Customer Reviews (1)

good book
This is a great photos book,about his 1969 return to the stage,the pictures are rares,and the documentation about this period is interresting. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Hold your nose reading this one
In this book Goldman maliciously sets out to destroy the reputation of Elvis Presley. This is not a biography in the traditional sense of the word, no; it is a vicious hatchet job.

Through his persistently negative line of attack and dependence on unnamed or biased sources Goldman paints the ugliest portrait of Elvis imaginable. But he doesn't stop there. His depiction of Elvis's parents as the "Beverly Hillbillies" and his condescending reconstruction of the sort of gospel show that inspired the young Elvis could even be considered racist.

In short, "Elvis" by Albert Goldman is a thoroughly despicable book, written IMO by a thoroughly despicable man--hold your nose and read it at your own risk.

Entertaining
The accuracy of this book has been debated but its very entertaining. If your one of these nutters that want to turn Elvis into some sort of holy figure then you will hate this book. If you want to be entertained with tales of the "wacky Elvis" then this is the book for you. Some of the stuff that gets into this is depressing, like Elvis' drug use and penchant for young girls, but some of it is funny as hell, like Elvis' bizarre eating habits, (the story about flying all the way to Denver from Memphis for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches is classic!) his idea that he was an enlightened new age spiritual master, or the meeting between Elvis and Nixon where Elvis proposed to Nixon that he would be some sort of undercover agent and infiltrate the hippies for the FBI because he believed pot smoking was destroying the youth of America. Now keep in mind Elvis was high as a kite on drugs prescribed by his Doctor that are many times more harmful than Marijuana while proposing this to Nixon!

Like I said if Elvis is your religion you will be offended by this book, if your a casual Elvis fan or could care less about him one way or another you will be entertained.

Better than you may expect.
Since Albert Goldman was not a devoted Elvis fan (like I am), I found his biography to be rather more objective and detached than a follower's would be, and this makes a good read overall.Let's face it: Elvis was a hard core drug addict (and I have lived with an addict myself), and addicts are not nice people to live with (to put it mildly). Mr Goldman was a professional writer who researched Elvis deeply, and he acknowledged Elvis's talents and luck, but he saw the all too real weaknesses of being a human with addictions who lived with flunkies and others who were powerless to change Elvis. This is an excellent book.

Trash!
I was forced to give the book 1 star, as Amazon does not offer a 0 star option. Even people who dislike Elvis should find the writing insulting. Only someone who was severely jealous of Elvis could write the evil words and tone found in this book. I'm not a disillusioned Elvis fan. I'm well aware that Elvis had his faults and find it appropriate to mention some of them in a biography. However, Albert Goldman chose to make up hateful lies and worked hard to make Elvis seem gross and uncouth. I must admit that I did not complete the book. In fact, I could no longer stomach the rubbish and quit at page 22. I wondered where all this jealousy and rage were coming from. A quick flip through the back page flap where I found the photo of Mr. Goldman answered that question. Poor guy.

If you want a book with truth in it, don't waste your time on this book of lies! If you are severely in hate with Elvis you might like it. But if after reading it you find it a good book, I recommend you seek out a qualified psychiatrist.

Shellie Collins

Read with caution; the author seems to hate everybody.
I am a 62 year old Elvis tribute artist with a PHD in theolgoy. Goldman attacks everybody including Jews. He seems to think he is cute by caling everybody nasty names. I think he was very jealous of Elivs. While often commenting that Elvis was so much better than his competition, he allows no slack for the tremendous pressure Elvis was under because of the Colonel's greed. I would like to see a more balanced approach that spends equal time telling the good things Elvis always managed to do. I was shocked at his revelations of Elvis' sexual sins with underaged girls. If only one fourth of what Goldman says about Elvis is true, then it is still too much bad news.I want to think that God took Elvis early because he was professing a faith he was not living. Having said that, I still beleive that Elvis never gave up the simple faith he professed when he was a child and wanted to become a gospel singer. The book is worth the read if for no other reason than balacne. Don't believe everything you read and try to imagine how you would have lived your life in Elvis' shoes. Goldman is a narrow-minded biased jerk. Elvis was a controlled man who did not know how to break away from the Colonel. I wonder if he would have acceptedd a committed Christian to be among the Guys. Russell Earl Kelly ... Read more

Product Description
The woman whom Elvis decided to marry when she was an innocent fourteen-year-old girl writes candidly about their twelve years together, about Elvis the husband and father, and about his drug-wracked decline and death. Reissue." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (83)

My New Favorite Book
For starters, I may have enjoyed this book so much because, having dated someone well known, I found it very relateable. Her point of view and desire to please Elvis was eerie to read. I am a big Elvis fan and enjoyed the close look into his life, but I must admit that the type of man Elvis was didn't come as a surprise to me.

If you've ever been in a relationship where you were so consumed by someone you molded yourself to please them then this book will sound very familiar.

