“Piper at the Gates of Dawn is a remarkable artistic creation that is often examined through the distorting lens of subsequent events. This has contributed to overshadowing the achievements of Pink Floyd in their first album: the outstanding musical prowess of the group, the masterful production that set a benchmark, and, lastly, the fact that it was created in much more pleasant conditions than I had assumed.

The book you are holding is not just another book about 'crazy Syd.' On the contrary, it is a tribute to a moment when everything seemed possible, when creative spheres and forces converged, and when an album managed to speak in a wholly different language.” John Cavanagh is a musician and presenter of several shows on BBC Radio.