Jan
05
Last Train to Memphis: Rise of Elvis Presley
By
Amazon.co.uk Review
Last Train to Memphis is the first part of Peter Gurlanick’s epic two-volume life of rock ‘n’ roll’s founding father–and when no less an authority than Bob Dylan writes that “this book cancels out all others”, you know Guralnick must be doing something right.Exhaustive and thorough, though always written from a sympathetic standpoint, this first volume covers the early days: the extraordinary story of a poor young truck driver who came out of nowhere and conquered … More >>
Last Train to Memphis: Rise of Elvis Presley
5 Comments
January 5th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
This book is just fantastic ! Probably the best Elvis book I have ever read. A must read.
Rating: 5 / 5
January 5th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
THE biography of the early years of that amazing man from Tupelo. Written by a sympathetic fan, who acknowledges Elvis’ faults but doesn’t exaggerate them – neither does he overhype his greatness.
Relive the moment that Elvis crystallised his rockabilly style after many hours of fruitless work in Sun Studios; the long road tours; the hassle from the authorities; the grief at the loss of his mother. It is all here.
A better biography of the man will never be written. Elvis (probably) is dead – but he lives again on these pages.
Rating: 5 / 5
January 5th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
I purchased this book for my wife who has read every book,purchased every recording and watched every film of Elvis.She knows all the memorable dates,lovers and friends of the King.In short,she’s knows everything there is to know about Elvis,or so she thought! This book contains details she didn’t know and all explained sympathetically.It is well written,factual and interesting.Be warned,after my wife read this book,i had to purchase the follow-up book,”Careless Love”.Last Train is Part-one which covers the life of Elvis up to his army days,Careless Love covers his life thereafter.Both books are highly recommended to all Elvis fans but are a little too heavy reading for others.Both books are good value for money.
Rating: 5 / 5
January 5th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
As Bob says, you can feel Elvis breathe when you read this book…
It is the most detailed and fascinating book I have read on ANY subject.
Peter Guralnick is an amazingly compassionate writer, to the extent that you cannot help but love Elvis when you read Last Train to Memphis.
Buy it… you will not be disappointed…
Rating: 5 / 5
January 5th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
Peter Guralnick captures the feel of the times and the excitement of elvis’ rise to success with effortlessly readable prose. He obviously talked to everyone who was anyone in elvis’ life, and gives us the benefit of countless small insights as a result of what must have been years of research. I can’t praise this book enough. Even if you’re not an Elvis fan please give it a try – you won’t be disappointed. ( and no, I don’t work for the publishers!)
Rating: 5 / 5