Book Description

In an extraordinary revelation, Dr. Donald Hinton recounts a scenario that is startling in its assertion and incredible in fact. He presents the events of Elvis Aron Presley's last 24 years as told to him by "The King" himself through a collection of handwritten letters and cards, telephone conversations and photos, since his "death" in 1977. In them, Elvis is alive and well and living in seclusion as "Jesse," the name of his deceased twin brother.

Dr. Hinton risks his reputation and livelihood to bring this astonishing story to print because, he says, "Jesse" felt it was time to tell his fans the truth. Elvis' disciples and skeptics alike should welcome this opportunity to finally establish or lay to rest the truth about Elvis' death or life. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Expected More !
Frankley, I'm a little disappointed, the book is supposedly a true story of the death of Elvis, and that he has been alive these last 24 years, and living under the Name of his stillborn twin brother, Jesse Garon. First off, If I were going under cover, I wouldn't pick such an obvious name, so obvious infact, that an Impersonator in Vegas uses Jesse Garon as a stage name.
Secondly, the "proof" in the book, consists mostely of photographs of personal items belonging to Elvis, as an Impersonator myself, I can produce several items, which look like items Elvis owned, it took me a full 30 seconds on eBay to track down not 1, not 2, but 3 Cadillac Gold Charms, pictured in the book.(and, Yes I did buy one, it will look good with my Black Pinwheel suit)the supposed concrete evidence is a gold tooth, which Elvis had removed on Aug 15th 1977, yet there as no documentation, by the Dentist, who removed it to support this claim.
The book ( actually an enlarged phamphlet) left me with many questions, what has he been doing these last 24 years, is he planning a come back, at age 67 ? and after going to all the extent to assume a new identity,why come out now, won't that defeat the intent in the first place? which I thought was to have a private life. Does he still have contact with family, and friends from his past life? And lastly with a story of this magnatude, why was the book so thin ?( less than 100 pages )
Belive me, as an impersonator, I more than anyone wish the story to be true, I spend my life trying to capture the image, Jesse supposedly was trying shed. In the event the story is true, I understand his reasons for doing it, but until "Jesse" and Lisa Marie have a DNA test, we may never have Factual PROOF.
I do find it interesting , the ties to Kansas City, Dr. Hinton,Jerry Presley ( 2nd Cousin, and an Impersonator), and Jack Snoden ( CEO of EPE )
All in all, it was a good read,just not too compelling in the fact department, but Jesse if you're out there, and it is true, Let me be the first to say ...Thank Ya, Thank Ya Very Much !

If it's not true......
There was tons of information on the website until someone shut it down (it's still there, but it's blank). If it is not true then why won't they leave the website alone? Is it a threat because it is true? If it is just some "crackpot" why bother?
go to http://www.thetruthaboutelvisjesse.com/

Hmmm....
Well what do you know. It's the year 2003, almost 2004 and no evidence whatsoever to support the idea that Elvis is alive. Elvis is dead, and so is this book.

This Book Is a Sham
I believe this entire book is a sham.

Where Do I begin?

After reading it, looking at the presented "evidence", I have concluded that absolutely nothing presented would lead ANYONE to think Elvis is alive.

Here are the facts: they justify the physical appearance being wrong by saying Elvis had plastic surgery in the 80's and a stroke last year (02), they justify his lack of DNA and fingerprints by saying NO real Elvis DNA exists, so we cannot compare it to anything. They say Lisa Marie loves her dad, and she believes it's really him, but then say she is not willing to provide DNA to prove it's him.

They provide a hair sample to the Doctor, KNOWING he will never be able to prove its from Elvis. It might be poodle hair as far as he knows.

They say it's over money, and Elvis Presley Enterprises is concealing the truth. And o yeah, "they" don't trust "Jesse" with any cash, so he has to live off other people. So he is a nomad, traveling around, alone and broke, hoping his "true" fans will care for him.

My take is that we have a impersonator from the 80's, who made a lot of money pretending to be Elvis, singing, waving, and dancing, then he got old and thought, gee wheeze, I had this surgery, and now I look old and hideous, so I might as well continue my charade. Yeah, that's the ticket, and on top that, I am not going to work for the rest of my life, because I am going to find idiots who think I'm Elvis and support me.

Fact: No where in this book does Dr. Hinton say he has ACTUALLY MET this guy. (Dr. Hinton has, however, given money and plenty of drugs to this guy though) To be fair though, "Jesse" has provided memorabilia that belonged to Elvis. To be unfair, it is complete junk you can buy in the Graceland plaza for ten bucks.

I say that if this is the real deal, and he wants so desperately to come clean, he needs to come public, get a court order for DNA from Lisa Marie, and re-claim his heritage he has tried so desperately to avoid.

I wouldn't be surprised if the return address on all Jesse's letters is a prison somewhere in Arizona.

