One Two Three Four

This witty, fast-paced, and humorous book about the Beatles is almost unreasonably entertaining. - The Times

John Updike compared them to "the sun rising on an Easter morning," Bob Dylan introduced them to drugs. Leonard Bernstein admired them, Muhammad Ali called them "little softies," J.R.R. Tolkien turned them down, and the Rolling Stones copied them. The Beatles left no one untouched. Craig Brown tells the story of the "Fab Four" with literary finesse, captivating energy, and irresistible wit.

One Two Three Four is a brilliant mix of anecdotes, stories, and reflections. From party lists, diary entries, and fan letters, Craig Brown sparks insights, using quirky details to delve into the heart of his narrative: the seemingly random connection of John, Paul, George, and Ringo to the most successful band of all time. The "Fab Four" conquered the world, created songs that everyone could relate to in their own way, and disbanded before any of them turned thirty. Craig Brown brings to life a variety of characters from the Beatles' orbit, each with their sometimes bizarre, sometimes unfortunate stories: from Fred Lennon and Yoko Ono to the legendary Brian Epstein, the psychedelic dentist John Riley, and the notorious detective Norman Pilcher. Each of these stories sparkles on its own - together, they compellingly and movingly recount a band that changed the world and a feverish, untamed era.

Celebrating Paul McCartney's 80th birthday on June 18. "The perfect antidote for these times." - Julian Barnes, The Guardian. "One Two Three Four" won the Baillie Gifford Prize in 2020, the most prestigious British award for non-fiction. Over 100,000 copies sold in the United Kingdom. Released in ten countries.