Visualizing the Beatles: A Complete Graphic History of the World’s Favorite Band

Pring and Thomas, British graphic designers and first-time authors, present a history of the Beatles that manages to add something new to the shelves of books already written about the Fab Four. Through a range of graphic devices—including charts, drawings, maps, concert set lists, and historical time lines—the authors succeed in their stated attempt “to create something beautiful, vibrant, and original from the data their music left behind.” It is one thing to read about the Beatles’ songwriting, but it is another to see striking full-page charts for each Beatles album comparing song keys and instrumentation, allowing readers to see patterns and changes in various aspects of the band’s work and career. Organized chronologically by albums as they were originally released in England—from Please Please Me to Let It Be—the book charts the band’s evolution throughout the 1960s and offers visual treats including a map of “The Beatles First Ever Tour” in 1961 of 25 provincial British cities, and an illustration of the countries where Abbey Road sold more than 10 million copies. This is a volume that will be enjoyed by both hardcore Beatlemaniacs and more casual fans. (May)