Alanna Nash’s third (fourth if you count Alan Fortas’ book) Elvis related book was – beforehand - the least attractive in my opinion. What do I care about Elvis’ girlfriends? Well, since we got a review copy I decided to give it a try and got pretty surprised.
Design
No comments here, it wouldn’t be fair since our review copy was a proof. But despite the fact that the paper didn’t do the pictures justice, it looked pretty neat already. A book carrying a picture of one of the greatest photo series ever is one step ahead!
Content
To come to the point immediately: the book did surprise me since it is much more than the title suggests a bit. It is not a book about the women he loved, but an extensive biography in which the women have their place. Okay, they have a bit more room than in the usual biographies that focus more on the career, but it is mainly about the man. A huge part is about the early days, were the human being was formed (nearly halfway we are still only in 1956). Obviously the book is very well researched, and all sources are named. The highlights in his career are very well documented too, so it’s not just about the human being, but also the artist.
Alanna Nash has a pleasant style, which encourage to read on. Sometimes it’s nearly too lively, especially the part on Gladys’ death is a pretty tough read… I was almost mourning with the Presleys.
Only the psychological waffling about his missing twin half got a bit boring every now and then. Not that I think it isn’t important, but it just doesn’t interest me and it is a bit too much of an “open door” (but that is my opinion about psychology in general). Some of the facts I just don’t want to know, or call for question marks, like the suggestion Elvis did ejaculate during the first sit down show in 1968.
The last part of the book was a struggle, but not because the quality suddenly declined. It is just hard to read about a pathetic, sad man who totally lost control… as a matter of fact I was glad he finally died in the book too.
Conclusion
Did the book change my view? No. Did it give me new insights? Partly, there are some nuances in my opinion that changed a bit while reading the book. Do I recommend it? It depends, if you like to read and want another view on Elvis’ live… this might be a nice addition to your library.
I love the cover. That's for sure... :)
I too was dubious about this at first, until I got hold of a copy. This is a really very well researched book. Regarding Priscilla, Alanna Nash follows up on Susan Finstad's "Child Bride" & reaches some interesting conclusions regarding Priscilla & Currie Grant. Scotty Moore's excellent book "That's All Right Elvis" is listed in the extensive bibliography, but the only thing Alanna Nash seems to have missed is the vital information contained on pages 196 & 197 of Scotty's book. During the making of the NBC Special in June 1968 it is clearly stated that Priscilla was already seeing Mike Stone – much, much earlier than we have been led to believe. It is quite amazing that Elvis did such a superb job of the Special with this hanging over him.
I just love your reviews, Lex. Your quote "The last part of the book was a struggle (...) it is just hard to read about a pathetic, sad man who totally lost control… as a matter of fact I was glad he finally died in the book too" it's outstanding because it's clear, sharp, hard to read but very, very true: The last 2-3 years of Elvis life, with some honorable exceptions, were a self parody of his own shadow. P.S. I wont buy the book, but i will read it having the chance.
Sorry, but like I have stated before, Alana has decided to join the ranks of the other tabloid writers & go for early retirement. I have read this book & I have all of the books she has written. This is not journalism. Maybe she got off writing this junk, because I see no reason why anyone would care if Elvis ejaculated before his 68 show. How many times does someone have to point out that this poor man had many problems, like a lot of artists do, & we are all aware of that fact. What does that have to do with his music? Will knowing how many successful bowel movements he had give us a glimpse into his musical knowledge? Of course not, but I predict that will be the next subject, since these writers all seem to be desperate for an Elvis topic. On the other hand, maybe I will feel better if the playing field becomes fair game & I can find out how many times Michael Jackson or John Lennon masturbated when frustrated. You think!
This biography is well researched, as is evendent by the numorous notes provided. It deals, as the title seems to suggest, with the subject of Elvis and the women in his life, so what's the point in complaining it doesn't deal with his music primarily?
This book shows Elvis as a flawed person. But then aren't we all? The only books I would recommend are the two Guralnick books.
I'd add the Scotty Moore book to the Guralnicks only because he was not a memphis mafia guy and was there from the start. Shows you what an a-hole the Colonel was right from the start and the hold he had over Elvis.
Have to agree with you on that one Steve. I loved the bit in Scottys book where he talks about the 68 special and how Elvis had his eye on Scottys favourite precious guitar during the sit down show. Eventually Elvis just had to have it much to Scottys distress! Hilarious and brilliant, I love those kinds of stories.
What the hell do you mean, "as a matter of fact I was glad he finally died in the book too."????!!!! What kind of a ridiculous statement is that, anyway?! Not only that, it's ludicrous! You need to clarify because I can only guess. It seems to me that you felt so sorry for him that he's better off dead! I couldn't disagree more. Obviously, it would've been better that Elvis came to his senses and got himself healthy. Sadly, that was not to be. Why would you make a bad situation worse with such an insensitive statement? You're entitled to your opinion but I couldn't disagree more. I'm only a fan but there are times I am a little sad that Elvis couldn't have lived a longer life.
