Last Train to Memphis

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Summary: The first & perhaps last major biography of a major figure
Review: This is a great book, written with decency, respect, and compassion. It is wonderfully researched, and Guralnick's end notes discusses possible alternatives and the difficulty, sometimes impossibility, of reconciling different versions provided by even on-the-scene participants. It is also, culmulatively powerfully and in the end heartbreaking. Finally, it comes a long way in answering perhaps the key biographical question about Elvis--"Did Elvis know he was Elvis" and makes it clear that despite all his self-doubt and self-denigration, he did, that Elvis had ambition, drive, and a vision of what his music should sound like and what diverse strains of American music it would incorporate. It is commonplace in rock history to say if it hadn't been Elvis it would have been somebody else, and that probably is true for the creation of rock n roll, but does the singer an incredible disservice too. REID MITCHELL

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Summary: Brings new life to Elvis
Review: Although I agree with some of the comments here, specifically those about Guralnick's confusing writing style, I truly enjoyed this book. Guralnick neither overly praises nor denegrates Presley's actions, but instead offers the reader as true an account as possible. The author does an excellent job of showing who influenced Elvis, both before and after he hit it big. I'm a-gonna' start Volume 2 as soon as I can!

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Summary: A must read
Review: Guralnick gives us Elvis Presley before anyone knew his name, showing readers what this boy was like before he was the King. A frank, wonderful biography that shows us why our country is the way it is, and only reinforces Elvis Presley as the most influential white man in music in the past 100 years or so. I am a 25 year old white male who grew up in the North, and never was exposed to Elvis. I read this book to learn more about the man everyone talks about, the one people are obsessed about, and discovered why his influence lasts. A powerful, un-put-down-able read.

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Summary: Well-Researched & Detailed
Review: This is the best source I've seen for the facts, instead of sleaze and innuendo, about The King. Guralnick spent considerable years going to the sources of those who interacted with Elvis, so the book is about as accurate as one can get. I now look forward to reading the companion volume about the "fall". The only complaint I have is I often had difficulty figuring out who was talking. When it seemed Sam was being quoted, it was actually Marion; when I was reading a passage from Vernon, I realized several sentences later it was someone else, etc. This may just be the author's style and it was, in the end, not an insurmountable problem for me.

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Summary: Well done
Review: This books is thoroughly researched, and perhaps the best biography of Elvis you'll ever read. I must say it seems ponderous and slow-moving in the beginning, and it never really does explain why Elvis had to go into the army in the first place. For someone like myself who wasn't around then it's puzzling - were people usually drafted during peacetime in the fifties? Certainly they didn't send him to Germany for an Asian war? I wish it were explained better for the novice reader. But all in all, it's great.

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Summary: You're present at the creation
Review: An absolutely meticulously written, yet joyous, account of Elvis Presley's early life and most productive musical years. As you read this book, just bear in mind that you are "present at the creation" -- every rock'n'roll act and performer emanated from the early Presley sensation. I'm a 50-year-old who's come to appreciate Elvis just lately. And, this biography, if you're a fan, will enhance your appreciation for him; it's an emotional tribute to him and those days of innocence.

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Summary: A must read.
Review: When Elvis Presly died I was only two years old. Growing up the only exposure I had to the story of Elvis was from the punchlines of late-night talk shows. I soon dismissed Elvis and his work as corny, out of date music from a past era. "Last Train to Memphis" reveals the error of such thinking by retelling Elvis' story with painstaking detail and accuracy. Peter Guralnick does a superior job in presenting a story that we all "thought" we knew, the story of a true American original.

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Summary: The Very Best Book on Elvis Presley Ever
Review: I am a 27 year old memphis native, and, as such, grew up with an interest in Elvis, despite the "uncool" stigma attached. This is a wonderful, honest and incredibly enjoyable book, and hopefully will help people see beyond the media's biased view of this man.

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Summary: THE best Elvis biography written to date.
Review: I have been an Elvis fan and collector since the fifties, am active in the "Elvis world" and have an extensive Elvis book collection. Without question, "Last Train to Memphis" is far and away THE best Elvis biography written to date. Not only is it extremely well written (reading the author's words made me feel as though I was actually there), I know for a fact that it is extremely well researched (Peter Guralnick does his own research as opposed to using information from other books, and he does not include a fact unless it is verified by a second source). If I am asked to recommend one book to read to learn about Elvis -- this is the one!

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Summary: The Best Of The Elvis Bios
Review: I read this about 3 years ago & it is the absolute best of all the many books out on Elvis. In fact, this is probably one of the best rockstar biographies I have ever read, and I've read most of them. Peter Guralnick interviewed close friends & family members who bring back memories of Elvis' growing up and how he got started in music. I anxiously await the second part of this book that Mr. Guralnick is supposedly working on, which brings us up to date from where this book leaves off. Highly recommended for all Elvis fans.