About Martin's Books
What are Martin Orkin's books about?
All of Martin's books basically concern The Beatles and/or 1960s popular music more generally. Martin was a teenager in the 1960s and has always been a committed fan of the wonderful music of that era. His rather large record collection bears this out. Martin's books are all glossy hardback with sewn-in pages. All of them are the same height and depth, and are designed to look LOVELY next to one another on your bookshelf! Martin signs every book sold from his website! Here is a quick run-down on each of Martin's books to date:
4. The Beatles' Hit Singles, Part 2.
Martin's fourth and latest book. Singles Part 2, subtitled 'Magical Mystery Tour' 1966-1970, continues where Part 1 left off. We begin our journey in 1966 with the US only smash 'Nowhere Man', before moving forward with 'Paperback Writer' and then the intriguing double A sided 'Yellow Submarine'/'Eleanor Rigby'. This is followed by possibly their greatest ever achievement: 'Strawberry Fields Forever'/'Penny Lane'! The story continues with the likes of 'All You Need Is Love', 'Hey Jude', and 'Get Back', before concluding with 'Let it Be', 'The Long And Winding Road' and the 3 'posthumous' singles. As with Part 1, iconic colour sleeves are shown. There are reviews of every UK & US Beatles single from the time, plus detailed chart and sales information. TOTALLY INDISPENSABLE in other words! First published August 2026. 400 pages.
Available c. end August 2026.
3. The Beatles' Hit Singles, Part 1.
The Beatles' Hit Singles Part 1, subtitled 'Beatlemania, 1962-1965, contains the in-depth stories of all the wonderful, groundbreaking singles that The Beatles released from 1962 to the end of 1965 in Britain and the US, from the German Polydor 'My Bonnie' in 1961 right up to their December 1965 double A side classic: 'Day Tripper'/'We Can Work It Out'. Iconic records covered include 'Please Please Me', 'She Loves You', 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' and 'A Hard Day's Night'! Readers will discover the various points in their early career where lady luck helped push The Beatles up the ladder of success! Also how The Beatles finally conquered America - a whole year after they did so in Britain! With iconic colour picture sleeves, plus detailed analysis of each track, reviews from the era, chart positions and record sales, this book is a MUST for Beatles fans everywhere! Highly praised! First published October 2025. 400 pages.
Currently available. Limited stock.
2. Rivals Of The Beatles 2.
Martin's second book, Rivals 2 continues on the same theme as Rivals 1, with 10 further intriguing bands from the 1960s and a bit later, and how they were affected by The Beatles! Groups like The Who, The Small Faces, The Animals, Love, The Doors, Badfinger, Simon & Garfunkel and....Queen! I am occasionally asked if some of the text of Rivals 2 is included in (the longer) Rivals 1. The answer is definitely NO!! The writing in Rivals 2 is all-new and entirely separate from its predecessor - and therefore is just as essential to Beatles lovers! First published December 2023. 528 pages.
Almost no perfect copies left for sale. This book has not been reprinted to date.
1. Rivals Of The Beatles 1.
Martin's first book, the mammoth 800+ page Rivals Of The Beatles 1 has had praise heaped on it from many readers around the world, and is now widely regarded as a reference work of the era. The premise was simple, the execution complex: take 20 other groups of The Beatles' generation, bands like The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, The Byrds, The Kinks, The Dave Clark Five and The Monkees, and tell their fascinating tales. But also add into each story how The Beatles influenced and inspired, and in some cases actually helped, these other groups on their own journey towards success. Includes a poignant chapter on the story of The Beatles' jettisoned first drummer, the very unfortunate Pete Best. First published April 2021. 808 pages.
Original 2021 print run sold out. Some copies of the July 2025 reprint remain for sale.