In many aspects of his life, Lennon was not an exemplary model for young admirers. An angry, poorly educated non-conformist, he defied adults, authorities, and social convention. He cheated on, then abandoned his wife and young son, and he experimented with drugs, becoming addicted to heroine. The strength of Wootton's biography is that he treats Lennon's faults without condemning or excusing them. The Beatles became successful almost in spite of themselves, not because of any great virtues or genius or hard work, but because they had vision and courage.

Wootton presents Lennon as a man who deserves to be understood, not idolized.

Lennon's marriage to Yoko Ono was socially sensitive because he fell in love with her while married to Cythnia, his first wife and mother of Julian.

Leaving his wife for another woman somewhat injured Lennon's reputation, but actually people objected more to his new...