Reviews
"In this often troubled and desensitized world of stone, Gary Tillery's elegantly written account of Harrison's musical and spiritual life arrives to us as if on the wings of angels." --Anthony Pomes, Beatles expert, advisory board member of The John Lennon Center for Music & Technology, "Harrison was generally known for his spirituality and embrace of Hinduism. Tillery examines Harrison's lyrics, life, and writings and convincingly explains their place--contradictions and all--within Hinduism and within Harrison's personal spiritual quest. The writing is clear and concise but occasionally veers into near proselytizing as Tillery extends his discussion beyond that for which he finds direct evidence in Harrison's work. This is a clear, generally well-documented, and fairly short read that will find favor among Harrison and Beatles fans. Recommended." -- James E. Perone , Univ. of Mount Union, Alliance, O , Excerpted from: Library Journal, "From the early days I noticed George had an inner talent he hadn't seemed able to unlock. I actually encouraged him to begin writing again after he seemed blocked by the song-writing success of Lennon & McCartney. I saw how he became the member of the Beatles most stretched by his friends, his philosophy and his search for meaning....a meaning which he eventually discovered. Gary Tillery has captured George's spiritual odyssey in his latest work, which enables us to take the journey with him to unlock the secrets, move aside the veil and gain a remarkable insight. It provides an invaluable companion to his recent work on John Lennon The Cynical Idealist . " -- Bill Harry , Founder of Mersey Beat, I am thrilled that George's inner journey has been chronicled. --Victor Spinetti, film, theater and television actor and long-running Beatles collaborator From the early days I noticed George had an inner talent he hadn't seemed able to unlock. I actually encouraged him to begin writing again after he seemed blocked by the song-writing success of Lennon & McCartney. I saw how he became the member of the Beatles most stretched by his friends, his philosophy and his search for meaning....a meaning which he eventually discovered. Gary Tillery has captured George's spiritual odyssey in his latest work, which enables us to take the journey with him to unlock the secrets, move aside the veil and gain a remarkable insight. It provides an invaluable companion to his recent work on John Lennon The Cynical Idealist . --Bill Harry, Founder of Mersey Beat Often referred to as the Quiet One," George Harrison is given full voice in Gary Tillery's compact, yet highly enlightening Working Class Mystic. Tillery nicely summarizes Harrison's life and music, framing the ex-Beatle's life in terms of his life-long spiritual quest. One result of Harrison's search, which manifested itself as the seminal benefit rock concert known as the Concert for Bangladesh, is perhaps Harrison's greatest legacy. The sad ending of Harrison's life at such a young age and the life-threatening experience he and his wife Olivia faced at their home by a crazed intruder are leavened with the peace Harrison felt, even in the face of death. The music, Harrison's sense of humor and his commitment to living in the spiritual world make this book ultimately uplifting and a great read. --Steve Matteo, author of Let it Be and Dylan and editor of Pulse magazine In Working Class Mystic we see George Harrison not as a self-indulgent super-celebrity, but as an idealist who retained his humanity through it all, and who set an example for all of us by sharing his blessings with others. This exceptionally well-researched book shows that even with all the struggles and pitfalls Harrison had to deal with, and then find ways to overcome, he never gave up his daily search for developing his own purity of spirit. With the publication of Working Class Mystic , Gary Tillery and Quest Books have done a real service to the legacy of George Harrison as an artist of enduring value and man whose ideals remain timeless. --David Amram, composer and author of Offbeat: Collaborating with Kerouac One of the more fascinating Beatles biographies, Working Class Mystic is neither hagiography nor rushed cash-in, but a richly informative account, understanding and empathetic, thankfully without much of the dourness that tarnished Harrison's later recordings. A worthy companion to Tillery's earlier book on Lennon, it is an insightful portrait of one of music's more complex characters, and should be devoured by Harrison's devout disciples. --Joe Goodden, The Beatles Bible In this often troubled and desensitized world of stone, Gary Tillery's elegantly written account of Harrison's musical and spiritual life arrives to us as if on the wings of angels. --Anthony Pomes, Beatles expert, advisory board member of The John Lennon Center for Music & Technology Most rewarding, I spotted a book called Working Class Mystic: A Spiritual Biography of George Harrison by Gary Tillery. And if you know anything about my alley, you know this is right up it. --Levi Asher, Literary Kicks, Having first