Product Description
This two-volume set in a production hardcover case is an essential addition to any Elvis fan's library. Features piano/vocal/guitar arrangements of over 200 of his best songs, including: All Shook Up * Always on My Mind * Are You Lonesome Tonight? * Baby, Let's Play House * Blue Christmas * Blue Moon * Blue Suede Shoes * Bossa Nova Baby * Burning Love * Crying in the Chapel * Don't Be Cruel * Good Luck Charm * Green Green Grass of Home * Heartbreak Hotel * Hound Dog * It's Now or Never * Memories * Suspicious Minds * and many more. Volume 1 contains a 16-page color photo section and a biography and Volume 2 features an 8-page color section and a discography. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Not in the recorded keys
For guitarists who like the 'recorded versions' arrangements, this one is not for you.I was quite disappointed.I knew it was not the not for not tablature but I thought the arrangements would at least be in the recorded keys instead of transposed for easy piano keys.I expected better. ... Read more

Product Description
Charts the life and achievements of the boy from Tupelo, Mississippi, from his first taste of fame in the early 1950's to his untimely death in 1977. Over 400 fabulous photographs document the important events in his life and career; his early concerts, the movies, his time in the army, his marriage to Priscilla and the birth of his daughter Lisa Marie, the resurgence of his career in the 1970s with the Las Vegas shows, and the gradual decline in his health. The photographs also show how Elvis lives on today, in the hearts and minds of his legions of fans. The pictures are accompanied by informative captions, adding context and depth to his amazing story, and an appendix of facts and figures sets out his remarkable achievements in the music industry. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (4)

Elvis Presley Passed Here
A third great book in this series, (James Dean Died Here; Marilyn Monroe Dyed Here), by author Chris Epting.All three are must haves for anyone interested in American pop and historical icons.With a location and brief summary, each place is easily found.Plus Chris has gone to great strides as to the accuracy of the factual information given.I personally know Chris by way of email and snail mail, and I can tell you he is a great person with a great personality, and that those qualities shine through in his work as well.

Elvis Presley Passed Here
Another outstanding book from Chris Epting. A must for every glove compartment or carry-on flight bag--this is your instant guide to "where it happened". As always with Mr. Epting's previous books--it is well researched, with addresses and directions, photographs, and great descriptions of the actual sites where history was made. This is that perfect gift for any age--and an absolute must for any traveler. When is the Travel Channel going to make Mr. Epting's books into a series?PS: besides his trilogy pop culture books he has written the world's best sports book: Roadside Baseball--take this one with you too as you travel this summmer. Like with all his books--you won't be able to put it down (includes a great forward from Joe Buck). When was the last time an author was so much fun to read but you were educated at the same time?

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

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

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

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

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

Product Description
The most important and revealing book ever on Elvis Presley - by his wife and daughter Twenty seven years after his death, Elvis Presley remains one of the world's most beloved and iconic figures. There has been an impressive array of bestselling Elvis books over the years, but there has never been a book like this. Now, for the first time, Elvis, the man, husband father and artist, is remembered intimately and honestly by his ex wife Priscilla, daughter Lisa Marie and other close family members. Including deeply personal documents and previously unseen family photographs, this lavishly illustrated book will also feature new interviews with family and friends by celebrated Rolling Stone founder, David Dalton. From personal diary entries to unearthed artefacts, Elvis by the Presleys is set to become a publishing phenomenon and will come closer than any other book in revealing the private dreams and truths of the extraordinary and complex man, who became the king of Rock and Roll. ... Read more

Product Description
100 of his immortal hits, including: All Shook Up * Amazing Grace * Blue Suede Shoes * Crying in the Chapel * Heartbreak Hotel * Suspicious Minds * and more! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Good book, but difficult
This book did not have all the popular Elvis songs, but the songs that are there are cool.

OK, "Billy"!
Billy, sure, Sinatra had a better voice. But he worked in a narrow
range of songs (pop and jazz standards). Elvis forged his style
from a wider range of genres: R&B, blues, country, and gospel. His
recordings of R&B (back then called "race music") changed America.
This book includes too many songs from his mediocre movie
career, but it still covers the crucial early years, when Elvis
was young and fearless.
Steve Wiggins, author of "Streets of Warsaw"
Streets of Warsaw: A Novel of the Polish Resistance in World War II

Nothin' but a hound-dog!
I really can't for the life of me understand the fame and popularity of this singer. Sure, he was handsome and had a decent voice, but is that really enough to justify the phenomenal success he achieved? Elvis never wrote any of his own songs; and unlike other musicians of the period, he had no originality or apparent creative talent. True, he created something of a stir back in the day because his movement's were billed as ''sexually suggestive'' (gyrating his hips? Puh-lease! a single Paris Hilton burger king ad could show this guy a thing or two about ''sexual suggestiveness''!), but that's a part of the past no longer relevant, and his songs, though pleasant enough to listen to, are all such inconsequential bits of toothless fluff that it makes one wonder where the appeal lay. They call him ''the king'' of Rock n' Roll, but he seems about as detached from the lyrical edginess of later groups like Led Zeppelin and The Doors as could be.
So will someone please tell me what all the fuss is about?

Wonderful
The best is that it has lots of songs ang most of them were never published in sheet music before. A Must ... Read more

Product Description
JESSE GARON PRESLEY is stillborn at 4:05 a.m., January 8, 1935, or maybe not.... In the '30s South, only poverty is abundant. Laws are broken by the man on the street, up to and including the men of the cloth.Looking the other way is common; survival is the key. The DELONGPRE family is rich and powerful, but they desperately want the one thing they've been denied-a baby. The PRESLEYS are impoverished without the financial burden of a child. Jesse is gone, but, unexpectedly, a twin, ELVIS AARON PRESLEY, is born moments later. Records disappear by those in position to dispose of them. The DeLongpres get the child they want, THURSTON DAVIS DELONGPRE, III.The Presleys end up with Elvis. Five people share this secret for 42 years; three pass away.A lustful, greedy doctor pursues Davis' mother, LILLIAN.What he knows can ruin the lives of Davis and Elvis. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Elvis Presley's Twin, Jesse Garon
This was an exciting book to read.I'm a huge Elvis fan and a firm believer that Elvis is not dead for many reasons, all of which I won't go into at this point, due to time and allotted space.

