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I’ve only read one book about Elvis.

It’s “Last Train To Memphis: The Rise Of Elvis Presley” by Peter Guralnik. It’s Volume I of a two volume set.

Absolutely fantastic. The book starts out with his birth in Tupelo and ends when he’s inducted into the Army. It’s fascinating reading. As you read the book, you’ll see that he really came out of nowhere. He was a likable enough guy in his youth but no one ever saw the star power in him.


15 posted on 08/16/2011 7:00:19 AM PDT by MplsSteve
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To: MplsSteve
It’s “Last Train To Memphis: The Rise Of Elvis Presley” by Peter Guralnik. It’s Volume I of a two volume set. Absolutely fantastic.

You're right. Fantastic read. Guralnik is one of the best writers on the subject of Elvis. Last Train is a remarkable piece of writing. Careless Love, the followup is also good, but not in the same league.

FWIW, a pretty good companion to Guralnick's books is Greil Marcus' Dead Elvis: A Chronicle of a Cultural Obsession. Marcus is another writer who 'gets' Elvis. It's a unique book that looks at Presley from the perspective of his impact on the culture after his death.

51 posted on 08/16/2011 8:10:55 AM PDT by AHerald ("Do not fear, only believe." - Mark 5:36)
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