Product Description
Gospel music was a significant
part of not only who Elvis became
as a man, but as an artist as well.
As Elvis mania continues to consume
generation after generation
throughout the world, fans still
crave new insights into the person
of Elvis Presley. This book takes
a look at his roots and the role of
gospel in his foundational years,
as well as the comfort, solace, and
strength it offered him in the years
of his meteoric rise in popularity.
THE GOSPEL SIDE OF ELVIS
is a rarely explored aspect of this
American icon and one that reveals so much about the
Elvis so many have yet to discover. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Sorry Joe, the DVD it's better, if you have the DVD don't buy this book...
This book it's almost the same thing that the DVD: He touched me: The gospel music of Elvis. But the DVD it's better, with music clips, interviews with all the different gospel groups, etc.
In this book Joe sometimes write some words that other people said in the DVD like if they were of himself.
I'm sorry Joe, but I think that a better job could be done.

Gospel side of Elvis
Very well done.An interesting account of the Gospel side of Elvis and shows how spiritual he was.

Wonderful side of Elvis
This is a marvelous book and I really enjoyed reading about the Gospel Side of Elvis.We know he was a spiritual person, but it is so refreshing to hear others talking about what a wonderful person Elvis was. Nothing negative in here, just pure joy to read.

King of Gospel
Many people don't realize that Elvis was probably the greatest gospel singer that ever lived. Don't belive me? Purchase the "He Touched Me" DVD, or the "Amazing Grace" double CD. This book reveals this too-often overlooked, or unexplored side of the greatest entertainer of all time.

I really enjoyed Joe's book!
I read Joe's book in two sittings and obviously enjoyed it very much.He told some stories I'd not heard before and one of the most enjoyable is about Elvis asking everyone in the suite to bow their heads.When someone looked up he admonished them again to "bow your head".I can picture this scene in my mind and I laughed out loud.Wish I could have been there to witness it!Also, while he is not overly critical of the entourage, he doesn't try to hide his feelings regarding their relationship with Elvis.However, I did notice that a few of the "facts" in the book appear to be incorrect.One item says that when Elvis passed away, Vernon sent Elvis' plane to CA to pick up Priscella AND LISA.As we all know, Lisa was already at Graceland.There are a few other discrepancies and they make me a little wary regarding the accuracy regarding other stories.Overall, I would recommend Joe's book to all Elvis fans.It seems that Joe truly cared about Elvis and tried to do something to help him the the last few years of Elvis' life - if only someone could have convinced him to get the help he needed.I MISS HIM! ... Read more

Product Description
These dramatic, never-before-published photographs portray ayoung Elvis Presley during a pivotal year in his career, capturing hismagnetic sensuality, physical grace, and innate sense of style.

In 1956, Presley burst into superstardom. His first film, Love Me Tender,opened to mass teenage hysteria. He had his (and the world's) firstmillion-selling album. He broke all viewing records when he appeared onthe Ed Sullivan Show. And Marvin Israel created this potent photographicessay of the 21-year-old star that is now being published for the firsttime.

Israel captured Elvis in the heat of performance, relaxing backstage, andat the new house he bought for his parents in Memphis. His singularportrait is set within a critical moment in American popular culture, whenit was hijacked by a new generation. Martin Harrison, who selected thephotographs, provides a brief essay on Israel's work and his stature inthe history of American photography.

The late Marvin Israel was a designer and artist, mentor to such importantphotographers as Diane Arbus and Richard Avedon, and art director ofSeventeen magazine and Harper's Bazaar.

Martin Harrison is a curator, critic, and one of the foremost historiansof postwar photography. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Marvin Israel's pitcures of Elvis Presley.
Elvis Presley 1956 is not the same than other Elvis Presley books. It is shorter than any other books about Elvis Presley. And has more pitcures. The pitcures were taken by Marvin Israel but he didn't live to see this book because in the spring of 1984 he died of a heart attack.

The pitcures were taken in 1956. And they are never seen before pitcures of Elvis Presley. Marvin Israel took a pitcure of Elvis Presley's high school diploma. But Elvis Presley is not living at Graceland yet. If Marvin Israel lived to see this book, would he be happy to see his pitcures in this book.

Maybe not if he wanted the pitcures to be private. But like it or not he had no choice since he is dead. Marvin didn't want to follow in the family business which was making clothes. But still a great book for your Elvis Presley fan. ... Read more

Product Description
The Elvis Presley Record, CD, and Memorabilia Price Guide. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Presleyana VI
This is the book you must have if you collect Elvis vinyl records. I keep this on my desk at all times. Collect all the early volumes if you can. Jerry is the know all guy on Elvis releases and the book is very well laid out.

Presleyana VI
Excellent Book, & I love the updates in it. I have the previous versions. & it is very well put together. ... Read more

Product Description
A fully realized portrait of the legendary singer, based on the recollections of the three men closest to him, reveals the best and worst of a complex personality and life and the toll on himself and those closest to him. 75,000 first printing. $75,000 ad/promo. Tour. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (43)

elvis
the book was very good but i am, still reading it but it is good so farcharlene

A True Account of Elvis' Last Years
This is the most accurate account of Elvis and his life brought through these pages of Alanna Nash's book!! I spent six years with Elvis as a friend and was there to see many of
these events unfold!! It was though Alanna herself was there as she told of the highs and lows of Elvis Presley's life!! It's a book that you can't put down, so for all you Elvis fans
read and enjoy this!! My name is Sandie Stevens...

review
The book came in better than expected condition.Extremely fast shipping.No problems at all.Highly recommended.

A look into the entire life of Elvis
This book was originally released in the mid-90's as "Revelations from the Memphis Mafia". I'm a huge Elvis fan but am not scared to read the darker side events of his life either. Some people want to white wash his image but to me I love the man along with the legend and if you truly love a person you'll accept them for all faults, not just the good times.

Anyway, Alana Nash does a good job of presenting the stories in chronological order. I like how Billy Smith was able to fill in the early years with Lacker and Fike providing a great insight to the later ones. I was sad to read about his state right after the Aloha show and what Joe Esposito did to him by suing him over the loss of money concerning the raquetball courts. I met Esposito at an Elvis event in '96 and he didn't deny the events but also said that whole book "was crap", so go figure. There are two sides in the Elvis world; the Graceland corporate side and the real side. The corporate side is the money side. It's the side that houses the likes of Jerry Schilling, Esposito, Priscilla etc. that looks to protect Elvis' image for marketing purposes. Then there's the real side that isn't afraid to let the facts be known about what was really going on. That crowd has been cast out of the inner circle and no longer allowed within any of the EPE confines. This is where you'll find these guys. Elvis was a real human being with many faults like each and every one of us but he was also an amazing talent that his fans want to know everything about.

There are things that are disturbing to read but at the same time events that are awesome to learn that have been withheld for many years. This is not a "dish the dirt" storybook as many people will say. It recalls the stories as they are told by the people who lived through it. Remember too that Priscilla did plenty of dirt dishing in "Elvis and Me" but all of a sudden that seems forgotten about. Never heard again how he "raped" her in the Vegas hotel room. Time heals wounds sometimes but it doesn't erase pages. READ THIS BOOK !!!

Perhaps The Best Elvis Book Ever Written
I've been an Elvis fan for thirty-five years, and I've read many nooks about the man, but this one, hands down, is the best! Before reading this book I thought I knew Elvis. I place emphasis on the word "thought."

This book contains the recollections of three Memphis Mafia members: Marty Lacker, Lamar Fike, and Billy Smith, who was Elvis' cousin. One chapter also contains rememberances from Billy's wife, Jo Smith.

Without going into too much detail, all I can say is that this book taught me more about Elvis than I could ever hope to know. The book runs the gambit of emotions. It is exciting, often hilarious, sometimes frustrating, and ultimately very sad. I have no doubt that these men loved Elvis, and I didn't walk away from the book with the impression that they were in it just for the money.

These men spent more than twenty years with a living legend, and indeed, they have a story to tell. Some of their recollations are hazy, and some are crystal clear. And on a few occasions the guys even disagree with one another, and end up trading insults and funny one-liners. In other words, this is what it would sound like if these guys were in your living room talking about Elvis.

By the end of the book I felt very sorry for Elvis, but also angry at him for not taking more control of his life. These three men have the utmost contempt for Colonel Parker and Priscilla, and not much love is lost for Vernon and Dr. Nick either. In fact, at one time or another, almost every major player in Elvis' life is critisized for furthering his agenda at Elvis' expense. Sadly, this is porbably all too true.

