Andrew K. (kuligowskiandrewt) -
A professional colleagues son once summarized Frankenstein as Scientist creates a monster, except that the true monster of the story is the scientist himself.
This statement, with a little paraphrase, is the underlying message of James A. Mitchells The Walrus & the Elephants: John Lennons Years of Revolution. The government clarify that to be the Nixon Administration was very concerned about former Beatle John Lennons attempts at activism, as well as his potential influence among the 18-20 year olds who had just won the right to vote. He, along with so many others, made his way to Nixons infamous Enemies list. As such, the government spent a lot of time, money, and effort tracking his movements and building a case for his deportation often sloppily, and in the end, ineffectually.
The main story, however, is about John Lennon, the man, and his days after the break-up of the Beatles. It talks about his desire to pursue music for musics sake as he no longer needed to do it purely for the money. It talks about his wanting to make a difference in society, to help right wrongs and to bring awareness to causes. And, it talks about his friends, both real and hangers-on, transient and permanent, that entered his life in the 70s.
The book provides an entertaining and an enlightening read, and I recommend it to all, with possible exception of fans of Richard Nixon or J. Edgar Hoover.
RATING: 4 stars
DISCLOSURE: I received this book at no cost as part of the Goodreads FirstRead program. There was no charge, but a fair and unbiased review is always an implied request as a part of that ongoing giveaway.
This statement, with a little paraphrase, is the underlying message of James A. Mitchells The Walrus & the Elephants: John Lennons Years of Revolution. The government clarify that to be the Nixon Administration was very concerned about former Beatle John Lennons attempts at activism, as well as his potential influence among the 18-20 year olds who had just won the right to vote. He, along with so many others, made his way to Nixons infamous Enemies list. As such, the government spent a lot of time, money, and effort tracking his movements and building a case for his deportation often sloppily, and in the end, ineffectually.
The main story, however, is about John Lennon, the man, and his days after the break-up of the Beatles. It talks about his desire to pursue music for musics sake as he no longer needed to do it purely for the money. It talks about his wanting to make a difference in society, to help right wrongs and to bring awareness to causes. And, it talks about his friends, both real and hangers-on, transient and permanent, that entered his life in the 70s.
The book provides an entertaining and an enlightening read, and I recommend it to all, with possible exception of fans of Richard Nixon or J. Edgar Hoover.
RATING: 4 stars
DISCLOSURE: I received this book at no cost as part of the Goodreads FirstRead program. There was no charge, but a fair and unbiased review is always an implied request as a part of that ongoing giveaway.