Great Book!!
I absoulutely love this book! It is indeed a must read for all elvis presley fans! I've never been interested in Elvis, but this book grabbed my interest entirely! Mr. Hinton has pictures, and detailed letters in the book that are actually real!! Call me crazy but I belive him!!! Elvis also wrote a heartfelt introduction to his fans about why he did what he did. I DEFINATLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK (To non-elvis fans as well) ... Read more

Reviews (2)

My Review
I think the book was really boring. It didn't make much sense to me, but maybe the reason why is because I wasn't really interested in the book.

Long Live the King
The story of Elvis's demise is a sordid one. Yet it is impossible to read of Elvis's last decade without developing a lasting affection for the man. From the blow-em-away return special of 1968 to the splendor of the early Vegas years, Elvis's performances in the late 60s and early 70s remind us of what the word "comeback" ought to mean. "Suspicious Minds" remains one of his finest hits - and the live version is a treat. As Jerry Hopkins recalls, the King would prepare for those performances like a prize-fighter - witness his incredible weight loss for the TV concert. Elvis was also a remarkably generous, witty individual -- most don't know that "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" was his favorite film. That said, his eventual decline was total and utter, and the only consolation in the stories of guns, drugs, promiscuity, martial arts, bad food and middling albums is that somewhere in that Python-loving psyche he may have found it grimly amusing. ... Read more

Book Description

Elvis Presley spoke to a whole generation of people through his music. Whether it was a ballad, a gospel hymn, or pure rock'n'roll, when he sang, people listened.

However, there was more to Elvis than his music and movies. Throughout his career he was questioned by mobs of adoring fans and interviewed by thousands of inquisitive reporters. Repeatedly he was asked personal questions about his life, ranging from love and marriage to his musical style, from his religious beliefs to his family. He answered them all in a polite and forthright way.

Elvis Speaks is a collection of Elvis's words--what he said on a variety of topics such as loneliness, performing in front of live audiences, how he felt about his fans, how he felt about being drafted into the army, music, love, and religion. The words are pure Elvis. They come from the heart and reflect the man behind the entertainer and beyond the gates of Graceland, the Cadillacs, the gold records, and the money. Elvis Speaks tells of a man who loved to entertain people and found heartache and happiness in a career that spanned nearly three decades. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wonderful book
My husband and I just finished reading this book. I have always been an Elvis fan and Wayne Carman shows his love and respect for Elvis Presley in this book. I would recommend that any Elvis fan, karate fan or enthusiast to pick up this book and read it. It is filled with life changing words of wisdom and can help you change your life. Elvis was a fantastic individual and Wayne brings that to life in this book. My husband and I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Carman and he is a wonderful man. He writes with knowledge, beauty and love. Read this book, it will change the way you look at life! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Very informative book!
I found this to be a very interesting read, I'm a huge fan of Priscilla Presley and I thought this book made her shine more than she already does! I actually read it twice!!! To me it displayed her compassion for Elvis. I only wished she had given him a second chance as he had asked her to in one of their last conversations!!! I Highly recommend this book!

Very Disappointed
I very disappointed to say I did not enjoy this book. When I heard of it's arrival I immediatley called the book store to have it reserved for me. As soon as I got home I sat down to read only to find out that what seemed to me to be a book to bash Priscilla Presley. I have been a huge fan of Elvis Presley for 12 years and through that have gotten to read about Priscilla especially Elvis and Me and have gotten to respect her trumendously. I've read Michael Edwards book and this book seems to have almost begin where he left off. By himself.
I strongly suggest that if you are a Priscilla or Elvis fan to not read this book. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent biography of the Colonel
To the degree possible, the author has reconstructed the life of Colonel Tom Parker, probably the most notorious personal manager in show business history. Beginning with his childhood in Holland, the factors that shaped the Colonel's character are unfolded in a plausible, well presented manner - no easy task on a man who could suddenly disappear without leaving a forwarding address.

A listing of Elvis's recording sessions from 1954 through 1977 is provided at the end of the book. An index is also provided.

A great biography about Colonel Tom Parker's life with Elvis
You get a pretty good idea of what Tom Parker's life was like, because Vellenga interviewed so many people that knew Parker & Elvis.

I was very curious because I manage an Elvis Tribute Band, of how they worked together and I learned alot from their mistakes. I don't think the author liked the Colonel too much but you can tell he put alot of research into it & I'm glad he wrote the book.

You also get alot of insight into show business.

Before I read the book I thought the Colonel was maybe someone special or a superb businessman to have been so successful, but after reading it, it showed me he wasn't all that great of a manager, not keeping Elvis's best interests at heart. One example of this is he made songwriters share their profits with him thus eliminating alot of very good songwriters. "Suspicious Minds" was an exception to this. Elvis could have had alot more great songs if the Colonel hadn't been so greedy.

But their were some good things he did too, the concerts & especially Aloha from Hawaii, which was videotaped & similcast. I also liked the documentary movie "That's the Way it is" about Elvis & the NBC Special.

