Author Philip Norman has written many books about the legendary band and/or the solo members of the group!
The first book entitled Shout has been in print continuously since the 1980s when it was first published. When the Beatles split in 1970, the unity of the collective admiration for the band of fans seemed to evolve and dissipate somewhat as fans of the group began to choose their individual favorite solo Beatle to follow and many fans became increasingly defensive when their chosen favorite Beatle was shown to have some human failings that they did not want to be given credibility or veracity by the press.
Philip Norman suffered the anger of many McCartney fans with the initial publication of Shout as the portrayal of Paul McCartney in the book was not what many McCartney fans had expected (or dare I say-wanted). Norman was accused of giving John Lennon preferential treatment in the Beatles perceived power hierarchy.
All I know is that Philip is an excellent writer and researcher and I have enjoyed all of his Beatle-related books. His post-Shout McCartney biography seems to have been his subtle and clever way to answer the criticisms about his McCartney portrayal in Shout bringing the immensely talented Paul into a more balanced and less critical portrait of the man. Journalism is not always based solely on fact. It is also based on the author’s perceptions and the language being used to describe events. Word choice creates emotional meanings to the reader and viewer. An author of any printed work has certain predispositions that for whatever reason will influence their final product. This blog will present some of Philip Norman’s literary works about the Beatles and some of the locations where you can obtain/purchase them.
Philip Norman – Shout!
The Folio Society has recently published a new hardcover slipcased edition of the book that started it all entitled Shout! What is an additional attraction of this new edition is that it features many photos of noted Beatles photographer, Terry O’Neill as part of this wonderful edition, through an apparent agreement with the late O’Neill’s estate.
Copies of the latest edition can be obtained/purchased at the Folio Society website:
https://www.foliosociety.com/usa/search/SHOUT
A photo of the book and the slipcase from the Folio Society website:
https://www.foliosociety.com/usa/shout
The hardcover book: I want to take this opportunity to thank a special individual for his help in being able to facilitate a signed and inscribed bookplate from author Philip Norman of the slipcased edition of the book. I am referring to Beatles book author and lifelong fan, David Stark, who occasionally sees Philip Norman in his neighborhood, and he took the time to ask Mr. Norman if he would consider sending me a signed bookplate for the new edition which I just purchased. The signed bookplate arrived in the mail in early November 2025.
I thank David Stark and Philip Norman for their kindness and consideration in this regard. David Stark is fully aware of my fascination as a collector for signed limited editions of books and I am genuinely appreciative and happy with this outcome.
For those of you who may not be aware, David Stark has an excellent book of his own recollections as an intense first-generation Beatles fan. It is one of my favorite books in my large Beatles book collection. You will enjoy the many fascinating stories in this title and here is the link to his website: (Check out David’s book-you will NOT be disappointed)
The link is provided below here:
Here is the cover of the new edition of Shout!
Another photo from the Folio Society’website, describing the new hardcover edition of Shout!
The first of two signed bookplates that Philip Norman kindly sent to me:
Philip Norman was very kind in sending me two signed bookplates for this special edition of his book. Special thanks are extended to David Stark for facilitating Philip’s kind gesture!
Philip Norman’s SHOUT!
(From the Folio Society Website)
The True Story of The Beatles
Illustrated by Terry O’Neill
Introduced By the author
Packed with Terry O’Neill’s evocative photographs, this definitive Beatles biography gets the Folio treatment. Philip Norman’s forensic, funny and brilliantly written portrait captures the chaos and charisma of the Fab Four – a must-read for music lovers, Beatlemaniacs and anyone fascinated by the band that changed everything.
THE AUTHOR:
About the Author – THE DESCRIPTION IS FROM THE FOLIO SOCIETY WEBSITE
Philip Norman has an international reputation as a chronicler of pop music and culture. Shout! (Folio 2025), his groundbreaking biography of The Beatles, first published in 1981, has been continuously in print ever since. He went on to write definitive biographies of the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Buddy Holly, John Lennon, Mick Jagger, Sir Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and George Harrison. Also an award-winning writer of fiction, he was one of the first Top 20 Young British Novelists. His latest non-music book is We Danced On Our Desks: Brilliance and Backstabbing at the Sixties’ Most Influential Magazine (2022).
AN EARLIER EDITION OF SHOUT!
AMAZON US:
AMAZON UK:
Shout!: The Beatles in Their Generation : Norman, Philip: Amazon.co.uk: Books
Coming in June of 2026 Philip Norman’s Brian Epstein biography: Mr. Moonlight: Brian Epstein and the Making of the Beatles Hardcover – June 16, 2026
by Philip Norman (Author)
AMAZON UK:
John Lennon: The Life Paperback – September 8, 2009
Philip’s John Lennon biography
by Philip Norman (Author)
Amazon US:
John Lennon: The Life: Norman, Philip: 9780060754020: Amazon.com: Books
AMAZON UK:
John Lennon: The Life: Amazon.co.uk: Norman, Philip: 9780007197422: Books
DAYS IN THE LIFE JOHN LENNON REMEMBERED Hardcover – Import, January 15, 1991
by Philip Norman (Author)
Prior to the release of his full-fledged Lennon bio:
Amazon US:
DAYS IN THE LIFE: Norman: 9780712639224: Amazon.com: Books
AMAZON UK:
Days in the Life: John Lennon Remembered: Amazon.co.uk: Norman, Philip: 9780712639224: Books
Paul McCartney: The Life Hardcover – May 3, 2016
by Philip Norman (Author)
This is the book that many of Philip Norman’s critics felt was his attempt to portray a more balanced viewpoint about Paul McCartney’s contributions to the Beatles than the McCartney portrayal in the Beatles bio of Shout where Norman was accused of taking an anti-McCartney focus!
I do not know for sure if that is the case but let the reader decide!!! LOL!
AMAZON US:
Paul McCartney: The Life: Norman, Philip: 9780316327961: Amazon.com: Books
AMAZON UK:
Paul McCartney: The Life: Amazon.co.uk: Norman, Philip: 9780316327961: Books
George Harrison: The Reluctant Beatle Hardcover – October 24, 2023 by Philip Norman (Author)
Norman’s sensitive portrayal of George’s reluctance to bask in the non-ending glow of being a former Beatle and having to live up to the world’s expectations.
AMAZON US:
George Harrison: The Reluctant Beatle: Norman, Philip: 9781982195861: Amazon.com: Books
AMAZON UK:
George Harrison: The Reluctant Beatle: Amazon.co.uk: Norman, Philip: 9781398513402: Books
Well, we have Philip Norman books about the Beatles and about John, Paul, and George. We will soon even have a Brian Epstein biography coming from him. What are the odds that we will one day see the biography of Mr. Richard Starkey as a task assigned to PN? If it becomes a reality, one thing I am sure of, we will certainly learn something about the man from the Dingle in Liverpool that we did not know before!
Hope you have enjoyed this blog post about featured author, Philip Norman!
Best Wishes to all of you during this holiday season! Be Happy and Be Healthy!
Buzz
OUR FEATURED BOOK OF THE WEEK – IT’S ALL TOO MUCH
It’s All Too Much
It’s All Too Much is the unique memoir by music industry veteran David Stark, who grew up in north London during the 1960s as a dedicated Beatles fan and was lucky enough to meet his musical heroes on various memorable occasions. From gate-crashing the Yellow Submarine film premiere in 1968 (aged just fifteen) and ending up sitting directly behind the group, to meeting all of them individually in some extraordinary circumstances, David has some highly entertaining stories about his many Beatles encounters which have never been told before.