known him back in the days when he was called only 'the quiet Beatle,' it thrills me no end that George's inner journey has now been so splendidly chronicled. --Victor Spinetti From the early days I noticed George had an inner talent he hadn't seemed able to unlock. I actually encouraged him to begin writing again after he seemed blocked by the song-writing success of Lennon & McCartney. I saw how he became the member of the Beatles most stretched by his friends, his philosophy and his search for meaning....a meaning which he eventually discovered. Gary Tillery has captured George's spiritual odyssey in his latest work, which enables us to take the journey with him to unlock the secrets, move aside the veil and gain a remarkable insight. It provides an invaluable companion to his recent work on John Lennon The Cynical Idealist . --Bill Harry, Founder of Mersey Beat Often referred to as the Quiet One," George Harrison is given full voice in Gary Tillery's compact, yet highly enlightening Working Class Mystic. Tillery nicely summarizes Harrison's life and music, framing the ex-Beatle's life in terms of his life-long spiritual quest. One result of Harrison's search, which manifested itself as the seminal benefit rock concert known as the Concert for Bangladesh, is perhaps Harrison's greatest legacy. The sad ending of Harrison's life at such a young age and the life-threatening experience he and his wife Olivia faced at their home by a crazed intruder are leavened with the peace Harrison felt, even in the face of death. The music, Harrison's sense of humor and his commitment to living in the spiritual world make this book ultimately uplifting and a great read. --Steve Matteo, author of Let it Be and Dylan and editor of Pulse magazine In Working Class Mystic we see George Harrison not as a self-indulgent super-celebrity, but as an idealist who retained his humanity through it all, and who set an example for all of us by sharing his blessings with others. This exceptionally well-researched book shows that even with all the struggles and pitfalls Harrison had to deal with, and then find ways to overcome, he never gave up his daily search for developing his own purity of spirit. With the publication of Working Class Mystic , Gary Tillery and Quest Books have done a real service to the legacy of George Harrison as an artist of enduring value and man whose ideals remain timeless. --David Amram, composer and author of Offbeat: Collaborating with Kerouac One of the more fascinating Beatles biographies, Working Class Mystic is neither hagiography nor rushed cash-in, but a richly informative account, understanding and empathetic, thankfully without much of the dourness that tarnished Harrison's later recordings. A worthy companion to Tillery's earlier book on Lennon, it is an insightful portrait of one of music's more complex characters, and should be devoured by Harrison's devout disciples. --Joe Goodden, The Beatles Bible In this often troubled and desensitized world of stone, Gary Tillery's elegantly written account of Harrison's musical and spiritual life arrives to us as if on the wings of angels. --Anthony Pomes, Beatles expert, advisory board member of The John Lennon Center for Music & Technology Most rewarding, I spotted a book called Working Class Mystic: A Spiritual Biography of George Harrison by Gary Tillery. And if you know anything about my alley, you know this is right up it. --Levi Asher, Literary Kicks, "Tillery ( The Cynical Idealist ) traces Harrison's mystical journey back to an acid trip in April 1965 in which Harrison realized that he had embraced, and been embraced by, the divine. From that moment, he discovered an affinity with Hinduism. Tillery dutifully treads well-worn territory in narrating Harrison's relationships with sitarist Ravi Shankar, the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Swami Prabhupada, as well as Harrison's deep engagement with the writings of Yogananda (Autobiography of a Yogi) and other Hindu spiritual teachers. Harrison's songs, Tillery points out, strive to awaken us to the truths that he saw quite clearly: "to burn out our past karma, to become aware of our divinity, and to break free of eternal return." --Excerpted from: Publishers Weekly, Having first known him back in the days when he was called only 'the quiet Beatle,' it thrills me no end that George's inner journey has now been so splendidly chronicled. - Victor SpinettiFrom the early days I noticed George had an inner talent he hadn't seemed able to unlock. I actually encouraged him to begin writing again after he seemed blocked by the song-writing success of Lennon & McCartney. I saw how he became the member of the Beatles most stretched by his friends, his philosophy and his search for meaning... .a meaning which he eventually discovered. Gary Tillery has captured George's spiritual odyssey in his latest work, which enables us to take the journey with him to unlock the secrets, move aside the veil and gain a remarkable insight. It provides an invaluable companion to his recent work on John Lennon The Cynical Idealist. - Bill