Customer Reviews

Elvis: Unknown Stories Behind the Legend

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have never written a review before on anything, so please don't mind if I rattle here and there. I will try to my best ability explain what I liked about this book.

#1- This book dispells the Elvis myths that have for some reason been printed all wrong! ... Jim makes true sense of many of these myths and explains in detail the real truth behind certain things: .... [EX: That the Dorsey Brothers who hosted "The Stage Show" did not like nor want ELvis on their show and only allowed him a few appearances when Colonel Parker paid them $5,000 under the table!!]

#2- Has touching stories about the sad times in his life: his mother's death - breakups with his girlfriends - breakup with his wife - etc.

#3- Has funny stories about how Elvis too had his moments of embarrassment, accidents and just plain ole funny situations .... [EX: In the 1970s, Linda Thompson talked Elvis into going to the local Memphis McDonald's and there he was approached by a man who thought Elvis was an impersonator and told him how sad he was to be someone else! Linda simply went along with the man and said to Elvis, "Cut the crap Bob!" ]

#4- Has wonderful behind the scenes stories during Elvis' movie filming ...... [EX: How on the set of Roustabout, Elvis was accidentally kicked in the head by costar and as a result had to have stitches to sew up the wound. The director incorporated a scene in the movie, where in a fight Elvis' character suffers an injury to his head! ]

#5 - Has great stories about the women he dated and what happened during some of the dates! hehe ....... {EX: How Elvis dated Yvonne Craig and he invited her to his CA rented home, while trying to leave, she activated his alarm which in turn called the local police and swat team. She was almost arrested for breaking and entering by them, if Elvis hadn't been woken up to explain why she was there!]

#6- Also has fantastic business stories of some of the deals he and Colonel Parker were offered and turned down. .... [EX: They were offered $1 million to perform one show in England]

#7- Heartwarming family stories about his parents, Priscilla and Lisa Marie ....... [EX: How Lisa Marie, at age five, would play Elvis' records on her own personal record player and memorize the words - and then go to Elvis and "perform" the songs for him - complete with all of Elvis' stage moves!]

These are just 7 reasons why this book is so great. It is so heart touching it should be retitled to: CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE ELVIS SOUL

So fellow readers, if you want a book that you can laugh, smile, cry and be amazed with, this is it! You do not need to be an Elvis fan to read it ... all you need is an open mind, a hot cup of tea of chocolate, a comfortable chair with blanket and this book!

In my collection I have approximately 200 books on Elvis. This book has to be the best by far for several reasons. #1 - the book is truth #2 - the book is fun to read #3 - the book is written by someone who actually was friends with Elvis!

All in all, I have visited other sites, seen other books and not one can compare to the contents in this book. Jim Curtin did his job beyond the call of duty. Nothing falls short of information. He even has names, dates and places mentioned as if he were there himself. Not once did I have any unanswered questions when I read this book (which took me just 1 day I might add). Yet a book of this caliber ... is last in line! The publisher should be informed that they have a WINNING SERIES on their hands! What gets me going is that the book by Peter Guralnick is getting all the glory; and for NOTHING! That book truly is distasteful and full of everyone else's material! I mean just look at the bibliography -- it even lists Jim Curtin's book! What does that tell you???? Whoever gets this book will only be AMAZED! Signing out from Dallas, Texas -- GREG

I have never written a review before on anything, so please don't mind if I rattle here and there. I will try to my best ability explain what I liked about this book.

#1- This book dispells the Elvis myths that have for some reason been printed all wrong! ... Jim makes true sense of many of these myths and explains in detail the real truth behind certain things: .... [EX: That the Dorsey Brothers who hosted "The Stage Show" did not like nor want ELvis on their show and only allowed him a few appearances when Colonel Parker paid them $5,000 under the table!!]

#2- Has touching stories about the sad times in his life: his mother's death - breakups with his girlfriends - breakup with his wife - etc.

#3- Has funny stories about how Elvis too had his moments of embarrassment, accidents and just plain ole funny situations .... [EX: In the 1970s, Linda Thompson talked Elvis into going to the local Memphis McDonald's and there he was approached by a man who thought Elvis was an impersonator and told him how sad he was to be someone else! Linda simply went along with the man and said to Elvis, "Cut the crap Bob!" ]

#4- Has wonderful behind the scenes stories during Elvis' movie filming ...... [EX: How on the set of Roustabout, Elvis was accidentally kicked in the head by costar and as a result had to have stitches to sew up the wound. The director incorporated a scene in the movie, where in a fight Elvis' character suffers an injury to his head! ]

#5 - Has great stories about the women he dated and what happened during some of the dates! hehe ....... {EX: How Elvis dated Yvonne Craig and he invited her to his CA rented home, while trying to leave, she activated his alarm which in turn called the local police and swat team. She was almost arrested for breaking and entering by them, if Elvis hadn't been woken up to explain why she was there!]

#6- Also has fantastic business stories of some of the deals he and Colonel Parker were offered and turned down. .... [EX: They were offered $1 million to perform one show in England]

#7- Heartwarming family stories about his parents, Priscilla and Lisa Marie ....... [EX: How Lisa Marie, at age five, would play Elvis' records on her own personal record player and memorize the words - and then go to Elvis and "perform" the songs for him - complete with all of Elvis' stage moves!]

