Customer Reviews

Blackbird

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Finally an author who didn't see the need to act like Paul was a God or saint or something. I think there needs to be more books like this about Paul that don't hide the real him or whom he marries etc.

Geoffrey Giuliano seems to be deeply conflicted about Paul McCartney. On the one hand, he acknowledges Sir Paul's awesome musical genius by commenting favorably about a number of his songs in the book. On the other, he seems determined to trash his subject's reputation by seeking out and quoting at great length two people he knows will "dish dirt" -- whether true or not is a matter of opinion -- about the ex-Beatle; that is, Denny Laine and Jo Jo Laine.
A few of the incidents in the book also have a "made up out of whole cloth" feel about them, such as John Lennon's supposedly smashing a window in Paul's house on one occasion, and ripping a painting from the wall and demolishing it on another. In neither case, as Giuliano tells it, does McCartney do anything to retaliate or get back his own -- just stands there in frustrated impotence. Is this intended to make McCartney look like a weakling -- not quite a "real man" -- and Lennon to appear as a daring, macho "tough guy?" Remember, the book Giuliano wrote about Lennon was titled "John Lennon, My Brother," which might lead one to believe he idolizes Lennon and wants to tear down McCartney as a definite threat to that idol.
If you hate Paul McCartney, you'll love "Blackbird."

For a book that is as rotten as Mr. Giuliano's. Um, if you hate McCartney,and his late wife Linda(god rest her soul)so much then why'd you write a book about them?

It sufferes from the biases of several people who have been associated with the McCartneys(Denny and ...JoJo Laine.Linda comes off as being a it-rhymes-with-witch at times. But then again, JoJo Laine has a lot to gain(it rhymes!)by expressing her(negative)opinion of the McCartneys. She claims that they were drug users. Interesting given the story in the book about JoJo selling spare tickets she stole to get drug money, Tsk tsk. Giuliano also drags out Paul's former stepmother and stepsister who lost out on the McCartney millions once Paul's father died and that Paul didn't help them out

Giuliano also manages to get in digs at Yoko Ono(granted, she isn't high on Beatles' fans lists of favorite people)but he stoops pretty low just the same.If you've read any of his books you know that Mr.Giuliano wishes that he were some sort of music insider,which he obviously isn't(read any of his other books on the Beatles-of which there are many)for proof of this.And more than that, it's just BORING!!and there's stuff in there that I'd read a zillion times before, in other, better, Beatle bios.The one good thing about this book is that there are some great pictures in it.Otherwise,it'd be a waste of your money.

McCartney is a mystery but not this great book. I liked it a lot as I do all of Giuliano's works.

I really liked this book. Its not the usual worshipfull tome one might expect. Here is McCartney warts and all. Its about time we knew the real man behind the overblown legend.