Reviews

In his introductory first chapter, Rosen says, "This book, Nowhere Man, exists because in May 1981 my friend gave me John Lennon's journals." He describes the all-consuming task of transcribing the diaries, but then distances the book itself from them by saying, "This book is a work of both investigative journalism and imagination." Rosen's admission should make anyone hoping it will be an authoritative account of John Lennon's "house husband" period in the late 1970s suspicious. Rosen tries to shatter the popular image of Lennon as a devoted father and house husband, but the worst he can dish out is that Lennon was an unhappy eccentric who spoiled his son, got angry at his servants, binged on junk food, and liked spending money, getting stoned, and masturbating. In other words, Lennon was human. The same story has already been told in Albert Goldman's The Lives of John Lennon (1988. o.p.) and in Fred Seaman's The Last Days of John Lennon (LJ 11/1/91). A more positive, if superficial, account of Lennon's retirement years can be found in Ray Coleman's Lennon (LJ 6/1/85). Not recommended. [The publisher asserts that "contrary to what you may have seen from irresponsible reports in some media, nowhere in the book, or in any publicity material issued by Soft Skull Press or Mr. Rosen in connection with the book, is the book inferred in any way, shape or form, as based on the diaries of John Lennon, or any other material owned by the Estate of John Lennon."--Ed.]--Lloyd Jansen, Stockton-San Joaquin Cty. P.L., CA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.