Priscilla writes a better version of "The King and I"
I'm no "Elvis-Priscilla" expert, but I think some people aren't cognizant of something: In 1981, "Elvis", a bio of Presley written by Albert Goldman, was released. I've read the book, and its sequeland, say what we will, Goldman was a briliant writer, but he totally despised Elvis, and boy- did it show! ANYway, Priscilla also read the book, and was deeply upset. If you've not read it, it calls Elvis a child molester, a pervert, a junkie, a coward, a racist, a lousy husband,father, and singer, basically, a terrible human being. Priscilla said, "I just CAN'T let this be a book my daughter reads about her father." So, "Elvis and Me" was a REACTION to Goldman's acid account. Did Priscilla gloss over her own misconduct? I don't think so- because she even admits to an affair that no one, including Elvis, knew about, with her dance instructor, Steve Peck. As for Mike Stone, the karate instructor, EVERYone knew about that one, again, including Elvis- and no one, not even the "Memphis Mafia" confronted her about it. In fact, they ALL, even Priscilla's detractors within the group, say that they did not blame her for cheating on Elvis, a few of them even covering for her whenever her husband couldn't find her. That should tell us something, if nothing else will.
One of the people who reviewed this tome was outraged that Priscilla wrote about her indecision regarding giving birth to Lisa Marie- please don't get me wrong- I am pro-life, totally against abortion, so, it bothered me,too. But you have to look at Priscilla's mind-set at the time. Elvis forbade her to use any form of birth control, and Lisa Marie was conceived on their wedding night. Priscilla was afraid that if she had a child, Elvis would not allow her to travel with him, would have affairs with slender women, and would lose interest in her sexually, as he'd told her beforehand that he had a serious "Madonna complex"- that is, he'd never been able to make love to any woman who'd given birth. These were Priscilla's fears, and, as any Elvis fan knows, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM CAME TRUE! Elvis even asked her for a separation when she was seven months along... She's recently said(in the book "Elvis by the Presleys") that it was never the same after that.
People also speak of Priscilla's "coolness", and lack of emotion. Well, look at her background. She was a military child, moving from base to base and even country to country. She'd form attachments, only to never see the person, place or thing again. I DO agree, she is very guarded in interviews, and she doesn't often show emotion- which is precisely why Elvis was so crazy about her! He was a man that was met with screams just for walking into the room, and was mobbed and clawed at every time he stepped out the door- naturally, he chose women who were the polar opposite of that behavior (think Ginger Alden). Re: the lack of emotion, he said he had enough problems of his own without dealing with someone else's. So, she learned to internalize her true feelings, which resulted in an ulcer while she was a teen-ager- not that it's Elvis' fault.
Alot of the reviews are contradictory, as well. People chastise Priscilla for sanitizing her image, yet they criticize her for revealing too much dirt. Well, which is it?
After all is said and done, Priscilla Presley had to be a special person in my mind, if for no other reason that Elvis picked her. There's a reason we're intrigued by Michelle Obama, Jackie O., Coretta Scott King, et al. We subconciously know that great men usually marry great women. He was the King, she was once upon a time his Queen, and Suzanne Finstad (author of "Child Bride") and other people who are bitter over Priscilla landing Elvis need to just get over it! It's history, and history cannot be changed.
Priscilla once said that she and Elvis were just two people, and two very young people at that. They were not trying to be icons or live up to some mystical "Camelot" , and I think she was right on the money (no pun intended, folks!) We, the reader,the students of history, often forget that we have an advantage the people we're studying did not have. We KNOW the way the story will end, and WHEN it will end. Priscilla had no idea that Elvis would die within five years of their divorce, and that he would never re-marry- for all she knew, he might have gone on to have 6 more wives and 8 more children. She didn't have to maintain a caring relationship with him after the divorce. She didn't cite adultery, or drug abuse in her divorce petition; in fact, she let Elvis be the petitioner.She really could have blown his world sideways, before the "Bodyguard" book happened, yet she didn't.
I am grateful to anyone who shares their story of life with Elvis, because it gives me a picture of the man himself, piece by piece. We should solicit the stories of his intimates now more than ever, as time is robbing us of first-hand witnesses to his life.
FYI: did you know that, aside from Jerry Schilling's recent book, "Me and a Guy Named Elvis" (which I've already read, of course!)that the only book Lisa Marie has ever read about her famous father IS her mother's book? She has said that she doesn't want anyone else's opinions about her father to contaminate her own memories of him- I think that would make Elvis happy, don't you? His biggest fear surrounding the release of "Elvis- What Happened?" was "What will my daughter think when she grows up and reads this?" Rest in Peace, dear Elvis. She never did.

It is what it is!
Would it have been better if Priscilla had written only good things about Elvis and nothing more?Sure Ms Cilla probably glosses over her own faults but I didn't feel she was bashing Elvis with some of the painful things that she described.For people saying that she knew what she was getting into are they forgetting how young Priscilla was at the time and even Elvis himself?Love is never easy especially when you're not mature enough to handle the kind from someone who already belongs to the world.Elvis belonged to the world and this would never allow him to be a normal man who could live a normal life with any woman.It couldn't have been easy and falling for Elvis would not have been hard for too many women or girls for that matter so why is it so hard to believe that this girl wouldn't have fallen hard?Critics of this book are only looking at the reasons why she left or the affairs she left out and all that but she does describe a loving side of Elvis and I felt his frustration and loneliness not evil.I love Elvis but we can't blind ourselves to the man's faults for he was human and we all have a dark side to our personalities.I don't feel this book tainted Elvis if anything it humanized him more.But living with the drugs his party type lifestyle, his own infidelities (im not justyfing hers i mean two wrongs dont make a right) being away for months on tours, then no longer making love after their daughter was born, no marriage was going to survive this.She was right to say what she did on how they were living separate lives.Nope a marriage will never survive this but there was no one to blame but circumstance.

I really enjoyed it.
I found myself not able to put this book down.I admit that a lot of the information I had already heard before.It was still really good.A lot of reviewers on here say that it's made up lies, but how do they know, they weren't there.I know a lot of stuff was left out of the book and it even says so at the very end that she left out a lot.It could have went into more detail in some areas but it was still a good read.

The best part of the book is the pictures
I read the first chapter in the bookstore before making the decision to purchase it. I told myself I wasn't going to give Priscilla one red cent if she was negative about Elvis. The first chapter was basically the ONLY chapter in the book where she wasn't painting a bad picture of Elvis. This book infuriated me - I finished it, but regretted purchasing it. The only reason I didn't throw the book away is because of the pictures. Would not recommend to an Elvis fan. ... Read more

Product Description
Published to mark the 30th anniversary of Presley's death, ELVIS PRESLEY: THE FAMILY ALBUM will give fans a personal peek into Elvis' life both onstage and off. Fans of the King will see the star at work in the RCA studios, at home with the family dog, and posing for prom night, along with more than 100 other intimate, seldom-seen photographs. Author and longtime friend George Klein will share his own recollections of Presley in addition to gathering intimate tales from family and friends. ELVIS PRESLEY: THE FAMILY ALBUM will feature the type of photographs that only a family can provide---and that fans love. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

ONE of My Favorite ELVIS BOOKS!
Elvis Presley: The Family Album is one of my familys favorite Elvis Books filled with facts and History of Elvis Presley and the Elvis Presley Family. Can't go wrong with buying this book filled with facts!

Nice photo album
Purchase as a gift for an Elvis fan.Enjoyed highly.Seller provided quick and reliable service.Highly recommend them .

Great Presentation!
George and I were close friends as professional DJ'S for many years, and we still stay in touch.He did the 6pm to 9pm shift and I did the 9pm to 12 midnight shift at WHBQ radio.He introduced me to the KING in 1962, the night El said goodbye to Anita Wood!
I think George has done an outstanding job of arranging the photos, most of which El fans have already seen in one context or another.I would point out that GK has done us all a service by providing those photos in one volume for the collector.
Thanks George and as one of the reviewers said here earlier: GK is a gentleman, a southern gentleman and so was ELVIS.Two of the nicest men you could ever meet and the best of friends to everyone they knew.

