God Only Knows Audiobook By David Leaf cover art

God Only Knows

The Story of Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys and the California Myth

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

God Only Knows

By: David Leaf
Narrated by: Alex Knox, David Leaf
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $25.79

Buy for $25.79

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

Originally published in 1978 as The Beach Boys and the California Myth, this groundbreaking study was both the first full-length book on the band and the first to recognize Brian Wilson as one of the most significant and influential artists of the twentieth century. Covering the turbulent family strife and internal conflicts as well as giving proper attention to the remarkable music, the book was an instant classic. An intimate look at Brian's rollercoaster of a life and career, it's told through the eyes of those who were there during Wilson's most legendary productions including Pet Sounds and Good Vibrations.

Revised and updated, God Only Knows covers the decades since the 1985 edition, including Brian's first acclaimed solo album, his startling return to live performing, the landmark Pet Sounds tour, the 'All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson' (which Leaf wrote and produced), and the triumphant and miraculous Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE world premiere in London.

Filled with surprising revelations, insight and behind-the-scenes detail, this indispensable book written by renowned Brian Wilson expert David Leaf begins with an overture from Sir Paul McCartney and includes essays from Sir Barry Gibb, Brian’s wife Melinda Wilson, and an introduction by Jimmy Webb.

©1978, 1985, 2022 David Leaf (P)2023 Tantor Entertainment & Celebrities History & Criticism Music Celebrity
All stars
Most relevant  
Doctor McCoy [Star Trek]: "I'm a Doctor, Jim, not a music critic!"

That's kind of how I feel writing this review.

Suffice it to say that David Marks filled a gap that was desperately needed when he wrote his original book on "the Beach Boys and the California Myth." Now he has provided a MUCH needed service with this updated version.

As a kid in the 1970s I heard the Beach Boys' compilation albums "Endless Summer" (released in 1974) and "Spirit of America" (Released in 1975). As a result, I became an instant massive fan and I was starving for information about the Beach Boys. STARVING. I could not find much at the very small local library. I rarely came across radio interviews, documentaries, or written pieces for that matter.

David Leaf's book was one of the first books on the Beach Boys that I came across. While I don't agree with his interpretations on a number of things, I do believe his updated revision is a timely, much needed work.

Thank you, David (and the publisher) SOOO MUCH for making "God Only Knows" available in audio format!

Now let's hope the same happens for Mark A. Moore's Tome, "Dead Man's Curve: The Rock 'n' Roll Life of Jan Berry."

Fascinating,

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Well, the book itself was great. But before the book, it’s starts with an hour plus long intro talking about the book. I almost gave up and skipped it. Then you have the book itself which is great. But then after the book, instead of putting it to a close, you have about 7 more hours of insight and reflections about the book and Brian Wilson. This is when I decided if the author is not going to end this, I’ll do it! I had to cut it short myself because he was just rambling on and on at this point.

Ah The Book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Too long, too much about Smile, lost interest after a while…and I’m a massive BW fan, The author continues to remind us how close he is to Brian. We get it. I was hoping it would be more captivating. The best part of the book is the first part when he talks about the early days.

Too long, lost interest after hours on Smile (and I’m a massive BW fan).

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.