Review by Booklist Review
Even Beatles fans who have done their homework will find something new in this in-depth examination of the band's influence on music, religion, fashion, and movies on a global scale. The opening chapter begins with the British invasion of America, in February 1964, kicked off by the Beatles' appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, but the book is not simply a chronology of their career. Rather, it is organized topically, including thematic chapters on the band's impact on individual aspects of culture. Some effects may seem superficial, such as the influences on hairstyles and suit coats, but others are far more profound, such as the feelings that Western music stirred in young people east of the Iron Curtain. Sandler heavily quotes contemporary interviews with band members themselves and those close to them to lend a behind-the-scenes feel to the narrative. Well-selected photographs emphasize the phenomenal popularity and undeniable impact of the Beatles and drive home the assertion that a rock band can have significance far beyond its music.--Anderson, Erin Copyright 2014 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Sandler (Imprisoned: The Betrayal of Japanese Americans During World War II) documents the ways that the Beatles left an indelible mark on international popular culture and the music industry, opening with the group's U.S. debut on the Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964, which he calls a "night that would change America." Describing this and subsequent performances, Sandler captures the fanaticism of screaming fans, whose increasingly frenzied behavior eventually led the Fab Four to fear for their safety and precipitated their decision to stop touring and instead concentrate on recording albums. The author offers incisive commentary on the Beatles' musical inspirations, experimentation, and evolution, incorporating quotations from the group members that illuminate their individual personalities. Substantial sidebars explore the group's "musical firsts," how the band got its name, the influence of "Beatles-boosting" American disc jockeys, and various places the Beatles made famous, including New York City's Strawberry Fields and Liverpool's Penny Lane. On-stage and behind-the-scenes color and b&w photos fill this appreciative and intelligent examination of the far-reaching effects of Beatlemania. Ages 10-14. (Feb.)? (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-8-It's been 50 years since the Beatles' groundbreaking performance on the Ed Sullivan Show, and that is where Sandler begins this book about the band's influence on everything from music to movies, and even religion. It is an event that illustrates the scope and intensity of Beatlemania, which would transform popular music, and according to Sandler, other forms of entertainment. How they changed various aspects of culture provides the framework for each chapter, but Sandler still takes a linear approach to the Beatles' history, covering their early days in Liverpool as teenagers to their post-breakup activities. Readers will find that the band introduced or revolutionized several music industry norms such as music videos, merchandising, stadium concert tours, and album cover design. Over the years, the Beatles' sound evolved, but they were the first band to think about their album as a whole piece of art rather than a compilation of individual songs. Sandler offers insights into their musical legacy as well as their work as political activists. The penultimate chapter of the book describes the social turmoil of the 1960s and how the Beatles' music inspired Russian teens behind the Iron Curtain. The book's design mostly allows for continuous reading, with special spreads occurring at natural breaks in the text. Various anecdotes and quotes from the band and others who were close to them enrich the text. Overall, this book is a welcome reminder that popular entertainment can be a powerful force for positive change in the world.-Joy Piedmont, LREI, New York City (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Sandler justifies his rather hyperbolic title in thirteen chapters that explore the Fab Four's influence on music, fashion, religion, and other cultural phenomena, as well as how they themselves were changed by their experiences as high-achieving celebrities. His treatment--accurate, if unfailingly laudatory and occasionally repetitious--is illustrated with numerous photos. A detailed U.S. discography chart is appended. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
From their early performances in Liverpool to the present, this lavishly illustrated account examines the enduring influence of the Beatles on music and culture over the past 50 years. Opening with their February 1964 appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, arguably "one of the most defining and indelible moments in the history of music, television and pop culture," Sandler traces the progress of Beatlemania. He emphasizes that the Beatles transformed culture with music by performing without a lead singer, changing the nature of record singles, redefining the record album, revolutionizing album covers, finding "inspiration in almost everything around them" and expressing the mood of the times. Sandler moves chronologically through the Beatles' career, tracking formative years in Liverpool and Hamburg, Germany, their phenomenal popularity in the United States, their rapturous concert tours, their breakup in 1970 and subsequent individual careers. Chapters on their impact on fashion, hairstyles, movies and religion reinforce the overall theme. Richly illustrated with period photos that capture career highlights, this chronicle of the 20th century's lead music group is boldly printed on glossy paper in colors, typefaces and layout appropriately reminiscent of '60s pop art. A well-researched and attractively presented look in words and pictures at how the ever-popular Beatles did indeed change the world. (discography, sources, bibliography, further reading surfing; not seen) (Nonfiction. 10-14)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