Elvis Presley: The Family Albm
This book by George Klein is a MUST for the Elvis Collector.Who better than George Klein knew Elvis more; after all he went to Humes High School with him and lived through the rest of Elvis' life up until his death. The first half of the book contains pictures I have never seen before and I have over 50 Elvis Books along with over 50 magazines. George Klein did a great job going through his archives to show the public many of his personally collected photographs.Every photograph includes written information about the picture. This is a great coffee table book to have around to pick up and enjoy from time to time......for all those Elvis Fans who are STILL in search of MORE of Elvis. The cover is unusually beautiful with the photograph of Elvis INSET into the book. You will not be sorry you purchased this book. I intend to purchase another one for an Elvis Fan of mine.I also treated this friend to the book by Jerry Schilling which I so thoroughly enjoyed.Thanks for reading my review.

Not the worst
I am wondering what inspired a book as boring as this. I guess the Estate needed someone else in the spotlight other than Jerry Schilling. Folks if you want an Elvis book that has all these guys in one spot being interviewed read Remember Elvis. It is probably the most intensive interview book ever released. George Klein and every member of the Memphis Mafia is in there. I just hope George's real book is going to be better than this. ... Read more

Product Description
Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. and Memphis award-winning newspaper, The Commercial Appeal, are proud to bring Elvis fans, historians and music lovers around the world an exciting new book, Elvis Presley s Memphis. Both entities have opened their significant archives and discovered photographs, documents and news stories that share Memphis through the eyes of the King of Rock n Roll. This hard-bound, full color, collector s book contains photos, reproductions of articles and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book
Lots of black and white photos from the Commercial Appeal Newspaper and other places showing Memphis in the 1940's and 1950's, and Elvis during the same era. Shows Memphis as it was when Elvis moved there. Gives you an idea of how Memphis affected Elvis and how Elvis affected and changed Memphis. ... Read more

Product Description
Elvis: Still Taking Care of Businessis arguably the most authentic, no-holds-barred depiction of the greatest entertainer who ever lived. This is the book that the estate doesn-t want you to read - it-s a balanced, respectful and insightful look by a true Presley insider and carter member of the infamous Memphis Mafia. Sonny West, Presley-s close friend and body guard for nearly two decades, provides a firsthand account of the King-s lavish spending sprees and many charitable acts, as well as the many affairs Presley conducted with his costars. If you-re looking for untold stories and unseen photos, then this book is for you. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (47)

The Character Assassination Continues
I purchased this book thinking that the author might be atoning for his previous sin of "Elvis, What Happened?" My mistake. It's nothing more than a re-hash of stories from that book and others, told from his warped point of view.

There's nothing new here, apart from an updated barrage of badmouthing.

This no good bloodsucking leech badmouths (among others) Elvis, his loyal fans, Priscilla, Vernon, Joe Esposito, Jerry Schilling, George Klein, his previous co-writer Steve Dunleavy and even Lisa Marie!

What a shame that a guy who lived off of Elvis' generosity for years, accepted places to live, paid expenses, gifts of cash and countless cars, would continue this assault. I am by no means in denial that Elvis had problems, but to continue raking the goodness of his name and spirit through the mud (for profit) is obscene.

The book is also rife with factual errors and typos. Plus, you can also guarantee that any of the words over two syllables were contributed by his co-author. Some of the passages seem incredibly out of place and must have been written by someone else.

Sonny relishes the beat downs he has given "bullies" over the years. It's too bad no one has taken him outside and taught him a lesson for the bullying he has done to Elvis' memory in print and on camera.

Don't waste your time and money on this character assassin.

GREAT READ
I'M AN ELVIS FAN IN MY LATE 60'S.I BUY ELVIS DVD'S, BOOKS, & MUSIC CD'S.I'VE ENJOYED ALL THE ELVIS BOOKS.THIS REVIEW IS BEING WRITTEN IN 2010.AFTER HAVING READ ABOUT SIX BOOKS ABOUT ELVIS I DECIDED TO FINALLY READ BOOKS BY RED & SONNY WEST (I STAYED AWAY FROM BUYING AFTER READING SOME NEGATIVE THINGS).I FINALLY PURCHASED "ELVIS, WHAT HAPPENED?" IN 2010.I ENJOYED THE BOOK AND ITS INSIGHTS.KNOWING WHAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC KNOWS ABOUT ELVIS, FROM OTHER BOOKS, I THOUGHT THIS BOOK WAS NOT AS BAD AS WAS PORTRAYED.I THEN BOUGHT SONNY WEST'S BOOK "STILL TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS".I DIDN'T HAVE GREAT EXPECTATIONS BUT JUST CURIOSITY.BOY WAS I SURPRISED.I THOUGHT THIS BOOK WAS "GREAT".WELL WRITTEN, GOOD FLOW, MANY INTERESTING INSIGHTS AND SOME TOUCHING MOMENTS.I'M SURE TO READ THIS BOOK OVER AGAIN, SEVERAL TIMES MORE.GOOD JOB SONNY & GOD BLESS.BOB FROM MICHIGAN.

WHATEVER WEST FOLKS WROTE TAKE IT WITH GRAIN OF SALT...
THEIR WRITING IS CONFUSING, EVEN THOUGH SOME OF IT IS TRUE, BOTH THIS BOOK & ELVIS WHAT HAPPENED BOOK HAS TONS OF LOOPHOLES, NO SOURCES, QUICK CHANGES OF THOUGHTS, IS THAT PRO?I DONT BLAME THEM FOR DOIN BOOKS BUT OVERBLOWIN THINGS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE! SO IF ELVIS THOUGHT OF HIMSELF AS PROPHET, NOTHING WRONG IN HIS CASE, HE WAS IN HIS WAY, AFTER ALL WHO HAS SO MANY FANS AFTER DEATH?!

Elvis:Still taking care of business
GREAT BOOK FOR TRUE ELVIS FANS!!!!!This book had so much insight to what really went on during those years!!!Couldn't put it down!!!!VERY good, easy read too!!

As bad as "Elvis - What Happened?"
Don't waste your money on this book - it's as bad as "Elvis - What Happened?"After the way this clown sold Elvis out for the Almighty Dollar, I wouldn't give him a dime if he was starving to death.I checked this out from my local library, and it's more lies, half-truths, and sensationalist trash.But, that shouldn't surprise anyone, since it's coming from one of the Wests.Lame, Sonny - get your own life and stop riding on Elvis' coat-tails.He's been gone 31 years, isn't it about time you got a real job? ... Read more

Product Description

Love me tender, love me sweet;
Never let me go.
You have made my life complete,
And I love you so.

