MUSIC, fashion, film - The Beatles changed attitudes for generations - old and new.
They are still a phenomenon more than 30 years after they split, and more books are now written about them each year.
Any section in any library across the world could easily provide shelf after shelf of Beatle books.
And each Christmas even more arrive in the bookshops, adding new perspectives to the story.
Some are written by well-meaning fans, but there are those works written by people from within the Beatles inner circle.
Now icLiverpool's Peter Grant presents a guide to some of the best works available on The Beatles.
It is a literary area that will certainly continue to grow as writers analyse and dissect the lives and careers of the four lads from Liverpool and their global impact.
The following selection features reference books that certainly passed the audition ...
The Beatles Anthology
THIS ambitious project was made possible because Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr agreed to re-tell their combined story. The result was The Beatles by The Beatles. more
The Complete Beatles Chronicle
THE Complete Beatles Chronicle, by Mark Lewisohn, is subtitled the "only definitive guide to the Beatles' entire career on stage - in the studio, on radio, on tv, on film and on video". more
The Beatles Illustrated Lyrics
EDITOR Alan Aldridge was a close personal friend of The Beatles and worked with them on many projects. more
The Beatles: A Diary
BARRY Miles is one of the most respected music industry biographers. His writing always reflects his close association with his subject matter and with The Beatles he excels himself. more
McCartney: Many Years From Now
BARRY Miles's 650-page book is based on hundreds of hours of exclusive interviews undertaken over five years by the author. Barry was given complete access to Paul's archives, so this is Paul in HIS own words. more
The Beatles at the BBC
THE Beatles at the BBC: The Radio Years 1962-70, by Kevin Howlett, is an excellent account of their time at The Beeb. more
Beatles Encyclopaedias
BILL Harry uses his vast wealth of knowledge from his time at art college days to the formation of Mersey Beat to produce three encyclopdeias - Encycolpedia of Beatles People, The Beatles Encyclopedia and the John Lennon Encyclopedia. more
Yesterday & Today/Lennon
RAY Coleman travelled the world with The Beatles and interviewed them extensively as a writer with Melody Maker. more
Summer of Love: Making of Sgt Pepper
THIS is a magical memory book from a legendary figure. Readers are taken into the past by Beatles producer George Martin down to Abbey Road where the band are making their world-shattering album. more