I think there was some kind of karmic bond between the Colonel & Elvis. Elvis said it best, "We're caught in a trap, I can't walk out, because I love you too much, baby." ... Read more

Book Description

An intimate portrait of young Elvis Presley's years in Germany as an American GI -- wiht hundreds of rare photographs and revelations from Elvis intimates

In September 1958, U.S. Army Private 53310761, Elvis Presley, sailed for Germany as part of the 3rd Armored Division. just twenty-three years old, he was, arguably, the most famous man on earth.

Nearly thirty years later Andreas SchrÖer, a German private eye fascinated by Elvis, spent seven years completing the awesome task of reconstructing Elvis's time in Germany. He tracked down Elvis's friends, acquaintances, and admirers-even a previously unknown German girl with whom Elvis had a secret relationship. Their stories, together with more than 270 rare photographs from their personal collections, are presented here.

Private Presley traces the story of Elvis's two years in the army: the trauma of his mother's death just three weeks before he left for Germany; the media circus of his arrival and the constant attention of the press during his stay; his first experiments with drugs; the girls with whom he was and was not involved; his early encounters with his future wife, Priscilla, who was just fourteen when they met; and his triumphant return to America.

Although the life of Elvis Presley was filled with controversy, it is widely acknowledged that his time in Germany was a crucial watershed in his career as well as in his private life. It is also the least documented period of his life, making Private Presley the only accurate study of the rock legend as soldier.

Reviews (1)

Private Presley
If you like to see Elvis in Uniform, this is the BOOK !!!! It is filled with tons & tons of photographs. It is also a rather big book, so that means you also get to have bigger Elvis pictures printed. Elvis in Army, Elvis with girls, Elvis at charity...quite a well informed book of what he's doing during his army years. Well done. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

This Book Has Become An Essential Part Of My Travel Library!
Elvis Passed Here is the third in this series of books written by Chris Epting, and as I expected, exceeds my expectations.As with the previous books (James Dean Died Here & Marilyn Monroe Dyed Here), Chris guides us to the locations of other pop culture landmarks.What I particularly like about these books is the broad range of categories he chooses to cover.In addition to the categories one would expect (movies, music, art, etc.), Chris has also included chapters dedicated to such bizarre subjects as infamous celebrity events, historical tragic events, and crime.

I was fascinated to learn about pop culture locations in and around the city where I live.Locations that I didn't even know existed, or that I have probably seen countless times and not taken notice of.

This book, and those before it, have also added a new dimension to vacations and trips for me.Whenever I plan a trip, I now consult these books to see what pop culture locations exist where I'm going.For example, on our recent trip to New York City, I was able to eat at the first pizzeria in North America, visit the club where Jimi Hendrix was discovered, sit at the table where the famous scene from "When Harry Met Sally" was filmed, and find the location where the photo on the cover of Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti album was taken.

I would definitely recommend this book to those who want to add a fun and exciting new element to their travels!

This is a Pop-culture Traveler's "Must Have"
Epting has done it again.He continues to take us on the road to "live" the events that happened in America's history.We toured with James Dean and then Marilyn Monroe.The third book in his trilogy is as exciting as his predecessors and a must have if you are an Epting "junkie."If for nothing else get this book to complete the set; after all who has only two volumes of "Lord of the Rings"?It's time to grab your camera and get out on the road.Come on; tell me who wouldn't want to fly a kite in the same place as Ben? ... Read more

Book Description

"Meant to be a field guide for further research, it pitches to the most erudite echelons of Elvis fandom without going over the heads of the masses. It is also easily the coolest, most reasonable book about the Kink yet." Booklist ... Read more

Book Description

Elvis Presley's army years are often considered the "lost years" because so little is known about them. Elvis's fellow soldier and friend, Rex Mansfield, along with his wife, Elisabeth-with whom Elvis was once romantically linked-reveal a fascinating portrait of young Elvis the soldier. Tales of Elvis and Rex's induction in Memphis, basic training in Texas, and travels to Germany are recounted, and stories of the genesis of Elvis's addiction to prescription drugs, his initial meeting with Priscilla Beaulieu, and his daily life on base and in the homes he rented in Texas and Germany are revealed. Included are many previously unpublished photographs from this important time in Elvis's life. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Very fine book
This is an interesting book with rare photos. It's written by two Elvis insiders and I think any Elvis fan would find it worthwhile. Even though I'm a big Elvis fan, I'm glad that Rex and Elisabeth escaped from Elvis' world and gave their lives to the Lord. BTW, the epilogue is the best section of the entire book.

