Sgt. Pepper and the Beatles: It Was Forty Years Ago Today

Though a scholarly text, Julien edits a set of essays which are easy to read and present the friendlier end of academic writing. It’s still interspersed with fairly heavy musicological theories, but the premise – a celebration of forty years since the Beatles’ most popular album release – bespeaks a nonfiction with character and personality. And it analyses the humour and colour of Lennon’s brainchild, the alter-ego of Sgt. Pepper, and his (Lennon’s) poking metaphors at the Establishment and getting away with it through the power of music, rather than the banned blatant imagery that was planned for the album cover. This book is an exciting exploration of the concept behind the album and the spirit of the year, with the added bonus of culturally informed authors at the helm. Eye-opening and very enjoyable.