Elvis: A Celebration [Hardcover]

Mike Evans (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2002

The ultimate celebration of the King of Rock 'n' Roll as seen from the archives of the Elvis Presley Estate at Graceland published on the 25th Anniversary of his death. Compiled and written with the full authorization and assistance of the Elvis Presley Estate, and using exclusive material from the official archive at Graceland, Elvis: A Celebration is the ultimate tribute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll on the 25th anniversary of his death. This pictorial record of Elvis's life features over 600 photographs and illustrations, from his early days in Tupelo and Memphis, his rise to superstardom, his career in movies, his television and Vegas performances, and his posthumous ascent to the top rank of the pop-culture pantheon. Loaded with news photographs, memorabilia, and movie stills-many never before published-this is the one book that Elvis fans should not be without!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In time for the 25th anniversary of his death, the king of rock is memorialized in Elvis: A Celebration, a photo book featuring over 600 images of Presley throughout his life. Compiled by author and book editor Mike Evans (The Art of the Beatles), the volume shows Elvis as a seventh-grader in Tupelo, Miss.; being inducted into the army; crying with his father over the death of his mother; signing autographs on the Paramount Studio lot; performing in his white fringed jumpsuits and romping with Priscilla and Lisa Marie. The book includes candids, movie stills and studio shots, all identified with detailed captions that together provide a thumbnail history of Presley's career.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

How tempus does fugit! A mere 25 years ago, on August 16, 1977, what many consider the greatest American disaster between December 7, 1941, and September 11, 2001, transpired: the king--Elvis, that would be--died. A witticism of the time held that it was a good career move on his part. A naughty thing to say, but it proved prophetic of how his popularity continued and even increased after his death. Certainly the publication of Elvis books has not stopped, and publishers still feel they can move a phone-directory-size photo-album like this book at 50 bucks per unit. Given the one-per-page presentation of nearly all the pictures, nary a pictureless page between the introduction and the appendixes, and DK's glossy way with colorplates, the tome doesn't seem overpriced at all. It showcases Elvis looking his best, however--and lordy, if ever a man could, he did--so sleaze-mongers should be steered clear of the book while his legions of faithful fans are ushered into its presence. Ray Olson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 608 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT (July 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789489023
• ISBN-13: 978-0789489029
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,285,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The ultimate Elvis book!, August 24, 2002

By 

Deanna (Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elvis: A Celebration (Hardcover)

This mammoth-sized book is an Elvis fan's dream come true. I can't even begin to fathom how many pictures are in here, many, never before seen.

The photographs are organized by a specific era of Elvis' life:
1. Prologue (1935-1955)
2. Elvis, Scotty & Bill (1954-1955)
3. Shake, Rattle & Roll (1956-1957)
4. All Shook Up (1957-1958)
5. Serving Uncle Sam (1958-1961)
6. Hollywood Calls (1960-1969)
7. Intermission (1964-1976)
8. TV & Vegas (1968-1969)
9. Showtime (1970-1977)
10. Epilogue (beyond August 16, 1977; includes photos from the funeral and some Elvis memorabila)

This is an extraordinary book! Any Elvis Presley fan will cherish and keep it forever.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 25th Anniversary Tribute, September 16, 2003

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Elvis: A Celebration (Hardcover)

Since most of Elvis' life was over before mine ever began, the only way I can understand the fascination with his life is by seeing his life in pictures. To be honest, I was rather impressed with this collection. Not only do you see his entire life in pictures, there are many exclusive pictures you won't find in any other collection.

What DK has literally done is given fans a memorable collection at an affordable price. This book has a classic feel while also showing Elvis at his prime. The truth is, if you've never understood the fascination with Elvis, you will after reading this comprehensive volume.

This is a unique collection of over 600 photographs. You will find archive pictures, news photographs, autographed photographs, rare memorabilia, movie stills and never-before-published pictures. If you are interested in the details of Elvis' life, you will enjoy reading the detailed caption tidbits sprinkled throughout this well-organized visual feast.

This celebration is organized into ten chapters:

Child & Teenager (1935-1955)
The Sun Years (1954-1956)
Superstardom (1956-1957)
The King (1957-1958)
Army Days & After (1958-1961)
In the Movies (1960-1969)
Relaxing (1967-1973)
TV & Vegas (1968-1969)
Elvis on Tour (1970-1977)
Elvis Lives: The Legend Continues

Since I have mostly seen pictures from later in his life, I was personally surprised by the sheer magnetism of his younger years. In a way, this volume spares us from the reality of his rapid decline by highlighting the high points of his life and only briefly touching on the later years. There is a list of "facts, figures and statistics" on the life of Elvis at the end of the book which will be appreciated by the true fan.

Who knew that in 1957 Elvis was promoting "Teddy Bear Eau De Parfum" or "Elvis Presley Lipstick." The pictures of "Elvis in the Army" are quite interesting and you can also read about how Priscilla met Elvis when she was only 14 in Germany. There is a small section on his life with Prinscilla. Want to see what Elvis looks like with a beard or see pictures of him doing karate? This is your book.

An affordable way to have your own "Elvis Photo Album."

~The Rebecca Review

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Heapin' Helping of Elvis Eye Candy, September 7, 2002

By 

Susan Trexel "almond_cakes" (Near the great state of Idaho) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elvis: A Celebration (Hardcover)

I happened to see this on the new book shelf at the library today, and so brought it home. I am not an Elvis fan. My mother was, and soon after she died(2 yrs. ago), for some reason I was drawn to learn exactly why my mom liked Elvis. So last summer I spent hours of my life studying Elvis, reading every available book about him. It was a fascinating study of a man I had known very little about. And in doing all that study, I saw many photos of Elvis too. This book is just that...a photo biography. It is not the book to read if you really want to know about the inner man that was Elvis. This is Elvis eye candy, for those folks who mainly want to gaze upon Elvis, page after page after page after page....for over 600 pages! I find it quite a good collection of photos, from the very beginning of Elvis' life to the end. I must say, there were few I had not seen, but then I recently did a LOT of reading in LOTS of books about Elvis. This book would make a wonderful gift for those who are just starting out in their Elvis education, for those who want ONE book that pretty much contains every available image of Elvis, or for the die-hard fan who just has to have everything ever published about Elvis. My favorite part of the book was the first 347 pages, as I personally liked the younger, pre-jumpsuit Elvis. To me, the Classic Elvis was the 1950's Elvis.

If you are remotely interested in Elvis in any way, shape, or form, this book will not disappoint you.