Lennon Legend: An Illustrated Life of John Lennon

In Lennon Legend: An Illustrated Life of John Lennon, James Henke has put together an attractive biography combining well-written text with nicely laid out photographs. Henke pays special attention to Lennon's work as an artist, poet and filmmaker outside the world of rock and roll. But John Lennon's story has been told-probably in more detail-in books such as Hunter Davies The Beatles, the Beatles Anthology, and The Ballad of John & Yoko, and these contain no lack of photographs.

Why then another John Lennon book? What makes this book unique, and what will make Beatles mavens love Henke's volume is the inclusion of terrific reproductions of Lennon memorabilia inserted in page pockets throughout the book. So, while reading about Lennon's early years, the reader comes across a copy of a 1955-1956 report card from the Quarry Bank Grammar School, which documents Lennon's status as class clown. For instance, the French teacher notes, 'He is so fond of obtaining a cheep laugh in class that he has little time left for serious concentration.' In the same pocket is a copy of the 'Daily Howl,' a sort of handwritten personal newspaper with humorous stories and illustrations Lennon constructed when he was 10-years-old. A bit later, there is a copy of a business card from the Quarry Men, Lennon's early skiffle band. Among other inserts we get: a business contract; a ticket for the Ed Sullivan show the night of the Beatles first appearance; five Topps bubble gum trading cards; and manuscript copies of lyrics for songs such as Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds and Imagine. There is also a selection of documents and art from Lennon's years with Yoko Ono. Henke, who had been an editor at Rolling Stone magazine and is now the chief curator and head of exhibitions at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, is ideally suited for the job of choosing this material, which has been reproduced in such loving detail that one often has the eerie feeling that these are originals. The book, which comes in a protective case, includes a compact disc that has a number of John Lennon interviews and a performance of Imagine recorded live in 1972 on the Mike Douglas television show.

In summary, John Lennon's fans will cherish this wonderful tribute to a man who has become an icon of popular culture.