Elvis Presley first sang "Love Me Tender" in the 1956 film of the same name. It was Presley's big screen debut and launched a stellar movie career. But it was the song, which Elvis co-wrote, that people took to their hearts. It is still one of his most popular. Now paired with Tom Browning's beautifully rendered paintings, these moving lyrics become a testament to the unconditional love between parent and child. A birthday, a walk in the park, that first tentative bike ride, and other special moments shared between a father and daughter make Elvis Presley's Love Me Tender an album full of precious memories.

Customer Reviews (9)

Definitely a "must buy"!
After reading these reviews, I will definitely buy this book.
First of all, because it sounds like the illustrations are outstanding, but...
mostly because my DIL, who is a BIG Elvis fan, has named our sweet little granddaughter, who will be one on July of 2010, Presley!Guess who this little girl is named for?The King, of course.This sounds like a perfect book for us to read to Presley, so I will have to order it and see if it is as good as it sounds.Also, our son, Presley's Dad, who is in the USMC, is currently serving in Afghanistan.So what better book to read to our little Presley than a book that shows a Dad reading to his daughter, in our case, the Dad is not with his daughter, but is thinking of her all the time.I look forward to seeing this book!

Perfect Father's Day Gift
Beautiful pictures. My husband reads it to our girls and they love it. It has been part of their bedtime routine. First he reads the words, then they sing the song together. My girls will find the book and "read" it to themselves. This goes on for a long time and is so cute.

Elvis Presley Book
The book is very sweet but will have value for a small audience, fathers with little girls or Elvis fans

Love Me Tender book and CD
We gave this book to my three step-daughters for Christmas and they all were overwhelmed with emotion.It is a wonderful testatment to the bonds between a father and a daughter especially when there has been a divorce. It is a keepsake and a reminder of the love shared between parent and child. Even if that father had to be a "weekend dad". Something they will cherish long after we are gone.The song while being played and reading along is very, very heartwarming and emotional.I cannot listen to it without tearing up, and that is a very good thing.

great book
There just aren't that many books that let a father convey these kind of feelings for his daughter. Great book. ... Read more

Product Description
Over 25 Presley classics, including: All Shook Up * Are You Lonesome Tonight? * Blue Suede Shoes * Don't Be Cruel * Heartbreak Hotel * Hound Dog * In the Ghetto * Return to Sender * Suspicious Minds * and more. ... Read more

Product Description
Born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis Aaron Presley was destined to rewrite the history of music almost from the moment he picked up a guitar. He played music that was rooted in blues, gospel, country and rockabilly, and he redefined a generation by breaking down the boundaries that separate white from black.Everyone listened to Elvis. Everyone danced to Elvis. Everyone had an opinion about Elvis. And the fame was nice, but it came so fast. The money. The cars. The screaming fans. Somewhere in all that, the singer from Tupelo got lost-and that's the saddest song of all. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Lily's review


ALL SHOOK UP THE LIFE AND DEATH OF ELIVS PRESLY
By: Barry Denenberg

All Shook Up: the Life and Death of Elvis Presley by Barry Deneberg is a nonfiction book that middle school or higher could read. During this book there are interesting facts about his whole life. From being poor to being the `King of Rock and Roll'' it will tell everyone who reads the book everything they would want to know. Elvis was a boy who was always with his mom and his mom would not let him go anywhere by his self. Elvis was drafted to the army and hated it. When finally Elvis's mom and dad came to live next to his camp site, but when his mom had gotten sick she went back to Memphis. Elvis came back to Memphis and stayed with his mom in the hospital but when he left his mom had died. Elvis has to learn how to go back to the war and try to live with out his mom.
This awesome biography is a great book. It makes people feel like anybody can now everything about Elvis whole life. One part of the book talks about all the drugs that he took and the book talked about it for almost the whole ending. The strong biography is a very well written book.

All Shook Up: The Life And Death of Elvis Presley
The king of rock and roll. The life behind the man that shaped rock and roll into what it is today. Elvis was born into the dirt-poor family of the Presleys. Being an outcast in everything, music was his only outlet. One day, he went to Sam Phillips, in the Sun Studios and asked if he could make a record. He definitely had promise, and was called back to sing more "blues and R&B" songs, aka black songs. He became a phenomenon. He became a celebrity overnight. He tried acting as a more stable career and produced horribly filmed and written movies that everyone ate up. He took drugs, medicine as he called it because he wasn't taking drugs but actual medicine, drank, and fits of rage, and became the man we all know and love.This book was very opinionated, but good, that sixth to eighth graders would enjoy.

All Shook Up showed how much Elvis affected rock and roll. During the book, the author talked about different bands, such as Bob Dylan and Bruce Springfield, with some quotes about how Elvis had helped them. A quote about Bruce Springfield showed that he wanted to be like Elvis so much, and how he tried to incorporate this into himself. Bob Dylan was the Elvis that followed. He had the "I don't care" attitude, the look, the stage-presence, everything.

All Shook Up showed that Elvis was vulnerable. Elvis met the Colonel, a smooth talking con man that was only interested in money. Maybe it was because of his poor relationship with his father, but he signed with the Colonel, who only did what brought in the most money, and never considered what was best for Elvis. It talked about when, in Germany, he met Pricilla Beaulieu. He confided in her about his innermost things, like his mother's recent death and how he missed her, and she confided in him about her real father. Elvis met Larry Geller, his hairdresser, who introduced him to spirituality. They became very close, until the Colonel. He fired Geller while Elvis watched.

All Shook Up appealed to a certain crowd. The author told all about how Elvis bought extravagant gifts and gave them away. He appealed to the materialism of teens today. He told of Elvis being addicted to drugs and that was the cause of his death. Everything single performance, movie, and record that was sold were shown with the price tag.

All Shook Up was a generally good book that showed the many facets of Elvis, especially the material side. Adults would be disappointed with this book, so teens would like it.

B. Rimando

Disappointing at best
The only parts worth reading are the prologue entitled 'Marsha Cup' and the Introduction. The author claims tohave researched his subject, Elvis Presley, however after the introduction the book is full of inaccurate information that is believed to be true because it has been printed before. The author's focus is on Elvis' dark and negative side. Elvis is portrayed in his Sun years as a pill popping mama's boy who then sells out his craft (Rock n Roll) to become Colonol Tom Parker's puppet. One sentence is dedicated to Elvis' charitable contributions, and little is said about how many gold and platinum records Elvis had. When Elvis' success in record sales is mentioned it is tainted with accusations of greed.

