Must read Elvis books

In this video I suggest some of the books that have been written about Elvis over the years that, in my opinion, are a "must read"

[@loribillings3810]

I just finished the book Elvis Aaron Presley Revelations from the Memphis Mafia what a great book. I plan on reading it again. I really like reading what Billy Smith his cousin has to say about his years living with Elvis. You can really feel the love they had for each other. I believe what he has to say. I also have read Elvis my Brother written by his stepbrother Billy Stanley that also was a pretty good book. Elvis carried the world on his shoulders. I hope he's looking down and smiling and seeing that he is still very much loved and missed after all these years.

[@billg5754]

I've read both those Peter Guralink books and they're very good he seems to get Elvis

[@TCB0816]

I think the best books, and there are many of them, are the ones written by people who really lived and worked and spent time with him.

[@katgirlblue]

I guess I have to disagree, because that would eliminate Peter Guralnick's books and they are great, imo.

[@TCB0816]

@@katgirlblue he is only a journalist. I read more than 100 books written by people who really knew Elvis. That's totally different than any researched story of any journalist. He may have written a good book, but it will never be as close as a friend would have done it. It's just something else.

[@katgirlblue]

@@TCB0816 yes, it certainly is something else. It's not one but two volumes, an actual biography, well researched and drawing on hundreds of interviews with the people who were actually there, which is what you claim to like. The difference is that those books "written" by his friends are NOT biographies, and don't claim to be. They are books about their own personal experience of their time living or working with Elvis, which is 180 degrees opposite of what a biography is. What you're really saying is that you don't like biographies. The books you like are very subjective, and a biography is objective, and aims to tell the entire story of a life, not just a limited time frame. It makes no sense to even compare one to the other, the point of each is totally different. I've read a few of his friends' and girlfriends' books, and imo none can compare to PG's books, but then I'm interested in reading about his whole life. The best of them, I'd say, and I haven't read them all, would be Elvis and the MM, and I did like Linda's book, and I thought Alan's book was very touching, but again, they don't pretend to be biographies. It's still only one person's experience, versus the experience of the subject in question, throughout his life - a much more massive undertaking.

[@TCB0816]

@@katgirlblue thank you....I know what you mean. I do like biographies, but I thought they mostly don't write the truth. Seems he's the only one who does. I read Goldman's Elvis biographie , but he put many things wrong. I will read PG's when I'm done with the ones I'm reading now. And you're right, Alan's book ist very touching. So is Sonny's book and many others. I just bought Sally Hoedel's "Desined to die young". Seems to be a good one, too. At least that's what people say... I appreciate you taking your time and telling me. 😉😁TY and TCB 😎⚡

[@lindajames4456]

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[@hallsjuju2400]

Had so many Elvis books, movies and memorabilia. Had to move and boxed most of it up and gave it to Goodwill. Hope someone else is loving it all. But I miss having it now.

[@maxrav1831]

I would suggest the Ann Magret biography. There is a lot of information about Elvis there. Even better it's free on KZbin as an audio book read by Ann Magret herself. I think she really loved him.

[@ihatechange]

Steve, I have read "Destined to Die Young" by Sally Hoedel which is excellent. It delves into his family's medical history and reveals what Elvis carried with him all his life, both genetically and psychologically, and what drove him to keep going through it all. The author's research attempts to prove that Elvis' legacy should not be that of just another rock and roll star who died of a drug overdose on the toilet, and that there were so many other proven factors that played a part in his death at such a young age. Of course, one is left to draw his own conclusions. A compelling read!

[@katgirlblue]

Steve did an interview with Sally, you can access it here on YT.

[@ihatechange]

@@katgirlblue Thank you!

[@ronaldholmes8525]

Great reccomendations for Elvis books. I have some of the books you mentioned and I have quite a few that you didn't . There are SO MANY Elvis books out there it's staggering , which is more proof that Elvis was the greatest entertainer that ever lived. I don't think any other entertainer has anywhere near the number of books all about them as Elvis has...Biographies, pictorials, discographies , collectibles, etc, etc, etc. Elvis leads the way in almost everything. Again, it proves that he was one of a kind and will likely NEVER be forgotten.

[@katgirlblue]

I recently bought the Jerry Hopkins books. You can now buy the two books combined, available on Kindle. I usually buy both versions, the hard copy because I want to have the photographs on actual paper, and the Kindle because that's where I actually read it - much easier to read for me, besides being easy to have lots of books with me in my bag. I think Elvis would love a Kindle - no more trunks with a hundred pounds of books, he could just open his Kindle and have a thousand books!