Presley's life was a struggle from the day he was born until he died forty-two years later. He lived the American dream and watched that dream turn into a nightmare. In reading this book, I felt as though I was there with him every step of the way! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Evlis Paperback Songs
This book is very helpful for the beginning player, particularly those whohave a difficult time figuringout songs by ear.It includes ALL of yourfavorite Elvis songs.It is also very simple - this can be a great thingfor some, and a disappointing thing for others.I used it to learn"It's Now or Never" on the ukulele.Good luck! ... Read more

Product Description
A gem of a Marías story: Elvis and his entourage abandon their translator in a seedy cantina full of enraged criminals.“It all happened because of Elvis Presley.” Elvis, down south of the border to film a movie, has insisted his producers hire a proper Spaniard so that he can pronounce his few lines in Spanish with a Castillian accent. But Ruibérriz has taken on much more than he bargained for. One fatal night, horseplay in a local bar goes too far: a fatuous drunken American insults the local kingpin, and when the thug insists that Ruibérriz translate, Elvis himself adds an even more stinging comment—and who must translate that? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Surely better than the movie
BAD NATURE ("Mala Indole" in Spanish) dates back to 1996 - after "Tomorrow in the Battle Think on Me" but before "Dark Back of Time" in Marías's ouevre.It first appeared in English translation in "Granta" in 1999.It has now been issued by New Directions in paperback form as one of a new series, called "Pearls", of brief works of literature.BAD NATURE comes in at 57 pages - more a long story than a novella.

BAD NATURE does not attempt to plumb the mysteries of life.It is on an entirely different plane than "Tomorrow" or "Dark Back of Time".It is sheer entertainment, although highly literate entertainment.In it, the narrator tells of his ten days as part of the Elvis Presley entourage in Mexico for the filming of "Fun in Acapulco", which culminated in a verbal showdown between Elvis and some "mafiosos lavados" in a backstreet cantina in Mexico City, for which the narrator had to serve as the unfortunate translator.

Many of the hallmarks of Marías's writing are present:lengthy, cascading sentences; quirky digressions; improbable scenes and confrontations; and wry humor.Elvis is presented as an affable, accommodating guy, who later allowed himself "to appear on stage tricked out like a circus side show, wearing suits bedecked with copious sequins and fringes, bell bottoms slit up the side, belts as wide as a novice whore's, high-heeled goblin boots, and a short cape - a cape - that made him look more like Super Rat than whatever he was probably trying for, Superman, I would imagine."

This is not essential, even for those who are fans of Javier Marías.But it is enjoyable.If one were familiar with "Fun in Acapulco", it probably would be even more enjoyable.But no one -- not even Javier Marías, or Ursula Andress - could induce me to watch "Fun in Acapulco". ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (6)

Great book even if you're previously not that familar with Elvis.
I've listened to my fair share of Elvis's music, and I consider myself a generally engaged music fan. This is an involving, entertaining read that I think you will both find interesting and fun. Enjoy.

Elvis' Band!
This is the untold - or seldom told, at least - story of Elvis' original band.Scotty Moore was there for his discovery and early success and, along with Bill Black and D.J. Fontana, comprised his first band.For me, they were along for the most interesting part of The King's ride.

Elvis and the Blue Moon Boys
The response to the book is amazing!People come out of the woodwork who have an interest in it or the video: 200 Cadillacs.A cousin of a Cadillac recipient, friends or relatives of DJ Fontana, people ith ties to one of the band or Elvis, even a Mensa member who's sister was taken to her prom by Elvis.They all love it!

Tom Crain
The Coffee Tree Books & Brew

A Must Read For Rockabillys
If you are one of those people like me who like Elvis fine, but really wanted to know just who those guys were who were backing him up with that great bass and guitar (and later drums), then this book is for you. A great addition to Scotty Moore's That's Alright Elvis bio, it documents just how Elvis and his band got together, and why they didn't stay a band together. Die hard Elvis fans would be interested in the stories told of a young Elvis and how he was discovered, but it's the rockabillys and musicians who would be most interested in the band that helped make Rock 'n Roll what it is today.

Good book limited by a lack of fact-checking!
The organization of the book is adequate and the information about Scotty Moore, Bill Black, and D.J. Fontana (and many others) is interesting enough, but ya gotta wonder about the fact-checking and accuracy of what's presented after I found this lu-lu on page 157 concerning The Ventures.

"Many of Presley's 1960s soundtracks feature the talents of guitarist/arranger Billy Strange. Boasting one of the most impressive resumes of his era, Strange scored films, arranged hits for Nancy Sinatra, recorded (uncredited) as part of the Ventures when founding members Nokie Edwards and Bob Bagle went into the army... "

It's Bob BOGLE, not "Bagle", and Bob didn't serve in any of the armed forces. Nokie was in the National Guard but that was back in the 1950s,well before joining The Ventures.

The authors have a number of writing credits and this is hardly their first "venture" into music journalism but this is just careless.
... Read more

Product Description
In 1956, a twenty-one-year-old Elvis Presley was at the beginning of his remarkable and unparalleled career and photographer Alfred Wertheimer was asked by Presley’s new label, RCA Victor, to photograph the rising star. With unimpeded access to the young performer, Wertheimer was able to capture the unguarded and everyday moments in Elvis' life during that crucial year, a year that took him from Tupelo, Mississippi to the silver screen, and to the verge of international stardom and his crowning as "The King of Rock 'n' Roll.” As Alfred Wertheimer photographed Elvis during 1956, and again in 1958, he created classic images that are spontaneous, unrehearsed and completely without artifice.
Wertheimer’s photographs of Elvis are extraordinary and he appears almost ethereal, whether reading a newspaper while waiting for a cab, or washing his hands during one of his many train trips. After 1958 and Elvis’ induction into the army, the world seemingly forgot about Wertheimer’s magical photographs- for nineteen years- until Aug 16, 1977, the day Elvis died and Time Magazine called. “The phone hasn’t really stopped ringing in the last thirty years,” observes Wertheimer.
Many of the photographs in this visual treasury are previously unpublished and some have become almost as famous as the man himself. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Add this book to your library!
Alfred Wertheimer provides us with a superb collection of moments from an American icon's young life. The images reveal a young man from a suburban family at the precipice of fame, fortune, celebrity and the unknown. The beauty of photography is laid out before you by an authentic craftsman. The true/authentic Elvis is revealed so we can all see that he was once truly a human. Just a man who put to use his natural ability to pioneer a genre that not even he could fathom its impact on American culture and generations of artists spanning the globe. For me, not really a fan of Elvis, but more a fan of photography and American history, this book is dead on in its delivery of the goods. Enjoy!

Stunning photos
This book is a stunning collection of photos (many of which have been seen Thousands of times if you are an Elvis fan.The size of the book makes it hard to store but the pictures are a really good size!Bought with amazon points thankfully because it is very EX-Pensive!

THE MOST AMAZING ELVIS BOOK EVEER!!!!!!!
This book "Elvis at 21 Deluxe Edition" is must, not only for Elvis fans but also for any music lover. This Limited edition will blow your eyes out for the amazing professional job of the publication company.
If you can afford this expensive book, buy it with no regret. If you are an Elvis fan, this XXL Limited Edition book will be great add at your coffee table and probably will never open another Elvis book again.
This Edition is the "Roll's Royce" of Elvis Publications! All other Elvis books will look like a "Mini Cooper"!
Great collector's Book especially due to the signature of Alfred Wertheimer!!!!

Elvis at 21: New York to Memphis
Beautifully done. The pictures are remarkable and capture Elvis' essence and power. This is a quality collectors item for any serious Elvis fan. What an incredible entertainer!