Reading this book reminds me of the Song Elvis sang in the 70's called "The Pieces of My Life", which I shall paraphrase, 'I read through the bad parts, I read through the sad parts, but I guess the author threw the best parts away.' Reading this book left me with feelings of disappointment and depression. I would not recommend it to anyone let alone young readers.

ALL SHOOK UP: The Life and Death of Elvis Presley
To begin with, this is NOT a book for Juveniles. The Author merely repeats the same old distortions and outright lies that have been published over and over again.Isn't it about time that Elvis Presley was treated with some dignity?He was NOT a monster, but a basically fine and decent man.It's about time that His Daughter and other Loved ones were given some Peace from such garbage as is contained in this and other books of the same type.I am most disappointed with Scholastic Press for being a party to the Printing and distribution of this book.

Certain to appeal beyond the young adult age range
Barry Denenberg's All Shook Up is certain to appeal beyond the young adult age range it's intended for: this history of Elvis' life and death is lively, with black and white photos supplementing text appropriate for grades 6 and older. Any with a prior affection for Presley will find this a fine, approachable biography of his life. ... Read more

Product Description
Born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis Aaron Presley was destined to rewrite the history of music almost from the moment he picked up a guitar. He played music that was rooted in blues, gospel, country and rockabilly, and he redefined a generation by breaking down the boundaries that separate white from black.Everyone listened to Elvis. Everyone danced to Elvis. Everyone had an opinion about Elvis. And the fame was nice, but it came so fast. The money. The cars. The screaming fans. Somewhere in all that, the singer from Tupelo got lost-and that's the saddest song of all. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Lily's review


ALL SHOOK UP THE LIFE AND DEATH OF ELIVS PRESLY
By: Barry Denenberg

All Shook Up: the Life and Death of Elvis Presley by Barry Deneberg is a nonfiction book that middle school or higher could read. During this book there are interesting facts about his whole life. From being poor to being the `King of Rock and Roll'' it will tell everyone who reads the book everything they would want to know. Elvis was a boy who was always with his mom and his mom would not let him go anywhere by his self. Elvis was drafted to the army and hated it. When finally Elvis's mom and dad came to live next to his camp site, but when his mom had gotten sick she went back to Memphis. Elvis came back to Memphis and stayed with his mom in the hospital but when he left his mom had died. Elvis has to learn how to go back to the war and try to live with out his mom.
This awesome biography is a great book. It makes people feel like anybody can now everything about Elvis whole life. One part of the book talks about all the drugs that he took and the book talked about it for almost the whole ending. The strong biography is a very well written book.

All Shook Up: The Life And Death of Elvis Presley
The king of rock and roll. The life behind the man that shaped rock and roll into what it is today. Elvis was born into the dirt-poor family of the Presleys. Being an outcast in everything, music was his only outlet. One day, he went to Sam Phillips, in the Sun Studios and asked if he could make a record. He definitely had promise, and was called back to sing more "blues and R&B" songs, aka black songs. He became a phenomenon. He became a celebrity overnight. He tried acting as a more stable career and produced horribly filmed and written movies that everyone ate up. He took drugs, medicine as he called it because he wasn't taking drugs but actual medicine, drank, and fits of rage, and became the man we all know and love.This book was very opinionated, but good, that sixth to eighth graders would enjoy.

All Shook Up showed how much Elvis affected rock and roll. During the book, the author talked about different bands, such as Bob Dylan and Bruce Springfield, with some quotes about how Elvis had helped them. A quote about Bruce Springfield showed that he wanted to be like Elvis so much, and how he tried to incorporate this into himself. Bob Dylan was the Elvis that followed. He had the "I don't care" attitude, the look, the stage-presence, everything.

All Shook Up showed that Elvis was vulnerable. Elvis met the Colonel, a smooth talking con man that was only interested in money. Maybe it was because of his poor relationship with his father, but he signed with the Colonel, who only did what brought in the most money, and never considered what was best for Elvis. It talked about when, in Germany, he met Pricilla Beaulieu. He confided in her about his innermost things, like his mother's recent death and how he missed her, and she confided in him about her real father. Elvis met Larry Geller, his hairdresser, who introduced him to spirituality. They became very close, until the Colonel. He fired Geller while Elvis watched.

All Shook Up appealed to a certain crowd. The author told all about how Elvis bought extravagant gifts and gave them away. He appealed to the materialism of teens today. He told of Elvis being addicted to drugs and that was the cause of his death. Everything single performance, movie, and record that was sold were shown with the price tag.

All Shook Up was a generally good book that showed the many facets of Elvis, especially the material side. Adults would be disappointed with this book, so teens would like it.

B. Rimando

Disappointing at best
The only parts worth reading are the prologue entitled 'Marsha Cup' and the Introduction. The author claims tohave researched his subject, Elvis Presley, however after the introduction the book is full of inaccurate information that is believed to be true because it has been printed before. The author's focus is on Elvis' dark and negative side. Elvis is portrayed in his Sun years as a pill popping mama's boy who then sells out his craft (Rock n Roll) to become Colonol Tom Parker's puppet. One sentence is dedicated to Elvis' charitable contributions, and little is said about how many gold and platinum records Elvis had. When Elvis' success in record sales is mentioned it is tainted with accusations of greed.

Reading this book reminds me of the Song Elvis sang in the 70's called "The Pieces of My Life", which I shall paraphrase, 'I read through the bad parts, I read through the sad parts, but I guess the author threw the best parts away.' Reading this book left me with feelings of disappointment and depression. I would not recommend it to anyone let alone young readers.

ALL SHOOK UP: The Life and Death of Elvis Presley
To begin with, this is NOT a book for Juveniles. The Author merely repeats the same old distortions and outright lies that have been published over and over again.Isn't it about time that Elvis Presley was treated with some dignity?He was NOT a monster, but a basically fine and decent man.It's about time that His Daughter and other Loved ones were given some Peace from such garbage as is contained in this and other books of the same type.I am most disappointed with Scholastic Press for being a party to the Printing and distribution of this book.

Certain to appeal beyond the young adult age range
Barry Denenberg's All Shook Up is certain to appeal beyond the young adult age range it's intended for: this history of Elvis' life and death is lively, with black and white photos supplementing text appropriate for grades 6 and older. Any with a prior affection for Presley will find this a fine, approachable biography of his life. ... Read more

Product Description

From Elvis' foremost biographer, Peter Guralnick, author of the bestselling two-volume biography, Last Train to Memphis and Careless Love, and Ernst Jorgensen, the premier archivist and reissue producer of Elvis' recorded work, comes a unique chronicle of Elvis Presley's life and music. Granted unprecedented access to hundreds of thousands of photos, documents, letters, artifacts, and memorabilia by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Guralnick and Jorgensen present the King as you've never seen him before. Elvis Day by Day is a complete account of public, private, rare, forgotten, and renowned moments, captured with such detail and immediacy they read like diary entries in a life--from first steps to the first time the young "hillbilly cat" stepped on stage; from the creation of a revolutionary new sound to the last days of a universally known, tragically misunderstood music legend.