After reading this story and really thinking about it, it's my opinion that the book is true.First, it was understandable why Vernon & Gladys, who thought they were only having one child and who were very poor, thought this child could be given a better life by someone with wealth.Then after the child is delivered and taken, Gladys gives birth to a second child.I do not, nor will I ever belive Elvis' twin, Jesse died, only to be placed in an unmarked grave.A Mother would mark this grave in whatever manner she could.She would visit this grave constantly and on special occasions and she would know, even if blind-folded, where her child was layed to rest.If Jesse were dead, Elvis acquired the money at a very young age to have afforded the body be moved to a location in Memphis with a proper marking.This would have also been one of Glady's most important wishes and Elvis would have seen that his loving Mother's wish was granted.I think the story that Jesse died was one that was just left to be told, to keep the family secret from being exposed and to keep Jesse's privacy intact; especially since the Presley's never new what the adoptive parents told him.

Elvis led a fascinating life and we all loved him.While making him our "King," we also imprisioned him, his life and his well-being behind the gates of Graceland.I truly believe Elvis now has a life with his brother, Jesse, and the two of them are living a full happy life out of the limelight of the public.

If the day ever comes when EPE (earning more than when Elvis was "in the bulding") stops being greedy, Elvis will one day come forward and explain what he did and why he did it to his fans.

This book only proves it more and more .... that both Elvis and Jesse are alive. ... Read more

Product Description
Elvis Presley Unseen Archives

This book charts the life and achievements of the boy from Tupelo, Mississippi, from his first taste of fame in the early 1950s to his untimely death in 1977. Over 400 fabulous photographs document the important events in his life and career. The pictures are accompanied by informative captions, adding context and depth to his amazing story, and an appendix of facts and figures sets out his remarkable achievements in the music industry. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Elvis Presley (Unseen Archives)
This book is a must for Elvis fans!! It is great for even those who hate toread!! Lots of pictures and captions!! Some reading for those who love to read!! This book is for everyone!!

Elvis Unseen Archives
Every Elvis Presley fan should own this book. Pictures on every page,colour and black and white, and many unseen photographs.My daughter just bought herself a copy, and now I have to get one too.
Great Book!

Good and Bad
Very nice layout of pictures both color and B&W. High quality shots. Some very common pictures but also filled with "new" pictures previously unpublished. The compliants I see are that there are captions inside pictures covering up parts of the pictures, this is annoying. Also the author didn't check the facts right. There are many errors in these captions when talking about Elvis and his life. But this book is mainly about the pictures, a great coffee table book! ... Read more

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

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

Customer Reviews (30)

Totally Fake! UPSET PRESLEY MEDIATOR!
I believe that poor "Dr Hinton" was just used for drugs from a group of scam artists! If "Elvis " were alive he wouldNOTbe begging this so called doc for drugs..lol.. clearly this so called "JESSE' Was a con artist looking for pills!!! This book is a fraud! ! This man was so Obsessed in 'Elvis" he obviously fell for it! I feel sorry for him!! DON'T BUY THE BOOK!!!!! It just has a bunch of phony letter's from a creep that looks nothing like MR PRESLEY!!

Whatever happened to Donald Hinton?
I am interested in reading this book, but it is out of print now. From the research I have done, this book was written in the late 1990's. It claimed to be co-written by Elvis. He claimed he would be making a comeback in 2002. It is now 2009 and no sign of a resurrection. I have also learned that Donald Hinton lost his medical license shortly after this book was released. He lost the license for over prescribing pain killers and covering up the evidence. I believe he has been granted the license again. It was suspended for 5 years. I would like to know whatever happened to Hinton and is he still claiming that he was contacted by Elvis, or does he admit this is a hoax? I also learned that Hinton was an Elvis fanatic and an Elvis impersonator prior to writing this book.

Elvis would be 74 years old by now. Would the world want to see him as an old man, should he choose to reveal that he hoaxed his death?

It is the truth
I am a man that got into the Elvis is alive thing not by my choice but by someone choosing me to search for the truth. I talked to many many people claiming to be Elvis but I had things that only Elvis knew. With this I was able to prove them wrong with no problem at all. I had become friends with one of Elvis's closest friends, I ask him one night in 1996 did Elvis really die in 1977 and he said "As we knew him yes he died" that statement I found very odd and it told me that the image did die but not the man. Later on that same night this man gave me a coin and said keep this you might need it someday and also ask me to tell Elvis something if I ever got to talk to him. I thought he was a little crazy at that point this all happend in one night and it was alot to soak in but I looked him in the eye when he told me the message and he was very seriousyou could see it in his eyes. So I went on my search and I found this book and then everything fell into place. I believe this book is 100% correct. Now that their is a case in the courts with DNA evidence as the back bone of the case all should come clear to everyone real soon and this book will be priceless. All Elvis fans should read this book. This book will help you see why and how it all came to be. This is the real deal and everyone will see that it is the "Real Truth about Elvis Aron Presley in his own words" real soon. Dr Hinton never claimed to be a writer and if the writing is not as good as you think it should be, look over it, the facts are what we are after, not the style of writing. This is the best book for information I have seen to date.

This book absolutely IS Elvis's own & written in his own handwriting
This book was written by Jesse (with Dr. Hinton).It is the absolute truth.Someday, the world will fully understand that Elvis the image did die on August. 16th, 1977.The MAN did not physically die that day.

Spoken by Jesse: "....and I thought I could have a normal life."

Thank God that he was able to find a way out in order that he might survive physically.Anyone who takes the time to understand the man and not the image, can look back and clearly see that he had to get away.

His physical health was not good, his personal life was so bad at this time, he thought his performances were not going to be as good as he wished them to be.The bodyguard book was so filled with hate, revenge,lies, and distorted information.He had read this vicious book and it crushed his heart and mind.Anyone who truly seeks to know the kind, sweet man (and let go of the image) can fully understand the heartaches he was going through.

If you care about the MAN as another human being and take the time to search for the true circumstances of August 16, 1977, you will definitely feel the excruciating pain - pain that reached to the depths of his very soul.Please do understand that he did what he had to do to physically survive.

There is now a court case which (if not stopped by EPE) will prove for once and for all by concrete DNA reports that Elvis is still alive.

Someday this little book will be the most treasured artifact of Elvis' entire life.

I do know firsthand that this book is absolutely the truth.

I love you very much, Jesse.