Elvis at 21
If you are an Elvis fan, this is really one of those must have books.The pictures are to die for and it is just wonderful. ... Read more

Product Description
A psychological investigation into the life of Elvis Aaron Presley reveals the psychic trauma fueling Elvis's rise to superstardom and his subsequent fall into strange obsessions, behaviors, and addictions. Reprint. 15,000 first printing."Amazon.com Review
Just why was Elvis all shook up?According to clinical psychologist Peter Whitmer, Ph.D., the King suffered as a "twinless twin," and was forever tormented by the death of his infant twin brother, Jesse Garon Presley. Some of the conclusions in this hefty psychological analysis of Elvis may raise eyebrows, as will some of the odd nuggets of information Dr. Whitmer offers, but even readers who take this book with a healthy dose of skepticism will have to admit that it's an interesting and offbeat look at a life that, 20 years after it ended, remains a perennial object of fascination. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Cliches run amok
Sometimes I wonder if formal "counseling" would have helped Elvis - before too much damage set in, and this book confirms those doubts. This book takes the cake. Its theme of the "missing twin" is worn, frazzled, and this volume makes Elvis's very real sense of being an unjustly "lonely only" something that no writer will even touch again. Which is unfortunate, because it is but one more "symptom," if you must, of Elvis's difficult, if not untenable life. Elvis grew up in severe rural and urban poverty, and as much as we Americans like to ignore the very idea that class not only exists here, but often hurts and even kills, it does. Elvis himself knew he was just one among millions: one listen to "Long Black Limosine" is enough to "explain" this with more clarity and power than just about any psychohistory {or psychobabble, for those less charitable}.
There are, though, things written here that are simply unfair and not based on empirical evidence, but on gossipy old cliches. Vernon Presley was not "shiftless": he worked from the age of 12 and didn't stop working a mind-numbing and literally painful job until his son implored him to do so when his career began to take off. Soon, taking care of his son's personal business, he studied books on "bookkeeping" and worked hard at it - often to his son's irritation. Part of the "shiftless" label comes from the fact that Vernon Presley was a gentle parent and man. This is often just not acceptable in our society where men are supposed to be "disciplinarians" -- the parent who frightens his offspring into good behavior. Vernon made a conscious choice - early on - not to do so. Sure, Gladys was overprotective, but in a culture where most have many children, she was very afraid for her only one. The fact that they were forced to share close quarters does not make for "emotional incest." Enough already. We'll never know if Elvis suffered any genuine childhood trauma {urban 'tweens are at substantial risk, though with Elvis, this is empty speculation}, but let's leave *his mother* alone already on this point! Yes, Elvis had a poor self-image, and did constantly practice both self-deprecation to a pathological degree - of that, there is plenty of evidence. He also seems to have practiced what many anxious gifted and talented young people do: "self-sabotage." That Whitmer does not see Elvis Presley as he might see any other prodigiously gifted and talented young person is stunning. When you throw desperate poverty into the life of such a talented child, adolescent, and young adult, you have a life filled with land mines.
He did not, though, live in "his own world," but in our own: in the fifties, while still so very young, he found stunning success and hurtful scorn, but like many who never went to college, he was swiftly drafted. During which time his mother died when he was only 23. Then Hollywood realized he was insecure and used him as a means to print money until he was useless to them.
Director Steve Binder {"the Comeback Special"}, who tried to help Elvis learn how to fight back against the forces he'd always feared, did not do everything "perfectly," either: hindsight being 20/20, his "you're not strong enough" dare was undoubtedly regretted. Otherwise, he was remarkable, and we can forgive his awkward attempt to keep Elvis challenged. And Elvis really did try to "prove him wrong," but the drugs in which he dabbled much too heavily in the '60s took over his life in the '70s. In that time, some lived, and some did not. Surrounded by self-involved individuals of all types, Elvis and his father had nowhere to turn. But at least Elvis had a parent who cared deeply all of his life, and tried very hard to save him.
This book is unfair to Elvis Presley and his whole family.
In my humble opinion,
RM, Ph.D.

The "Why" Of Elvis Explained
This is a great work not to be missed, for those looking for exceptional insight and value into Elvis's world.

The analysis of "Twinless Twins" was priceless in its value at showing who Elvis was as a person, and I had to call home to see if I had been a twinless twin myself, since I have felt many of those same feelings (other than having my long standing invisible friend revisited, mom said no...).

The Inner Elvis takes the reader into how the closeness of being twins in the womb can change a person forever, even when they grow up distanced from their twin by death or physical separation.

Add to that a mother who was unable to cope with the loss of one son and the abuse of a wayward husband. She heaped the love and the fears of their spartan early existence onto the one son remaining.

Combining all of this offers a fascinating read into Elvis' motivations.

I did take some objection to the author's obvious atheistic viewpoint, as God was very real to Elvis, his mom and also to me, and He isn't some crutch to the weak masses as Peter likes to put forth here. But, Peter, like everyone, will find that out for himself one day too.

All in all though, The Inner Elvis is a worthwhile read for the "why's" about Elvis. I always wondered why Elvis didn't stand up and tell the near-criminal Colonel Tom Parker to shove off in the 60's when the incredibly selfish and controlling manager forever damaged Elvis' movie career potential, and now I know.It was Elvis' fatal flaw, now understood a bit better.

RIP Elvis, you were a wonderful, warm and brilliantly gifted man who shared his talents and love with the world. You left the world so much better for having been in it. And, say Hi to Jessie Garon for me.

Interesting perspective but sometimes far fetched
A different and valuable analysis of Elvis Presley presenting the basis for his behavior in later life.I found a great deal of it plausible and very helpful in my understanding of the man. However, much of the reasoning seemed contorted and overextended with rambling, sometimes disjointed and overworked passages. It was like listening to Allen Greenspan before a congressional committee. I felt that the author made some conflicting statements. Most difficult for me to accept was the degree to which Elvis's life was supposedly shaped by the death of his twin at birth. But then I'm no psychologist.

A Fascinating Read
I read this book AFTER reading the 2 book biography of Elvis by Peter Guralnick and I think that is how best to read this.While Guralnick gives the 'definative' story of Elvis and what happened to him, I think "The Inner Elvis" explains the WHY of it all.There is in this book the 'missing link' the explanation of why, and how Elvis was so affected by the early years of his life and the psychological effects of such thingsas his mother's over protection "enmeshment", his dead twin brother amongst other things.This book, I found, was a fascinating read but if you haven't read the full biography of Elvis' life and were looking for it here then there's a lot of detail missing, but that isn't what the author intended, I believe.His point and explanations are very well made & I rate this a 5 star read.

A brilliant exploration into the mind of a music icon
The Inner Elvis was, for me, an identical twin, like reading a highlysuspenseful mystery or spy novel. I devoured each page, each newpyschological insight.

As the author reveals through extensive researchof events, interviews, recordings, Elvis Presely was, in large part, shapedby his lost (br)other and their one source, their mother.

Dr. Whitmer's"discovery", so to speak, of the origin of Elvis' unique musicalstyle is nothing short of brilliant, spot on. I am sure music critics andscholars would scoff at his view but as an identical twin and a musician Iunderstood it perfectly.

I look forward to any further explorations Dr.Whitmer may pursue in the psychological study of twins.

A greatread.

Charlie Wine ... Read more

Product Description
A psychological investigation into the life of Elvis Aaron Presley reveals the psychic trauma fueling Elvis's rise to superstardom and his subsequent fall into strange obsessions, behaviors, and addictions. Reprint. 15,000 first printing."Amazon.com Review
Just why was Elvis all shook up?According to clinical psychologist Peter Whitmer, Ph.D., the King suffered as a "twinless twin," and was forever tormented by the death of his infant twin brother, Jesse Garon Presley. Some of the conclusions in this hefty psychological analysis of Elvis may raise eyebrows, as will some of the odd nuggets of information Dr. Whitmer offers, but even readers who take this book with a healthy dose of skepticism will have to admit that it's an interesting and offbeat look at a life that, 20 years after it ended, remains a perennial object of fascination. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Cliches run amok
Sometimes I wonder if formal "counseling" would have helped Elvis - before too much damage set in, and this book confirms those doubts. This book takes the cake. Its theme of the "missing twin" is worn, frazzled, and this volume makes Elvis's very real sense of being an unjustly "lonely only" something that no writer will even touch again. Which is unfortunate, because it is but one more "symptom," if you must, of Elvis's difficult, if not untenable life. Elvis grew up in severe rural and urban poverty, and as much as we Americans like to ignore the very idea that class not only exists here, but often hurts and even kills, it does. Elvis himself knew he was just one among millions: one listen to "Long Black Limosine" is enough to "explain" this with more clarity and power than just about any psychohistory {or psychobabble, for those less charitable}.
There are, though, things written here that are simply unfair and not based on empirical evidence, but on gossipy old cliches. Vernon Presley was not "shiftless": he worked from the age of 12 and didn't stop working a mind-numbing and literally painful job until his son implored him to do so when his career began to take off. Soon, taking care of his son's personal business, he studied books on "bookkeeping" and worked hard at it - often to his son's irritation. Part of the "shiftless" label comes from the fact that Vernon Presley was a gentle parent and man. This is often just not acceptable in our society where men are supposed to be "disciplinarians" -- the parent who frightens his offspring into good behavior. Vernon made a conscious choice - early on - not to do so. Sure, Gladys was overprotective, but in a culture where most have many children, she was very afraid for her only one. The fact that they were forced to share close quarters does not make for "emotional incest." Enough already. We'll never know if Elvis suffered any genuine childhood trauma {urban 'tweens are at substantial risk, though with Elvis, this is empty speculation}, but let's leave *his mother* alone already on this point! Yes, Elvis had a poor self-image, and did constantly practice both self-deprecation to a pathological degree - of that, there is plenty of evidence. He also seems to have practiced what many anxious gifted and talented young people do: "self-sabotage." That Whitmer does not see Elvis Presley as he might see any other prodigiously gifted and talented young person is stunning. When you throw desperate poverty into the life of such a talented child, adolescent, and young adult, you have a life filled with land mines.
He did not, though, live in "his own world," but in our own: in the fifties, while still so very young, he found stunning success and hurtful scorn, but like many who never went to college, he was swiftly drafted. During which time his mother died when he was only 23. Then Hollywood realized he was insecure and used him as a means to print money until he was useless to them.
Director Steve Binder {"the Comeback Special"}, who tried to help Elvis learn how to fight back against the forces he'd always feared, did not do everything "perfectly," either: hindsight being 20/20, his "you're not strong enough" dare was undoubtedly regretted. Otherwise, he was remarkable, and we can forgive his awkward attempt to keep Elvis challenged. And Elvis really did try to "prove him wrong," but the drugs in which he dabbled much too heavily in the '60s took over his life in the '70s. In that time, some lived, and some did not. Surrounded by self-involved individuals of all types, Elvis and his father had nowhere to turn. But at least Elvis had a parent who cared deeply all of his life, and tried very hard to save him.
This book is unfair to Elvis Presley and his whole family.
In my humble opinion,
RM, Ph.D.