Lavishly illustrated with more than three hundred color and black-and-white photographs, this one-of-a-kind volume features such hitherto unknown details of Elvis' childhood in Tupelo as a father's touching postcards from prison and the family's backbreaking struggle to make ends meet. It includes Elvis' first work application at eighteen in which he describes his leisure-time activities as "sing[ing], playing ball, working on car, going to movies." At last, the complete story of how Elvis met his legendary manager, Colonel Tom Parker, is revealed in detail, and long-debated mysteries like Elvis's famous lost tryout for the Arthur Godfrey show are finally put to rest. In addition, the reader will find an invaluable and reliable reference guide to every recording session, record release, song hit, movie, and live performance (including a number of shows not previously documented)--clearing up in the process many misconceptions and misunderstandings about Elvis' life.

All the facts are here--from Elvis's unlikely visit with President Nixon in 1970 to his spontaneous articulation of patriotism and pride in a 1957 telegram to a marine private (coincidentally named Nixon). Within these facts are a story: funny, sad, sometimes uplifting, occasionally disturbing--but always fascinating for the disarmingly unbuttoned, behind-the-scenes view of a celebrated life.

From private moments to public milestones, this is the first complete and accurate chronology of Elvis' life, in a form that offers instant accessibility to Elvis expert and casual reader alike. Elvis Day by Day is an extraordinary piece of American musical history, bringing the life and times of Elvis Presley into dazzling focus for the record--and for the ages.Amazon.com Review
On the heels of Peter Guralnick's acclaimed two-volume studyof the rise and fall of Elvis Presley (Last Train to Memphisand CarelessLove) comes a book that chronicles the same epic tale in amanner that's far less weighty than the preceding tomes, but almost astelling. For this quick-hit chronology of the Elvis story, Guralnickand his collaborator, archivist/record producer Ernst Jorgensen, weregiven access to 35 tons of Presley flotsam that included everythingfrom his first income tax return to a mother lode of unpublishedcandids. Freed from a narrative structure, the authors chronicle thecultural icon through snippets that capture the mundane (Elvis getshis first Tupelo Public Library card, February 13, 1948) andremarkable (Elvis enlists in the battle against drugs when meetingPresident Nixon in the White House, December 21, 1970). Little bylittle, the fragments fit together to form the picture of a manhurtling toward the precipice (March 24, 1977: "Elvis's stage wardrobeis limited to two jumpsuits that he can fit into"). In this sense,Day by Day's scrapbook appearance is deceiving; this is seriousbusiness, indeed. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

How information for book was obtained
A previous reviewer questioned how the writers could know what Elvis was doing from day-to-day.Just a clarification...the authors had full access to the Elvis archives that house artifacts from the entertainer's life, including 60,000 photographs, 4,000 pieces of wardrobe, stacks of furniture, and more than a MILLION pieces of paper.

The archives are located in 5 warehouses not open to the public and the authors were granted rare access to the archives.

The public usually only sees the "hot" items such as the flashy outfits and gold records. But the housed artifacts include items such as grocery receipts from Tupelo, Army leave papers for some R&R in Paris, casual notes, canceled checks, furniture invoices from when Elvis decorated Graceland and other odds and ends.

Obviously, no one person is going to know exactly what Elvis did everyday of his life but with as many items that have been archived, the authors give a more fuller picture of Elvis' life than you might expect.

Discover all 16,217 days of Elvis Presley's life.
Ernst Jorgensen and Peter Guralnick have really out done themselves. Thanks should go to the Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. for being cooperative and allowing this precious book to be made.
You can almost literally follow all the living days of Elvis. This book covers his family history, and from the day of his birth a day by day listing (like a diary) of what Elvis did in his personal life leading to his destined professional life.
Whom he made friends with, movies he would stay up to see all night, when a certain song was recorded and released, what TV shows he appeared on and where he performed before making it big, his movie deals, it's all here. Every account of his life.
Now you can follow the 16,217 days of his life. 42 years and 220 days of his wonderful life and the entertainment he gave to us. There are 487 photos inside this book with 337 of Elvis Presley. The two most interesting "unknown" facts in this diary that I enjoyed reading and certainly raised an eyebrow were the two dates of April 17, 1963 and November 22, 1963.
On April 17, 1963, for a party at Graceland, what did Elvis order for food and beverage?
On November 22, 1963, whom was Elvis with and what were they doing on that tragic, historic day?
Here are some more intersting facts!
Elvis sees Graceland Mansion for the first time (Page 99).
This film (Page 108) was the only film Elvis thought he could not see due to the untimely deathof Judy Tyler.
What did Elvis purchase for $1000 (Page 109) for each side of the steps leading to the front door of Graceland.
July 13, 1959 was a day of destiny for Priscilla Beaulieu in Germany that would change her life forever (Page 140).
July 17, 1962 would be an important time for Priscilla to see Elvis. Read Page 178 to find out why.
Elvis Presley spends Christmas Day 1963 with... ? (See page 192).
As Elvis was filming "Paradise Hawaiian Style", this pussycat of a male singer (Page 209) dropped by to met Elvis.
February 1, 1968 made Elvis very proud and full of joy (Page 238).
Did you know Elvis Presley never "performed" in Las Vegas until 6 years after VIVA LAS VEGAS (1963) was filmed? What happened to Elvis on July 31, 1969 before he walked on the Las Vegas stage for the first time? (Page 259).
On January 14, 1973, Elvis said "Aloha" to the whole world via satellite in Hawaii from the Honolulu International Center Arena (Page 319).
What was the last known movie Elvis Presley saw (Page 377). Read this book to find out and buy it for your very own home personal library.

My Favorite B-S book of all time
Aahhhhh finally my favorite!
A wonderful personal daily diary on Elvis!

I have just a few questions:
Just how would these two "Elvis wonders" know what went on EVERYDAY of Elvis life?
Were they there with Elvis every moment?
Were they a fly on the wall in a past life?
Did a psychic tell them EXACTLY what happened to Elvis and when?
Maybe they were Elvis reincarnated?