ELVIS GUNG HO PRESLEY
I've learned so much this year about Elvis' Army career, first in AROUND ELVIS and now in SGT PRESLEY. Elvis was assigned to the most dangerous duty station in all the world from 1958 to 1960 on the front lines of the Cold war on the Russian Front, where World War III. He was the scout of the 3rd Armor Division, General Patton's unit, and he drove the sergeant that drove Patton, and went ahead of the brigade. 3 months after Elvis was discharged the U2 Spy Plane was shot down and his unit was on it's highest alert since World War II. When the Berlin Wall went up, his old unit was there ready for battle. The point is that even though he was a peacetime soldier he wasn't out playing weekend warrior. His unit was out in the field more than half the time he was over there. And those fields are covered in freezing snow. The same snow that stopped Napoleon and Hitler dead in their tracks. Elvis was a patriot and he was respected by his superiors and peers for his hard work and his good job. He took R.O.T.C in school like all sophomores in the great fighting state of Tennesse do and wore his uniform everywhere. Despite what Joe Esposito has to to say, Elvis earned those stripes. He proudly had his Army montage in the Gold Room at Graceland amid his awards. After he died the only thing found in the money compartment of his wallet was a newspaper clipping of the statement made by TN. Senator Estes Kefauver about him to the 86th Congress of The United Staes after his discharge. After exalting him for not using the power of his fame to shirk his duty, Kefauver exclaimed, "Yours was a job well done soldier!" He carried that with him for 17 years.

Marshall Terrill is the MAN!!!!!!!
Great read by one the best biographers in the business. I'd even let Terrill write my life story!

Keep up the good work Marshall. I can't wait for the Pete Maravich book!

great story by great people
I had the priviledge to know Rex And Elizabeth Mansfield when my husband was stationed in Germany in the early 90's. They are wonderful people and some of the most down-to- earth people I know. It was exciting to read about a time in their lives that I never really knew about. I knew Elizabeth had dated Elvis but did not realize how close they both were to him. I read every word knowing that it was true because I knew the writers. It gives youa great insight to realize that behind every famous person is just that, a real person, warts and all. I encourage every fan of Elvis to read this book because it is written by people who knew him and loved him. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

EXCAVATING ELVIS
I compare this book to my two favorites; ELVIS & GLADYS by Elaine Dundy and AROUND ELVIS by Thorne Peters. Those books and this one show us that there are so many layers left of Elvis' life yet to be discovered. Like his music, we have barely scratched the surface of his being and the best is yet to come. These books show us what we've already seen in such a new light that it is fresh and vibrant each time you read it. These books reveal that Elvis' life was as multi faceted as he was multi talented. To this short list I would add IF I CAN DREAM by Larry Geller and LAST TRAIN TO MEMPHIS, by Peter Guralnick. In these books Elvis is shown to be a multi dimesnsional human and not the second coming. The more you humanize Elvis and see him for the man he was the more incredible he becomes and the more you realize just how phenomenal his acheivements are. In life and in death, Elvis is forever 2nd to NONE!

The Most Informative Elvis Book This Year!
I happened on to this book by just browsing through ..., a great way to find books I would not ordinarily run across. Unfortunately most of the Elvis books I find are very disappointing such as that recent (2001) travesty of a bibliography on Elvis that basically imparts very little information about each entry. Then again, I sometimes luck out and run into a book so fabulous and well done, I want to tell the world. Such a book is Aaron Webster's Elvis: A Radio History from 1945 to 1955. I would have thought that Mr. Guralnick's exhaustive works on Elvis would have covered just about everything but Mr. Webster proves otherwise. This book is detailed, accurate and features much new information, especially on the radio interviews Elvis did in his first full professional year, 1955. The information on Elvis at the Louisiana Hayride is equally as exhaustive. In my opinion, this book shows what a natural communicator Elvis was and how fascinating he would have been, and probably very happy as well, had he been able to interview, visit radio stations, put on live shows, and more, throughout the sixties, instead of being stuck away making some interesting but not too exciting films. Not only is the writing very incisive and to the point, the charts at the end of the book are well constructed and very informative, allowing me to fully understand much of what Elvis did in detail that year plus before he moved on to record for RCA Records. Congratulations Mr. Webster, on a fresh new look at early Elvis and a book truly worthy of ranking up there with the classic works on Elvis such as those done by Mr. Guralnick and Mr. Jorgensen. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

What great research - and what a fun book this is!
Ok. While on the road, I used this book to conduct trivia contests. The guys I am with, are Elvis fans and they always try to prove that they know Elvis more than I. So this book put an end to that!

But I will say this: I TOO WAS WRONG on many occasions! I never knew 50-60% of the information that was listed in this book -- and I thought I knew a LOT! So this is an educational book beyond any Elvis fans' expections or knowledge!

I think this will soon become an Elvis Bible to the fans and Elvis world - if it's not already!

Remarkable from the first page to the last!

Wonderful book!
What struck me about this book was the beautiful and clean art deco cover. What a gorgeous cover! And what fun it is to look at.

I bought it along with Christmas with Elvis by the same author. Never knew about anyone making a Christmas book with Elvis! So I was thrilled about that!

Anyway I took this book home, and to keep it short: I have so far read it 3 times from cover to cover! That is how enticing this book is. Never had I thought possible that anyone could trace Elvis' family history back that far as did Mr. Curtin. Because Graceland still has the OLD information that Elvis came from Scotland and Andrew Pressley! My goodness Mr. Curtin goes back much much farther. What an important addition Mr. Curtin is to the Elvis world. He is the key to the lock on the Elvis Presley that no one dares to write about: THE GOOD MAN!

