Publisher Description

LAST TRAIN TO MEMPHIS is arguably the first serious biography that refuses to dwell on the myth of Elvis. Aiming instead to portray in vivid, dramatic terms the life and career of this outstanding artistic and cultural phenomenon, it draws together a plethora of documentary and interview material to create a superbly coherent and plausible narrative.The first of two volumes, covering Presley's rise to prominence up to his departure for Germany in 1958, LAST TRAIN to MEMPHIS will undoubtedly become the benchmark by which other biographies of him are judged.

Notes

The definitive biography of Elvis and an excellent slice of social history.

Author Biography

Peter Guralnick is not only an acclaimed biographer but a cultural historian, the author of several famously received books about blues, country and western, and soul music.

Review

A wonderful book...Guralnick gives us an Elvis of real flesh and blood...the richest and most detailed protrait of Presely we have ever had. - SUNDAY TELEGRAPHUnrivalled...Elvis steps out of these pages, you can feel him breathe, this book cancels out all others - BOB DYLAN - Wonderful.Guralnick deserves to live in Graceland - RODDY DOYLELast 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 doingGuralnick is a scrupulous biographer, now established as the definitive chronicler of the strange life and turbulent times of Elvis Presley; better still, his enthusiasm for Elvi s' music shines through on every page of the text. And in the end, after all - Patrick Humphries, AMAZON.CO.UK REVIEW

Promotional

The definitive biography of Elvis and an excellent slice of social history.

Kirkus UK Review

A chronicle of Elvis Presley's early years and his rise to fame, up to his mother's death in 1958. Although Presley's later life saw an inelegant descent into drug addiction, in his youth he comes over as having been intelligent and lively, unconventional yet respectable, and - above all - a highly talented musician even by the age of 19. Guralnick, a true fan, also succeeds in conveying Elvis's importance to American music as a whole. (Kirkus UK)

Kirkus US Review

The first volume of two in what is bound to be the definitive biography of the King. Whereas Albert Goldman, in his infamous trash biography (Elvis, 1981), served up an overstuffed, doped-up Elvis in a one-sided portrait of an American nightmare, Guralnick (Sweet Soul Music, 1986, etc.) takes a more sensible and sensitive approach, tracing the roots of an American dream. The son of a ne'er-do-well father and an unnaturally devoted mother, an only child whose twin brother died at birth, Elvis grew up sheltered and alone. The fact that his father made little attempt to lift his family out of poverty turned out to be a blessing in disguise, because they remained just one tiny rung up the social ladder from their black neighbors - and their music. From an early age, Elvis heard and admired gospel and rhythm and blues. Amazingly, his own style seems to have emerged full-grown; he took only a few guitar lessons, performed little in high school, and to all outward appearances was "beyond shy," in the words of his first producer, Sam Phillips. Thanks to Phillips, who patiently oversaw his first sessions, the real Elvis quickly emerged: a dynamic performer who knew instinctively how to bring his audience to a frenzy and rapidly became a star. Guralnick perfectly captures Elvis's mixture of naivete and shrewdness: He carried a joy buzzer to his first meeting with RCA executives but also carefully practiced every stage movement for maximum effect. Still, Elvis repeatedly expressed his fears that he would "go out like a light, just like I came on." This volume ends in 1958, when Elvis was inducted into the Army and his beloved mother died. The year marked the end of a youthful innocence and the beginning of a long and sorry decline. A serious, musically literate, and historically attuned biography. An American epic that belongs on every bookshelf. (Kirkus Reviews)

Long Description

LAST TRAIN TO MEMPHIS is arguably the first serious biography that refuses to dwell on the myth of Elvis. Aiming instead to portray in vivid, dramatic terms the life and career of this outstanding artistic and cultural phenomenon, it draws together a plethora of documentary and interview material to create a superbly coherent and plausible narrative.The first of two volumes, covering Presley's rise to prominence up to his departure for Germany in 1958, LAST TRAIN to MEMPHIS will undoubtedly become the benchmark by which other biographies of him are judged.

Review Quote

Unrivalled...Elvis steps out of these pages, you can feel him breathe, this book cancels out all others - BOB DYLAN

Promotional "Headline"

The definitive biography of Elvis and an excellent slice of social history.

Description for Sales People

Sales of LAST TRAIN TO MEMPHIS are 55,000 copies (Abacus).

Details