“I stumbled across your book searching for stills from the movie and wanted to express my excitement and amazement that I have only just discovered your site. I’m a huge fan of the movie, watching it gets me out of any creative rut I may find myself in. I can’t wait to read about the making of the film as I’ve always thought the animation style was beautiful and trippy!”
—Grace in Washington, D.C.
“I stumbled upon It’s All in the Mind while researching the artwork of Heinz Edelmann and other contemporary psychedelic artwork for an art project. An image of your book cover came up in the Google results. I love Yellow Submarine; it’s one of my favorite films. I also love reading about pop culture. So, naturally, I had to find that book. Thank you for researching and writing both!”
—Adrianna in Colorado
“I already own the first volume—read it multiple times and gifted it to friends in the animation field—I am buying it again for the opportunity of having it personalised. It is easily one of the best researched (and entertaining) making-of books I own, reading it makes me travel in time.
Thanks for all your hard work on these wonderful books and best wishes for many more!”
—Cosimo in London
“Thank you for your dedication to the YELLOW SUBMARINE legacy. Somewhere in Pepperland, beneath the swaying fans of multicolored foliage, a bronze plaque sparkles in your honor.”
—Todd in Oregon
“Glad I could snag copies of both volumes—and the bonus stuff is just too cool! My dad pretty much raised me on the Beatles, so I have a lot of merch, and I’m always on the prowl for more. That plushie is just too cute.”
—Peyton in Texas
“Christmas all over again. This is humour and great art!!!
—Michael in Sweden
I think You have done a tremendous job collecting all these facts in two separate volumes, and I guess it was about time to gather the facts, while some of the folks responsible for the cult are still alive and remember anything. Although, when you look at the film, one is surprised firstly by the fact that is is actually made by humans, and even if so, you are surprised by the fact that people remember anything at all through the smoke and the haze which must have been present during the making of it :-).
All together now!!!”
“I’m an animation enthusiast and wanted a nitty gritty ‘making of’ history for the film. After some googling I found some short articles, but I wanted more detail. I started reading this Guardian article which recommended the book.”
—Ashley in Los Angeles, CA
Hello Laura & Dr. Bob,
I just watched your guest appearance on the ‘She Said, She Said’ podcast. Enjoyable, wonderful and so much appreciated.
I have read your books and they are outstanding! In fact, I have to get another Volume I. I let someone borrow it to read and they let someone borrow it and it never made it back to me. I’m sure it was enjoyable and sharing it will hopefully bring new fans to you, your books and the film.
The story of Yellow Submarine is so much more than listening to the song or delighting in the movie. It is a labor of love, blood, sweat, tears, mishaps and your brilliant minds and dedication to researching the facts has peeled back so many layers that watching the film (after reading your books) sheds a much different light and breathes a different life into it.
I commend and thank you both for your miraculous work.
You are remarkable.
With many thanks and the best in wishes,
Susan D.
★★★★★ from Goodreads reader Jessturejesster
This book feels like a portal into the lives of animators in the 1960s as they become transformed by the process of working on this stunning film. So much heart and art are captured throughout this read, and the many perspectives provide a fuller picture of how such a complex yet simple film was created. I was drawn (get it? drawn!) to the extensive collection of images that further embellish the already colorful journey of the film itself. I especially enjoyed learning about hidden stories, such as the flopped attempted 3-D animated remake of Yellow Submarine, and the dramas that unfolded as a result. Now when I return to watching the film, I’ll have a wealth of extra knowledge and be able to discover so many easter-eggs and hidden meanings. I can’t wait to take another dive into The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine!
★★★★★ A comprehensive look into an iconic classic!
Recently, my 30-year-old daughter saw YELLOW SUBMARINE for the first time (apparently, I was an incredibly negligent parent!!), and she could not stop talking about it. So I gave her this book and the volume that preceded it (INSIDE THE YELLOW SUBMARINE) for her birthday. Luckily I ordered them (directly from the author’s website) early enough that I had time to look through them myself before wrapping them up. They are absolutely compelling, providing an incredible variety of stories and perspectives on the making of this classic movie, almost completely in the voices of people who were involved with production, knew the Beatles at the time the movie was made, or (like the rest of us!) have simply watched and enjoyed it over the years. One of the great choices made by the authors is to primarily present the information in the words of the sources themselves. This really highlights the personal enthusiasm this movie has inspired in so many different people over the years.
The books are lavishly filled with images from the movie and other sources, so I strongly recommend getting the regular edition rather than the slightly cheaper black-and-white version being offered as an option to (presumably) allow people to save a few bucks.
After watching the movie, my daughters created a new family activity that we call “But could they save Pepperland?” Whenever we are talking about a band, a musician, an actor (or just about anyone), at some point someone will ask this important question as a way to determine whether their music, talent, or just overall life vibe might be sufficient in any struggle against the Blue Meanies. I can confidently say that Bob Hieronimus and his co-author Laura Cortner prove in these books that they (like the Beatles) absolutely COULD save Pepperland (should the need ever arise)!!
Just finished the second one, these are really great, thoroughly researched books, that transport you back to Soho’s vibrant, burgeoning animation industry of Swinging Sixties London. No detail is left unturned, from who drew and wrote what, to the price of a pint and a pie in the Dog and Duck! Plus all the love, life, laughs and drama of creating an animated masterpiece against the odds. The many transcribed interviews of those involved are a valuable legacy. It was truly magical to hear all their voices tell this unique story. Thanks for all your effort in telling this fascinating story from the point of view of its creators. It is a major achievement with so many aspects being covered.
“It’s All In The Mind” is a collectible treasure, complete with insights sourced that are now, for the most part, seeing the light of day for the first time in a single volume of work. Engaging narrative is complimented by color photos from the era adding new, intriguing and significant background to the ever-popular Yellow Submarine “experience”. Couldn’t recommend it more!
“The humor, insight, warmth and valuable information you share peels yet another layer from the phenomenon that the Beatles will always be. I’d love to sit and chat with you both …. you’re incredible!”
“Your interview with those three Beatles Masters was incredibly interesting; I had no idea of the drama, pathos and romance involved in the making of the movie, … the real draw of the books is the two of you and the breadth of your interests that you bring to it.”
“Congratulations to Laura and Dr Bob on finally getting volume 2 out. The story of how Yellow Submarine, against considerable odds, came to be an icon of 1960s culture is utterly fascinating. And if you’re interested in that story you can’t do better than these wonderful books. This is The Mother Lode! Nice people too.”
— Pete Scrowther, Lucerne, Switzerland
“I’m going to wait until I’ve got time to give the books my full attention, but I couldn’t resist a quick skim…well that turned out to be a long, slow skim, so I’ve had to put them away to prevent them from distracting me from work!
— Marco in the U.K.
Thank you and all involved in this project for your hard work, the fruits of your labours are sweet and brightly coloured.”
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