A friend

Associate of Dr Hinton
It is hard to fathom how any man would stake his reputation and very livelihood on such flimsy evidence.I can share that Dr. Hinton is easily swayed, however, because I happen to know him personally.He is passive and naive.He cannot look others in the eye.He cannot write either.Save your money. ... Read more

Product Description
Strum, sing and pick along with 20 classic hits from The King, expertly arranged for ukulele by Jim Beloff. Includes: All Shook Up * Blue Hawaii * Blue Suede Shoes * Can't Help Falling in Love * Don't * Heartbreak Hotel * Hound Dog * I Want You, I Need You, I Love You * It's Now or Never * Jailhouse Rock * Love Me * Love Me Tender * Loving You * Return to Sender * Suspicious Minds * Teddy Bear * and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Fun Ukulele Book for Beginners and Sing-A-Longs!
I love this book.It has 20 great Elvis songs and the chords are easy to play. Can't be beat!

ukulele music
Jimstrikes again with more easy to play ukulele music. The book arrived quickly and as promised. ... Read more

Product Description
A meticulously researched biography, this story profiles "The Colonel" Tom Parker, the man behind Elvis Presley, in a compelling new light. Filled with startling material found in never-before-seen documents, including Parker's army records, psychiatric evaluations, and police reports, this investigation challenges even the most familiar aspects of the Presley saga. Parker, who handled every aspect of Elvis Presley's career and much in his personal life, is revealed as an overwhelmingly selfish man who sought to hide his own illegal alien status rather than further the art of a great musician. Astonishing and impeccably written, this entertaining book proves that the only figure in American popular culture as fascinating as Elvis Presley is Colonel Tom Parker, the man who shaped Elvis, and in turn shaped music history.Amazon.com Review
Alanna Nash's biography of Colonel Tom Parker uncovers a life story even more complicated, dark, and entertaining than that of the promoter's greatest talent, Elvis Presley. Nash had unique access to the Colonel and many of those closely connected to him in assembling the facts that underlie her narrative, and the book reads like a mystery as it probes the origins of Parker’s power.

Ultimately, Parker was protecting himself in his manipulation of Elvis, Nash argues. Though her evidence is not conclusive, she suggests that Parker (born Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk) feared deportation his entire life, but, more importantly, he may have fled his native Holland in 1929 after committing murder. In America Andreas transformed himself into Tom Parker while immersing himself in the worlds of the carnival and circus. This work led him to the promotion of musical acts and, eventually, the creation of his greatest mass entertainment and merchandising bonanza, Elvis. Elvis would become a shield against the demons of Parker’s past and resource to fuel his insatiable appetites.

Parker’s life remains shrouded to a large degree, despite Nash's efforts. The narrative is at times sensational in its attempts to dramatize the malign aspects of Parker’s character, and those coming for a definitive answer as to the cause of Elvis's self-destruction will find new light, but no final answers. Yet, Nash's biography will likely remain the best picture we will ever have of the mysterious Tom Parker, and fans of Elvis will appreciate this insider's view into their hero’s rise and fall. --Patrick O'Kelley ... Read more

Customer Reviews (26)

The con man behind the scenes.....
Alanna Nash's "The Colonel" is by far the best book I've read on the life and death of Elvis Presley.In "The Colonel," Nash gives readers a fantastic and often painful view of the reality of being the original music idol of the world, including the no-holds-barred account of Elvis' incredible drug use and nocturnal, almost fairy tale existence.But going beyond what any other author has attempted to convey is Nash's expose' of Colonel Tom Parker's ruthless, seemingly sociopathic hold over the entertainer.Born Andres Cornelis van Kuijk in the Nederlands, Holland, he fled from authorities at age 19 after having been accused of murdering a woman in his native homeland.Discharged from the U.S. Military, with the label "psychotic" on his termination papers, van Kuijk re-invented himself as a carnival barker and eventual country music talent manager under the assumed identity of Colonel Tom Parker.Fatefully discovering a young Elvis Presley and quickly buying out his contract, Parker negotiated legendary deals with record companies, which brought then-unheard of sums for a performer, first in music and then in motion pictures.But the ruthlessness with when Parker directed Elvis' meteoric rise to fame and fortune also dominated Elvis' existence, with an unending schedule of recording, touring, and acting in what Elvis described as silly, scripted moves from which he longed to escape and become known as a serious actor.Though Elvis expressed his desire to rid himself of Parker's influence on numerous occasions, he was never able to summon the strength to sever ties with the powerful, mysterious, manipulative man who also managed to eventually take half of Elvis' earnings until a Memphis Probate Court Judge put an end to Parker's posthumous hold on the legendary performer.Before I read this book, I hadnt know that Parker attended Elvis's funeral dressed in khakis and a Hawaiin tourist shirt.Serious Elvis fans owe it to themselves to gain previously unattainable insight into the force that first propelled the career of the legendary performer, then ultimately devoured and destroyed the King of Rock-n-roll.There is no other Elvis book like this available.

Very good informative book on the Colonel
This is an interesting read about Colonel Parkers life.The only negative is the sensationalist nitty gritty info about the bad sides of Elvis's life and death.We've read it before so the shock factor is worn off and it's not necessary to re-hash since this is a book about the Colonel.

Illegal Alien
Such a strange,obnoxious and fiercely independent man with an unbelievable story that is told in scrupulously researched details, but is as readable as a novel.A BIG piece of the Elvis puzzle and an inside into southern americana circa first half of the twentieth century.
Highly recommended!!

Was the Colonel truly good for Elvis as a man?
Truly this book has great research in it, and it is valuable as a resource for anyone seriously interested in Elvis.Tom Parker, no doubt, did something really bad in Holland (maybe murder) as he never even communicated with his family after the late 1930's. Parker also did possess a certain power over Elvis that probably depressed Elvis to some degree, and Elvis knew of some of Parker's gambling habits (as one can hear in the 9-2-74 closing show, for example), and Parker lost nearly 90 million dollars in gambling (as estimated).That is truly incredible, but this book doesn't speculate into the nefarious nature of these habits or analyze what drove Parker to gamble, and we may never know.For its reluctance to analyze, I give the book 4 stars instead of 5.

The best rock management biography ever written
The title including the word "Extraordinary" is fully justified. I thought this book would be a "dishing the dirt" epic on Parker but it turns out to be a very well researched lifetime biography of the Colonel's life and not just his involvement with Elvis.

The well told story is of a man who from poor beginnings in Holland was involved in a murder there and forced to flee to the USA at an early age. He then spent his life as an illegal immigrant with that dark secret.