Harry, Founder of Mersey BeatOften referred to as the "Quiet One," George Harrison is given full voice in Gary Tillery's compact, yet highly enlightening Working Class Mystic. Tillery nicely summarizes Harrison's life and music, framing the ex-Beatle's life in terms of his life-long spiritual quest. One result of Harrison's search, which manifested itself as the seminal benefit rock concert known as the Concert for Bangladesh, is perhaps Harrison's greatest legacy. The sad ending of Harrison's life at such a young age and the life-threatening experience he and his wife Olivia faced at their home by a crazed intruder are leavened with the peace Harrison felt, even in the face of death. The music, Harrison's sense of humor and his commitment to living in the spiritual world make this book ultimately uplifting and a great read. - Steve Matteo, author of Let it Be and Dylan and editor of Pulse magazineIn Working Class Mystic we see George Harrison not as a self-indulgent super-celebrity, but as an idealist who retained his humanity through it all, and who set an example for all of us by sharing his blessings with others. This exceptionally well-researched book shows that even with all the struggles and pitfalls Harrison had to deal with, and then find ways to overcome, he never gave up his daily search for developing his own purity of spirit. With the publication of Working Class Mystic, Gary Tillery and Quest Books have done a real service to the legacy of George Harrison as an artist of enduring value and man whose ideals remain timeless. - David Amram, composer and author of Offbeat: Collaborating with KerouacOne of the more fascinating Beatles biographies, Working Class Mystic is neither hagiography nor rushed cash-in, but a richly informative account, understanding and empathetic, thankfully without much of the dourness that tarnished Harrison's later recordings. A worthy companion to Tillery's earlier book on Lennon, it is an insightful portrait of one of music's more complex characters, and should be devoured by Harrison's devout disciples. - Joe Goodden, The Beatles BibleIn this often troubled and desensitized world of stone, Gary Tillery's elegantly written account of Harrison's musical and spiritual life arrives to us as if on the wings of angels. - Anthony Pomes, Beatles expert, advisory board member of The John Lennon Center for Music & TechnologyMost rewarding, I spotted a book called Working Class Mystic: A Spiritual Biography of George Harrison by Gary Tillery. And if you know anything about my alley, you know this is right up it. - Levi Asher, Literary Kicks, "Having first known him back in the days when he was called only 'the quiet Beatle,' it thrills me no end that George's inner journey has now been so splendidly chronicled. " -- Victor Spinetti, "Author Gary Tillery's approach is warmly human, free of the fawning but insolent tone of most rock biographers. He frankly discusses the role of drugs in leading Harrison to mystical insight but emphasizes that he soon renounced psychedelics as a means to the spiritual path. Tillery's engaging narrative depicts Harrison as a sincere seeker who acted out of genuine care for humanity and used his celebrity to be of service in the world. Fans of all generations will treasure this book for the inspiring portrayal it gives of their beloved "quiet" Beatle. " --Excerpted from: DailyOm.com, From the early days I noticed George had an inner talent he hadn't seemed able to unlock. I actually encouraged him to begin writing again after he seemed blocked by the song-writing success of Lennon & McCartney. I saw how he became the member of the Beatles most stretched by his friends, his philosophy and his search for meaning....a meaning which he eventually discovered. Gary Tillery has captured George's spiritual odyssey in his latest work, which enables us to take the journey with him to unlock the secrets, move aside the veil and gain a remarkable insight. It provides an invaluable companion to his recent work on John Lennon The Cynical Idealist. " --Bill Harry, Founder of Mersey Beat In Working Class Mystic we see George Harrison not as a self-indulgent super-celebrity, but as an idealist who retained his humanity through it all, and who set an example for all of us by sharing his blessings with others. This exceptionally well-researched book shows that even with all the struggles and pitfalls Harrison had to deal with, and then find ways to overcome, he never gave up his daily search for developing his own purity of spirit. With the publication of Working Class Mystic , Gary Tillery and Quest Books have done a real service to the legacy of George Harrison as an artist of enduring value and man whose ideals remain timeless." --David Amram, composer and author of Offbeat: Collaborating with Kerouac "In this often troubled and desensitized world of stone, Gary Tillery's elegantly written account of Harrison's musical and spiritual life arrives to us as if on the wings of angels." --Anthony Pomes, Beatles expert, advisory board member of The John Lennon Center for Music & Technology