These are just 7 reasons why this book is so great. It is so heart touching it should be retitled to: CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE ELVIS SOUL

So fellow readers, if you want a book that you can laugh, smile, cry and be amazed with, this is it! You do not need to be an Elvis fan to read it ... all you need is an open mind, a hot cup of tea of chocolate, a comfortable chair with blanket and this book!

Hey there.

I won't write a long drawn out review, as I know you all won't read the whole thing. So I am making it short.

This is by far one of the best books I have ever read on Elvis. Yes I am a fan of the King's, and am in a similar business as he, so I know a lot already. But this book educated me more than I ever expected.

Wonderfully written and layed out. Nice themes of the chapters and truly a pleasure to read.

I myself would recommend that you buy this book -- and that you become a fan of Jim Curtin's, as all his books are fantastic.

Next to Elvis, Jim's books are the greatest.

Hi to everyone reading this review. You are either here to see how good or bad this book is or to see if its worth buying. Well I hope I can answer your questions.

First of all, I am not a big Elvis fan. I dont have hundreds of books in my collection; I have several which I thought were decent. But I do know a good book when I see one; and this is a GREAT book! This Jim Curtin has turned someone like me into an Elvis fan just through this one book! By far this is the best book I have read in any genre.

This book is just perfect for everyone! Whether you are a die-hard Elvis fan or someone who casually likes Elvis. But its a must to have! I liked the style the book was written in. I like the feeling that comes through the writing and the photos just accent this prize even more.

This book is class "A" from start to finish! Beginning with the cover - which is classy, asthetic and mesmerizing; going into the center you find biting and captivating stories that wuld impress even Elvis himself!; then you are left with the story of all stories - how the author made a beautiful guitar for the King and how that meeting happened. I mean CLASSIC!!!!

Jim Curtin shows that he is ... a) a big Elvis fan ... b) a true friend of Elvis' ... c)someone who has class and doesnt resort to hype and lies to sell his book d)someone I would like to say "THANK YOU" to!

And to Celebrity Books: You've got a winner on your hands!

This book is what I will call from now on: MY ELVIS BIBLE

Definitely the world's best Elvis "reader book".
Well written, easy to read, easily enjoyed whenever.

I am patiently waiting for the other Volumes of this series.
If they are anywhere near as good as this volume, Jim Curtin will the world's best Elvis books on the market! (well he kind of does already).

I am so happy I found his books online.
My first exposure to Curtin was through his Unseen Elvis book (definitely the best photo book on ELvis to date).
I did not know he authored more books, till one of my friends bought me his Christmas With Elvis book, and from there on, I became a Jim Curtin / Renata Ginter fan!

With as much enthusiasm as I had reading this book, I can honestly attest that anyone who buys it, will love it just as much. I can guarantee it (if my word even means anything to anyone).

I am just a fan who enjoys reading quality material on Elvis and who LOVES to see rare photos on him as well.

So if you want my recommendation as to what kind of books to buy or get on Elvis .... stick with Jim Curtin (the true Elvis expert and friend)

This book is a total waste of time as well waste of money.This is one of the most inept writings which I have seen in a longtime. How can the writer insist that he is a friend being familiar with Elvis' "inner circle" if he is only a fan, though a very intense one, after having been introduced to him only in the last couple of years of Elvis' life? The writing is clumsy, juvenile, the content is not better. I give this book a Zero and no stars at all. Best to read biographies by Peter Guralnick.

It make you see Elvis as a more well rounded person. He feels like a friend I never met.

I have read many, many books on Elvis Presley. This book gives you a RARE inside look of Elvis Presley the man...as well as the star. A collection of many wonderful stories...Some made me laugh...and some made me cry! I can't wait to see volume 2!!

Well I have never posted a review before, but being how this book affected me, I wanted to share it with all of you readers.

I basically strolled into a local bookstore and as I browsed the shelves, I came upon this book. The stark white cover with that amazing black and white photo of Elvis, attracted my eye.

I then flipped through it, thinking I would just quickly label this book as one of the TOO MANY books on Elvis. Another make a quick buck scheme as Guralnick's books are. Well one of the stories in the beginning caught my eye! To quickly name it, the story about the Dorsey's Stage Show under the table payoff! I never even knew about it! I was stunned, so I kept reading. What I instantly like about the book, besides the information, was the way the book was written. I love the fact of being able to read just the facts of the event, and not be forced to read and read about all other unimportant things, as I was with Guralnick's books. This book is quick to point, no beating around the bush. I think by now, 23 years after Elvis' death, I believe even the youngsters know about the life story of Elvis Presley, whether they like him or not.

Not this book though! Oh no, this one purposefully omits that overheard life story and gets to the heart of the matter- actual accounts of events, happenings, etc.

Hmm, seems I am getting to gabby here, so I will make this short. Instead of just browsing through the store, I spent over 2 hours just reading Jim Curtin's new book! Obviously I did not finish reading it all, so I bought it and finished it at home!

And believe me, I would have paid a lot more for this book!