His early struggles with poverty in the 1930s and 1940s including being discharged from the army with mental illness, sets the scene for a man who revitalised his childhood fascination with fairs and carnivals, which were a major circus in the Americas of that period. All the man's later business cunning and marketing skills were learnt in that "carny" environment of deceit, overstatement, advance promotion and getting the cash in any deal as soon as possible to survive. He clearly retained a soft spot for this teaching ground all his life.

His first major music involvement came with country star Eddy Arnold who he fell out with when Arnold found him doing personal side deals. With no real appreciation of music ever, he became aware of the early Elvis and the storm he was creating in the South and took control under an initial contract that fully reflected Parker's approach all his time in managing Elvis of keeping it simple and balanced in his favour.

The view established by the book is that while the Colonel (a title obtained by politial hucksterism and not from his army days) always looked after Number One and was continually doing side deals that personally benefitted him not his client, the usual Elvis fan's view of the Colonel being a parasite is certainly challenged-

- the fan mania developed across 1956 and subsequent years including manipulation of the RCA label and TV was unprecedented and owed a lot to the flair of Parker to do things differently in the face of others historic approach to how to promote pop stars;

- Elvis's enlisting into army service and his "protected" life in Germany plus a controlled keeping in the public eye across those years may owe more to the manipulation of Parker;

- the much derided series of Elvis movies in the 1960s together with their hit singles and dross LPs may in retrospect have actually protected Elvis from live performance and a decline in popularity esp. with the advent of the Beatles plus given his lifelong poor approach to financial matters kept him earning a steady stream of income in that period;

- the return to live performance while driven by Elvis was taken to a new level by Parkers' approach to concert promotion, both in Las Vegas and across the USA.

However, the book does not flinch from the downsides of the man's personality and approach to business, especially his endless paranioa, bullying and control by fear over all those who worked with him; his ensuring limited access and opportunities being shown to Elvis by others (notably his failing to allow his development as an actor in serious roles); his Las Vegas deals fuelled by his increasing addiction to gambling and not Elvis's best interests at the hands of the casinos, and due to his illegal immigrant status his unwillingness to ever allow foreign tours by Elvis which in the later years could have been major revenue earners for him.

The sad conclusion is that Parker given his personality always saw himself as the person in charge and Elvis his instrument and that Elvis's success and earnings were down to the Colonel's skills and negotiations not Elvis's talents. The reality demonstrated endlessly is that Elvis and his family (especially his father) were never going to challenge Parker, given their lack of financial acumen and extravangant spending laid them open to continual manipulation. Parker in turn given his personality was unable to help as Elvis's deline under drugs gathered pace and the inevitable happened.

The post Elvis years show a man who was still driven by the self benefitting deal and his manipulation of the Elvis estate, with the sad endgame as he gambled ceaslessly of a man who earned an estimated $100 million plus from his relationship with Elvis but at death had less than a million dollars in assets.

This is by far the best rock management biography that I have ever read. ... Read more

Product Description
A meticulously researched biography, this story profiles "The Colonel" Tom Parker, the man behind Elvis Presley, in a compelling new light. Filled with startling material found in never-before-seen documents, including Parker's army records, psychiatric evaluations, and police reports, this investigation challenges even the most familiar aspects of the Presley saga. Parker, who handled every aspect of Elvis Presley's career and much in his personal life, is revealed as an overwhelmingly selfish man who sought to hide his own illegal alien status rather than further the art of a great musician. Astonishing and impeccably written, this entertaining book proves that the only figure in American popular culture as fascinating as Elvis Presley is Colonel Tom Parker, the man who shaped Elvis, and in turn shaped music history.Amazon.com Review
Alanna Nash's biography of Colonel Tom Parker uncovers a life story even more complicated, dark, and entertaining than that of the promoter's greatest talent, Elvis Presley. Nash had unique access to the Colonel and many of those closely connected to him in assembling the facts that underlie her narrative, and the book reads like a mystery as it probes the origins of Parker’s power.

Ultimately, Parker was protecting himself in his manipulation of Elvis, Nash argues. Though her evidence is not conclusive, she suggests that Parker (born Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk) feared deportation his entire life, but, more importantly, he may have fled his native Holland in 1929 after committing murder. In America Andreas transformed himself into Tom Parker while immersing himself in the worlds of the carnival and circus. This work led him to the promotion of musical acts and, eventually, the creation of his greatest mass entertainment and merchandising bonanza, Elvis. Elvis would become a shield against the demons of Parker’s past and resource to fuel his insatiable appetites.

Parker’s life remains shrouded to a large degree, despite Nash's efforts. The narrative is at times sensational in its attempts to dramatize the malign aspects of Parker’s character, and those coming for a definitive answer as to the cause of Elvis's self-destruction will find new light, but no final answers. Yet, Nash's biography will likely remain the best picture we will ever have of the mysterious Tom Parker, and fans of Elvis will appreciate this insider's view into their hero’s rise and fall. --Patrick O'Kelley ... Read more

Customer Reviews (26)

The con man behind the scenes.....
Alanna Nash's "The Colonel" is by far the best book I've read on the life and death of Elvis Presley.In "The Colonel," Nash gives readers a fantastic and often painful view of the reality of being the original music idol of the world, including the no-holds-barred account of Elvis' incredible drug use and nocturnal, almost fairy tale existence.But going beyond what any other author has attempted to convey is Nash's expose' of Colonel Tom Parker's ruthless, seemingly sociopathic hold over the entertainer.Born Andres Cornelis van Kuijk in the Nederlands, Holland, he fled from authorities at age 19 after having been accused of murdering a woman in his native homeland.Discharged from the U.S. Military, with the label "psychotic" on his termination papers, van Kuijk re-invented himself as a carnival barker and eventual country music talent manager under the assumed identity of Colonel Tom Parker.Fatefully discovering a young Elvis Presley and quickly buying out his contract, Parker negotiated legendary deals with record companies, which brought then-unheard of sums for a performer, first in music and then in motion pictures.But the ruthlessness with when Parker directed Elvis' meteoric rise to fame and fortune also dominated Elvis' existence, with an unending schedule of recording, touring, and acting in what Elvis described as silly, scripted moves from which he longed to escape and become known as a serious actor.Though Elvis expressed his desire to rid himself of Parker's influence on numerous occasions, he was never able to summon the strength to sever ties with the powerful, mysterious, manipulative man who also managed to eventually take half of Elvis' earnings until a Memphis Probate Court Judge put an end to Parker's posthumous hold on the legendary performer.Before I read this book, I hadnt know that Parker attended Elvis's funeral dressed in khakis and a Hawaiin tourist shirt.Serious Elvis fans owe it to themselves to gain previously unattainable insight into the force that first propelled the career of the legendary performer, then ultimately devoured and destroyed the King of Rock-n-roll.There is no other Elvis book like this available.

