Customer Reviews: Read 20 more reviews...
 Suspicions confirmed - Paul is a tightwad and control freak December 6, 2007
J. B Wilt (Katy, TX USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
After reading all of the negative reviews about this book, I almost decided not to read it. However, I kept reading 5-6 pages at a time in different sections when I was deciding whether to read it or not. I found the book highly readable (besides, I bought it for $1 at the library). After reading the book, I believe most people slagged this book because they are McCartney idol worshipers.
I thought the book was highly readable and read it with an open mind. The author confirmed some thoughts I had had about Paul for quite some time (especially after seeing him in concert three times) - that Paul is a control freak, it's all about Paul, and that he's an egomaniac.
I believe that the author was fair in his criticism about Paul, and that it was constructive. At the end of the book, however, he does compliment Paul and Linda on their efforts with respect to human and animal rights.
The insights into Wings was fascinating, especially the rows between the musicians. I would have liked to have seen more information about the albums than what Guiliano provided. In this respect, he tends to gloss over much of the albums. I would have prefered a more in-depth look at each album - who played what; how they were recorded, etc.
Some criticism of the book concerns his use of the term Dragonlady and Snake to refer to Yoko Ono. As a journalist, I believe he should have left those subjective terms out. Secondly, the book reads quickly and easily. But I assume, it is because the book was written in a glossy, readable style without getting into too much depth. He does rely lots of JoJo Laine...but she was there, nevertheless. Denny Laine comes across much more stoicly than JoJo. But, maybe he is afraid of Macca. Nevertheless, an interesting read.
 Paul -the cheapskate pot smoking control freak November 18, 2007
C. J. Cox (US)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
I found it interesting and I think "St. Paul" is not that at all. He's so cheap-rather miserly-it's pitiful. Also he participated in the "Concert for George"-after reading this book,it appears it was just another PR attempt to promote himself. Apparently he and George were not the best of friends as Paul claims. George thought he was really self absorbed.
A good look at a very self-promoting guy. I guess he met his match with crazy Heather. Fitting.
 Utter Garbage, Even By Rock Book Standards April 9, 2007
Joseph Kimsey (Renton, WA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The world of rock journalism is rife with shoddy writing, biased agendas, unfair ad hominem barbs, and sub-Nietzschean posturing. While this literary school has produced many noteworthy opinionated hacks, such as Robert Christgau, Albert Goldman, et al., Geoffrey Giuliano may very well be the prime exponent of this proud tradition.
Blackbird is, to put it simply, an utter waste of time, space and sorely needed trees. As some other reviewers have already mentioned, Giuliano's primary sources are disgruntled McCartney ex-employees, as well as the ex-wife of one of those ex-employees: of whom the author is apparently obsessed with, as he fawns over her incessantly in print, and has several pictures of her included. This is a little odd, as the book is ostensibly about Paul McCartney. (Giuliano also has numerous pictures of himself included in the photo spread, much to our collective indifference).
But it's one thing to produce a readable book that is filled with unreliable smear; it's quite another to produce an unreliable book that is rendered unreadable by sleazy, melodramatic prose. Giuliano is the veritable poster-child of such prose.
If you must read this, then be sure to check it out of your local public library. This book was, I think, the first McCartney bio, and accordingly most public libraries have a copy. And if you absolutely must buy this, then be sure to check out your local used-book store, as the one I shop at has about 7 copies of this tripe for sale.
Worthless March 24, 2007
C. Garcia (Tampa)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
What a waste of money. This book is lame, inaccurate and boring. The author just rehashes most of his material from other biographies and uses very unreliable sources, and I use the word loosely. Jo Jo whoever she is, seems to have a major ego problem since every man, including Paul Mccartney, wanted her and Linda was insanely jealous. This nobody (Jo Jo) condemns the Mccartney's for drug use, but talks about her own insanely outrageous drug addiction where she's stealing for drugs and it seems making up stories to sell to this hack of a writer for this useless book.
 Glad to hear the truth!! July 17, 2004
2 out of 9 found this review helpful
Finally an author who didn't see the need to act like Paul was a God or saint or something. I think there needs to be more books like this about Paul that don't hide the real him or whom he marries etc.
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