Well written, BriaNicholas07.
The 2 Guralnick books, Scotty Moore's book and perhaps Jerry Hopkins 1971 bio Elvis since it was the first ever done on him AND done in his lifetime. The others are all not needed.
BriaNicholas07 to me it's pretty obvious what I meant. Of course I agree with your point of view, but fact is that didn't happen... so I was glad he died in the book cause that meant I was finished with it and didn't have to read about that wreck anymore.
I agree with Natha, well written by BriaNicholas07 indeed.But I do understand what Lex meant . He was not expressing his gladness about Elvis death, as one could interpret, but would have felt sad if he had to read more about the decline of our man. So no harm done ! Always El.
I won't bother with this one. I agree that the Guaralnick books are essential and maybe one or two others. The Elaine Dundy book for example. Unfortunetly, in order to dumb down the masses, we are fed this salacious and sensationalist type of drivel.
For all of those here bashing this book without ever having even laid eyes on it is a shame. I bought it, and as Lex said in his review, as well as the others here that actually *have* the book in hand, it's quite good. There may be some things in it that you don't like, but overall if you gave it a chance, you'll probably be surprised how good it is.
And many of us have read it. I gave it every chance I could. Sorry,but some of us think it stinks.
and some of us concentrate on the meaningful things, such as his charitable works, his faith, his music, etc...... these are what truly matter, not what he did in the bedroom! that is his business and the ladies who were there! though they broke that bond of trust; which is truly sad! his music will outlive b.s stories, his faith and christian journey will always out sell the negative crap they constantly print about him!
I won't buy this book because I prefer buying books concentrating on our man's music . But have to agree 100 % with tcb 76 ! Well said ! Always El.
Only way only to stop this gold digger: Stop buying her books, Elvis fans. But sometimes it seems like some of you have to own absolutely everything about Elvis. I asked the local club why on earth they sold Goldman´s "book", and they told me fans asked for it???
Here we go again. Some people judge a book by its cover, others go beyond that and judge it without having read it. Well, if you don't you miss out on the wonderful anekdote from Tony Curtis (interviewed for the book, as are numerous otbers) about his meeting Elvis. Steve Binder was also interviewed, and there are quotes from acclaimed biographies by Jerry Hopkins and Peter Guralnick.
This book needs to be read from start to finish so you can understand all the stories (and the whole book) in context, it's a simple as that. It's no good to just dip in and out of it. Alanna is a fan and I have been involved with the book with her. I am a fan and there is just no way I would have allowed my name to be associated with it if it was what a minority of others are trying to portray the book as being. Some of the minority should be ashamed of themselves, it's fine not to like the book or even the author, I know we cannot all agree, but to say what some have been saying is just plain rude and bad manners, truly some Elvis fans are not nice people and that's the way it is !
Dear Scrapbook. The question here really is what and how much you need to know about another human being. Is nothing secret or maybe even sacred when it comes to this man? I mean after all he was a singer and entertainer and that´s what made him interesting. I read somewhere that we have now passed volume 300 in the seemingly endless row of books about Elvis Presley. So they were written out of love for Elvis or for scientific reasons? Give me a break, Scrapbook. It´s just about money! Some of the books are even very close to being fiction like that of Mr Goldman. And yes I did read "Colonel" and "Maphia", and I´m not convinced I see Ms Nash and Lamar Fike as friends or fans of Elvis after that. It´s rally a matter of music, my friend, so I´d rather stick to the great books by the likes of Guralnick and Jørgensen.
Dare i risk being burned at the stake but was Goldman that far off the mark given what even the widow and all the others have now disclosed? The only issue I have with Goldman is that he was far from sympathetic and made no attempt to understand the man or his world.
John, when you get a divorce, then the man dies unmarried there is no widow. Priscilla is not his widow, she's his ex wife.
My only issue with you would be what you´re doing on this Elvis Presley fan site as NOBODY can be a fan of the creature Goldman desrcibed in his so called biography. I had hoped he was long forgotten. Just one example if you forgot: "The essential ingredients in this musical pap is Elvis himself, whose holy crooning suggests the mock piety of a spooky funeral director. .... The image that best fits this sacred snow job is one of those gaseous, gelatinous, synthetic confections called Smoothies". Review of "How great thou art". Page 380. And that´the way it is througout the book, because for some reason the man hated Elvis Presley. So John, if you would be so kind.
john4126 : were you serious or just joking ? If you were serious : shame on you ! Always el
I stopped buying these tabloid press type books about Elvis years ago. The next Elvis book I buy will be when Ernst J. writes a new one or updates one of his previous works.