Very good informative book on the Colonel
This is an interesting read about Colonel Parkers life.The only negative is the sensationalist nitty gritty info about the bad sides of Elvis's life and death.We've read it before so the shock factor is worn off and it's not necessary to re-hash since this is a book about the Colonel.

Illegal Alien
Such a strange,obnoxious and fiercely independent man with an unbelievable story that is told in scrupulously researched details, but is as readable as a novel.A BIG piece of the Elvis puzzle and an inside into southern americana circa first half of the twentieth century.
Highly recommended!!

Was the Colonel truly good for Elvis as a man?
Truly this book has great research in it, and it is valuable as a resource for anyone seriously interested in Elvis.Tom Parker, no doubt, did something really bad in Holland (maybe murder) as he never even communicated with his family after the late 1930's. Parker also did possess a certain power over Elvis that probably depressed Elvis to some degree, and Elvis knew of some of Parker's gambling habits (as one can hear in the 9-2-74 closing show, for example), and Parker lost nearly 90 million dollars in gambling (as estimated).That is truly incredible, but this book doesn't speculate into the nefarious nature of these habits or analyze what drove Parker to gamble, and we may never know.For its reluctance to analyze, I give the book 4 stars instead of 5.

The best rock management biography ever written
The title including the word "Extraordinary" is fully justified. I thought this book would be a "dishing the dirt" epic on Parker but it turns out to be a very well researched lifetime biography of the Colonel's life and not just his involvement with Elvis.

The well told story is of a man who from poor beginnings in Holland was involved in a murder there and forced to flee to the USA at an early age. He then spent his life as an illegal immigrant with that dark secret.

His early struggles with poverty in the 1930s and 1940s including being discharged from the army with mental illness, sets the scene for a man who revitalised his childhood fascination with fairs and carnivals, which were a major circus in the Americas of that period. All the man's later business cunning and marketing skills were learnt in that "carny" environment of deceit, overstatement, advance promotion and getting the cash in any deal as soon as possible to survive. He clearly retained a soft spot for this teaching ground all his life.

His first major music involvement came with country star Eddy Arnold who he fell out with when Arnold found him doing personal side deals. With no real appreciation of music ever, he became aware of the early Elvis and the storm he was creating in the South and took control under an initial contract that fully reflected Parker's approach all his time in managing Elvis of keeping it simple and balanced in his favour.

The view established by the book is that while the Colonel (a title obtained by politial hucksterism and not from his army days) always looked after Number One and was continually doing side deals that personally benefitted him not his client, the usual Elvis fan's view of the Colonel being a parasite is certainly challenged-

- the fan mania developed across 1956 and subsequent years including manipulation of the RCA label and TV was unprecedented and owed a lot to the flair of Parker to do things differently in the face of others historic approach to how to promote pop stars;

- Elvis's enlisting into army service and his "protected" life in Germany plus a controlled keeping in the public eye across those years may owe more to the manipulation of Parker;

- the much derided series of Elvis movies in the 1960s together with their hit singles and dross LPs may in retrospect have actually protected Elvis from live performance and a decline in popularity esp. with the advent of the Beatles plus given his lifelong poor approach to financial matters kept him earning a steady stream of income in that period;

- the return to live performance while driven by Elvis was taken to a new level by Parkers' approach to concert promotion, both in Las Vegas and across the USA.

However, the book does not flinch from the downsides of the man's personality and approach to business, especially his endless paranioa, bullying and control by fear over all those who worked with him; his ensuring limited access and opportunities being shown to Elvis by others (notably his failing to allow his development as an actor in serious roles); his Las Vegas deals fuelled by his increasing addiction to gambling and not Elvis's best interests at the hands of the casinos, and due to his illegal immigrant status his unwillingness to ever allow foreign tours by Elvis which in the later years could have been major revenue earners for him.

The sad conclusion is that Parker given his personality always saw himself as the person in charge and Elvis his instrument and that Elvis's success and earnings were down to the Colonel's skills and negotiations not Elvis's talents. The reality demonstrated endlessly is that Elvis and his family (especially his father) were never going to challenge Parker, given their lack of financial acumen and extravangant spending laid them open to continual manipulation. Parker in turn given his personality was unable to help as Elvis's deline under drugs gathered pace and the inevitable happened.

The post Elvis years show a man who was still driven by the self benefitting deal and his manipulation of the Elvis estate, with the sad endgame as he gambled ceaslessly of a man who earned an estimated $100 million plus from his relationship with Elvis but at death had less than a million dollars in assets.

This is by far the best rock management biography that I have ever read. ... Read more

Product Description

The ultimate introduction to the life and works of the King

Want to understand Elvis Presley? This friendly guide covers all phases of Elvis's career, from his musical influences as a teenager in Memphis and his first recordings to his days at Graceland and the mystery surrounding his death. You'll discover little-known details about his life, appreciate his contributions to music and film, and understand why his work still resonates with so many people today.

• Explore Elvis's musical roots — see how Elvis's childhood and his Southern background influenced the development of his sound

• Trace the beginnings of his storied career — be there as Elvis makes his first recordings for Sun Records

• Relive the magic — experience the frenzy and excitement that surrounded Elvis's entrance to the national music scene

• Take a fresh look at Elvis's films — understand the misconceptions surrounding Elvis's Hollywood career

• Watch as Elvis reinvents himself — witness his comeback to live performances, culminating with an historic act in Las Vegas

Open the book and find:

• The significance of the major events in Elvis's career

• Meanings behind Elvis's music

• The controversy over his musical performing style

• Career highlights that no other performer has accomplished

• A typical Elvis concert — what it was like and what it meant

• Details on Elvis's television appearances

• The many ways fans keep Elvis's memory alive

• An appendix of the important people in Elvis's life

Customer Reviews (6)

one of the best Elvis books
This isn't exactly a biography and it's certainly not a tell all or memoir.

What it is, is a llloooooong overdue look at Elvis' career and his place in history, musical history, pop culture and social impact.

Like most of the For Dummies books, it doesn't feel so much as learning new things, but giving words to something you sensed but couldn't exactly voice.