Thank you Mr. Curtin for showing class in authoring a beautiful book on Elvis. And thank you for all your extremely hard work in finding out all this information on Elvis and for sharing it with us fans. God Bless you and much continued success.

GETTING ON MY KNEES
I AM NOW TYPING IN CAPITALS!

JUST READ THIS BOOK AND I WILL SAY THIS : I AM AMAZED AT JIM CURTIN AND HIS WRITER FOR WHAT, AND HOW MUCH THEY RESEARCHED ON ELVIS.

SO WITH THIS REVIEW I AM GETTING ON MY KNEES AND THANKING GOD NOT ONLY FOR GIFTING THIS WORLD WITH ELVIS, BUT FOR GIFTING THE ELVIS WORLD WITH JIM CURTIN! (and lets not forget Renata)

THANK YOU .... THANK YOU .... THANK YOU .... THANKYOUVERYMUCH!

Superb research!
This book should get an award just for the research that was done in putting this book together. This team of Jim and Renata is the best ever in the Elvis world. Just wonderful, wonderful information is PACKED into this little book! You would think its a mini encyclopedia with how much writing is involved in this book!

If this book, the early years, is this great; I can't wait for the next volumes!

I personally thought that was no other information that could be FOUND on Elvis, but I was wrong. I think Jim and Renata truly pinpointed Elvis' family tree to a T ..... I can't find fault in it. Everything seems to fit and make sense. Not even Elvis' family members got things as right! So what does that mean to us? THE PERFECT INFORMATIVE BOOK!

Thanks a million!

WOW! WOW! WOW!
Did you read or get this book? Well my God what are you all waiting for!

I have never ever seen such intense research put into an Elvis book before in my life .. and this is just the early volume!

This book is worth not only the great photos but for the impressive family tree and lineage that was done on Elvis and his family. I mean did you know that Elvis' family tree was traced back to Denmark to the 1595? I sure didnt, until now.

I am now going to hold Elvis trivia contests with all my Elvis friends and fan club members ... This book is remarkable. that is all I can say.

Jim once again, a super book. And your assistant did a super job with her research! You guys actually proved a lot of "so-called experts" wrong!

Another must book for the Elvis fan! ... Read more

Book Description

"White Trash" was what they called the boy, just because he wore hand-me-down overalls and lived on the wrong side of the tracks over near Shake Rag. Oh, how things changed when his mama scrimped and saved to buy him a second-hand guitar. It was his best friend. But he caught the real fever from the "good news" gospel music and the sweet rich jazz that poured out of the juke joints in that town. One day he would show all of the doubters. With his music, one day, he would wake up the world! Amy Littlesugar and artist Floyd Cooper create a powerful book that challenges the rumors and stereotypes of one of the most controversial musical legends of our time. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The King Lives!
I orginally purchased this book for my Mom who is a real huge Elvis Presley fan. She was delighted to add this book to her evergrowing collection of Elvis thins. One day, while listening to an Elvis CD - my four year old started asking questions about Elvis. Talk about coincidence! We pulled out the book and Grandma read the story based on Elvis's beginnings. She had tears in her eyes remembering how Elvis came from nothing and rose to such awesomeness. My four year old loved the book too. A great gift for an Elvis fan or for reading and teaching a young child about his life. Nicely written for children to understand and beatuifully illustrated. A must have!!! ... Read more

Book Description

Elvis Presley and his two faithful sidekicks tore up Texas highways, crisscrossing the state, always late for their next high school hop, car dealership opening, or Lion’s Club fund raiser. As they dodged tumbleweeds at 110 mph, scores of abused cars and unwary rattlesnakes sacrificed their lives so that one day Elvis could tell a Dallas newspaper reporter, “I owe a lot to Texas. They’re the ones who put me over the top.” ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Another Star in the Lone Star State
Lori Torrence brings the King alive recounting his early days in our beloved Texas. Her wonderful tidbits of little-known information make this book a MUST HAVE for all Elvis fans, and her humorous style ensures even those who may not have loved the singer will certainly enjoy the read! I would recommend about anything Lori writes to all.

Now, wait just a minute...
I picked up a copy of Elvis in Texas in November 2001, at the Annual Literacy Book Festival, where I had the pleasure of meeting author, Lori Torrance, as well as researcher, Stanley Oberst. Upon meeting Ms. Torrance, I found her charming demeanor to be an asset to the book's personality, and ultimately, it's readability. I'm certain many readers, as well as I, were unaware of Elvis' extensive road trip through Texas in gaining stardom and can admire the lengthy inquiry into the past. Together with the chronicle of information on Elvis and Texas, the pages are bursting with tons of pictures and aside-shots of trivia, which literally draws the reader right back in the '50s, as if they were reliving the past. And if you didn't live in the day, the book provides a rich portal through the generation gap in time, so younger audiences can relate to and appreciate the ambience. My children and I found the book to be a real treat! I welcome the "Happy Days" nostalgia, and am absolutely delighted with this book!

