Elvis: Still Taking Care of Business: Memories and Insights About Elvis Presley From His Friend and Bodyguard [Paperback]

Sonny West (Author), Marshall Terrill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2008

Elvis: Still Taking Care of Business is arguably the most authentic, no-holds-barred depiction of the greatest entertainer who ever lived. This is the book that the estate doesn't want you to read—it's a balanced, respectful, and insightful look by a true Presley insider and carter member of the infamous Memphis Mafia. Sonny West, Presley's close friend and bodyguard for nearly two decades, provides a firsthand account of the King's lavish spending sprees and many charitable acts, as well as the many affairs Presley conducted with his costars. Among all of Elvis Presley's close associates, no one tells stories that are more entertaining than Sonny West—he can mesmerize audiences for hours with his Elvis tidbits.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"No one loved Elvis more than Sonny West. He was a true and loyal friend to Elvis and he did what he could to protect and advise him. Sonny's book reveals some of the saddest parts of Elvis's life that a lot of us suspected but didn't want to accept. If only Elvis had listened to his friend, perhaps he would be with us today. It truly shows us how hard it was to be The King." -- Lee Majors

"Among all of Elvis Presley's close associates, no one tells stories that are more entertaining than Sonny West. He can mesmerize audiences for hours with his Elvis tidbits. Likewise, I have followed Marshall Terrill's budding career as a biographer and he is quickly heading straight to the top. West and Terrill. If this were the New York Yankees, you'd be thinking Ruth and Gehrig or Mantle and Maris. Powerful!" -- Bill E. Burk, Publisher, Elvis World magazine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

Elvis: Still Taking Care of Business is one of the most authentic portraits ever written about one of the greatest American entertainers. It is a balanced, respectful, and insightful look at Elvis's last two decades written by Sonny West, a true Presley insider and charter member of the infamous Memphis Mafia.

West, who worked and played with Presley from 1960 until the year before Elvis's death in 1977, was there for it all. Many books about Presley are written by third parties who never even met the man. Not this book. West was like a brother to Elvis, and has great insight into one of the most beloved, yet complex, figures of the 20th century. Elvis: Still Taking Care of Business is a roller-coaster ride that follows Presley's personal and professional ups and downs, his mercurial temper, his generous spirit, and his tragic decline. Sonny West had a front-row seat for it all, and now so will anyone who reads this book. Included are stories and photographs that have never been published before! A special section on former Memphis Mafia members called "Where Are They Now?" brings fans up-to-date on the lives of Elvis' closest confidants. West also answers some tough questions from fans in a special appendix. Presented in an entirely different tone from West's first book, Elvis: What Happened?, this is a loving, fun, and poignant book that is sure to enthrall Elvis Presley fans around the globe. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Triumph Books (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600781497
• ISBN-13: 978-1600781490
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,389 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( P ) > Presley, Elvis

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Might have been well-intended, July 12, 2007

By 

J. Robertson "Gladys" (Memphis, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Elvis: Still Taking Care of Business: Memories and Insights About Elvis Presley from His Friend and Bodyguard (Hardcover)

I was giving Sonny the benefit of the doubt that this would be an improvement on the last book. I am trying to be forgiving about the first betrayal but, it is difficult. This reads to me like the second episode of..Elvis, What happened. By now, Sonny should know better. His cousin, Red West, has done the respectful thing and kept his mouth shut. I believe Red regrets the first book and really loved his friend, Elvis. I don't feel the same way about Sonny.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good but not good enough to repair the damage, June 3, 2008

By 

Gary Spence (Vancouver) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elvis: Still Taking Care of Business: Memories and Insights About Elvis Presley from His Friend and Bodyguard (Hardcover)

I went into this book unbiased as an Elvis fan keeping an opening mind.
But after having read the book I simply cannot recommend this book in good conscience considering the way you threw Elvis under the bus with your previous book.

Sorry all I could think of while I was reading is what Joe Esposito said in his book Elvis Straight Up. Sonny I am not trying to be mean but the fact is who are the fans to trust? You or Joe Esposito?

The fact is that you have a consistent track record for being disloyal and disrespectful to Elvis.

The fact is Joe Esposito, Jerry Schilling, George Klein, Sam Thompson are all still welcome at Graceland why aren't you?

If you want to get on the good side of the fans you should reach out to the fans the way Joe does with his partner Daniel Lombardy in their Celebrate Elvis or Jerry Schilling does by going on the cruise with the fans. As they say you must first earn the trust and respect. In your case you might have to spend the rest of your life making up for your past, but it is a small price to pay if you want to correct your past.

Conclusion save your money for the Elvis is still alive movie Sonny is coming out with this year.

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sonny West's no holds-barred memoir of his life with Elvis, April 30, 2007

By 

Cie (MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elvis: Still Taking Care of Business: Memories and Insights About Elvis Presley from His Friend and Bodyguard (Hardcover)

Infuriatingly open and honest, you'll find that you just want to shake some sense into Elvis and into those around him during the pinnacle of Elvis's drug use and his obsession with firearms. Then Sonny reminds us all how human each of us is, including Elvis; and, that no one is the sum total of their mistakes or their choices. Not your typical "Elvis" book, Sonny West offers insight that no one but someone at the side of Elvis can possibly know. Along with biographer Marshall Terrill, Sonny has created an image of Elvis that goes beyond pop culture into the loneliness and humanness of a man thrust into a life that eventually swallows him up. You'll laugh out loud, certainly get ticked off, shake your head in absolute wonder. It's a book not to be missed.