Elvis is Everywhere, Elvis is still the King

and this book does the best job of explaining why

to hardcore fans to the curious


[...]

Just when you thought you knew the King....
along comes Elvis for Dummies! Within 5 minutes of flipping through and reading paragraphs that interested him, my husband learned 2 new things about Elvis that he hadn't known or even thought of before. Even if you think you're an Elvis authority, you will learn something new. This book is by an author who knows her subject--it does not fawn or gush, but respectfully builds a realistic portrait of Elvis with key facts. It's very easy to navigate and fun to read! Any Elvis fan, or anyone who wants to understand Elvis' place in pop-culture history should OWN this book. It's the real deal.

For the Hardcore Fan or the Simply Curious
I've read Elvis Presley books for my entire life so I was a little curious to see what on earth I could get from reading the new addition to the King's lore, ELVIS FOR DUMMIES.

This is really a great book for both the long-time fan or anyone who has a curiosity about the King of Rock and Roll.The format keeps everything moving at a quick pace and the information is crafted to give the reader a wonderful overview of the life of Elvis, from his humble beginnings in the South to the worldwide phenom still growing to this day.To be honest, you could get a lot less from other Presley books that have a lot more written in them.

Elvis was, and is, so much more than, as he always said, "just an entertainer."He gave the youth of America a voice in the 1950s (and affected each decade since), he used music to cross the racial divides that existed in this country before the civil rights movement, he changed the entertainment world and how performers performed and audiences listened.I'm glad that books like this are finally coming around to cast off the smug elitist attitude of the media to give Elvis his due in the popular culture.

DJ George Klein is often quoted for saying, "If you're an Elvis fan, no explanation is necessary.If you're not, no explanation is possible."

With ELVIS FOR DUMMIES, the explanation is a lot closer to possible now.

Excellent
This book is downright excellent! Susan Doll - who was a new name for me for I'm not from the US - really accomplishes to give all parts of Elvis remarkable career its due. She manages to reveal the essence of Presleys work in different stages of his career and makes you and everybody else understand easily what was remarkable about the man. Especially her chapters on Elvis movie career are really enlightening because she puts the much ridiculed (although successful) 1960s movies into context with other popular movies of the time. Very interesting also the part where she describes Elvis' rise as an American icon after his untimely death.
This book is a MUST HAVE. And don't be fooled because you think you already know everything there is to know about Elvis.

THE book for Elvis fans!
Susan Doll has done it again. The country's (if not the world's) foremost Elvis scholar has crafted the perfect book on The King, accessible to all level of fandom. For the novice, it's a perfect intro, and hardcore fans will find further facts and tidbits to wet their whistles. Essential! ... Read more

Product Description
"Elvis fans the world over constantly dream about what their fantasy would have been if they had been lucky enough to have known him. Imagine having been Linda Thompson's best girlfriend and being with her the night she met Elvis. Then imagine becoming Elvis' friend, being kissed by him, working for him, and the ultimate dream: having sleepovers at Graceland with Linda (actually sleeping in his bed) while Elvis was away, traveling with Elvis and Linda on concert dates, and taking pictures of the upstairs area at Graceland. This book tells the story of how it all began and gives you a look at the incredible (some never-before-seen) pictures."CHAR(13) + CHAR(10) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Eh.....
Ok book but the author is a bit of a mooch and a hanger-on and basically spent four years following her best friend Linda, who at the time was dating Elvis, around and happily accepting free trips, cars, jewels, etc. on behalf of Elvis and Linda. She is still profiting from her friend's good fortune today!

She's Kind of a Freeloader
Although the author comes across as a bit of freeloader (and is still trying to profit off of Elvis), the book does offer some good accounts and examples of Elvis's generousity and kindness to others. The price of this book is insane, however. Perhaps one should look in their local library first.

Elvis, Linda and Me
The contents of the book itself are very good. Book flows easily and I actually read the book in one day. It is overpriced but I bought mine, new, from an online auction site for 1/3 the price. The photos are nice but thought they could have been printed on better quality paper or in color if the originals were as such. This book is good for the Elvis fan who just wants to hear about only the positive things Elvis did in his life as she only just touches on the negative. Just wondering if Linda will write a book (everyone else has), though I would be very interested to read her accounts since she was alone with Elvis the most during that period.

Elvis, Linda and Me
One of the few Elvis books that is easy reading as well as entertaining for those of us who are often too busy to get into a complicated book, yet we want to read up on Elvis.It is also refreshingly positive (most of it)yet truthful. The author doesn't criticize & condem, just expresses an opinion & moves on.She does repeat herself throughout & some of the people mentioned in the book are not portrayed as being too bright; otherwise, it is a pretty good book.

Elvis Linda and Me
This book is good but not as good as Inside Graceland.
Jeanne tells us all about life with her best friend Linda and Elvis.
She tells a story of when Elvis was talking about his mother and yelled out momma and all the lights in graceland went out for a few seconds.
Then they came back on as he went on talking about his mother and yelled out momma again the lights went off again for a few more seconds I thought that was really strange but interesting. I thought Linda had left Elvis because of all the drugs Jeanne tells us that was part of it but also that Elvis was cheating on her with many women and also getting pretty serious with Ginger his last girlfriend. If you are an Elvis fan and have a collection of Elvis books then you should add this one to your set it is pretty good. ... Read more

Product Description
1956 was the year Elvis released his first record, made his first television appearance, and started his movie career.It was the year he became a star.Alfred Wertheimer, then a young freelance photojournalist, was there to document the extraordinary transition.Elvis 1956 features images that are a national treasure, including photographs of Elvis never before published: a unique visual record of one of the most exciting performers of his time, one of the most influential of all time, the first true icon of rock 'n' roll.Here is the first and last unguarded look at Elvis, featuring images of him in every aspect of his life - from performance and with the fans, to the recording studio and at home with his family.

Elvis 1956 serves as the catalogue for a nationally traveling exhibition exhibition developed collaboratively by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, and the Govinda Gallery to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the legendary rock star's birthday.Lavishly illustrated with 72 tri-tone photographs and with an introduction by curator Chris Murray, essays by E. Warren Perry, Jr. and National Portrait Gallery historian Amy Henderson, Elvis 1956 is a remarkable window into a defining time for rock 'n' roll's most enduring presence. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Elvis: The Beginning
Great photo documentary on the King of Rock and Roll.
A must have for any Elvis or early Rock & Roll fan.