If these men knew Elvis' daily happenings, they would have to be at least 10 years old in 1935, to remember anything ... and that would make both men around 76 in age, right?

ONLY ELVIS CAN WRITE HIS DIARY --- NOT THE MASTERS OF THE ELVIS UNIVERSE!

Elvis is....Elvis
Elvis Day By Day is not perfect. The depth of the book doesn't match say, The Beatles Anthology and it could have. It doesn't have the striking pictures that other books in the genre do. But let's not get to critical. Ernst Jorgensen has almost singlehandedly revitalized the music of Elvis into mainstream America and Guralnick, while not always perfect has presented an accurate image of Elvis. Many little things add interest to this book. These include the many photos of documents that Elvis signed. Also, some unreleased and rare photos.I could have suggested more quality photos and experiences from the 68-72 era. The day by day in these years could have been better chronicled, in my opinion.I thought the picture of Elvis on stage live with Tom Jones was quite neat and worth the price of the book. Overall this book is excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed it and any fan will be delighted to have it on their coffee table. Kevin Hogan, ...

The 'Definitive' Elvis history book.
I initially bought this as a gift, but ended up keeping it myself.This is not your typical rock star coffee book with the same rehashed Elvis tidbits regurgitated over and over again.

From the very 1st pages you will learn more about Elvis's family that has ever been told.The recordsare more than just accurate, their are TONS of factual pictures anddocuments that have been scoured up from all of the Presley family andelsewhere.It is outsatnding!For the devout Elvis fan, I guarantee youwill learn new tidbits, especially his early life in highschool, how manytimes they moved, and ALL the odd jobs he had.

The day-to-day history issimple to read, and full of very amazing trivia.Short enough to keep youinterested, yet very detailed.The only con I have with this book is thatit lists many of his early booking dates, with no more than the locationand those get a bit tedious after a while.

The pictures throughout thebook are amazing.Never have I seen a collection of Elvis pictures, andI'm sure many of them have never been in print before.The occasional fullpage 'splash' pictures capture The King in all his splendor from differentperiods of his life, whereas this book can almost be considered anart/photography book. (I really liked his judo poses throughout the yearsin his different costumes backstage-amusing)

In addition to the life ofElvis, we see the corresponding day by day accounts of Col. Tom Parker,Priscilla, Vernon, Gladys, and tons of other characters that somehow wouldcome to touch Elvis's life.Truly a treasure, you will not be disapointedwith this book at this price! Now I gotta buy another one as the firstgift I intended it to be. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

This book it is if you want to try Elvis Food.
If you want to eat some food that Elvis Presley enjoyed in his 42 years of life, then I'm sute this is the cookbook you would want to have in your kitchen or wherever you keep your cookbooks. If you want to try the famous Peanut Butter & Bannana sandwitch, I'm sure you will find it in here. I don't have the book in front of me. A restaurnthas a recipe for Elvis Presley's favorite pizza. Which I'm not 100% sure if Elvis Presley was a big pizza fan. I think I'm am about 50% sure of Elvis liking pizza. But I am 100% that Elvis Presley loved Peanut butter & Bannanana Sandwitches.

Elvis favorites and mine!
Great book with some super recipes for all families to share! Love the pictures and the little tidbits of family stories. Keep up the great work Donna.

Filled with great recipes and tidbits about the King
I loved all the great photos and personal stories that accompanied wonderful traditional Southern recipes.Its much more than just a cookbook.The stories about Elvis were touching, and as a huge Elvis fan, and lover of food and eating, this will keep me in the kitchen for months to come.Elvis' favorite cornbread recipe is now one of my favorites.I highly recommend this book for Elvislovers around the world. ... Read more

Product Description

That voice, those eyes, that hair, the cars, the girls...Elvis Presley revolutionized American pop culture when, at the age of twenty-one, he became the world's first modern superstar. A Memphis Beau Brummel even before he found fame, Elvis had a personal style that, like his music, had such a direct impact on his audience that it continues to influence us to this day. Elvis Presley compellingly examines Elvis' life and style to reveal the generous, complex, spiritual man behind the fourteen-carat-gold sunglasses and answers the question, "Why does Elvis matter?"

"Elvis Presley is the greatest cultural force in the twentieth century," proclaimed Leonard Bernstein. By any measure, Presley's life was remarkable. From his modest beginnings in a two-room house to his meteoric rise to international fame, everything about his life -- his outsized talent to his car collection -- clamored for attention. And he got it; even today, Elvis continues to fascinate.

Written with the assistance of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Pamela Clarke Keogh's biography draws on extensive research and interviews with Presley friends and family, among them Priscilla Presley, Joe Esposito, Jerry Schilling, Larry Geller, Bernard Lansky, famed Hollywood photographer Bob Willoughby, and designer Bill Belew. Offered access to the Graceland archives, the author considered thousands of images, selecting more than one hundred color and black-and-white photographs for this book, many of them rarely seen before.

Both a significant biography of the greatest entertainer of our time and a provocative celebration of what Presley means to America today, Elvis Presley introduces the man behind the myth, a very human superstar beloved by millions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

I strongly recommend the audio-book.
I agree with all the other five star reviews and want to add that the audio-book version has a great female narrator that puts a real edge on this unigue look at Elvis. There's something about her voice and performance that brings the authors already exciting details of the Elvis story to life. I was surprised at the new details that came up and how the dramatizations of certain events made me really feel like I was there with Elvis shopping at Lanzkey's, recording at Sun Records, and performing on stage.

Even if audio-books aren't your thing, you might give it a try. However, after reading the other reviews I also know that this would be a great book to sit with quietly and take it in at your own speed and 'inner voice'. Either way, the author really got a new slant and style to the retelling of how a poor boy with his father working on a chain gang came to fame and changed pop culture forever.

Elvis Presley book.
It's a wonderful,insightful look at Elvis.Even if you aren't an Elvis fan this is a great book. It will probably make you a fan.
This is a great addition to any coffee table and will make guests stop
and check it out.

Elvis Presley: The Man, The Life, The Legend
Great book for the casual or avid Elvis fan.Great pics!!!!Luscious book!

Thanks to our school teacher!
I am a proud mother of 4 and very busy. I have always LIKED Elvis. I often asked my sons' teacher to describe more of what I knew or she told me great facts. I have little time to myself, but the teacher gave me the book for Christmas! I loved it! I wanted to read more but was so busy. I JUST finished the book and I loved the photos, the details of what I already knew and NEW information. This is great for a more casual fan I was told, and it is true! It focuses on the good (that is how the teacher is!) She purchashed many copies for people and I was a lucky receiver! This is a great book and a must have for new, casual or die hard fans (die hard is the teacher) and I am grateful for the book. I wish the author knew how great this book is and helpful to me. If it was good enough for the teacher to buy 2 dozen for gifts, it is well worth the money!