[@southerngirl9941]

Elvis with a Kindle, what a picture! I also can imagine very well that he would have loved it. We've often read how he was always so curious and open for new things. Except where would he have left his notes ...

[@katgirlblue]

@@southerngirl9941 on his Kindle! You can make notes on your Kindle, I do it all the time - you just highlight, then a text box pops up with a keyboard and you write your notes, click Save, and keep reading. I wish I could go back in time and give him a present - This is for you Elvis, something you don't have - and he would say - Thank you ma'am, thank you very much!! 🕺

[@southerngirl9941]

@@katgirlblue oh yeah, go back in time ...

[@katgirlblue]

@@southerngirl9941 yes, I wish I could. I'd go back to 1955 so I could witness it all from right before the massive Elvis explosion. Until that's possible, I guess I'll continue to do it by reading all about it. Next best thing.................

[@southerngirl9941]

@@katgirlblue 👍😀 yes, plus listening to him and watching him which tells a lot

[@MaryPatricia]

Sally Hoedels book is quite possibly my favorite. it’s fabulous!

[@melissaweatherford1109]

Good book also is Steve Binder s book. I also read Scotty Moore's books, both good

[@rosehoary8906]

Thank you for talking about this, what you learn by reading an article is much more than just seeing and hearing, because when you read you find a deeper and more personal understanding and analysis. Study always opens new world for you.

[@Elvisultimatefanchannel]

Thanks Rose

[@karentranter7806]

Hi Steve, Some great reads there to work my way through. Thanks for your advice on best reads. Thank you Steve xxx 💝

[@banjopaul5749]

Thanks for the recommendations Steve. I’ve got a couple of these & would love June’s if I can find one. I’m currently reading Jerry Schillings book, Me & a Guy called Elvis. It starts out setting the scene in mid fifties Memphis...you can almost picture it. It gives real life early examples of his kindness, wisdom, humanity and of course charisma. I’m guessing you’ve already tried interviewing him & to discuss his book? Best wishes. 🤴🏻⚡️🎼

[@Elvisultimatefanchannel]

Yes...no luck with Jerry unfortunately

[@katgirlblue]

Online it says her book is available at Barnes and Noble, and it's only $14. A good place to look in general is thriftbooks.com because even if they don't currently have what you're looking for, just register your email and they'll contact you when it comes in. The account is free. Usually their prices are very good.

[@banjopaul5749]

Thank you Kat, that is very kind of you to let me know 🤴🏻⚡️🎼

[@davidjuanlozano503]

My friend Ed had a great picture book out as Elvis allowed him to photograph himself just about anywhere. We lost Ed about 18 months ago but I got to spend some time with him in Bad Nauheim just before he passed. He wasn't well there, but he didn't show it. He was a wonderful man and I'm not surprised Elvis allowed him to get so close. God Bless you Ed Bonja xxxx

[@nancya9784]

Thanks so much for these book recommendations, Steve! I don’t think I’ve read any of them so will definitely start the search.

[@lilacflower9032]

Elvis was a troubled man who was very talented and yet a man with a big heart.

[@ludane7911]

Thank you for the excellent review Steve. I agree Last Train to Memphis, Careless Love (Guralnick) and Revelations from the Memphis Mafia (Nash) are "must reads". I have enjoyed reading each a couple of times. I also really like Baby Let's Play House (Nash). The Colonel (Nash) and the June Juanico book are two I have not read, but I look forward to reading most. I also liked A Little Thing Called Life, especially the first half by Linda Thompson. Most recently I liked Destined to Die Young. It is quite remarkable that you have interviewed many of these authors on your show. Thank you!

[@MisterOohLaLa]

Thanks for the recommendations! I went and bought all the ones I didn't already own immediately. Some of my favorites not listed here are Larry Geller's first book, The Death Of Elvis, The Inner Elvis and Elvis & Gladys which to me was the first great in-depth look at the history of Elvis' family.

[@TheMfparker]

Jerry Schilling’s book, Me and a Guy Named Elvis is my favorite book for getting to know more of Elvis as a person. The first time Jerry, not even in high school yet, was invited to play with Elvis at the park right after That’s All Right Mama Came Out. Jerry shares so many insightful stories about how Elvis responded to people even in these pick-up games. It is very telling and I’ve never heard them anywhere else. He also talks about the black/white music division from a kids perspective and how adults responded and it is heartbreaking. The entire book is about his relationship with Elvis, the Elvis he knew. I like Jerry’s book because he treats his friend with respect, the way most people treat their friends. The other books that allow people to see a different side of Elvis and maybe understand him more are the two Larry Geller books which focus primarily on the spiritual side of Elvis, which was very important to explore, but he had no support from Priscilla or “the boys” because they didn’t care and didn’t understand the complex information. The best book for understanding why Elvis was so lonely and at times tortured is “The Inner Elvis,” by Peter Whitmer, Ph.D. This book talks about Elvis as a twinless twin. This Dr. has done extensive research and this is his area of expertise. Much of Elvis’s behavior is common for people who were born a twin, but the other twin died. I’ve read it 3 times now. Of course all of Alana Nash’s books are great as well as Peter Guralnick. Thank you for your wonderful show.

