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THE BEATLES - FACT AND FICTION 1960-1962 by Eric Krasker
English edition (revised and expanded)



To read pages from the book, click below and then click on the bottom right of the book to turn the pages:

http://www.atlantica.fr/download/Promo_BEAANG/BEAANG.php

To order:
http://www.beatlesfannext.com/Fact_And_Fiction_1960-1962.htm
http://www.beatlesdays.com/forsale_display.php?prodtype=1&start=10.
http://www.atlantica.fr/AccesIsbn.php?isbn=9782840495239
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beatles-Fact-Fiction-Eric-Krasker/dp/2840495236

Review by Brad Howard - February 2010

The Beatles
Fact And Fiction 1960-1962
by Eric Krasker
438 pages, illustrated
Published by Séguier, Paris 2009
ISBN 978-2-7588-0212-9

Have you ever wondered about the real stories behind the mythology of The Beatles formative years? What is the truth about the Polydor sessions and the Star Club recordings? Was there really a Raymond Jones? How did Stuart Sutcliffe really die? Why was Pete Best fired?

The Beatles may be the most documented band in the world. And yet, facts are blurred with conjecture, exaggerations, fiction, myths, rumours, and lies when it comes to those early days, when the group was on the brink of fame. "The Beatles Fact And Fiction 1960-1962" by Eric Krasker cuts through the embelishments and leaves the readers with only the truth about these five famous Beatles tales.

Author Eric Krasker, a French police inspector, uses his professional skills to investigate each of these stories. He digs and digs until only the facts are visible. Packed with 100 illustrated pages (b&w and colour), "The Beatles Fact And Fiction 1960-1962" backs up his exhaustive research with document after document.

"The Beatles Fact And Fiction 1960-1962" is an impressive reference guide with its 438 pages. Statements are corroborated and expanded with meticulously detailed footnotes. An impassioned Mr. Krasker leaves no stone unturned. At the end of each chapter, the reader is left with little doubt about what really happened.

The author refutes previous statements and conclusions made by other authors about the Polydor and Star Club sessions. However, his assertions, sometimes controversial, are backed with documents, photographs, and other evidence that he has uncovered. [I must state here for the record that some of my research was used in a portion of the Star Club Tapes chapter.]

"The Beatles Fact And Fiction 1960-1962" is one of the best reference books ever written. If you are a serious Beatles scholar or a casual fan, this book is a "must-have."

About Eric Krasker: Eric is an honoured police inspector in France and a dedicated Beatles fan. He utilizes his investigative skills to dig out the facts about the early Beatles in this wonderful book. In 2005, he co-authored (with Jean-Claude Hocquet) La France et les Beatles Volume 1 - La discographie originale (1962-1970).

Eric Krasker and I worked together on an article for Beatlology Magazine about The Star Club Tapes. As a Beatles fan and writer and a retired, 34-year member of the police and intelligence communities, I highly recommend Eric's books in french and/or english.

Brad Howard

[ArnoVL]

Thanks for this review Brad. This book is certainly high up my want-list.