The "Why" Of Elvis Explained
This is a great work not to be missed, for those looking for exceptional insight and value into Elvis's world.

The analysis of "Twinless Twins" was priceless in its value at showing who Elvis was as a person, and I had to call home to see if I had been a twinless twin myself, since I have felt many of those same feelings (other than having my long standing invisible friend revisited, mom said no...).

The Inner Elvis takes the reader into how the closeness of being twins in the womb can change a person forever, even when they grow up distanced from their twin by death or physical separation.

Add to that a mother who was unable to cope with the loss of one son and the abuse of a wayward husband. She heaped the love and the fears of their spartan early existence onto the one son remaining.

Combining all of this offers a fascinating read into Elvis' motivations.

I did take some objection to the author's obvious atheistic viewpoint, as God was very real to Elvis, his mom and also to me, and He isn't some crutch to the weak masses as Peter likes to put forth here. But, Peter, like everyone, will find that out for himself one day too.

All in all though, The Inner Elvis is a worthwhile read for the "why's" about Elvis. I always wondered why Elvis didn't stand up and tell the near-criminal Colonel Tom Parker to shove off in the 60's when the incredibly selfish and controlling manager forever damaged Elvis' movie career potential, and now I know.It was Elvis' fatal flaw, now understood a bit better.

RIP Elvis, you were a wonderful, warm and brilliantly gifted man who shared his talents and love with the world. You left the world so much better for having been in it. And, say Hi to Jessie Garon for me.

Interesting perspective but sometimes far fetched
A different and valuable analysis of Elvis Presley presenting the basis for his behavior in later life.I found a great deal of it plausible and very helpful in my understanding of the man. However, much of the reasoning seemed contorted and overextended with rambling, sometimes disjointed and overworked passages. It was like listening to Allen Greenspan before a congressional committee. I felt that the author made some conflicting statements. Most difficult for me to accept was the degree to which Elvis's life was supposedly shaped by the death of his twin at birth. But then I'm no psychologist.

A Fascinating Read
I read this book AFTER reading the 2 book biography of Elvis by Peter Guralnick and I think that is how best to read this.While Guralnick gives the 'definative' story of Elvis and what happened to him, I think "The Inner Elvis" explains the WHY of it all.There is in this book the 'missing link' the explanation of why, and how Elvis was so affected by the early years of his life and the psychological effects of such thingsas his mother's over protection "enmeshment", his dead twin brother amongst other things.This book, I found, was a fascinating read but if you haven't read the full biography of Elvis' life and were looking for it here then there's a lot of detail missing, but that isn't what the author intended, I believe.His point and explanations are very well made & I rate this a 5 star read.

A brilliant exploration into the mind of a music icon
The Inner Elvis was, for me, an identical twin, like reading a highlysuspenseful mystery or spy novel. I devoured each page, each newpyschological insight.

As the author reveals through extensive researchof events, interviews, recordings, Elvis Presely was, in large part, shapedby his lost (br)other and their one source, their mother.

Dr. Whitmer's"discovery", so to speak, of the origin of Elvis' unique musicalstyle is nothing short of brilliant, spot on. I am sure music critics andscholars would scoff at his view but as an identical twin and a musician Iunderstood it perfectly.

I look forward to any further explorations Dr.Whitmer may pursue in the psychological study of twins.

A greatread.

Charlie Wine ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

The King Has No Clothes
Elvis Presley's story is so fairly well known that it has become part of the American Dream canon of rags to riches. A new biography by history professor, Charles L. Ponce de Leon, begs to ask the question: What can another Presley biography add to our understanding of the man? "Fortunate Son" would not satisfy the ardent fan of Presley, but would perhaps fit the bill for those who want to know more about Presley's life but do not want to invest the time in reading Peter Guralnick's expansive two-volume biography ("Last Train to Memphis" and "Careless Love"). In fact, "Fortunate Son" reads like a cliff notes version of Guralnick's Presley biography; this point is evident as one peruses the notes section. Ponce de Leon illuminates Presley's high (1956 television appearances) and low points (1960s movies) in a succinct manner without giving the impression of rushing the reader despite the biography being only 212 pages.

"Fortunate Son" does not add any new information on the King of Rock and Roll as much as compress and develop a taut, concise picture from various past biographies and historical resources. In Ponce de Leon's view, Presley is a casualty of fame. The author points out 1958 to be the crucial year where the slow unraveling of the King began (Presley is drafted into the U.S. Army and begins ingesting amphetamines to stay awake during his long rounds/drills; Presley's mother, Gladys, dies). Presley's lack of challenge and isolation grew as he was cranking out a "travelogue" (Presley's term for his movies) in as little as three weeks during the 1960s. And sadly, the King's health and appearance went into decline, especially in the late 1970s, but no one in Presley's circle was on par with the King to confront the ailing singer. Ponce de Leon writes, "This was the terrible, tragic downside of being the King. Elvis had no equal; with everyone close to him being in his service, no one close to him could give him the help he needed."

"Fortunate Son" not only tracks how someone born in a shotgun house in Tupelo, Mississippi can rock millions by the tender age of twenty-one, but also chronicles how this same Greek-god like singer becomes a parody of himself and ultimately dies prematurely at the age of forty-two. A riveting account told in a tightly drawn narrative.

Bohdan Kot ... Read more

Product 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.

Customer 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

Product Description
Coinciding with the twentieth anniversary of his death, the best-selling author of Elvis and The Lives of John Lennon provides this definitive account of the final hours of Elvis's life. Reissue." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

