Beatles Book:

		List Price: $30.00		Publisher: Studio Salesrank: 941402
		Our Price: $72.50
		Used Price: $47.00
		Media: Hardcover

Editorial Review:
A rare photographic portrait of the world's greatest band

When the Beatles first incorporated an Indian string instrument called the sitar in the first notes of their classic song Norwegian Wood, they would forever change the sound and direction of pop music. They were beginning a love affair with Indian mysticism and music that would take them on a historic pilgrimage to the ashram of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The Beatles in Rishikesh is photographer Paul Saltzman's unique and beautiful record of his historic meeting with Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, and Starr at this special moment in their musical and personal lives.

Because no professional photographers were allowed in the ashram, Saltzman has captured the only quality photographs of the band during this time period. Featuring 75 original, previously unpublished photographs as well as personal anecdotes of encounters with the hip and beautiful personalities of the 1960s who visited the ashram such as Mia Farrow, Donovan, and Mike Love of the Beach Boys, The Beatles in Rishikesh is an exclusive and intimate look at the world's most influential band. It is the perfect gift book for Beatles fans, pop music aficionados, and anyone fascinated by this historic moment in music.

Beatles in Rishikesh (Penguin Studio Books) Reviews:
excellent book that captures the look and feel of Beatlemania in 1967
2009-10-15 - This book is excellent because it captures the look and feel of that era. It is not just a history, although it is. It is not a biography, although it is. This book is part of that era when we were not sure what was going to happen next in society, but we were excited about it. The Beatles helped define that era and they were swept up in it as well. This book is an excellent snap shot of a moment in time when the world could have gone in many different directions. You seem to feel that reading the book. Great book, nice contribution.

A bit light on the story, but gorgeous photos
2007-10-12 - First of all, this is a visually beautiful book. The typsetting (which is large and, unusually, centered throughout), the gorgeous photographs, the colours, it's all very lush and evocative. Great coffee table book!

That being said, the story is very engaging and creates a charming and compelling snapshot of a brief but heady time in an engaging era. The intimate portraits of the Beatles, both photographic and in writing, are sure to please Beatles fans and maybe the casually curious, as well.

Unfortunately, the story is fairly short. More of an essay than anything else, but given the story being told, it could only be so long. The author writes about a specific time and place and doesn't pad it with a lot of extraneous things, and it is what it is.

This is a book that's sure to delight Beatles fans and also those who are interested in the times, trends, and mood of the mid-late sixties. I found the book captivating, and I'm glad to add it to my collection of great coffee table books and books about the Beatles.

A MUST For Any Beatle Fan!!!!
2002-10-28 - I went to Rishikesh, India in the fall of 2000. I realized why George was so amazed of this northern India town where the Ganges turns down from The Himalayan Mtns. I was blessed to have visited such a beautiful place, as my 94 year old grandfather from Delhi and my dad (Who's originally from northern India) took me to some amazing spots in Rishikesh. I felt so free. I felt the 'magic' The Beatles experienced. This book illustrates the journey of the fab four's 1967-68 visit for 'relaxation & meditation' and the outcome (Many of the songs recorded for "The White Album" were written while hanging and meditating at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram) The pictures (taken by the author of this book) are large and will grab you - This book is for The Beatle fan in you or someone you know. JG "The Bear"

Disappointing
2001-04-27 - I found this book to be more filler than substance.

MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR TO INDIA
2001-03-25 - The photographs in this book are truly a treat for any Beatle afficionado as well as anyone who comes across this book.

Although there is little in the way of fresh factual material, the pictures, text and recreating the 1967-1968 period in the Beatles' career is sure to delight any reader.

I like the way the author describes the sitar, an Indian stringed musical instrument that Ravi Shankar and George Harrison popularized in Western music. This book shows the cultural blending, the introduction to the western world at large a musical instrument that was, for many years, not well known outside of the middle east. George, under Shankar's tutelage masters the sitar and the Eastern influence can be heard in many of his later works as well as post-Beatles works.

John Lennon, of late 1965 "Norwegian Wood" fame is not as entranced with the eastern world and eastern philosophy as his bandmate. John, from all accounts, keeps an open mind, yet maintains his own established values and beliefs. His approach to the Eastern experience appears to be that of an intellectual curiosity; he does not appear to embrace it on a personal or philosophical level. He seems to remain outside, yet looking in with the idea of learning more about what he is witnessing.

I think most Beatles fans will appreciate the book. It does a rather thorough job of covering the Beatles' 1967 trip to India and the influences their trip east had on them for the remainder of their careers together as a band. It is, in some ways a refreshing peek behind the Eastern curtain into a part of their lives that many other works do not cover as fully.