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The Last Days of John Lennon
Discover one of the greatest true crime stories in music history, as only James Patterson can tell it.
With the Beatles, John Lennon surpasses his youthful dreams, achieving a level of superstardom that defies classification. "We were the best bloody band there was," he says. "There was nobody to touch us." Nobody except the original nowhere man, Mark David Chapman. Chapman once worshipped his idols from afar-but now harbors grudges against those, like Lennon, whom he feels betrayed him. He's convinced Lennon has misled fans with his message of hope and peace. And Chapman's not staying away any longer.
By the summer of 1980, Lennon is recording new music for the first time in years, energized and ready for it to be "(Just Like) Starting Over." He can't wait to show the world what he will do.
Neither can Chapman, who quits his security job and boards a flight to New York, a handgun and bullets stowed in his luggage.
The greatest true-crime story in music history, as only James Patterson can tell it. Enriched by exclusive interviews with Lennon's friends and associates, including Paul McCartney, The Last Days of John Lennon is the thrilling true story of two men who changed history: One whose indelible songs enliven our world to this day-and the other who ended the beautiful music with five pulls of a trigger.
With the Beatles, John Lennon surpasses his youthful dreams, achieving a level of superstardom that defies classification. "We were the best bloody band there was," he says. "There was nobody to touch us." Nobody except the original nowhere man, Mark David Chapman. Chapman once worshipped his idols from afar-but now harbors grudges against those, like Lennon, whom he feels betrayed him. He's convinced Lennon has misled fans with his message of hope and peace. And Chapman's not staying away any longer.
By the summer of 1980, Lennon is recording new music for the first time in years, energized and ready for it to be "(Just Like) Starting Over." He can't wait to show the world what he will do.
Neither can Chapman, who quits his security job and boards a flight to New York, a handgun and bullets stowed in his luggage.
The greatest true-crime story in music history, as only James Patterson can tell it. Enriched by exclusive interviews with Lennon's friends and associates, including Paul McCartney, The Last Days of John Lennon is the thrilling true story of two men who changed history: One whose indelible songs enliven our world to this day-and the other who ended the beautiful music with five pulls of a trigger.
Editorial Reviews
"A must read for music fans, true crime aficionados, or anyone looking for a deep, insightful dive into a dark chapter of American history."
―Town & Country
"Incredibly tense and thriller-like … I totally recommend it."―Lee Child, #1 bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series
"A first-rate book . . . a winner."―Baltimore Post Examiner
―Town & Country
"Incredibly tense and thriller-like … I totally recommend it."―Lee Child, #1 bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series
"A first-rate book . . . a winner."―Baltimore Post Examiner
Readers Top Reviews
PhilM. HillElvis Odd
I thought this book was really appalling. Firstly, it wasn’t about John’s last days, it went through his whole life at very much a surface level with no new material presented. In fact, some of the timing of things didn’t check out, and some facts were just wrong. It could have been enjoyable as a simple trip down memory lane had it not been for being constantly reminded of John’s murder in the interspersed and glorifying chapters of Dec 1980 and Mark Chapman’s movements, again for which no new material is presented. Given how much of John’s killer’s movements forms the content of this book, I can’t see Paul McCartney having anything to do with it as is suggested by the authors. Most chapters felt rushed and unfinished in the race to capitalise on getting this out before the 40th anniversary of John’s death, commercialising which is really what this was about. For a real look into some fresh material surrounding John’s final years, Kenneth Womack’s book is at the other end of the scale, and much recommended.
Susan Roberts
What I liked: I enjoyed reading about the formation of the group and John's younger days in Liverpool and his attitudes toward their sudden super stardom. It was also very interesting to read about his life after the breakup of the band. Also there is information from interviews with several popular artists of the time which I found very informative. What I didn't like: There wasn't much new in this book - it was mostly a regurgitation of previous articles over the last 50 years. I also didn't like the way that Mark David Chapman (the man who murdered John) was humanized often in a sympathetic way. Plain and simple, he was a killer and there is nothing sympathetic about what he did. Overall, if you are a Beatles fan or a John Lennon fan, this is a great book to read to bring back the memories of the group that changed music during a simpler time in our world.
Kate M.
A really great read and unique glimpse into the last days of a cultural icon and creative genius. Although we already know the tragic conclusion, the storytelling is deeply engaging and truly reads like a crime thriller. Provides a rarely-seen and nuanced perspective. Highly recommend.
DavidGary Moreau, Au
As a Beatles fan, I've read a lot about John Lennon's life and death. It looks as if Patterson hired a curator to skim other books to create his own. Not worth spending money on it.
