And in the End: The Last Days of the Beatles

Scottish journalist McNab trudges month-by-month through the discordant days of 1969, the year the Beatles imploded, in this informative though uneven history. In a tedious narrative—jumping from one minute detail to another (“the only major hitch was the late arrival by train from Birmingham of Paul’s best man, his brother Michael”)—McNab reveals the creative miasma and artistic stasis that had engulfed the band in its last days. He covers the antagonism toward Yoko Ono and John Lennon flowing under the faltering relationships, often resulting in intense bickering between band members. By the end of February, George Harrison, hurt and angry that neither Paul nor John wanted to include many of his songs on albums (he had considered giving “Something” to Joe Cocker), was ready to leave the band. The dissolution of the Beatles also grew out of each musician’s chasing after solo recording contracts and gigs. In spite of the acrimony and ego, the four lads agreed, by the end of June 1969, to do one more for the road, Abbey Road; on April 10, 1970, Paul McCartney “officially announced to the world that the Beatles had split.” McNab’s straightforward detailing of the demise of the Beatles will appeal to die-hard Beatles’ fans who thrive on the nitty-gritty. (Aug.)