"Elvis: Last 24 hours.. or Make Believe?"
Albert Goldman is (was) a brilliant writer. Having said that, I have no idea why heused his talents to repeatedly bash Elvis Presley. When I read the first book, simply titled "Elvis", I thought, "Goldman's a little crass, but he does present a case. He says Elvis was immature (I've heard others say that)and that Elvis was an adulterer ( supposedly,even his wife knew THAT). He used strong, sometimes vulgar terms to describe The King and his Courtiers- but, so what? That just made the book "Funny"- or a better read. He also gave alot of detail about Priscilla's affair with Mike Stone, provided byStone himself. Thefirst book ("Elvis") was also co-published by Lamar Fike, who was with Elvis to the end, and that gave it credibility.He also, quite plausibly, suggested that Elvis accidentally O.D.'d on August 16,1977, due to his "over-confidence" re: his tolerance of Rx drugs, and that Elvis was in great spirits the night BEFORE, due to his supposed up-coming wedding to Ginger Alden. Please bear with me; I'm dwelling on Book One for a reason. Now, when I saw ANOTHER book about Elvis, by the same author, I naturally ordered it, due to Goldman's aforementioned literary skill, and his( what I thought was)accurate -albeit somewhat biased, portrayal of the facts. Others had said, including Priscilla, that this book, out of all of them, would greatly offend people- but I thought, "I'm a BLACK (is that the PC term we're using these days?) female Elvis fan, from St. Louis, who's been to Graceland twice now, and have been ridiculed all my life because of Elvis's supposed views on African-Americans ( or is THAT the PC term - The NAACP changes it so much, it's hard for ME to keep up!)- I'm used to hearing every negative thing about myself, and Elvis, under the Sun- WHAT could POSSIBLY offend me?"
Well,ladies and gentlemen, here it is.... I finally found THE book! Goldmanobviously ,had a deep, almost pathological hatred of Elvis Presley, and this book reveals more about Goldman's biases and hang-ups than it ever does Presley's. For instance? Okay, you asked for it: he had an actual architect reconstruct, based on hearsay, the lay-out of Elvis' quarters and the bathroom he died in- even though the architect in question had never even SEEN it; and, should we be a little slow on the uptake (as Goldman obviously thought all of E.P.'s fans were), there's a little CARTOON drawing of Elvis, in a fetal position, totally exposed, lying next to the toilet. He describes (yet again), in VIVD detail, ALL of Elvis' wash-room activity on the night in question- (geez, wasn't writing about it in the first book ENOUGH, sir?)- but, to my mind, the worst thing he does, is "accuse" Elvis of commiting suicide on the morning of August 16th,1977, even though 9 year old Lisa Marie was just down the hall, his father was recuperating from a recent heart attack, and it entailed letting himself be found in a most indelicate (per cartoonish diagram) manner; anyone who knows anything about Elvis knows that, had Elvis believed suicide to be "the way out", he would have done it in 1958, when his Mom died suddenly after he was inducted into the Army, if he was EVER going to commit it. The suicide theory is the sum and total of the book's subject matter,not to mention it is also a major about-face from Goldman's "accidental over-dose" scenario in the first book, the ambiguity of which he explains away in a foot- note ( which is, more or less : "oops- my information was wrong! Sorry- but it's not MY fault, of course... Now, let's get back to describing Elvis's final breakfast...")
I would actually recommend reading the first book, "Elvis", if you enjoy well written "celeb-trashing" books, because, as I said, Goldman can turn a phrase like no other- but only if you're an Elvis FAN, not an Elvis FANATIC, because, if you are, , even THAT one, though tame in comparison, will offend you.This book is not "Elvis"- and shame on Goldman for calling it that- it's an abomination, to any man's memory. "Elvis Presley!" was, after all, also, Elvis Presley... son, father, and friend to many.
I won't take to the streets in protest, or fashion a bulls-eye out of Goldman's photo (like some Elvis fans , @1981!). I thank God we live in a country where this man had the right to author this tome. Albert Goldman, ( who, incidentally, passed away on an airplane in the early 1990's, mid-flight, due to a "heart seizure", ironically on his way to posthumously bash Elvis on yet another international T.V. show) will stand before his God one day to give an account of his actions, just like the rest of us.
Finally, I , sadly, never got the chance to meet Elvis, so I have no first hand knowledge of his character, but I can say that I have enjoyed "e=mail friendships" with Joe Esposito, Larry Geller, and Marty Lacker ; I've even talked to Priscilla Presley's father by telephone ( it was a wrong number, turned out to be Priscilla's Dad,but he still wanted to talk, which began a "phone-friendship"- don't ask! :), and the portrait they ALL paint, is one of a decent, loving, special man. "Dear Mr. Goldman- to quote an anonymous wise man: 'It matters not how a man died- death is such a short event- but, rather, how he lived.' We wouldn't still be talking, writing, or visiting Elvis related stuff, had he been the terrible person you claimed him to be. Elvis Lives! Sincerely, Now an EVEN BIGGER Elvis Fan!"

Verdict: Suicide.
Having read numerous Elvis biographies (new and old) I purposefully left Goldman's until last. I wanted to reach my own conclusions as to the life and times of Presley before reading these notorious accounts ("Elvis" and "Elvis: The Last 24 Hours"). Though I do agree that Goldman's style is sometimes too confrontational, seemingly so vindictive in content that at times it does leave the reader feeling uncomfortable (however, there is every possibilty that the facts surround Elvis' private life are not so easy to digest), I can't dismiss any of his conclusions; his ultimate one being that Elvis did indeed kill himself.

I had already formed my own opinion long before reading "The Last 24 Hours" (which I finished only yesterday), and these were as close to Goldman's as possible. Elvis showed all the signs of a depressive paving his way to suicide, and it all becomes even more obvious when you read Goldman's account.

Both of his Elvis-related books are a superb read. Entertaining, shocking and informative in equal measure. Sure, we'll never know the exact truth as to "The King's" inner demons, but via Goldman we get as close as we ever will.

Cynnical Goldman
I have been Elvis' number one fan for the past 49 years.I own all concerts, movies, songs, books but I'll never spend a dime on anything Goldman does.There will never be another Elvis in our lifetime or anyone else's. He is and always will be The King.What a lonely life he had to leave but what he left us is a timeless legacy never to be forgotten.

Patti Hebert Ross
Beaumont TX

Not Hard to Believe
I must admit, I am not much of an Elvis fan. Never have been. I have always thought that Elvis-mania was the product of clever marketing by Col. Tom Parker rather than any truly overwhelming talent on Presley's part. But, leaving aside the merits or lack thereof of Elvis the performer, I can say that it's not hard to believe that Elvis the man had a lot of inner pain. And that this inner pain may have caused him to take his own life. Therein lies the thesis of the book.

I found this little book to be immensely compelling. It's a detailed accounting (based mostly on information from Elvis's stepbrother, David Stanley) of the last 24 hours of Elvis's life. The basic theme of the book is to correct errors from Goldman's previous book (the controversial 1982 biography, Elvis). In the 1982 book, Goldman had posited that that Presley died of a massive heart attack caused by years of drug dependency and eating like a glutton.

Now in this later book, Goldman claims that there were inaccuracies in his previous accounting of Presley's death, and he wants to set the record straight. Now, says Goldman, new evidence (again, mostly provided by David Stanley) indicates that Presley did not die of natural causes, but instead killed himself by overdosing on a stash of drugs that he stockpiled. Supposedly David Stanley, not wanting to see Elvis's name tarred with the brush of suicide, got rid of the needles and drug packets near Presley's body before the paramedics arrived.

The idea that Presley committed suicide is, of course, not hard to believe. Goldman is not the only Presley biographer who wrote of Presley's disturbed state of mind at the end of his life. It is pretty much common knowledge that Presley was depressed, drug-dependent, grossly overweight, and had many regrets about his life and career. And when a person is that despondent, it's no surprise that their thoughts can turn to suicide.

Naturally, diehard Elvis fans detest Goldman and maintain that this book, and the prior book he wrote about Elvis, are (in no particular order): inaccurate; mean-spirited; biased (many claim that Goldman disliked Elvis personally and his dislike for his subject caused him to always present Elvis in the worst possible light).

However, not a single word of either book has been disproven.Goldman is an academic, and his research is thorough, based on interviews who are "primary sources" - in other words, with people who knew Presley best - "the Guys" (a.k.a. his handlers/bodyguards who were with him 24 hours a day). Indeed, a number of the Guys were actually related to Presley in one way or another, and knew him well, from childhood.

So riddle me this: why is it so difficult for fans to believe that their hero was not a god, but rather a deeply flawed human being who battled his inner demons, and unfortunately lost the battle? If Elvis was a depressed junkie who just didn't want to live anymore, why is that something to be appalled at? Again, given what is well-known about Elvis's state of mind at the end of his life, it's actually quite believable.

And...believe it or not, Goldman may actually have written this not because he enjoyed Presley-bashing, but because it was the truth and he called it as he saw it, based on the facts. That is possible.