[@vincenzoridente9994]

Steve another good book is Adam Victor's book The Elvis Encyclopedia I highly recommend it

[@melissaweatherford1109]

Right now reading Sally Hoedel book.

[@brendalawrence6732]

I have been trying to get my hands on June's book, but no success so far. I have Sally Hoedel's book coming and can't wait to read that one. I did enjoy the book "Gladys Love and Elvis Presley" because it went into Gladys and her family history. You got a glimpse of Gladys as a young woman. It explained the Indian heritage as well. Very well written, although there were times I had to reread some spots to understand it fully.

[@edwynaenglish6135]

The book “Shake Rag” tells of his early years in Tupelo - short read. Read it every year on his birthday to my fifth graders! Great true story about bullying by Amy Littlesugar.

[@farmeraaron505]

Thank you for great review

[@billg5754]

I also think that Destin to Die Young book is very important touches on a lot of things I've always believed

[@darrenclark1603]

Careless love..the greatest book ever written about elvis..

[@jennifernapoli8172]

Hi Steve, Some great reads you’ve shown. I have some/read some and some yet to buy and read. I really love the Peter Guralnick ones about Elvis❤️ I highly recommend Elvis Day by Day by Peter Guralnick too😊 Thanks for your recommendations Steve🙏💖

[@derekkearns4202]

Sally Hoedel's book seems to be flying off the shelves as not available on Amazon and all other places I tried !!

[@Elvisultimatefanchannel]

You can order it on Sally's website

[@debra2700]

It's absolutely available on Amazon and at the website she created to sell it. She's a self publisher. She'll print books as orders come in. Don't mislead people that the book is selling out. If it's that great, it will sell on it's own merit.

[@vivsearle2527]

Thank you Steve for the hard work you put into your channel , I have enjoyed them all and look forward to the next one . “ chapeau !”

[@Elvisultimatefanchannel]

Thanks Viv

[@melodygoodman6731]

My favorite ones were Elvis and Glady's by Elaine Dundy and Elvis and Ginger by Ginger Alden.

[@robertreid9073]

Hi steve the Jerry Hopkins book was the first elvis book I read my top books to read would be the excellent a lonely life the two Peter G books and the Memphis mafia book Which I’m reading now thanks Steve TCB

[@maggieshome]

June book I want to read a real love story sad how it ended the only other book I think is born to die young

[@zucan100]

I agree with your assessment whole heartedly Steve, this would have been my recommendation too.

[@bernadettenewsham8916]

I used to have Elvis by Jerry Hopkins. I didn't get the follow up Elvis the Final Years That book if I remember correctly didn't get good reviews from fans,

[@mariogmajner6549]

Bothe were good books

[@merryme9766]

📚

[@seandarcy7651]

Read most of the books described👍 some haven’t got round to reading yet, another good and touching tribute is the Ed Parker’s book

[@marktheblue5780]

Careless love is a tomb of a book..I loved reading it. I've got a signed copy of Charlie Hodges book as well..signed in my name 😁

[@irisking327]

I would love to read Destined to Die Young but don't seem able to find where to buy it any suggestions.

[@Elvisultimatefanchannel]

elvisauthor.com/

[@seandarcy7651]

👍👍portrait of a friend Marty Lacker, me and a guy named Elvis Jerry Shilling, and a great book about all recordings and sessions A life in music complete recordings Ernst Jorgensen fab 😀

[@annamariafacchiano1688]

Steve, was the book by Jerry Hopkins-Elvis- considered as trash by Elvis when a fan handed it to him on the stage? Then ,I have almost all the books you quoted, what do you think about the last one. "Destined to die young"

[@annamariafacchiano1688]

@JD Reed If you are referring to my comment, I'm sorry but I didn't read it in a book, but I was watching a video of an Elvis concert and I saw a lady who gave him the book. He defined it a trash. It was long ago and I'm not able to remember which video it was., but I remember very well the episode. I haven't read Jerry Hopkins' book, maybe Elvis , being jalous of his privacy, didn't like whoever wrote about his life.

