Chip Madinger and Scott Raile are the co-authors of the first one, “LENNNONOLOGY | Volume One – Strange Days Indeed.”
This exhaustive book details the work and activities of John Lennon and Yoko Ono from 1968-1980. Being meticulous and being accurate are the modus operandi and signatures of the two authors, who will certainly impress you with their revelations of previously unknown Lennon and Ono work and projects. I have learned over the years, if these two authors have verified some bit of Lennon information, you can rest assured that it is true. When Lennonology was released, I quickly bought one of the signed hardcover limited editions that was issued in a run of 250 copies. I was not disappointed and this book eagerly makes me anticipate a Volume 2 when it is ready to be issued. Chip is one of a few select authors that I hold in a special literary Beatles pantheon.
There are a few people that I hold in that high regard. Mark Lewisohn, Bruce Spizer and Ken Womack are others. I do not wish to insult others with my omission of their names as there are so many splendid Beatles book authors. I consider Lennonology to be in my top 10 Beatles-related books in my collection and with the amount of titles that I have, that is no small compliment or praise. Hardback copies of the book command premium prices as they are sold out and are in high demand among Lennon/Beatles collectors. There is some good news, however, as paperback copies of the book are still available.
| LENNNONOLOGY | Volume One – Strange Days Indeed-First Edition – October 9, 2015 – 250 Copies Signed and Numbered Strange Days Indeed A Scrapbook of Madness Hardcover Book by Chip Madinger and Scott Raile. Published by Open Your Books Front cover of the informative and voluminous book |
Lennonology – Back Cover
Eight Arms to Hold You: The Solo Beatles Compendium
Another work of impeccable research is this book that came out in the year 2000 in paperback format. Lavish detail and thoroughly lengthy and comprehensive at over 700 pages. This book was also co-authored once again by researcher par excellence, Chip Madinger, and his superb collaborator, Mark Easter. Their level of detail about the sessions and activities of the solo Beatles is the ultimate source to turn to when you want to learn more about that subject. They have also worked on a digital updated and revised version of the title which is available to purchase at the Lennonology website. The link is provided below.
The softback copy of the book, published in 2000
Publisher: 44.1 Productions, LP
Publication Date: 2000
Eight Arms to Hold You: The Solo Beatles Compendium Paperback – October 1, 2000
by Chip Madinger (Author), Mark Easter (Author)
There is an ultra rare hardcover edition of “Eight Arms to Hold You.” Long since sold out, there were only 9 copies made of the hardcover. Quite a treasure if you have one of the nine!!!
Summary and conclusion:
In this information age in which we live, these two books help set the standard to the way research books should be written. Taking great care to verify the accuracy of the information provided, and verifying detail with extraordinary precision. The only criticism I have is not of the work in the books, but in the nature of information itself.
As the years pass, new material, sometimes not previously known, has a way of turning up from out of the blue. For example, who until recently knew that an hour long 1963 tape of the Beatles performing at a boys school at Stowe in the UK, existed? Research books have that one drawback, like discographies, in that new discoveries and recordings keep turning up every “Now and Then”, pun intended, keeping the need for many book revisions and updates.
Highly recommend the two titles shown above and if you are fortunate enough to purchase the hardback editions, you will not regret it. Happy Hunting!!!
Buzz
I continue to be amazed at the depth and thoroughness of these rwo books.It is exciting and a challenge to find the rarities.The long version of “I Found Out” is one my favorities,oringinally only on the Australian release.Another excellent book of this nature is John Blaney’s,”Lennon&McCartney,together alone,a must with these two.
Yes Eddie, it is amazing. Some of the rarities that Chip and Scott have heard and documented are beyond belief and are very exciting for collectors. However, it is also frustrating as well to discover that there will also be many rarities that the average fan will also NEVER be able to hear!