LAWDY, LAWDY, LAWDY It's Gaudy!
To quote Shakespere, the uproar this book caused was "Much ado about...." you guessed it. Okay, here's the story- Albert Goldman, a man who disliked Elvis intensely, wrote this acid account detailing The King's most intimate eating, dating, and bathroom habits. Just how Mr.Goldman acquired this information, I leave to one's own imagination. For good measure, he throws in descriptions of Graceland, Elvis' relationship with his mother- in short, his OPINIONS about Elvis Presley. However, through the years the book has taken on a life of its own. People in the "Memphis Mafia" and other inner circles who cooperated with its publication were scorned and cursed as "Judas" by die hard fans, and are to this day. Albert Goldman's book jacket picture was actually fashioned into a bull's eye by outraged Elvisphiles for the throwing of darts. Reading "THE Book", is akin to sacrilege for the Elvis-is-my-life fan, and Goldman is likened to Satan. My opinion? Whether you love Elvis, are indifferent to him, or could care less, this book is like chocolate- you hate yourself for consuming it, but you do it anyway. I was an Elvis fan before I read it, and after. Don't be afraid to challenge your idols. If they're as great as you say, they will stand up to it and it won't shake your admiration. Actually, the book itself is nothing earth shattering, and it certainly isn't one of your timeless classics. It's what it was meant to be- a trashy, dishy gossipfest. It's gotten more attention than it's worth, in my humble view, and so did its author, who, incidentally, was found dead,in his bedroom, bloated and under mysterious circumstances, an irony that was not lost on me. ... Read more

Product Description
More than three hundred recipes for foods Elvis enjoyed, many of them provided by his long-time cook, Alvena Roy. Contains rare photos and delightful anecdotes and quotations. Illustrated and indexed. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Delicous
I have had this book before and I loved it then and I love it even more then ever! I have cooked alot of the recipes in this book and they are awesome I would recommand this book for any cook and for any Elvis fan! LOVE IT

This Elvis Cookbook Rocks!
I bought this cookbook for myself, since I am such a big Elvis fan. It has lots of recipes, including the famous fried peanut butter and banana sandwich, which I can't wait to try. Most of the recipes in this book are Southern.

It also has a lot of pictures of Elvis with fans, his parents, etc. And information about what kinds of food he liked to eat, his generosity to his family and friends, and his love of Graceland. He is a legend that will always be remembered. I think that he would be proud to share his love of Southern cuisine, and his love of food in general. If you want to eat like the King of Rock n Roll, or you just love Elvis Presley, then I recommend this book.

Sorry excuse for a cookbook
This book is a perfect example of everyone and their Mama availing themselves of the easy opportunity to make some mega bucks off the death of Elvis. It's only worth would be to a die-hard Elvis fan, and then only for the photos of Elvis. Most of those in the book have been printed elsewhere by now, however, so even that is subjective. As for being useful as a recipe or cookbook, it's the worst I've ever owned and will go into my yard sale or donation pile. The recipes don't seem as if anyone actually tried them, and if Elvis did eat them, no wonder he died. Not only from the grease in all the food ( one recipe even called for pouring grease into a frying pan in order to fry FAT BACK or salt pork!! )but probably to get away from eating all those poorly made dishes.

I felt the authors made up many of the recipes, as I know no one here in the south who makes banana pudding without using any vanilla wafers!! The book was also quite silly, as who needs a definition key in the back to explain to them the meaning of "chill" or "roast" or "mince" or even "STIR"???!!! The few recipes that did seem to sound a little believable, were mostly ones I've seen in common recipe books for the last 40 years. The author seemed to be grasping for recipes to include, as who needs a recipe for French Toast that is nothing but milk, egg, and white loaf bread??? Everything else was slop, not just due to Elvis and his family's supposed love of lard, white bread, and gelatin, but because the recipes are all poorly conceived. The whole book, in fact, came off as an insult to Elvis, to Southerners, and most of all just a waste of good paper.

so much more than recipes
FIT FOR A KING is my favorite of all my "Elvis" books. This book is overflowing with recipes, photos, inside information and wonderful, sweet memories. FIT FOR A KING was put together with thoughtfulness and sincerity. So many of the other books about Elvis are just an excuse to use his name and image. If you like music, food, nostalgia, and most of all, Elvis himself, then you will truly appreciate FIT FOR A KING.

Wonderful cookbook
Fit for a king is a wonderful cookbook from one of music's icons. It also makes for a great gift for Elvis Presley fans. ... Read more

Product Description
It is 1955. Achsa is a lonely, passionate and precocious fourteen-year-old, isolated at school by her intelligence and disfigurement, troubled at home by the undercurrents in her parents' relationship. She finds comfort and inspiration in the tunes and rhythms she hears on her radio. Hearing a recording by an unknown 20-year-old country singer named Elvis Presley, she fires off a fan letter, telling him she knows he's going to be a star. Insecure in the world he is entering, passionate about music and burning with a desire to succeed, Elvis answers her and enlists her help in teaching him how to "talk good." The intimate, touching correspondence that follows chronicles Achsa and Elvis' coming of age as artists and individuals. Able to confide in nobody else, they share with each other their most private dreams and fears. Elvis becomes Achsas sounding board as she watches her beautiful, distant mother and her sternly religious father lurch toward tragedy, confronts her own scarred mouth, and faces a shattering loss. The young singer's responses reveal his fierce, aching innocence in the year before his star burst forth and offers a fascinating glimpse into the grassroots history of rock and roll. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

THE BEST ELVIS FICTION BOOK!
This is one of the best fictional books on Elvis.It's so real that you have to keep reminding yourself that it's fiction.You'll get caught up in the story line immediately, and you'll be sorry to see the book end. What a terrific idea for an Elvis story!

The hobo philosopher
If you check out some of my other reviews, you will see that this is not a typical book for me to read - but I did. Yes this book creates anhistorically realistic portrait of Elvis but the story is really about a sensitive emerging young woman. I enjoyed the book. I gave it to my wife who is an Elvis fan. She loved it. She mailed it to her sister another Elvis fan. She loved it and sent it to her cousin. The cousin emailed us to tell us how much she liked it. I don't know where the book is now. But I would guess that it is still being mailed around the country by all my cheap relatives.

Books written by Richard Noble - The Hobo Philosopher:
"Hobo-ing America: A Workingman's Tour of the U.S.A.."
"A Summer with Charlie"
"A Little Something: Poetry and Prose"
"Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother"
"The Eastpointer" Selections from award winning column.

Excellent!
Alone in her room, 14-year-old Achsa McEachern twists her radio dial. By chance she lands on a hillbilly station playing a new song called "That's All Right, Mama." She fires off her first-ever fan letter to an unknown Elvis Presley, telling him he's destined for stardom--but only if he gets off that hillbilly station.

Presley promptly replies. By the end of February 1955, they are corresponding regularly. While especially entranced with her knowledge of music, he's delighted that someone as smart as she is would dare have the time of day for him. Also convinced that he can make it to the top, Presley asks his new fan to help him with his grammar. And so begins the lessons that teach Elvis how to "talk good."

What follows is a vivid account of that momentous year, 1955, and two young lives in chaos. The Year the Music Changed is a stunning portrayal of a girl whose life is unraveling as fast as she can write--and a naive country bumpkin who yearns for bigger things. As Achsa's despondency over her harelip and the spiraling descent of her parents' marriage escalates, her letters become longer and longer, describing in great detail her feelings to her one and only friend.

But no matter the horror that has befallen her, Achsa never, ever forgets her promise: a grammar lesson in each return envelope. The first lesson involves double negatives and, as their correspondence nears its end in mid-1956, Achsa asks him to "Please promise that you will never forget to always remain on the lookout for double negatives. It is so very important."

We already know Elvis' voice, yet Thomas re-creates his style with such an acute accuracy that I could hear the insecurities, the passion, the search for grounding. Achsa's voice is so strong and powerful that by the end of the novel, I had thought she was real and went on an Internet search for her. Needless to say I came up empty handed.

Armchair Interviews says: As intimately as both personalities are portrayed, it is hard to remember this excellent book is fiction after all.

A Fast Intensely Satisfying Read
It is not often that I come across a book so engrossing that I read it cover to cover in one sitting, but I did this one.

Diane Thomas offers us a glimpse into the South of the mid 1950s.The letters Achsa McEachern writes to the then rising music star, Elvis Presley, start out as fan letters, but quickly become heart-touching and often heart-wrenching descriptions of her private inner life and that of her family's.The letters Elvis writes back to Achsa help to anchor the book in place and time, while providing us with an interesting new perspective on what it might have been like to be that rising star in the days before he became trapped in the prison of his own Superstardom.

I was a teen of the 70s but in Achsa, I could see myself.I wrote long, long letters to far away friends pouring out all the changes that were happening in my life; changes that I didn't always understand and that I felt helpless to control.I think many young women will find a piece of themselves in Achsa.

And for anyone whose mother came of age during the fifties, as mine did, this book would make a wonderful birthday or Mother's Day gift.

It is a fast, intensely satisfying read and I highly recommend it.

