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List Price: $25.00 | | Publisher: University Press of Mississippi
Salesrank: 157126
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| Our Price: $15.57 |
| Used Price: $11.20 |
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| Media: Paperback |
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Editorial Review:
Who on the planet doesn't know that Elvis Presley gave electrifying performances and enthralled millions? Who doesn't know that he was the King of Rock 'n' Roll? But who knows that the King himself lived in the thrall of one dominant person?
This was Gladys Smith Presley, his protective, indulgent, beloved mother.
Elvis and Gladys, one of the best researched and most acclaimed books on Elvis's early life, reconstructs the extraordinary role Gladys played in her son's formative years.
Uncovering facts not seen by other biographers, Elvis and Gladys reconstructs for the first time the history of the mother and son?s devoted relationship and reveals new information about Elvis---his Cherokee ancestry, his boyhood obsession with comic books, and his early compulsion to rescue his family from poverty.
Coming to life in the compelling narrative is the poignant story of a unique boy and the maternal tie that bound him. It is at once an intimate psychological portrait of a tragic relationship and a mesmerizing tale of the early years of an international idol.
"For once, a legend is presented to us by the mind and heart of a literate, careful biographer who cares," wrote Liz Smith in the New York Daily News when Elvis and Gladys was originally published in 1985. This is the book, Smith says, "for any Elvis lover who wants to know more about what made Presley the man he was and the mama's boy he became."
The Boston Globe called this thoughtful, informative biography of one of popular music's most enduring stars "nothing less than the best Elvis book yet."
Elvis and Gladys (Southern Icons Series) Reviews:
A Different Biography 
2009-06-12 - This book is truly welcome from the myriad of Elvis books that repeat the same stories and don't give any new substance to this legend named Elvis.
Finally a book that explores his roots and early history. It is written with compassion and was researched extensively. There is a part of this history that seems to go on too long, but it's worth getting through it because it does get interesting again and even gets better the more you read. This is not the end-all in Elvis biographies, but it will help you understand where he came from and learn some truth behind the reported myths. For instance, Elvis didn't go to Sun Records to record a song for his Mom's birthday. He wanted to get discovered! Many more truths come out. Elvis's maternal grandma was Jewish. That had to be kept secret in the south.
Beside this book, I recommend If I Can Dream, Last Train to Memphis and Jerry Schilling's book.
Gladys was the reason Elvis became the King
2008-11-01 - the Presleys were poor. no -- they were POOR.
his father Vernon borrowed $180 from the landowner to build the house Elvis was born in. five years later in 1938 (when Elvis was 3), with the loan still not fully repaid, the landowner evicted the Presleys.
as Elvis himself said of their leaving Tupelo for Memphis in 1948, "We were broke man -- broke."
even in Memphis, where WWII had brought better times, the Presleys would often do odd jobs for neighboring black families, just to have enough to eat.
as can be seen from school photos taken at the time, though his classmates had regular clothes for that period, "Elvis's first 'jump suit' was a pair of overalls."
but, as his fifth grade teacher (a niece of the landowner who had evicted the Presleys) later said, "There is something nice about everyone. There is everything nice about Elvis."
Hill and Range was the music publishing company that Elvis did business with from age 20 until his death at age 42. its owner, Jean Aberbach, stated without qualification, "Elvis was the finest human being I've ever met."
the thrust of this excellent book by Elaine Dundy (who died last year) is that no matter how poor they were, Gladys was determined to raise Elvis to be the finest human being anyone who ever met him had ever met.
"Elvis never forgot his raisin'." (Cousin Annie Presley)
The best yet
2008-06-28 - I grew up poor (though not as poor as the Presleys). There were 6 people living in a 2-bedroom home. That Elvis slept with his parents (it gets cold in northern Mississippi and Tennessee) doesn't really shock or surprise me.
What does surprise me is that someone like Dee Stanley, who put her own sons in foster care so she could pursue Vernon Presley, would condemn them.
I am also not surprised that Elvis was never able to form a long-lasting relationship with a woman. Most of the women I have read about seemed only interested in what they could get from him. not what they could give to him; a total contrast to his Mother.
I thought Elaine Dundy did a masterful research job. Too bad the history books kids use in school don't usually match this level of research and dedication to facts.
This book is not just about Elvis, it is about poverty and how it shapes people and stays with them throughout their lives.
Buy this book, you will treasure it.
Gladys and Elvis
2008-03-18 - Just loved this book it was fascinating about Gladys and Vernons background. How poor they were and the sadness of the birth of Jesse Garon and Elvis it's to much to tell every Elvis fan needs this book. You will be amazed on how much understanding of the Presley family you will have after reading this book. This is why Elvis had such a kind and gentle way about him and a giving heart it hurts me to know that the people he loved the most used him for there own fame and fortune. All i can say is buy this book you will not be disappointed and you will come to know Elvis a lot better than before it's a must for every Elvis fan.
Excellent book!
2007-07-28 - I've read quite a few books about Elvis and this one is excellent. The author spent a lot of time with people who knew Elvis back then and uncovered some very interesting and heart-warming stories. I learned a lot about his childhood and school days that I hadn't heard before. I'd recommend it for any Elvis fan.
