Elvis Presley made a sound so different it ushered in a new kind of music: rock and roll. He was able to combine gospel, honky-tonk, country and rhythm and blues to create a unique sound that crossed racial and cultural divides. Though he was incredibly popular, at heart, Elvis was a shy and polite man, and the demands of fame began to take a toll. While his dependence on prescription drugs cut short his life, Elvis’s influence on music and popular culture endures to this day.
Elvis Presley (Up Close)
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 7 Up—From the foreword, readers learn that Hampton has an admiration for Elvis that reaches back to his childhood. His enthusiasm and passion for his subject are evident throughout this appealing biography, yet he remains objective about the performer's virtues as well as his tragic flaws. The striking cover photograph complements the lively and accessible text that delves not only into Elvis's life but also his impact on music and American culture. The writing is casual yet authoritative, and includes occasional black-and-white photographs. Readers who can't imagine a world without rock and roll will find this to be an excellent introduction to the man about whom John Lennon once said, "Before there was Elvis, there was nothing."—Marcia Kochel, Olson Middle School, Bloomington, MN
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Booklist
Elvis may have left the building, but interest in his life hasn't waned. This entry in the Up Close biography series records the familiar tracks in Elvis' life, giving slightly more attention to his assent to fame than the tragic descent into narcotics addiction and his extravagant lifestyle in the final years. The strained relationships with wife Priscilla and the controlling Colonel Parker are included, but daughter Lisa Marie is barely mentioned. Hampton provides plentiful examples to back up first girlfriend Dixie's assertion: "Elvis was just a nice boy who desperately wanted to please people." The language dealing with Elvis' exploits with girls is genteel as well--"The relationship became passionate very quickly, but both Elvis and Dixie agreed they would not go all the way until they were married." This didn't hold true for women he met on the road, but subtlety reigns there too, suiting this biography to a younger audience than most Presley picks. Source notes and bibliography are appended. Cindy Dobrez
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book,
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Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Elvis Presley (Up Close (Viking)) (Hardcover)
This was a really good book. I had previously purchased the "Johnny Cash Up Close" book. And although this book did not have any reviews when I purchased it, I liked the Johnny Cash Upclose. So I figured I would most likely enjoy this upclose book. I was so right. The main reason I wanted this book was because, I was going to Graceland a week before I ordered this book, and I wanted to read a book that would help me refresh my memory on Elvis's history. And boy did this book do its job. I recommend this book to anyone who is intrested in Elvis. And from only owning two Upclose books so far, I would recommend all Upclose books. This was a GREAT Book!!!
4.0 out of 5 stars
For my dad...,
By Jes! (Wyoming, Mi) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Elvis Presley (Up Close) (Paperback)
I got this book for my dad. He loves Elvis. He told me he really enjoyed it but that is about all I can say b/c I didn't read it.
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Inside This Book
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Sam Phillips, Colonel Parker, New York, Elvis Presley, Los Angeles, Bob Neal, That's All Right, Las Vegas, Sun Records, Heartbreak Hotel, Grand Ole Opry, Love Me Tender, Stage Show, Dewey Phillips, Hound Dog, Lisa Marie, Blue Moon of Kentucky, Louisiana Hayride, Marion Keisker, Red West, Blue Suede Shoes, East Tupelo, Crown Electric, Hal Wallis, Hank Snow Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Sam Phillips, Colonel Parker, New York, Elvis Presley, Los Angeles, Bob Neal, That's All Right, Las Vegas, Sun Records, Heartbreak Hotel, Grand Ole Opry, Love Me Tender, Stage Show, Dewey Phillips, Hound Dog, Lisa Marie, Blue Moon of Kentucky, Louisiana Hayride, Marion Keisker, Red West, Blue Suede Shoes, East Tupelo, Crown Electric, Hal Wallis, Hank Snow Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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