Nowhere Man: The Final Days Of John Lennon [Paperback]

This book explores his on-again, off-again relationship with his first child, Julian, born 4/8/63. Apparently wanting more of a paternal relationship with his oldest son, John tries to make up for this by being a full time father to his second son, Sean (b. 10/9/75). His love and seemingly dependent relationship with Yoko is also discussed; in reading this work as with many others on John Lennon one gets the feeling that he is rather dependent upon her.

Towards the end of his life John learns to sail; this single accomplishment appears to symbolize a step towards independence. He takes to this new ability immediately and wants to share all he has learned with Sean.

Inclusion appears to be the theme of this latter period in his life; he includes Yoko on many of his songs; some of Yoko's works appear on his albums. On the 1980 "Double Fantasy" collection, John does many self-revealing songs, such as his poignant "Beautiful Boy," a song he wrote for Sean and "Clean Up Time," a song about the roles he and Yoko have in running their business. Yoko's "Beautiful Boys," which was written for John and Sean is a very peaceful song. It really is a good song and it is interesting that the title is very similar to the one John did for Sean.

This book describes and reveals a very complex man, a very brilliant man, a very tortured man and at core a very private man. Who knows today what John Lennon would have created had he not died in 1980? The death of John Lennon on 12/8/80 remains one of the worst days in my life and a day that will be etched in infamy for time immemorial.

Imagine John Lennon today. Imagine John, Sean and Yoko now. The world will always wonder and Imagine.

He was a complex man and this book helps us to see inside him in a way that we never thought about before, and puts in perspective the tragedy that ended any hopes of a reconciliation that all "Fab Four" fans dreamed of.

To the person who wrote the review as copied below, I'd like to say to you, first of all you could have used your spell check. Your letter has so many typos one wonders just why you are even trying to write a review, albeit a short on. Also you claim that George Harrison wrote Nowhere Man and not John Lennon. The credits for this song go to John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Go look it up.

Worst Book Ever!, November 28, 2000 Reviewer: A reader from Somehwerw This book is just a bunch of lies. If I could rate this book 0 stars I would, but the computer makes you rate it 1 star and up. I think Robert Rosen should read Geoffrey Giuliano's books. Maybe he will get some sense knoked into him. P.s. The son "Nowhere Man" was written by George Harrison, not John Lennon.

Rosen temporarily had access to Lennon's diaries (which were later taken back) and the book quickly evolves into less a book about Lennon or a Beatle than someone enslaved by fame and fortune: the once rebellious Lennon had become highly materialistic, a boss who almost gleefully hired and fired servants frequently and a person emotionally chained and drained by Yoko. Indeed, the book confirms fans' suspicions that had he not been with Yoko he might have created MORE during his lifetime. With all his wealth, real estate and servants he led a somewhat depressing, hum-drum life, holed up in his apartment, creatively bankrupt until when, towards the end, he recorded Double Fantasy.

The irony is that just as he began to lift himself out of his creative and personal slumps, Mark David Chapman started going quickly downhill. This book brilliantly details Chapman's transformation into Lennon's assasin. And it's done with no corn or cliche -- just brilliant reporting that makes you feel the loss even more when it's over.

On a personal note, I was working on a newspaper in Kansas (I am now a fulltime ventriloquist) doing night shift the night Lennon was murdered. When the editor on duty said "They shot John Lennon" my reaction was "Was he hurt?" You'll feel the loss AGAIN when you read this -- but this time a SPECIAL LOSS since it was clear he was finally getting his life, priorities, work and relationships on track when he was struck down. EXCELLENT BOOK ON THE PITFALLS OF FAME EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE BEATLES.