John Lennon: The New York Years by Bob Gruen, Bob Gruen (Photographer)

From the Publisher

Published to coincide with the 25th anniversary of John Lennon's death and the 65th anniversary of his birth, this is an intimate album of photographs, most never published before, of Lennon in his last decade.

A musical genius, an innovator, a peace activist-John Lennon was all these and more, and he continues to be revered a quarter century after his shocking murder in New York elevated him to mythic stature. Published to coincide with the 25th anniversary of Lennon's death, this intimate album of 150 photographs-most of which have never been published before-offers a very personal view of the rock legend in his last decade by someone who had astounding access to his private life.

Bob Gruen first photographed Lennon in 1971 and became his personal photographer and close friend shortly thereafter. Over the course of the next nine years, right up until Lennon was killed, Gruen would photograph him extensively. This book assembles the most revealing of those images, taken during Lennon's years in New York, together with Gruen's reflections on the circumstances surrounding the photos, including John's relationship with Yoko, how he dealt with fame, and his experiences with fatherhood. The result is a remarkable behind-the-scenes look at John Lennon as a performer, a legend, and a person.

Publishers Weekly

In his bio on the flap copy, Gruen is described as one of the world's best rock and roll photographers. Modesty aside, Gruen is the world's best rock and roll photographer, and his eye for the prize shot is on full display in this collection of photos and remembrances of Lennon, who was Gruen's friend as well as his favorite subject. From the legendary shot of Lennon on a rooftop clad in the now iconic New York City T-shirt to a heart-wrenching shot of a young Sean Lennon curled up in Yoko's bed not long after John's murder, both Lennon's and Gruen's geniuses are exhibited here. (Oct.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Published to coincide with the 25th anniversary of John Lennon's murder, this latest book by noted rock photographer Gruen successfully achieves what most works on Lennon fail to achieve or even attempt to achieve-it reveals through words and pictures what the ex-Beatle was like offstage and outside the studio during his final years (1971-80). Many of the 150 images focus on Lennon's private side, not his public persona; readers get a close look at Lennon as a father and a husband rather than as a groundbreaking and controversial musician. The chronologically arranged photographs and Gruen's accompanying anecdotes complement each other well and result in an entertaining, insightful, and intimate biographical study that eclipses many of the myriad biographical and pictorial works currently available on the revered and reviled ex-Beatle. It is also a welcome companion to Gruen's two earlier, less substantial books of Lennon photographs. Recommended for all public libraries, as well as for academic and special libraries with large music, popular culture, or photography collections.-Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

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