The long awaited sequel to Last Train To Memphis,  acclaimed as "the definitive chronicle of Elvis' early years", so you can easily imagine the high expectations this second volume  had to deal with. I only did read the latter part of the book, from 1969 up to that black tuesday, august 16, and I don't think this book offers much news compared to Jerry Hopkins The Final Years. Careless Love is a little bit more detailed, but the story is the same. Joyce Bova is introduced for the first time (at least to me) as a woman who meant a lot to Elvis in 1970-1971. Actually she was part of the reason Elvis went to Washington where he met President Nixon and received his DEA-badge. This book is a book every Elvis-fan should have: Peter Guralnick does respect Elvis a lot, and to me it is an honest book, and if you like to hear about the facts, read the book. It is too bad Peter Guralnick doesn't accentuate the recovery of Elvis between October and December 1976, where things and Elvis seemed to be changing in a very positive way, climaxing at a very short tour december 27-31 which highlighted in Pittsburgh. PA. But the book is detailed enough, and I think it is very hard to understand Elvis Presley in the seventies. With all the talent inside of Elvis and all he did achieve in the entertainment industry it is unbelievable  to learn that Elvis Presley was a very insecure man, trusting too much on his manager Colonel Parker, and lived a very lonely life. At least the last years.

Review: Hans

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