Appeals to All Ages
My 97-year-old mother (who was certainly not an Elvis fan) loved the book, said she couldn't put it down. My 15-year-old granddaughter (who is a Nirvana fan and thought Elvis was "old-fashioned") loved the book, my 64-year-old sister (who was a big Elvis fan in 1956) loved the book, and I (who was Elvis' contemporary and NOT a fan) loved the book. We loved it because of its truth. The heart of the story belongs not to Elvis but to a 14-year-old girl and her struggle to cope with her disfigured lip, a mother who is movie-star beautiful, a father whose religion borders on the fanatical. Ultimately she understands - and embraces - her own place in the world. Beautifully written, highly recommended. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

More insight into Priscilla Presley
The only reason I read this book, was to understand the person who is Priscilla Presley a little more.Although, the book was obviously written for the money, it did give some interesting information.Priscilla is and always has been out for herself, and whatever she can get with the Presley name.I always suspected that, and I believe it even more now.

Beautiful love story
You gotta love this guy. He is so honest and down to earth.I enjoyed reading about him more then Priscilla. Anyway, he has an easy way of writing, and the book is very interesting. It is a beautiful love story, and he doesn't sugar coat anything. About himself or Priscilla. Back then, I think those two were half crazy, what with the affairs, the drugs, and carrying on. I read Elvis and Me, and I am glad I read this also. Oh, Edwards was a bit obsessed with Elvis back then, so prepare yourself. In the end, Priscilla got what she wanted, she always has. She broke his heart, I felt so sorry for him.

"Me, Myself, and I"
A confession: I didn't finish this whole book, for the same reason I didn't finish a roast beef sandwich that contained a hair at lunch yesterday; it was simply too disgusting to continue . I DID read about 90% of it, but you don't have to examine every item in the trash bin, down to the bottom, once you've ascertained that it's garbage. This guy KILLS me, and, by his book's third chapter, I wanted to return the favor.
Michael Edwards dated Priscilla Presley from 1978 to 1985. It took her almost seven years to figure out what I did in about two days: this man was nothing but an egotistical, shallow, opportunistic interloper. Poor Lisa Marie Presley. In the books photo section (and are there ever PHOTOS- Good Grief....these two just LOVED having their pictures taken; I quit counting at thirty-five), little Lisa looks sad, but also, she has a resigned look on her face, sort of a "if you can't beat'em, join 'em" kind of smile. Mr. Edwards DOES present some interesting tidbits about Priscilla, and even Elvis himself, which is the only reason I gave this book "***". Some of them:
--Edwards was with Priscilla on the first anniversary of Elvis' death, and he recorded that Priscilla was deeply depressed during that time. She brought Edwards with her to help clean Elvis' Palm Springs bungalow in preperation for sale. It was exactly the way Elvis left it on his last vacation, and Edwards describes finding "soiled bed linens and towels" . He calls the stains on them"bodily fluids", though he doesn't say how he knows this fact. While Priscilla is sadly gathering her ex-husband's personal things, all Edwards seems interested in is pawing through the King's treasures, and asking if he can have some of them,meanwhile splashing Elvis'fermenting bottle of "Brut" all over himself, even though he hated that particular brand of cologne.
--Although several sources, and (some reviwers on this site) state that Edwards was blatantly bi-sexual, there are no signs of that lifestyle in this book. On the contrary, he seems obsessed with every female he meets, especially Priscilla. While they were living together, he chased everything in heels.He and Priscilla cheated on each other repeatedly. He with whomever he was working with (he was a male model, and according to him, THE most in demand model of his- or any other- time); she with everyone from a fellow student in her acting class, to Julio Iglesies, capped by a humiliating, drunken one night stand with a very young Richard Gere, who never called her or responded to her calls, ever again. Edwards even details for the reader the indignant, baffled letter Priscilla wrote to Gere.
--The "Bombshell" in this bio is that Michael Edwards very plainly states that he became attracted to and subsequently "fell in love" with a pre-teen Lisa Marie, going so far as to sneak into her bedroom at night, and peering under her covers. Lisa pretended to be asleep, but the next morning, she and her mother good-naturedly confronted Edwards about it, who "explained" that he was feeling "down", and he wanted to just "look at" the child. Excuse me? Priscilla and Lisa dropped the subject; nevertheless, Priscilla told Michael that she would no longer be leaving her daughter alone with him , which she didn't.
--Priscilla became pregnant with his baby, and they debated over what to do about it. He half-way wanted the baby, but there were both worried about their "careers". He left the decision in Priscilla's hands, and she had an abortion. He wrote that they both cried, all the way home, and that they were profoundly depressed for months afterwards, lamenting that they should have had the child.
Edwards makes many observations, some of which astounded me, if only for his boundless temerity in making them. 1) He felt that he was "annointed" to "take Elvis' place"- a direct quote. He felt fate wanted him to be Lisa's surrogate "Daddy", and he even relates a "vision" in which Elvis lets him know that it was time for him (Elvis) to "let go", and let Edwards step in. Can you imagine the Elvis Presley we know and love, telling another man that he would gracefully "bow out" of his ex-wife and daughter's lives just so Edwards' dreams could come true? I'll bet Elvis cut a dance jibe from "Jail House rock"in his grave when he "heard" that one!
The saddest thing in the book, to me, is the adolescent life of Lisa Marie. She depended on an elderly couple in her mother's employ for some measure of stability, and spent most evenings in their quarters, watching T.V., and just talking. Lisa was heart-broken when they tendered their resignation, the couple explaining to Priscilla that they felt there had been "too many changes" in the past year and a half for their comfort. This maid and butler took an interest in Lisa, and upon learning of their departure, she told her mother that "they quit because of Michael!" When Priscilla said that they would have quit anyway, Lisa wandered the house for quite a while afterwards, often asking, "What am I going to do NOW? Who am I going to talk to. What am I going to DO?"
Though Edwards had his own career, both in modeling, and obtaining bit parts in movies (you may remember him as "Uncle Ted", the man little Christina caught making out with her mother, Joan Crawford in "Mommie Dearest") he freely admits that he adapted to the new "high life" very quickly, and very well. He spent Priscilla and Lisa's money unashamedly- which, in reality, means he spent Elvis' money on purusing his various interests. So, when did invested in shady deals and failed, it wasn't his shirt he lost- it was Lisa's.....
In reading this, I was reminded of the story from the "New Twilight Zone": a pathetic, lonely mis-fit of a man idolizes a beautiful star, played by "Vanity". He was granted three wishes, which he used to win her love. He asked for his own physical beauty, which made her want him. Then, he asked that she fall madly in love with him, which she did. Once her obtained her, however, he STILL wasn't happy, and one long night, "Vanity" inspired a revelation, by saying, "You're unhappy? You wanted to be with me, didn't you?"
"No", he says, the awful truth dawning on him as he answered," I don't WANT you.. I want to BE you!"- whereupon his last wish is granted, and he becomes a grotesque version of Vanity. I kept thinking of that show, unseen for twenty years, while reading Edward's bizarre observations. He didn't want PRISCILLA, he wanted ELVIS- and she and Lisa were the closest heever came. Then, he veers off by comparing himself to Elvis, in every way, from his hair, to a character Elvis had played in one of his 1960's movies-- "prophetically"(yet another photo caption reads)a character named "Mike Edwards"! Spooky, huh? Gimme a break, fella...Elvis played a character by the name of "Mike Stone", too. Was Priscilla running off with the REAL Mike Stone "prophetic", too?Anyway, it dawns on him that he wants to BE "Elvis", so he begins to study his life and the two girls Elvis loved, with a tenacity that was almost frightening. It got disturbing, after a while.
I looked Edwrads "up" on IMDb, and he's basically dopped out of sight since the late '80s, after revealing to his ex Priscilla (who left him for Marco Garibaldi, father of her son)that this book was in the works. He'd promised her that he WOULDN'T write a book or give interviews about their relationship- yet she was flabbergasted when he did it anyway. "Gee, Priscilla," I thought, "He's breaking his word? Why, you'd think the guy had NO MORALS!"
If you're interested in Priscilla Presley, RAW and uncensored, and are curious about her true feelings about Elvis (she really did love him, very much), then this is the book for you. Edwards describes her sexual proclivities, her nominal, rare use of hard drugs, like cocaine, and her parenting methods-- she once "jumped on" Lisa Marie for sneaking around and lying to her. She grabbed her hair and kept slapping her, all outside. A neighbor called the police, and, according to Edwards, Priscilla "instructed" her daughter to tell the cops she was "fine".
I'm not privy to what goes on in Micahel Edwards' head (God be praised), but after reading this, I DO believe that he misguidedly thought he loved Lisa and her mother, and that he admired and idolized Elvis-- but that he was discontent just being one of the King's subject; he wanted to be near the King, and eventually, he wanted to BE the King. As has been written, "Envy so often passes for love...."

