Aaron Leonard’s ‘Whole World in an Uproar’ examines the link between the music scene in the late 50s and 60s - from the folk revival to the burgeoning pop scene - and the political climate at the time. He looks in detail at the idea of the red scare, how the FBI investigated and tracked artists deemed too close too communism and a danger to national security.

Leonard’s writing is immensely readable - meticulously researched and dense with background information, but consistently funny and engaging. His scope is wide-ranging, and contributes to the sense that this is a real in-depth analysis. A particular highlight is the short section where he attempts to examine the politics of rock and roll music, before determining that there’s really not all that much depth to examine there; it might be catchy, but rock and roll music just isn’t about very much at all.

As one of the biggest artists of the era, it makes sense that Leonard would devote so much time to discussing Bob Dylan and the influence he had. This analysis is not uncritical, however - Dylan’s controversial switch to more electric sounds in the 60s also represented a move away from much of the politically motivated songs of his early years (and of his direct influences), and Leonard’s interpretation of the reaction to this never feels at all blinded by fanboy-ism, as might be expected.

Overall, a thorough and engaging chronicle of one of the most interesting periods for both music and political unrest, and very much recommended.

Thank you to Netgalley and Repeater Books for the e-ARC!

Leonard's book, Whole World in an Uproar, is a well-researched volume with an impressive amount of detail. It should certainly serve as a warning to us about the dangers of government overreach and its potential for abuse, particularly in a time when some elements of our government call for and even exercise increased restraint on public discussion of issues, including even our history. Leonard lays out a compelling case of how the government attempted to monitor and then stifle expression in the music industry during the era of the 60's (one of many areas that it intruded on). Despite my familiarity with significant parts of the topic, there was much I did not know and a great deal of support for his claims.

But having grown up in the era, I must admit to some disappointment in the book. I found it rather cold and clinical. Notwithstanding the truths Leonard brings to light, I also remember a certain amount of joy in the era, notably within the music. If one can say little else about the 60's, there was certainly a lot of emotion/heart during the time - and that seems to be lacking in this volume.

Am I glad overall to have read the book? Absolutely. Will I rush to recommend it to others? Perhaps not so much so.

I liked how the FBI files were included within the text, rather than just as in the appendix. There’s plenty of information in this book, and anyone with an interest in the cultural history of the 60s will enjoy it.

There's a lot to enjoy and admire in this short but detailed overview of music and political rebellion in USA between 1955 and 1972. If anything it's a little too short in that fascinating stories, for example about Pete Seeger's or Nina Simone's surveillance by the FBI or the Summer of Soul festival in 1969, could have been given room to breathe. There are intriguing details, like the American Federation of Musicians' attempt to ban the Beatles from touring in 1964 because they had 'no unique talent', but also sweeping statements e.g. the assertions that Merle Haggard's songs 'stood out for their artistic quality' (What does that mean?) and that 'the impacts of events in the world' (whatever that was) contributed to the end of The Beatles.. There is some strong research here, from the FBI files, which and a powerful and captivating social history. Worth a look if you're interested in politics or (American) music or better both.

I can find almost anything to be a compelling read when an author is talented and is passionate about their chosen topic. When It’s something I’m already interested in, well, that’s just so much better. It’s like this book was written for me specifically, and I enjoyed it immensely.