John Croft, Glan Tanat, Llanyblodwel, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 8NQ, England.

Tel: (+44) 01691 828850

Email: theukuleleman.com@gmail.com

‘THE UKE, THE BEATLE, AND ME’

READERS COMMENTS.

Well, I managed to win the ‘argument of the book' and have spent many recent hours being totally enthralled and entranced by it.

I have many ‘Beatles' related books, (too many my other half would say), and found yours to be quite different from the ‘norm', (whatever that is), and just want to say thank you for delivering a very warm and ultimately most satisfying and interesting read.

There is so much warmth emanating from the pages, from both George and his family and from your good selves.

It has been a real pleasure to read and a treasure that will be added to my collection. (KP)

“I love your book. Its brilliant. My wife Julie.… George was her fave Beatle… has picked up your book and can’t put it down!” (GC)

“This small book written by John Croft is a gem. It describes how a serendipitous telephone conversation acted as a catalyst for an unlikely but enduring friendship between a secondary school geography teacher and a world-renowned musician who just happened to have been a member of a 1960’s pop group: The Beatles. A unique story that is beautifully told with honesty and an endearing humility. Miss reading it at your peril.” (CK)

“Dear John, What a fascinating book. It is such a good read that having started I felt compelled to read it in ‘one sitting’. It reveals what a wonderful person George Harrison was. Liz, like me, could not put the book down before completing it, having found it a compelling read.” (AA)

“Hi John, I just finished reading your book on George today, and I absolutely LOVED it. (In fact, I had to restrict myself to several pages at a time, so I could have it to look forward to every day). It was beautifully written, with true heart and passion. I felt as if I was standing beside you and your wife when George phoned or turned up at your house, or when you went to visit him. I would have felt exactly the same way, excited but also very nervous and hoping I'd fit in. You got all that across so well and it gave the whole book a great sense of honesty. Your stories of George are truly heart-warming and were everything and more, I was hoping for. You really got his basic human kindness across so well. I also loved seeing some of the photos you took of George. Well, thanks again John. Your book has been a real treasure to read and is virtually unique. Who else would have such a wonderful story as you? Bye for now, and all the very best to you and your wife. Ray. PS I also advised my friend Mike Appleby to buy a copy. Did he get one? If not, I'll remind him. He is bound to love it too.” (RB)

“I loved the book. Heartwarming and full of insight.” (MJ)

“Thanks for the book. Absolutely great and a wonderful tribute to George.” (SM)

“I have really enjoyed your book it was so very much more readable than I expected it to be and I couldn’t put it down!” (PM)

“Hi John, Just finished reading your book on your friendship with George Harrison. I enjoyed it very much.” (PA)

“Hi John, My name is Simon Irwin and I live in Liverpool. I'm a good friend of Ian Paris and it is he who must be credited in drawing my attention to you and your book.   I received your signed copy via Ian and read the book from cover to cover, in (almost) in one sitting (which is unheard of for me). I thought it was charming and a perfectly crafted, sensitive insight into George - I'm so pleased you wrote it. I'm also pleased that he was in character, like you portray him - something I personally, always wished him to be. Thank you. Sincerely, Simon.”

“Well John, I'm a dreadfully slow reader. However I couldn't put the book down. It was beautifully and sensitively written. I loved it. I think George was very lucky indeed to have you and Mary as friends. Hope to meet you soon. Best wishes and thanks for writing the book.” (IP)

“Hi John, I read your book in one go last Sunday and it was just beautiful! I like the modest understated way you write about your time with George. Your writing is wonderful and I have learned quite a lot about George in the 90’s - despite Anthology being a rather unknown decade about George. Thanks again!” (AK)  (Beatles Historian and Author)

 “I’ve finally got round to reading your book and I really really enjoyed it. Thank you for taking the time to put it together and offer it out to the world! A reet rivetin read! Cheers.” (TS)

“I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading your new book. George Harrison is someone I would have loved to meet and see perform live. Your book was such a joy to read, especially hearing you reminisce about your meetings with him. You really get a feel for who he was as a person. What an incredible experience it must have been to visit Friar Park and spend time with George and his friends. The photos were fantastic too! I especially enjoyed seeing the more recent shots of some of the Formby ukuleles from George’s collection. I don’t know if you know, but the Beatles Anthology documentary is being re-released in a few months, and from what I remember it featured some clips of George playing ukulele. Fingers crossed there’s some new material included! Overall though, once I started, I couldn’t put the book down, and I know I’ll be returning to it again soon. Kind regards, Angus.” (AL)

“I just had to send you a note to thank you so much for your wonderful book. I started reading it when we arrived, couldn’t put it down and have finished it already. What a remarkable story! I had heard snippets of it before but had not realised how long he had been a friend and the amazing experiences you have both had over the years. It was so important to put it all down and thank you for sharing it. I found a tear in my eye when I finished reading it 5 minutes ago.” (CK)

“I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your book - beautifully written with so much warmth; it gives such a good picture of the man behind the world-famous celebrity that George Harrison was. A real honour to have been his friend, I'm sure. I was looking at the extensive biography of him on Wikipedia, which includes a bibliography and a number of references. I think you should get his book added to this list.” (HWJ)

“As promised I purchased your latest book and read it in one sitting. I loved it. Whilst, I was aware that you had a connection with the man himself, I had no idea how extensive and long lasting it was. What a marvellous experience for you both!” (MT)

“I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your book. I read it over two days straight after you gave it to me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is such a lovely warm and genuine story of your friendship with George Harrison. I lent it to my sister and she also thoroughly enjoyed it.” (ES)

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