If you want to REALLY understand Priscilla....
I found this book fascinating for the simple reason that it compliments Child Bride so well and so exactly, at different times and with different men in Priscilla's life. Follow the thread and you will find quite a bit of unsettling truth regarding her motivations, how she used both Elvis and Michael for her own plans and successes... but how this one backfired on her.

Whereas Elvis was an ultimate gentleman who always took the whole blame for everything she claimed as fault, onto him, Michael is no such person. Priscilla gets a taste of her own medicine from this cad who dishes it out and humiliates her with the rawness of his disclosures.

Without ever meaning to be, it is a fine kind of touche as well, to her book, Elvis And Me, whose lies enclosed there surely would have hurt Elvis even further, had he been alive to read it.

What woman who cares, leaves her teen daughter alone for weeks with a boyfriend like Michael?!?!?? Thank God Lisa has Elvis' "knowing things" nature, and walked away safely.

This book is only a fair read, because Michael actually shows how immature and of questionable character he is....but it does have value as it does show that Priscilla knew this, too, yet wanted what she wanted, and what she could get from him, over any of those concerns.

It brought me to tears to see how when Elvis visited Priscilla just before he died, she rebuffed him, even when he was so sick. Elvis was such a kind gentle spirit, truly only wanting to bring people joy. He had just asked to be held, saying he was so lonely. Very few people indeed, ever returned the favor of comfort Elvis bestowed on those who needed it - but there was little sent to Elvis, as he was surrounded by takers.

I believe this book somehow helps balance the story of "poor little me" that Priscilla puts out there with some truth about the purposeful way in which she has planned her life and her success in the limelight. Read it directly after reading Child Bride for the eye opening similarities. Then read Elvis and Me, and you'll clearly see the lies.....

Then weep for Elvis (or rejoice that he's finally out from under that mess). He deserved so much better, and Michael says it here, without even realizing it.

Intimate view of Priscilla...
This book is written by Michael Edwards- aformer top male model and actor - who was Priscilla Presley's live in lover from 1978 to 1984.
It is the story from his perspective of their romance and his life with Priscilla.
It is written with unflinching honesty and it flows easily with its smooth, unpolished prose.
He blames the stress and problems they had in their relationship to the strain of living under the Presley name and legend, but after reading the book, it seems to me that their issues were caused more by a constant stream of drinking and fast living in Elvis's shadow.

I'm sure that Priscilla must have been enraged by this book as it holds back almost nothing, and after reading it, I can't say I blame her.

The most controversial part of the book and what I'm sure must have caused a small uproar when it came out back in 1988 , was Edwards own admission that hehad romantic and sexual feelings for Lisa Marie when she was in her early teens.
I'm shocked that Mr.Edwards actually came out and admitted that.
He must have been raked over the coals about that when doing the inevitable publicity that one does for a book like this.

As an interesting footnote,I did an internet search using Michael Edwards name and came across a couple of interviews with Lisa Marie from 2003 and his name was brought upand she had an angry reaction, called Mr. Edwards a few choice names and said that she had hated him when he was with her Mother , which is a different picture than is painted in the book.

Of course this is a one sided view of events, but I'd recommend this book to anyone, who would like a glimpse into Priscilla's life in the immediate years following Elvis's death. ... Read more

Product Description
FROM THE PUBLISHER Take a trip back in time and discover the phenomenon that was Elvis Presley. In this unique scrapbook, Elvis' life and legend are fully chronicled through authentic newspaper clippings, beautiful full-color photos, memorabilia, and rare snapshots by fans. Turn the pages and relive each stage of Elvis' life - from his discovery by Sun Records' Sam Phillips to his untimely death at the age of 42. Authentic, original, and fascinating, Elvis Presley Album commemorates the life and career of the 20th century's most popular entertainer. ... Read more

Product Description
The Gospel series celebrates inspirational artists through quotes, biographical anecdotes, photos, memorabilia, and other miscellany from their life and work. This is a new gist on an old favorite! Organized into six thematic sections – Life, Love, Success, Family, Work, and Friendship – The Gospel According To Elvis is a reflection of Presley’s life in his own words. A complete biography and discography is also enclosed. It’s the perfect gift for any Elvis Presley fan. ... Read more

Product Description
It's 1964 and Elvis is in Las Vegas for a little R&R before starting his next picture, Roustabout.This ought to be a quiet time for the overextended King of Rock 'n' Roll to find his bearings, himself, and maybe, just maybe, his own personal muse.

But a King's work is never done.And before long, Elvis finds himself under immense pressure to find something entirely different: a killer!

When an enormously overweight tourist turns up ritualistically murdered at the billboard for one of Las Vegas's preeminent wedding chapels, Elvis can't help falling into the middle of an inept police investigation.Just before the tourist's death, the Sahara Casino's headline comedian, Howie Pickles, had singled her out for insult jokes at a show that Elvis attended.Immediately, the rumor spreads all over town that Pickles's gags are deadly.

A day later, a second tourist is murdered and conspiracy theories multiply: Is it a hotel and casino war?A war between local wedding chapels?A war between Sin City's major brothels?

Drawn into the case, Elvis finds himself falling in love with a beautiful dancer who lives on a commune for failed showbiz types.He also discovers that a born-again Christian group in town is hailing him as the Second Coming.

As the death toll mounts, Elvis teams up in an unlikely alliance with a pill-popping, enlightenment-seeing Harvard dropout, a Southern belle turned high-class prostitute, and the immensely annoying Howie Pickles himself.

The story climaxes in a "peace concert" that Elvis gives to bring together all the warring factions.But with that concert come some painful - and deadly - revelations.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Frightening and Funny
Dan Klein has done it again with the newest of Elvis Presley's sleuthing escapades.In addition to being frightening and funny, this book is also puzzling (some hard-to-solve murders) andalternately touching and cynical. Yes, that's a lot to pack into 264 pages, which is why I'm recommending it. You don't even have to be a die-hard (pardon the pun) Elvis Fan. You just have to know something about him and have heard the songs "Don't Be Cruel" and "Love Me Tender.

Elvis taking care of business again
I thoroughly enjoyed this third Elvis mystery novel by Daniel Klein.It follows on the heels of Kill Me Tender and Blue Suede Clues.Elvis manages to be the hero and solves the murders.His character has been drawn so that the real Elvis shines through.Elvis would have loved the character and so will his fans.This particular novel takes place in Las Vegas and includes some very strange murders and some very strange characters. Of course he falls in love with beautiful Shiva who has a young daughter Kali and is accompanied by her black panther. A Don't Be Cruel peace concert is put together and Elvis is in the center of it.The ending is not quite what you would expect.I would recommend that you start with Kill Me Tender and then move on to Blue Suede Clues and finish up with Viva Las Vengeance.There is some slight tie-in in this book with the other books.I am anxiously looking forward to book #4!

Gets better with each take....
Without a doubt, Klein's take on Elvis Presely is going to go down in US literary history as one of the most creative and dynamic treatments of the musical icon. The first two books were fantastic, and this third book goes even further in giving the reader a new way to look at the King. As soon as the New York Times and People magazine weigh in with their judgments, Klein's series of Elvis yarns will become part of American literaary culture. Viva La Klein! Can't wait for the 4th and 5th installments, too.

more for the Elvis guru
Elvis is happy to be back in Vegas after a month in Graceland where Priscilla gave him a hard time because of Ann Margaret.Elvis drops in on insult comedian Howie Pickles' show at the Sahara.Besides irritating Elvis with his irreverent references to the Lord, Pickles unmercifully picks on an obese woman.The other act, Siva Ree's exotic dance with a panther, thrills Elvis who finds he desires the performer.

The next day, Elvis learns that Pickles' victim Mrs. Donaldson was murdered and nailed to the billboard of a chapel (the same one that starred in an Elvis flick).The police arrest the husband of the deceased, but the person who found the corpse Digby Ferguson believes the local cops rushed to judgment.He tries to persuade Elvis to join with him to investigate as he knows the rock legend has experience in solving crimes (see KILL ME TENDER and BLUE SUEDE CLUES).

Though Elvis amateur sleuth takes a long time to begin, fans of the superstar will relish this tale awhile wondering if Daniel Klein had a sighting as the plot brings Presley so vividly to life.The story line engages readers with its insightful look at a complete Elvis to include frustration with movie scripts (Roustabout is the current one) and his complicated love life that is made more complex by Siva.The story is well written, but more for the Elvis guru than the amateur sleuth aficionado.

Harriet Klausner ... Read more