The Impersonal Life: The Little Book in Which Elvis Found the Light [Paperback]

Anonymous (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2001

A Manual of Spiritual Teaching and Discipline. THE IMPERSONAL LIFE is the book that Elvis "had been looking for all his life." Why? Because as ALL Elvis biographers tell us, it spoke to him in such a clear understanding voice. It was so dear to Elvis that he began sharing it with the world by giving copies away by the case. It was ground zero for his self-explorationa and spiritual awareness. Here, Elvis found food for his soul, and he devoured it. We aptly call this the Graceland Edition of The Impersonal life "The Little Book in which Elvis Found the Light." Students of spirituality continue to find it so.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The man who wrote this book preferred to issue it under the pen name ANONYMOUS. We have to admit to almost total ignorance of the person and life of this author, except we know that his name was Joseph S. Benner. His seems to have been indeed an impersonal life.

He also wrote 3 other books with the Anonymous pen name: The Way Out, Brotherhood and The Way to the Kingdom.

Product Details

• Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: DeVorss & Company; Graceland Ed edition (June 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875167675
• ISBN-13: 978-0875167671
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #536,468 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #65 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( P ) > Presley, Elvis

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book that caused Elvis to hear his call, August 1, 2001

By 

Kathy Fernandes (Chico, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Impersonal Life: The Little Book in Which Elvis Found the Light (Paperback)

Of course I knew about Elvis but I hadn't read much about him. I wouldn't call myself an "Elvis Fan." Then I happened to get a chance to visit Graceland one day and after that visit, I knew that Elvis answered his life's call and was compelled by Spirit to be the legend that he was. So what would influence Elvis to become so great?

The answer is in this book. The book is not about Elvis. It has a little introduction about how Elvis used this book. "The Impersonal Life" was actually first published anonymously in 1916. The author has been discovered but little is known about the author. Elvis bought this book by the case and gave it out freely to friends and acquaintences. He read this book over and over and over, underlining and putting notes in the margins. He absorbed the meaning of the book and you know that is true after you read it.

The book's content is very spiritually fulfilling. It does not include religous language, symbolism or dogma but it is very spiritual. "I AM" is speaking to the reader. On page 122 it reads "I may be expressing through you beautiful symphonies of sound, color or language, that manifest as music, art or poetry, according to mortal terminology, and which so affects others as to cause them to acclaim you as one of the great ones of the day."

Does that not say what Elvis was about? This book contains the words that caused Elvis to hear and understand his call. The book is small and very easy to read. It is rich with Spirit speaking and it compels you to live out your life answering your call, whatever that may be. Wow! I am glad I discovered this book. I, too, will read it over many times. It's definitely worth more than its weight in gold.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The words that comforted Elvis & ME!, February 11, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Impersonal Life: The Little Book in Which Elvis Found the Light (Paperback)

This is the Elvis that few people have ever seen or known about--the Spiritual side. I truely enjoyed reading the SAME words that comforted Elvis in his times of need. The words contained with in this small, but powerful little book spoke out to me as if IT was written just for me. This must have been how Elvis felt while reading it too. This book is like an instruction manual directly from God, speaking from within. I will keep this book and read it many times as a reminder of the power of God, which is found within. It makes a great gift for those who are interested in the spirual side of Elvis, but most importantly for those who want to discover more of the spiritual side of themselves.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars But It Didn't Save Elvis Did It?, January 4, 2011

By 

Mr. D. Beaumont "davbeau" (London) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Impersonal Life: The Little Book in Which Elvis Found the Light (Paperback)

It is surprising to me that this book is marketed as the book in which Elvis 'saw the light'. It's not much of an advert for seeing the light is it? - dying at 42 of a drugs overdose having had your life lurch out of control in various ways for years before. Don't get me wrong I am a great fan of Elvis' work and share and feel the connection along with millions of other people. But I don't like to see this mawkish nonsense go unchallenged. If Elvis found some 'comfort' in this book then fine, but it is clear he found comfort in all kinds of other things too - including things that were very bad for him and eventually killed him. This book was no magic bullet for him.