The greatly awaited Anthology book by the Beatles has finally reached bookshops worldwide. The truth is that since in 1995 the Anthology project was started (just as the Spanish Beatles Page), the biography of the group, told from their own perspective, appeared as one of the basic elements in the sales cocktail that the threetles and Yoko Ono had devised. It took a long time plenty of difficult editorial decisions on how, when and by whom until last October 5th (24th in Spain for the spanish edition), all beatlemaniacs were able to revive their fab passion.

What's new?

The contents of the book are not to be considered as very new. Although the threetles and their team have really made an effort to present new information for the hungriest fans -and I am sure you will enjoy reading it- most experienced beatlemaniacs will find they already know many of the details -gathered from many other sources, including the excellent Anthology videos-. However, the truth is that after hundreds of books published by the Beatles, about their virtues and problems, their personalities, all the details in their lives told almost to the minute, and everything surrounding their break up, The Beatles Anthology is the first document that can be considered to be written by the original Beatles. Paul McCartney already showed what this could mean in the book by Barry Miles that was written under his consent and full aproval. "Many Years From Now" offers new views on McCartney's universe that were unknown to Beatle fans. Anthology could not be less than that.

Additionally, the fabs have gathered unseen photographs (as difficult as this may be) from their own personal archives, adding value to a book that has taken the stores by assault.If you have not visited your local store yet, do so. The book is an absolute beauty. The quality of the book is superb and one would like to leave an untouched copy on the table, if only for mere decoration.

Where to find it

Maybe the issue should be where not to. Copies of the Anthology have been distributed worldwide with millions sold in advance. If you are looking for the original book in English -something obvious for Englush speaking and serious collectors- the Internet sure seems like a good place to do so. Just every online store has enough copies to spare. As a matter of fact, Amazon UK is actually offering it 50%off, and Amazon.com at 40% off (no, I don't get anything out of it... but aren't you glad I told you?)

If you wish to get a copy in Spanish, you can do so from one of the online stores from Spain or directly from the publishers. The price is 10000ptas (60 Euros) just about the same as everywhere. OF the original 30.000 copies printed, 16.000 were sold in an hour, and two more editions are expected before Christmas. In any case, if you are in for the book, get it now!!. After a few years, hundreds of e-mails fill my in-box asking where to get copies of Let It Be, A Hard Day's Night or Anthology!. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Should I buy it?

The price of Anthology is no joke, and the need to buy it depends greatly on your own beatlemania. For some of us, it is a vital need. For others, it may be just a curiosity. The truth is that if the contents of the Spanish Beatles Page are interesting to you, there won't probably be a better book on the Beatles to buy. Anthology should be, in any case, your first biography on the band. In any case, and since next Christmas promise to be fab-uluous (with ONE already on the market, the compilation of #1 singles from the band), you better become good children and let Santa do the rest.

©Copyright 2000 Enrique Cabrera
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