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Love and Let Die

Bond, the Beatles and the British Psyche

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Love and Let Die

By: John Higgs
Narrated by: John Higgs
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About this listen

The Beatles are the biggest band there has ever been. James Bond is the single most successful movie character of all time. They are also twins. Dr No, the first Bond film, and 'Love Me Do', the first Beatles record, were both released on the same day—Friday, 5 October 1962. Most countries can only dream of a cultural export becoming a worldwide phenomenon on this scale. For Britain to produce two on the same windy October afternoon is unprecedented.

Bond and the Beatles present us with opposing values, visions of Britain and ideas about male identity. Love and Let Die is the story of a clash between working-class liberation and establishment control, and how it exploded on the global stage. It explains why James Bond hated the Beatles, why Paul McCartney wanted to be Bond and why it was Ringo who won the heart of a Bond Girl in the end.

Told over a period of sixty dramatic years, this is an account of how two outsized cultural monsters continue to define our aspirations and fantasies and the future we are building. Looking at these touchstones in this new context will forever change how you see the Beatles, the James Bond films and six decades of British culture.

This audiobook features an extra interview with I AM THE EGGPOD host Chris Shaw.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 John Higgs (P)2022 Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Art Entertainment & Celebrities History & Criticism Music Celebrity Thought-Provoking
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Encyclopaedic

Brilliant book, not just about the 60s but about the enduring twin legacies of the Beatles and Bond into the present. As ever, Higgs is a brilliant companion and avatar through a world both familiar and extraordinary, highlighting the many paradoxes and synchronicities between Britain’s biggest 20th Century cultural icons. If you liked Craig Brown’s excellent 1, 2, 3, 4… then you will love this!

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Great Book - Get It!

This is a rare gem. Mind you do need to be Beatles and Bond fan. He finds connections which would never have occurred to me, nor knew that existed, and goes off on wonderful tangents. At times a bit over zealous on the mother connections, but I will allow him those. What would Putin and the 2012 Olympics have to do with anything? You will just have to download the book and find out! It is bang up to date (as of March 2023). So best get it soon, as a section will soon be out of date. But I cannot praise the book high enough, I though 14 hours would be over-long, but it is not, in fact, add another hour for a discussion at the end about writing the book. Worth anyone's credit to me!

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A must read

Loved it lots about the Beatles I never knew and bond hard to put down

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Absolutely superb

this was endlessly fascinating and compellingly written and performed. I could not recommend it any more. If, like me, you cannot get enough of this type of thing then you will love it.

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Fascinating book!

Brilliantly written exposing two interwoven stories that shaped the history. I am a James Bond fan but never read any of the originals books. After listening to this story I had start listening to audiobooks of all original Flemings. I have to admit many are better than movies for example Moonrarker is brilliant and I would prefer original villain and story than Americanise version with space shuttle. Story of The Beatles is also amazing I never thought much of their background story and saw John Lennon as a saint - preaching love and peace. In this book I discovered layers of Beatles story that shows this culture phenomenon in a new light. Thanks John for writing this! I hope you will be back with a book.

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An interesting perspective

A broad and interesting discussion of cultural developments and trends over the last 60 years with particular reference to James Bond and the Beatles, but not restricted by slavishly, following the stories of either. There are lots of interesting tangents. I would certainly recommend this book.

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Higgs does it again

I've read a few Higgs' books now and enjoyed each one. I've never been a massive Beatles fan but obviously know the hits. I was however brought up on Bond and thought this would be a cracking read/listen. And it was!

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Amazing

Beautifully connected and expertly told. A real gem and so insightful. I never would have thought of Bond and The Beatles in this way

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Good book

Very well researched and well written . Very engaging audiobook . Nice interview with Chris Shaw afterwards too. Well done Mr Higgs!

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fabulous, beginning to end

I admit a weakness for erudite playful essays about culture and social history, and John Higgs is one of the best. And this is one of his best. Packed with fascinating stories, remarkable parallels and Jen insights, narrated, as usual, by the author himself in his inimitable style. if you have any interest in Beatles, Bond or British culture in the late 20th century, don't hesitate for a moment. you'll love it.

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3 people found this helpful