Worth a look
This a very nice book. There are some great pictures in here. I own a lot of Elvis books and there are some pictures in here I haven't seen before. The text is a bit gossipy but okay. It's not an in depth study of the King but good coffee table fodder. According to this, he really did sow his wild oats in Texas - I wonder how many little Elvi are going about?

It's interesting to see Elvis the boy at the beginning, looking full of life and looking to the future and then look at pictures of him toward the end. Was all the success worth it? Perhaps not.

Sarcastic author sounds unprofessional
I bought this book because I'm writing Faron Young's biography and needed information on dates Faron and Elvis worked together. Lori Torrance lost my respect in the very first paragraph of the book, with her statement, "Country music twanged on the radio, Hank Williams crying in his cornflakes again." A few pages later, she says, "At that time, easy listening and my-dog-has-fleas country music monopolized the mass music market." The research was useful but the flippant writing was a turn-off.

Great photos! Frustrating read & sometimes inaccurate text.
Scotty Moore, Elvis' original guitar player and manager, recently said he thought he had seen every photo from that era until he saw this book. That's why I bought it. The photos, mostly performance snapshots, are great. Unfortunately the text is not. At best the writing gets in the way, and at worst it is just plain wrong (which Scotty warned me about). Still, this rare glimpse of one of the greatest American bands merits its recommendation. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Why do they print rubbish like this
Indeed, why do they. What rubbish. Is it just me but it seem that anyone can write a book about Elvis, even if they just saw him once buying a hamburger!

Will EPE please stop this rubbish getting published and give us all a rest. It doesn't tell us anything new, it doesn't give any insight into the man and is just making a quick buck for his "cousin" Earl.

Spare us this rubbish, please.

GREAT! ALL ASPECTS POINT TO "WHITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM"
WE ALL KNOW THAT ELVIS WAS HELPING NIXON WITH THE DRUG WAR. IF I READ MANY ITEMS RIGHT, HE WAS A PERFECT TARGET FOR THE UNDERGROUND, MAFIA, ETC. SINCE HE WAS THE MOST TALKED ABOUT, THE MOST RECONIZEABLE PERSON ON THIS EARTH, SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE. HE HELPED CAPTURE MANY DRUG LORDS, AND WHEN SOMEONE DOES THIS, THE DRUG LORDS SEND OUT HIT MEN. I STILL BELIEVE TODAY, THAT HE IS ALIVE AND WELL IN THE PROGRAM. THERE'S TO MANY UN-ANSWERED QUESTIONS, AND TO MANY STONES UNTURNED!! IT WOULDN'T BE HARD TO HAVE HIM AS AN ELVIS IMPERSONATER! THAT'S JUST MY OPINION. AN EXAMPLE IS...HIS $1,000,000 INSURANCE IS STILL NOT CASHED IN..HOUND DOG #2 (THE PLANE) STILL MAKES SECRET FLIGHTS AT NIGHT..THE HOME IS STILL VERY SECLUDED. CURTAINS SHUT, ROOMS OFF LIMIT, THE COFFIN WEIGHING OVER 800 POUNDS, WHEN HHE WAS IN THE COFFIN, THAT WAS NOT THE OLDER ELVIS, AND NO MORGUE CAN DO THAT MUCH FANTASTIC WORK!! I GUESS THAT'S IT. I REALLY WOULD LOVE TO HAVE HIM ALIVE TODAY, AND ENTER THE MUSIC SCEENE!! ALSO..PRISCILLA WASN'T THAT UPSET, IT LOOKED LIKE A "FAKE" FACE. EVEN LISA..THE FBI DOCUMENTS TONS OF INFORMATION ABOUT ELVIS BEING A "SECRET" AGENT FROM TIME TO TIME..I READ THE BOOK OVER, AND OVER AGAIN. EVERYTIME I READ IT, I FIND FACTS THAT I MISSED THE FIRST TIME.----ANYWAY-----ELVIS ROCKS AND HE BRINGS MANY PEOPLE, "WORLD-WIDE" TOGETHER!! AND THAT'S A GREAT THING!! THANKS FOR READING THIS!! TAKE CARE...FRIENDS THROUGH ELVIS...CONNIE ... Read more

Book Description

When Bobbie Ann Mason first heard Elvis Presley on the family radio, she recognized him as "one of us . . . a country person who spoke our language"--Southern, working class, a little wild. In Elvis Presley, the bestselling author of the two modern American classics Shiloh and Other Stories and In Country captures all the vibrancy and tragedy of this mythic figure.

