There have been many books written about the Beatles on various topics: biographies, anthologies, glimpses, trivia; the list goes on. But The White Book offers something different: a genuine inside look at the world of one of the most famous groups in history.

Ken Mansfield was the U.S. manager of Apple Records when the Beatles were signed with the company. He provides personal accounts of how he met the band and his various interactions with different members of the Fab Four.

Mansfield chronicles the entire span of the Beatles’ career as well as providing historical context. The book is peppered with plenty of images, and the reader really gets a sense of the ’60s and ’70s through Mansfield’s eyes.

At the same time, the book does not focus completely on the Beatles, which could be good or bad depending on how big of a Beatles fanatic you are. Also, while The White Book provides a personal look at the band, the narrative is somewhat narrow in scope, giving the reader but a small slice of the music giants.

Ultimately, the book will either please Beatles fans or bore them. Still, it’s at least worth a look, if just to see what someone who actually interacted with the Beatles has to say.

Grade: B

The White Book is currently available.