Singer / producer Peter Asher was there as part of the Fab Four’s inner circle in London, at Abbey Road, and in an executive role at Apple Records in the second half of the sixties. This book is basically a loosely cataloged collection of anecdotes, reminiscences, and post-Beatles stories about his own and the Beatles solo careers.

Unfortunately that loose structure is the main reason I didn’t enjoy this volume. I found it rambling and a little too self-indulgent for my tastes. Despite his close ties to the group and the inner workings of Apple there’s nothing really new here.

The book is based on his Sirius XM radio show (which I haven’t heard) and maybe it works better in that format than on the printed page. ( )

Really enjoyed this book. I listened to the audio version read by Peter Asher himself and loved it. This is not an encyclopedic tome, with every song examined and discussed, no this is an account from a man who was there. He doesn’t try to pretend that he knows everything about every song and he does allow that their are others more knowledgeable. But in my opinion this makes it more real and truthful. Recommended. ( )

A very insightful and informative book by someone we probably all of have heard of from that dynamic time of music, the 1960's, Peter Asher of Peter and Gordon fame. Peter had the unique experience of having Paul McCartney as a kind of boarder with his family in the early years of The Beatles. Not only did he gain some first hand insights on Paul's creativity but in fact benefited from some fantastic songs which he and Gordon made into hits.

Peter takes us through the alphabet springing either a topic or a song which has a story connected that adds considerable new information to what this group was all about and why they were so impactful. His writing style at times is cramped as he runs page after page together with little breaks or separation. But what he delivers on scoops and revelations greatly offsets the awkward presentation. ( )

The Beatles A to Zed by Peter Asher is a 2019 Henry Holt & Company publication.

I know what your thinking. Another book about the Beatles? Don’t you think that by now this group has been examined in every which way one can possibly imagine? Yes, but for some reason I never grow weary of reading about the Beatles- However… it has to be a quality book, and not a rushed to market ‘cash grab’ or gossipy tell-all.

With Peter Asher’s name attached, and with the super high ratings for this one, I just couldn’t help myself- so, yes, ANOTHER Beatles book.

So, what did this new book have to offer that countless others books haven’t already rehashed ad nauseum over the years?

Well, there are plenty of interesting people and places that crop up in this book that were just on the periphery of the band, that made some contribution to the music, the sound or were influenced by the Beatles, or helped to inspire the group, spawning new ideas and creativity.

The author, whose sister once dated Paul McCartney before he met and married Linda, knew the band members personally, and continued to work with or around them for years.

Now, Asher also has his own radio show on SiriusXM, which airs on The Beatles channel, called “From Me to You.” This book stemmed from that show, and one might consider it a ‘radio’ tie in.

The format is part of what makes the book stand out from all the other Beatles books. Asher goes through the entire alphabet, listing all things pertaining to the Beatles associated with that letter. Don’t expect the obvious songs or people and places. Asher did work hard to come up with off the beaten path associations, rare tunes, events or little -known pieces of trivia to keep things interesting.
However, some letters were nearly impossible to work with and Asher’s creativity did elicit a groan or two, but he good naturedly acknowledged the occasional ‘cheating’ and some really far out there connections.

Other than that, Asher had to dig deep to avoid repeating information everyone already knows about the Beatles and worked hard to provide readers with links to the Beatles they might not have known about, or considered previously.

Still, though, at the end of the day, a lot of the information wasn't all that new- or unknown- but was merely presented to me in a different, more challenging way, so that it felt fresh.

It’s a fun book, however, and Asher had an enthusiastic approach, sprinkled with humor and inside knowledge that added a personal touch to the book.

Although the book didn't quite live up to all the high praise, for me, at least, it was a nice book to thumb through on a hot, lazy afternoon. It's an easy read, and gave me something light and pleasant to enjoy that didn’t require a great deal of concentration. Once again, I am reminded of why I love the Beatles and the myriad of ways the group influenced music and pop culture.

3.5 stars ( )

Peter Asher, musician, producer, and brother of Jane Asher, hosts a radio show called From Me to You, in which he shares reminiscences about the music scene and particularly about the Beatles. This book began as 26 episodes of the radio show. Each episode takes a letter of the alphabet and uses it to explore all things Beatles beginning with that letter: songs, places, people, and musical concepts. Asher is forced to be a bit creative for a few letters, but he manages the feat for all of them.

This is a delightful little adventure. Peter Asher is not just some dude whose sister dated Paul for a few years; he’s a musician himself, and a producer, so he knows a thing or two about music. And there’s even stuff he doesn’t know; his research for this book ended up finding him some songs that he’d never heard of himself. Asher’s technical explanations about some of the songs are interesting to read and maybe a touch more accessible than the deep dive that is Revolution in the Head, and the book as a whole has a warm conversational tone. We’re never in doubt that this is Asher’s writing.

The book includes some black and white pictures and a playlist of all the songs discussed in each chapter. You could very easily read a chapter and listen to the appropriate playlist afterward. I always find that a sign of a good Beatles book is one that makes me want to go back and relisten to their songs, and this one meets that criterion.

I’d definitely recommend this book if you like the Beatles’ music. ( )