[@gaylebardrick7725]

Would love to read Todd Slaughters book next

[@alryan8609]

Steve thanks for your recommendations on these books ,I have read last year both books by Peter Guralnick and thought they were excellent and just ordered Revelations from the Memphis Mafia which I can't wait to read it if it's anything to go by listening to Billy telling his stories on Memphis Mafia Kid, Thanks again Steve .

[@Elvisultimatefanchannel]

Cheers Al.... thanks for watching

[@melissaweatherford1109]

Going to start another book after Sally Hoedel book. Recommended to me by Phil Arnold. Book is called The Blue Moon Boys. The beginning years of Elvis and the band.

[@katgirlblue]

I love Phil Arnold's blog and I've bought stuff from him. Did you buy Blue Moon Boys from him, or are you saying he just recommended it?

[@melissaweatherford1109]

@@katgirlblue yes. I bought several books from him recently, including signed copy from Scotty and DJ, the book, That's Alright Elvis. Yes, I bought the Blue Moon Boys book also from Phil. About 6 or 7 books total. Be happy to pass them along, I collect other Elvis but not books. Mainly Vinyl, since I have a good collection from way back. And my mother and I did see him performed several times

[@ytcoleman]

In ordered a book about Elvis from 81. Written Goldman. Not sure what’s in it yet. Haven’t received it yet.

[@Elvisultimatefanchannel]

Sorry to have to tell you this but its a horrible book.Albert Goldman was full of hate for Elvis

[@melodygoodman6731]

Absolutely horrible book, I bought it when it first came out in 81. It was a book filled with nasty hate filled words. He was on a talk show once, it might still be on youtube and the fans, lets just say let him have it.

[@kuriol2435]

which one is written in lelatively plain English? few of them are translated in my languahe. i'm working on jerry schilling's with a dictionary now. from japan

[@katgirlblue]

In that case it's probably much better for you to listen to the audio books. MUCH easier than trying to read in another language.

[@bernadettenewsham8916]

I hope none of them do a hatchet job on Elvis, have you read them all Steve?

[@Elvisultimatefanchannel]

Read A LOT of books on Elvis yes

[@bernadettenewsham8916]

@@Elvisultimatefanchannel Do they all give a good account of him? I trust none of them do a hatchet job on him?

[@Elvisultimatefanchannel]

No hatchet jobs on any of the ones I picked

[@bernadettenewsham8916]

That's good to know. Carry on TCB Steve.

[@stevenjames7667]

I really can't find the time to read any other book but the Bible. Although I would love to but it feels like it would be a monumental waste of time. I know this may sound corny to a lot of people but only what is done for Christ will last. My only wish would have been the Elvis would have felt the same way. There is nothing else more precious then to intimately know Jesus Christ as a friend and provider.

[@davidlunn1608]

Sorry great expectations ! Charles Dickens

[@VegasVixen]

The audio book “baby let’s play house” is 24hrs of entertainment . Really interesting about Elvis . It starts out with info about His mother and father and even his birth .

[@roymarksberry4152]

I'm just now finishing up the book The Colonel and Elvis a colonel was something else he was a con man

[@melissaweatherford1109]

These mentioned all great reads.

[@davidlunn1608]

I dont read books, red west, albert goldman,

[@elvispresleythelegendtcbalways]

Just the man and his music that's all the story you need . Tcb always

[@debsmith1956]

Ok now I gotta correct you. What you said can't stand. The Alana book about the Colonel is wrong. Its been proven watch Spa Guy he interviews folks there not speculation that Alana has. The Colonel never was a suspect in that ladys death period. They never thought he did it and that wasnt the reason he came to the US people need to quit telling that story. He came here undocumented is because they didn't have the money.secknd of all the Colonel has all kinds of friends who were former presidents If he wanted a passport he CV ould have gotten one. He didnt want Elvis traveling overseas because of his prescription medicine abuse. He could protect him in US but not in another country.

[@Elvisultimatefanchannel]

I think I said "possible motive" I leave it to others whether they believe it or not

[@debsmith1956]

@@Elvisultimatefanchannel there us no believing it. It was proven false period. People that were there that knew the parties in Breta then said that it didnt happen. Period

[@jacquelineloveselvis]

Deb Smith - I agree with you. Alanna Nash puts many of her own strange opinions in her work. She should stick to the facts alone.

[@debsmith1956]

@@Elvisultimatefanchannel why leave a proven false fact for people to decide if they want to believe it. Why not put an absolute proven fact ln there instead of Alana Nashs opinion Edpecially when we can prove ots not true.

[@debsmith1956]

@@jacquelineloveselvis IN MY OPINION thay is irresponsible journalism. When the Spa Guy went th ol Breda hr go UK nd z lot of people that had no.issue talking about the Colonel. Why didnt she do that kind of journalism for yhis whole book instead of speculating