Elvis 1956 - Photographs of Alfred Wertheimer (Welcome Books)
1956. It was the year My Fair Lady opened on Broadway; the year Jackson Pollock and Tommy Dorsey died while Sugar Ray Leonard and Johnny Rotten were born; the year Norma Jean Mortenson became Marilyn Monroe and the year of the chart debut of a 21 year old singer named Elvis Presley.

Now, in honor of the 75th anniversary of Elvis' birth (and the opening of a Smithsonian Exhibition celebrating the `King of Rock `n' Roll') comes `Elvis 1956: Photographs of Alfred Wertheimer.` Like the Beatlemania that was to arrive on these shores eight years later, the rise of Elvis Presley from unknown singer to generational icon, emerged in its near entirety all in one year. From the release of his `Heartbreak Hotel' single to his gold eponymous gold debut album to his still controversial hip-shaking appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, Elvis took the American music market by storm. It is that ascension that is so intimately chronicled in these photographs by Wertheimer; a photographer who had never heard of Presley when he was first hired and yet whose career would by inextricably tied to the singer's forever.

By being along for the ride, Wertheimer was able to capture what would be off limits in the years to come. Elvis in repose, Elvis preparing for an appearance or simply Elvis walking down the street as yet unrecognized are amongst the subjects of Wertheimer's work. Hired by the singer's new label (he had just switched from Sun Records to the larger RCA), the twenty-six year old photographer `tagged along' to come up with hundreds of photographs that would become a part of history in their own right. Never again would anyone have the same degree of inside access once the icon climbed to superstar status.

The book is part of a traveling exhibit (`Elvis at 21) that will travel to ten cities over three years, including the Grammy Museum in L.A. For those who can't get to the exhibit, `Elvis 1956 will serve as a reminder of a more innocent time in the life of a man who still looms larger than life to this day.

Any music library strong in rock n roll history needs this
ELVIS 1956 offers black and white photos by Alfred Wertheimer taken during the year Elvis turned 21, and offer a fine visual record of a defining time for rock and roll. It was the year Elvis released his first record, made his first TV appearance, and more -and it offers a definitive visual portrait unavailable elsewhere. Any music library strong in rock n roll history needs this, which pairs Alfred Wertheimer's photos with essays by E. Warren Perry Jr. and Amy Henderson.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Elvis In Color
This book is filled to the brim with rare photographs of the king.It is the best book out there on this subject.No one other than Geoffrey Giuliano could have written this.It is great.I am a big fan of Giuliano's, everyone, check out his other billion books.

Giuliano don't stop writing!

Lots of Fun!
This book is not a literary masterpiece by any means, but it is full of pictures of the King and does have a lot of good commentary.It's an easy and quick read.I recommend it. ... Read more

Product Description
Three hundred photographs highlight a detailed account of Elvis Presley's two years in Germany with the U.S. Army, in a biography that includes a CD of early Elvis performances and rare interviews. 100,000 first printing. $125,000 ad/promo. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Private Presley: The Missing Years - Elvis in Germany
The book was in very good condition, like new. The enclosed CD was not even opened.

This was a present for an Elvis fan. It was very much appreciated!

Not just another Elvis book!! : )
Oh my, where to begin ! : )
I just opened my still shrinkwrapped book of Private Presley today (had bought it years before, put it in a SAFE place and FORGOT about it, till now..that is (could kick myself.)It is a gorgeous, wonderful, funny and endearing little number with loads of great pics with a still relaxed Elvis in all his youthful GLORY! : )
Any Elvis fan should have one, and now ..I do ! : )
If anyone can still find a copy of this ( I am NOT selling mine, thankyouverymuch! ) BUY IT..it is worth every penny! The CD is wonderful..playful Elvis talking and singing spontaneously..well almost spontaneously LOL : )Not that stiff stuff on American TV,Radio..no, no..just Elvis as we would all have probably seen him in our ..er..living rooms?? Oh, Yeah !!..Riiight! LOL : )
But certainly the way we have WANTED to see and hear him!
I wish people luck in finding this gem. Actually, there should just be another printing, I cannot believe that there are not more than just 100,000 fans of Elvis out there screaming for this book! : )
Tracks include: I Gotta Woman, Tweedle Dee,Maybellene,That's All Right Mama, Blue Moon of Kentucky (my personal fave),There's Good Rockin' Tonight, Baby Let's Play house and those great interviews & just talkin' : )
This book makes up for all those tell-all books out there that were unkind to Elvis!He was, after all, just a human, and probably wouldv'e love to live like one, given the chance. In Germany he had a freedom he would never experience here. As well, he never got back there, either.
Anyway, great tribute to the greatest guy...Elvis Presley! : )
If that Parker guy wouldv'e been smarter, he wouldv'e given Elvis some slack to just live a little, they both would have been better off and Elvis might still be alive !
Bottom line..Buy it if you can find it! Nothing comes close to this book! : ) ... Read more

Product Description
Color&b/wphotos of The King. Try such recipes as Biscuits and Red-Eye Gravy and Fresh Kale with Cheese. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Pedestrian at best
Very few recipes, very few pictures of Elvis, very much a slap-dash cobbled together effort.Nothing unique here other than the wedding cake.

Gladys's cornmeal mush......now at fancy restos they call it "polenta"
Excellent recipes that surprisingly never call for lard. These are all wonderful, from the burnt-bacon BLT to the ham and apple sauce. The chicken-pot-pie, meatloaf and gravy, biscuits, fried chicken, and corn recipes are standard favorites. There is a false note in the "blueberry pie" recipe, since Elvis was from the river delta (the flatlands), not the hills (the foothills beginning near Jackson, Tennessee, where the author is from). The recipe for Elvis and Priscilla's wedding cake is no doubt attached for the "completists' only of Elvis fans, and adds little practical to the book, but is a welcome curiosity of kitsch. The famous fried-peanut-butter and banana sandwich (not deep fried, it is pan fried, BTW) is actually a common winter staple grilled sandwich for certain southern homes: a real kid pleaser. Banana pudding with Nilla vanilla wafers is here too (although true authentic details are left out). And Elvis's love of thick slices of fresh beefsteak tomatoes is alluded to throughout (the one food item everyone aggress on that he loved).

The combination of author's devotion and the wry art production make this an excellent example of hidden humor. Check out the recipe for glazed donuts and the photo of Elvis making the "ok" sign with thumb and forefinger, and you know for what to look for in the rest of the book. The spaghetti and meatballs recipe with Elvis giving a meatball smile is also too rich to ignore.

