Elvisin Print

Such an interesting read that it might even be fiction... At least the purported daughter of the author looks better than Lisa Marie! Plenty of errors.

A Capitol Hill employee's story of how she became Elvis's lover in 1969 and left him in 1972. With pictures to prove it. And, yes, she did become pregnant!

What a pity that Lamar Fike's personal ego and filthy language spoil this otherwise interesting, often disturbing account of life very close to Elvis. It makes for tough reading, and it is often shocking, but it's probably close to the hard truth. I was in two minds about it to begin with, and the three clearly have some chips on their shoulders, but by the end I was probably somewhat wiser. Marty Lacker and Bill Smith are particularly credible.

The former Mrs Presley clearly holds a lot back in this account of her life with Elvis. It's not a "no holds barred" account, but, to give her credit, she doesn't fling mud, either.

Dutch translation of Geller's "If I Can Dream: Elvis' Own Story". More interesting than the usual "friend" books, looking especially at Elvis's interest in parapsychology, numerology, etc.

The infamous "bodyguards book". Having been fired, the three former employees of Elvis decided to get back at him and earn some money by exposing little-known details of his lifestyle. Ghostwriter Dunleavy dramatises too much, relies on so-called direct quotations and fails to back up anything. If better documented, the book could be more acceptable.

Cashing in with little new.

Warmhearted, but honest, memories from Elvis's cousins, with plenty of references to Aunt Nash's memoirs. No bad language, no inuendo, but plenty of anecdotes, many happy, some sad. Great dust-jacket! A worthy addition.

Do they? Did they? Highly forgettable. As much a self-agrandising effort on the part of Dee Presley as a book about Elvis. The Stanley brothers seem to have enjoyed their time with Elvis and one wonders if they fully realised what their mother was up to when she got them to work on this piece of nonsense.

Surprisingly lacklustre book from someone who should be expected to have made a far better job of it, given his closeness to Elvis. Really no more than another "friend's" book, making money from the name.

Elvis's nurse in Baptist Memorial Hospital, Memphis, reveals her feelings about the time she spent with Elvis.

Is it or isn't it? The author claims to be the real Lisa Marie, the woman we know as Lisa Marie Presley being an imposter. Why this should be is unclear. According to the book, LM was spirited away to Europe shortly after Elvis's death, to be left with relatives of Elvis of Finnish origin, but living in Sweden. In adulthood, she returnd to the USA to try to meet her mother (Priscilla Beaulieu) and to lay claim to her inheritance, meeting resistance along the way. Far-fetched?

More interesting than the usual "friend" books, looking especially at Elvis's interest in parapsychology, numerology, etc

The US edition, with a different dust-jacket -- you might prefer the hand-tinted images used for the UK edition (front the same, back different). Another former girlfriend tells all. The difference is that this is believably written and makes for a surprisingly good read. Covers the period from June 55 to March 57.

The UK edition, with a different dust-jacket -- you might prefer the images used for the US edition (front the same, but not hand-tinted, back different and in original colour). Note that the Amazon link will show the US edition! Another former girlfriend tells all. The difference is that this is believably written and makes for a surprisingly good read. Covers the period from June 55 to March 57.

First-hand account of author's close association with Elvis. Some incongruencies e.g. that the author was given the Aloha cape by Elvis, whereas Elvis is seen to throw the cape into the audience at the end of the show! Reasonable, but nothing exciting.

Icelandic translation of Esposito's "Good Rockin' Tonight". I can't understand it, so can't say if it's gained anything in the translation. I suspect not... But what a collector's item!

Elvis's stepbrother describes his time with Elvis. The best thing that can be said about this book is that it is better than his brother Billy's effort!

Simply excellent "tattle tale" book, which really doesn't merit that rather derogatory classification. A sensitively told account of Jerry Schilling's peculiar friendship with Elvis, whom he first met in 1954 when Schilling was just 12 years old and Elvis had only recently recorded his first Sun cuts. The tale contains no hyperbole, no self-aggrandisement, no malice. Instead, it is simply honest and highly readable. A remarkable book that gives a superb insight into Elvis the man as much as Elvis the entertainer, while telling a lot about the author, too. Highly recommended.

Less stand-offish than Esposito's "friend" book, "Good Rockin' Tonight," but this still remains a cut-down account from someone who could have told so much more.

Becky Yancey was a Graceland secretary from 1962 until 1975. This is a fairly lightweight look at life within Graceland. Strangely written in a mixture of past and present tenses and with some glaring errors, as if it was hurriedly put together from notes in order to get the book published quickly after Elvis's death. Includes the occasional insight into some of the personalities that frequented the house, expenses and post from fans.

Oh dear! Did Scotty mean to write his autobiography or an account of his time(s) with Elvis? He doesn't seem to be able to make up his mind and the only really clear thing to come out is his bitterness towards Tom Parker and perhaps even towards Elvis. Too many mistakes, too! Such a pity! Note that the online review refers to the hardback edition, though the errors reported have not been corrected in this newer edition.

Oh dear! Did Scotty mean to write his autobiography or an account of his time(s) with Elvis? He doesn't seem to be able to make up his mind and the only really clear thing to come out is his bitterness towards Tom Parker and perhaps even towards Elvis. Too many mistakes, too! Such a pity!

Call yourself Elvis's cousin, put your name to a story written by someone else, make a fair amount of money. Nothing more to say!

Barbara Leigh, better known as a two-time Playboy feature, the original Vampirella, and actress, tells of her affairs with three prominents in the entertainment world, of which Elvis is one (the others are Steve McQueen and Jim Aubrey). Barbara was involved with Elvis from mid-1970 to the end of 1974. With an intro by Jo Esposito, this seems to be an honest account of the times and all that happened then. The male Elvis fans, in particular, will appreciate the book's cover and its numerous illustrations.