Tha Man, The Life, The legend
This book is the best of all books (about 20) I have read.
The photographs are also something uncommmon.
All fans should have them. ... Read more

Product Description
From worries surrounding his birth to a stunning revelation about his death, the contents of this book unveil a never-before-told image of Elvis Presley as recalled by members of his family. Also included are many never-before-published photos from the Presley family album. The principle authors are two of Elvis' cousins who were among his closest friends. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Memories of Elvis
I really liked this book. it was one of the more honest books written about Elvis. and written by the people that knew him best his family. i really liked the part about the ghost of Gladys and Elvis still walking around at graceland. and the music that you hear coming from Elvis bedroom when no one is in there that gave me chills! a good Elvis book for all fans.

Elvis:Precious Memories
I take issue that this Elvis (maternal) cousin has taken on the name, Presley. Her mother was a Presley by birth... so where does Donna's father feature in all this name changing?

As for the book Donna claims as her own it is in fact just a reworking of her mother's original book. However, the original & this re-works does offer some precious gems... Nuff said from this Elvisbuff.

Elvis:Precious Memories
I have read this awesome book more times then any other. What a wonderful insight from a family member. No phoniness here, just straight talk and no nonsense! I would recommend it to all Elvis fans!

The best book ever written about Elvis
I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to all of Elvis' fans. It was written from the heart and also showed what a real family man Elvis was. I had the chance to meet Donna Presley and what a breath of fresh airshe is. I also had this book send to Eurpoe to one of my sisters whom alsois a huge Elvis fan. She really enjoyed the book also.

A great view of the personal Elvis by members of his family.
So many books have been written about Elvis Presley that you almost canpredict what the next sentence will be.Not so with this one.The beautyof this book is that it truly gives you the sense of perspective from afamily member's point of view... an "insider's point of view".Ifelt as if I were listening to an old family friend telling me about"great uncle so and so" (who just happens to be Elvis Presley)!The book does a good job of tying a lot of the family members together,reminding us that, in addition to being a Superstar, Elvis was also a manwith a family that he loved and was devoted to. Some great never-beforepublished photos lend an air of personal closeness to the Presley familyand homeplace, drawing the reader into a better understanding of thedynamics that helped shape the man and the image. From their perspectives,his two cousins do a good job of blending their "preciousmemories" together with their love and appreciation for their famous relative. I would highly recommend this to true Elvis fans as well asanyone who wants to get another view of a very famous man. ... Read more

Product Description
The Most Revealing Elvis Book You'll Ever Read

Literally hundreds of books and millions of words have been written about the phenomenon that was Elvis Presley. None even approaches what is revealed in this one - because this is the one story Elvis made Larry Geller promise to tell. It was Larry who sat in meditation with Elvis for hours at a time or for brief moments before a show. It was Larry whom Elvis could talk with about his deepest beliefs. And so, Larry became one of Elvis' closest confidants. He knew a side of Elvis that few others knew, and fewer understood.

Here at last is the full, true and mesmerizing story of Elvis Presley, who died in 1977, but whose legend is bigger than ever. Not until now have we had the chance to know him as he would have wanted us to. Many books tell what Elvis did. This one tells what Elvis believed. When you plumb the depths of Elvis' soul as it is revealed here, you will understand the real Elvis. You will know him, and very likely, love him even more.

You will read passages from his favorite books, with quotes and pictures of the philosophers and spiritual thinkers he admired: Paramahansa Yogananda, Kahlil Gibran and many others. You will view photographs of never-before-seen actual pages from some of those books, including The Prophet, with notes and comments in his own handwriting. Maybe best of all, you will listen in on intimate conversations that Elvis and Larry shared on a myriad of subjects over the years, including his feelings about the women in his life, the future of his career and life after death.

What Larry describes of Elvis here will shock some people. It's guaranteed to surprise you. Because what you will discover is a side of Elvis that was so intimate and personal, he never publicly let it out in words, only through his music. Yet the purity and authenticity of this story will absolutely convince you that you have, finally, met the real Elvis.

As Larry explains: Elvis charged me with this responsibility, empowering me and inspiring me to write this book when he said, 'The world knows Elvis Presley all right, but they don't know me. I want them to know me, the real person. Larry, I'm counting on you.'

Take a walk with Elvis and Larry through the heart and soul of Elvis the seeker. No matter how much you may already know of Elvis, you will come away feeling that you know him far better for having experienced Leaves of Elvis' Garden. ... Read more

Product Description
Elvis Presley was never accused of a crime, but for years the FBI kept a file on Presley because of the crimes that went on in the background of his world:death threats made against him; a major extortion attempt while he was in the Army in Germany; complaints about his public performances, a mention of a paternity suit; the theft by larceny of an executive jet which he owned and the alleged fraud surrounding a 1955 Corvette which he owned.These formerly Top Secret Files show dramatically how the FBI and other law enforcement agencies had to react to crimes in Presley's world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Elvis FBI Files
This book arrived on schedule and in good condition. I was disappointed that most of the files are blacked out. I guess they have to be for privacy purposes but it's hard to understand what the files are talking about when every other sentence is blacked out.

Top Secret The FBI Files On Elvis Presley
I just finished this book and it was ok. A lot of the documents in the back of the book were blacked out but the Author did give some detail as to what they contained. It doesn't take a lot of time to read it some what interesting and different.

Anne

Pointless
This is all a bit pointless.The FBI kept files on all public figures during the 50s 60s and 70s (and perhaps beyond) so it wasn't like Elvis was up to anything excitingly illegal as to arouse their suspicion.It's not in story form as to make it easier to follow so this is really for Elvis completists.

A lot of the good stuff is blanked out so really, what's the point?

Fascinating!
This is a fascinating "behind-the-scenes" look at all the crimes that went on in the background of Elvis's world. Death threats, an extortion attempt when he was in the U.S. Army in Europe, mention of a paternity suit, and the theft of an executive jet which he owned and other complaints and crimes. . .
The author not only published a complete book of secret FBI records, he also reprints 36 pages of original documents as full-page illustrations, showing exactly how the FBI handled these cases.
The author deserves credit for publishing these secret files! Any Elvis fan will find this new book well worth buying. ... Read more

Product 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

Customer Reviews (3)

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! ... Read more