Fun and Useful
It was really fun learning about Elvis....Also, I have made some of the recipes and they were really good....I really enjoyed this cookbook....

Old fashioned, deep fried goodness
Elvis loved to eat.Who doesn't know that?This was a good concept for a cook book, and the recipes are quite good.It's comfort food but they made a point to include a chapter on vegetables subtitled with "Yes, the King ate vegetables".There are many typically Southern foods (grits, biscuits and red eye gravy, fried chicken, etc.), but the main dishes are crowd pleasers.

What prevented me from giving this 5 stars is the fact that these recipes are old fashioned.Elvis lived in the days before time saving cooking devices (the microwave, for example) and a lot of prepared foods.No doubt as the child of sharecroppers in Post Depression Era Mississippi they probably spent a lot of time cooking, canning and storing foods than the average person would today.These recipes are more labor intensive than even the most experienced cook is used to.

It includes the famous peanut butter and banana sandwiches.Deep fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches.This sandwich is the singular staple of Elvis's diet that has taken on a life of its own.They're good eating, for sure.Lisa Marie said recently about this odd phenomena that will this will never die, she never once saw Elvis eat a peanut butter and banana sandwich (at least not in front of her).

To me, the crowning achievement of this book was the release of the Elvis and Priscilla wedding cake recipe, but it was also the most ridiculous.This is a tremendous project, and they recommend that if you've never prepared something like this before to not only pick up utensils and ingredients at a wholesale bakery shop but to set aside at least 3 days to assemble it.Why someone who would want to replicate this would do this in their home kitchen is beyond me.

Great concept
What a great time to be buying cookbooks! While we have for a long while had access to recipe collections and representations of the cuisine of various nationalities and popular restaurants, recently there has been a growing library of culinary tomes that give us the skills for producing creations of our own minds. Titles such as Sauces by James Peterson, the 1-2-3 series by Roxanne Gold, Culinary Artistry, Great Wine Made Simple, and now this book provide us with the information about tastes and combinations of flavors and textures to deconstruct, reconstruct, and just plain construct familiar and novel dishes.

Are You Hungry Tonight provides a brief introduction to the celebrity subject's theory of flavor. Editor Butler broadly groups flavors into four categories based on the purpose they serve in a dish. Thus, Tastes That Push represent the well-known seasonings that we use to balance sauces, for example: Salty, Sweet, and Picante. Tastes That Pull represent those taste elements that highlight underlying flavors. The authors include here Tangy, Vinted, Floral/Herbal, Spiced Aromatic, Funky (pungents or musky flavors), and Bulby (what have commonly been called Aromatics such as onions and garlic). Taste Platforms represent the textures upon which dishes are built. These include Garden Platforms, Starchy ones, Oceanic ones, and Meaty ones (what the Japanese call umami). Finally, the fourth category is Tastes That Punctuate, basically bitters that stop tastes and cleanse the palate.

This model is very useful one. Ms. Butler seems not to have done her research in examining precursors to this model, and makes little reference to other cuisines than the one Elvis constructed during his lifetime. She neglects to include several important items, especially in the Platforms section (breads, pastries, soy products, seitan, and mushrooms as a basis for other flavors, for example). There are similar, usually less complex models, already in the literature. Butler and Presley's model is more extensive than most, however. Surprisingly, there is little space given in the book to theory. The majority of pages is devoted to recipes that demonstrate their combining philosophy. Butler does not describe how Presley took the elements of taste and mixed them to concoct these dishes. (A reader must refer to Culinary Artistry for such guidelines.) She does, however, provide tasting notes after each recipe that dissect the elements used in the dish.

The recipes are very complex, involving multiple steps and sub-recipes. Even a cook enjoying kitchen challenges would be hard pressed to prepare a full meal using this book alone-- one would run out of burners and pans before the dishes were complete. For example, the Honey Glazed Celeriac involves making the glaze, which is a reduction of wine and acids with sauteed aromatics sieved and kept warm, plus Celeriac slices baked and then broiled, plus a garnish of sauteed zucchini with chives, plus Ginger Curry Sauce, a mayonnaise of reduced wine and aromatics whisked with other ingredients.

The writing is an interesting, not entirely successful juxtaposition of aw-shucks, down-home attitude, sophisticated epicurean philosophy, and fancy foods. The recipes are heavy on the Meaty and Oceanic food platforms, making this definitely a carnivore's cookbook. Produce usually stands as garnish and accompaniment to the flesh. In the end, the most special part of the book represent a few precious pages and is underdeveloped. Perhaps a follow-up volume will expound on this interesting culinary model. ... Read more

Product Description
During his life, Elvis Presley was idolised: since his death, he has become immortalised. Now, drawing from "Life Magazine's" unrivalled archives, the editors of "Life" chronicle in pictures and text Elvis' transformation from shy teenager to superstar. It is a story best told in the details, and this singular collection of unforgettable pictures reveal all those details: the sad, the funny, and the passionate. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Elvis Book purchase
The book arrived in perfect condition and in the promised time frame. I would definitely purchase from this vendor again.

LiFe: Remembering Elvis 30 yrs Later
I have it and the pictures are wonderful.Very glad they did the issue.He deserves to be remembered.Worth the $$$

An Elvis fan 'must have item'
This has become my favorite coffee table book. It was informative, and senitive. It has photo's of Elvis that I had never seen. A'must have' for anyone interested in Elvis Presley.

Time Life's Elvis book
Actually this is a book from five years ago with a new cover and title.TL did add a CD with this one of nine Elvis songs.One of them an outtake of Girl of My Best Friend.If you have the "25" year book, you don't need this one.very little has changed in the book.This time it is hardback which is nice.

Life:Remembering Elvis:30 years later
This was a good book. Didn't feel like I wasted money on this book like some of the others that I have purchased.Enjoyed seeing some different pictures of Elvis. ... Read more

Product Description
This classic guide to the music of Elvis Presley is sure to please fans that will celebrate Elvis’ 70th birthday on January 8, 2005. In fact, the festivities will begin before the King’s birthday and will last all year with special events across the United States. Special celebrations at Graceland and across Memphis have been planned, with most events already sold out.

Written by a rock ‘n’ roll expert, this complete guide examines every song in Elvis’ recorded repertoire, making it an invaluable guide for record collectors and fans alike.

Black and White photos. ... Read more