With heartfelt intimacy and a novelist's insight, Mason charts the intoxicating life of the first rock-and-roll superstar, whose music shattered barriers and changed the sound of America. Elvis the impassioned singer and charismatic youth embraced the celebrity brought him by a host of top-forty hits and movies. But Elvis the small-town boy and devoted son was in no way prepared for being catapulted into an unimagined stratosphere. This is the riveting story of an unforgettable man and his indelible legacy. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Mason On Elvis:An American Tragedy
Bobbie Ann Mason is the person who should have written this book on Elvis. Born in 1942, she grew up on a dairy farm in Mayfield, Kentucky; she and Elvis then are from the same time and part of the country. It is obvious from every page of this work that Ms. Mason likes Elvis's music and understands what his contribution to America and the world was. There is no substitute, as some of us remember, to being alive when Elvis literally burst on the music scene and shook us from the Eisenhower 50's. Of course Ms. Mason, one of our best living fiction writers, says it better than I: "For me, Elvis is personal--as a Southerner and something of a neighbor. I heard Elvis from the very beginning on the Memphis radio stations. Many parents found Elvis's music dangerously evocative, his movements lewd and suggestive--but when my family saw Elvis on THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW, singing 'Ready Teddy', my father cried, 'Boy, he's good!'"

My problem with this book is the same I have with the other books in this series-- their required brevity makes any in-depth study of the character impossible. This series works best, I think, in Douglas Brinkley's book on Rosa Parks since no bio of her except one for children had ever been written so he was covering new ground rather than rehashing previous material. Ms. Mason lists her sources, saying she relied heavily on Peter Guaralnick's two books on Pressley that I have not read. I did read, however, the awful book by Albert Goldman whom I believe Ms. Mason alludes to in her introduction: "In 1980, a scurrilous biography portrayed him as a redneck with savage appetites and perverted mentality, and of no musical significance to American culture." Ms. Mason provides the ultimate insult by not giving the name of the biographer.

Ms. Mason discusses briefly Elvis's movies and his interest in books. I didn't know he read books or that Priscilla got him to burn them. Ms. Mason also says that by the end of 2000 Graceland had become the most visited private home in the U. S. When I visited his grave a few years ago-- Graceland was closed that day-- I was saddened so see that out of hundreds of "floral arrangements" there was not one real flower. I suppose as the Lorettta Lynn character says in "Cold Miner's Daughter," that the plastic ones last longer.

Bereft
When these publishing houses reach into the shallow end of the writing pool to assign authors the task of patching together a novella, this is the inevitable pitiful result. Superficiality overflows her perspectives, and the style of the book is forced, as she tries to spin a tome of the south as a tapestry into Elvis' life. I must've been absent from the planet during the minute that Elvis' career took this downward spiral she focuses on. Recently he has had the number 1 song and album in the world, which went gold or platinum in 60 countries. 15,000,000 people from around the world have stopped by his house over the last 20 years, making Graceland the most visited home in the world (next to the White House which is a public building); there are over 700 fan clubs; he has sold more records since 1977 than any 3 acts combined; his posthumous concert tour breaks attendance records around the world, and a whole new generation of children have discovered him in the Lilo & Stitch movie. There are still more books sold and written about Elvis than any other artist. He was voted the "Artist of the Century" the 57th "Most Influential Person of the Millennium," and his song, "That's All Right Mama" was chosen by CNN as the "Song That Changed The World." He revolutionized, Radio, Concerts, the Record Industry, the Music Charts, Television, Movies, Pop Culture, Male Sexuality and fan devotion. He first created the generation gap in the 50s and bridged it in the 70s. Without Elvis crossing over to open the portal for Black entertainers, Motown would've been a regional success only. After 9/11 when the world sought emotional comfort through songs of inspiration and patriotism, "America The Beautiful" sung by Elvis in 1972, went up the Top 10 charts worldwide. A man that accomplished all this in just 22 years---so much that his work and image still dominate the perlieu 26 years after his demise--- deserves better than to be written about by an author of the ilk of a Bobbie Ann Mason.
P.S He is releasing another album, that will be pushed to the top by another Number 1 single.

A quick glimpse of the King...
This book fits well into the Penguin Lives series - none of them are meant to be definitive pictures of the person being written about, but most of them succeed in giving a good glimpse of a person's life and accomplishments, however, most are over far too quickly and with many details left to further reading. That's not necessarily a bad thing if it's what you're expecting.

This book on Elvis is a WHOOSH WHAT HAPPENED?!?! sort of a quick read. Before I knew it I was turning the final page. Elvis' forty-two years were exhausted in a few hours of reading.The prose is mostly very readable, but early on the author didn't seem to know what to write about Elvis' childhood, so she rhapsodizes on the taste of hamburgers or makes numerous Faulkner references. I almost didn't make it past the first few chapters. Admittedly, there is probably a lack of material on this part of Elvis' life, but that doesn't mean we need a short essay on the lucious taste of hamburgers and how Elvis surely loved them.

