Imagine This: Growing Up with My Brother John Lennon

A very interesting book, turning the common knowledge of Julia and Mini on its head. As Julia jnr says, her mother was painted as a good time girl, who dumped her son on Aunt Mimi. As for Yoko, this proves all I've ever believed of her and there I will leave it! What awful lives all of the children had. It makes me even sadder for John but maybe if he'd had a more normal upbringing his genius may not have been nurtured

Good, sensitive recollections of childhood and beyond of growing up with “big brother” John Lennon. It was a pleasure and compelling read, which actually gave a lot more truthful facts about the traumas, and difficulties John had growing up and how he did have a loving extended family. It saddened me to learn how his Aunt Mimi went to great lengths to prevent him from seeing and meeting his mother and sisters whilst he was growing up due to her own bigoted morals.

I just finished reading this book, and it's a very personal story about John Lennon's childhood.It cleared up all sorts of misconceptions for me, and Ms Baird achieved what she set out to do, and that was to clear their mother's name. I certainly felt a great deal of sympathy for Ms Baird, and I hope that by writing about the series of tragedies that blighted her life, she has felt some relief.It was an eye opener to know what really happened in John's childhood. His sister's account comes across as very honest, and balanced. I didnt detect any bitterness from the author. Just a desire to tell the true story.It's hard to understand the actions of Yoko Ono towards John's sisters, and I could understand the feelings this would create in Ms Baird's mind. She wanted to hang on to John, her brother, and the house he gave her and her sister was a link with him. They shared a mother and they shared the grief of losing her, and Yoko's attitude seemed callous in the extreme.I also felt sympathy for John himself. He was basically used as a pawn by his Aunties, and even his father tried to take him away from his mother. Poor boy must have been totally confused and insecure.This book is well worth reading if you are interested in John Lennon's upbringing and family history. I found it very readable, and it was interesting to see where his musical talent originated.The saddest part for me was that his mother never lived to see his success.

This is a lovely book, written by John’s half sister Julia. It tell the story of what it was like growing up with her brother John, it was nice to see how his family delt with his fame and Julia’s own story it was a good read. I have brought this book a couple of times for gifts and they have enjoyed it too.

A brilliant read. I couldn’t put it down. Julia Baird tells a story of true Liverpool grit, people and the background to John’s struggles as an adult. Julia Baird is a kind loving and understanding lady. It’s well written and a must for Beatle John Lennon fans like me.

I loved this book. I have always loved the Beatles, my first record purchase was, 'She Loves You'. Plus I grew up on Merseyside too, so they have always been a big part of my life . Have also read Cynthia Lennon's book too, and both back the other up. it certainly explains some of John's erratic behaviour. But Julia's life also has been very interesting to read about. I was sad when I finished reading it!

Another interesting book about the private lives of the Beatles, well worth a read.

Great price second hand excellent quality just getting into John the brother and son