend Mansfield's book highly enough.
Thanx for publishing the review Gordon.
-Glen
3 - Natalie Bennett
This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net, which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States. Nice work!
4 - Glen Boyd
Wow...very cool. Thanx for the good news Natalie.
-Glen
5 - The Eggman
Sounds like a pretty good book. From his lofty position, Mr. Mansfield had to have seen it all. As a Christian, I'd be very interested in hearing his thoughts this many years later as to what exactly motivated Lennon's statement about the Beatles being bigger than Jesus. Everybody knows that Lennon, despite his genius, could be a very impulsive guy...and the quote heard round the world was also clearly cast out of context. I just wonder how Mansfield feels in retrospect about it...now that he has found his peace with the Lord himself. Good review and I'm sure I'll check out the book.
6 - Glen Boyd
Mr. Eggman,
I wouldn't mind hearing Mansfield's take on that question myself. Unfortunately, it isn't addressed in the book. Maybe in the sequel?
Goo Goo Ga Joob Mr. Eggman.
-Glen
7 - Scott Marshall
This is one of those times when I realized I had the book on my shelf but had not read it. Thank you, Glen, for the pleasant review (a sensation I normally don't experience when reading a book review--be it a positive or negative review).
As for the Lennon/Jesus controversy, I suspect (although it occurred a year before I entered the planet) it was overblown and what Lennon was saying was more of a tough truth than him saying "they" were "better" than Jesus.
8 - Glen Boyd
Scott,
My reviews have been called a lot of things over the years, but I don't recall "pleasant" ever being of them. So thanks for the compliment, I guess anyway...LOL. Glad you enjoyed reading it.
I remember the Lennon comment about Jesus pretty well, though I was just a young kid myself at the time. And I think you have the gist of it correct. Lennon was not saying his band was "better" than Jesus at all, but like you say making a comment on the ridiculous popularity of the Beatles at the time.
Like Eggman though, I still would be interested in Mansfield's take on this all these years later in light of the author himself having found his own faith in the Lord though.
Anyway thanks for the comment Scott and I'm glad you enjoyed the review.
-Glen