Happily, Faulker is never mentioned in subsequent chapters, and the dearth of material vanishes. What follows is a good but all too quick and somewhat one-sided view of the life of Elvis. There is a hint of a 'Poor Elvis' theme as the author continually mentions his "innocence." Even towards the end of his life, when Elvis was literally destroying himself and seemed somewhat nuts, the tone is mostly sympathetic. The author almost blames Elvis' fame more than Elvis himself.It is true that fame can destroy a person. It's happened to too many people (even many who were never famous), but typically there's something else about the person that causes this self-destruction rather than simply the fact that they're famous. Though to be fair, it's a short book so all sides of the story cannot be told.

If you're already versed inthe life of Elvis Presley you'll likely find little new information here. I used the book as a starting point. I wanted to know more about Elvis' life, but I wasn't sure to what extent. This book was perfect as a glimpse into what happened to Elvis and the major events of his strange life. As a result of reading this book, I would really like to know more details about his "fall." This book whizzes through his final years by outlining some crazy stories such as Presley's visit with Nixon, his fascination with karate, his bizarre stage shows (to my generation, Elvis' 70's stage shows are strange and almost surreal to watch), the origin of his 70's persona (there's more to it than Captain Marvel), his divorce from Priscilla (good for her!), his becoming a narcotics officer, and his overall increasingly obsessive behavior. There's much more there I'm sure than this book tells, though it's probably not a happy tale, and this book strives to be a happy book.

The book does not mention accusations pointed at Elvis of racism. There are positive quotes from Little Richard, a Black Panthers Leader, and Elvis himself. Right or wrong, many people my age see Elvis as a thief of "black music" and as a symbol of white cultural appropriation and domination. I'm not supporting or denying this view, but the book implicitly takes the stance that this is not an issue or that "everything's okay" on this count. Elvis, along with Sam Phillips, is celebrated as a joiner of the races. This is at best controversial. Nonetheless, the overly positive view the book takes makes me want to learn more about this topic.

The book also goes a little light on Elvis' movies. They are far worse than the book leads on (I've seen all but a couple of them). It's easy to see how his legendary status declined since most people born after Elvis' death experience him first through his movies. It's really very hard to take Elvis seriously when your first exposure to him is "Paradise Hawwaiian Style", "It Happened at The World's Fair", or "Harum Scarum." In the end, his films did far more damage to his name than Elvis could ever imagine. Historically, it's telling that while the Beatles were working on Seargent Pepper, Elvis was working on "Clambake."

The book also doesn't mention what is usually considered Elvis' most critically acclaimed album: "From Elvis in Memphis." Elvis could make some darn good music when he was focused. His music is generally not album-oriented, however, so many of his albums sound merely like collections of songs strung together. "From Elvis in Memphis" is an exception to this, and is enjoyable from beginning to end. It deserves a mention even in a survey.

Overall, the book piqued my interest in Elvis as a cultural icon who took a huge fall for complicated reasons. He is right up there with Marilyn Monroe, Kurt Cobain, and Micheal Jackson in terms of the negative impact fame can have on a life. Concerning the topic of Elvis in general, there's more and less of what you'd think involved. He is a tragic figure and a symbol and a warning of the potential destructive powers of fame and wealth.

But if you want to know more details, you'll have to read another book.

Are You boring Tonight?
ELVIS PRESLEY:Bobbie Ann Mason

Early on in this skimpy biography of The King, author Mason recounts Elvis' first taste of success when his early Sun Record recordings began to be played on the radio, "the sounds that came hurtling out of Elvis' unfettered soul were so real and refreshing it was as if some juke joint had opened up and racial harmony were a happy reality."

Oh, yeah! I think we can all relate to that. Who among us, upon hearing Elvis for the first time, didn't say, "man, I feel like racial harmony is a reality."

This short (169 pages), uneven effort is not as bad as that quote would indicate, but the reader would be better served by almost any of the Presley bios available with the exception of Albert Goldman's hack job.

Elvis changed music, performing, and recording more than any artist in history, became more famous in a shorter time than anyone who ever graced the planet, and detonated the social revolution of the 60s, but that is as nothing to Mason who is hell-bent on finding something that SHE considers significant.

As a result, Elvis becomes a poster boy for a long discourse on southern whites and poverty and, in case that is not significant enough, is magically transformed from The King into The Saint, who performs merely as a device to achieve his true purpose, leading the diversity movement.

It is hard to make Elvis Presley boring, but Mason comes close.

A Disappointment
"Elvis Presley," by Bobbie Ann Mason, is an almost too intimate look into the conjectured feelings, rather than the events, shaping the life of "The King of Rock 'n' Roll."I was disappointed by both the writing style, which reminded me of backroom "beauty shop-like" gossip, and the content, which contained psychoanalysis of Presley. The continuous message that the society he was raised in as a child was the blame for the his adult downfall became the focus of the narrative; so much so that it made such a significant contributor to music history and cultural icon seem pathetic and uninteresting.The book is a good study for those interested in counseling or Freudian psychology; however, for those wanting a glimpse into the exciting and flamboyant life of Elvis Presley, this book is not recommended. ... Read more