Elvis and the Memphis Mafia

I am so glad I decided to read this book. I found myself on an emotional rollercoaster as the three Memphis Mafia men told their stories of life with Elvis from the 1950's to the present. Some of the memories were funny, some so sad. Some were outrageous. Especially the one about a certain girlfriend and her actions after his death. I was appalled. I highly recommend this book to all Elvis fans. It is a long read but well worth it. A bit of a tear jerker too so have the tissue box handy.

First off I want to thank Ms nash for all her books on Elvis I love these stories iam a huge fan of elvis Presley second iam sick and tried of people saying that Elvis was a druggie he wasn't do your research according to the strange medical saga of elvis Presley by doctor forest tennant and destined to die young by Sally hoedel Elvis Presley has a rare Illness that needed all that rx from the pain he was in to perform and the Dr said drugs had not caused his death iam not going to say anymore about those to books but there worth reading his medical records etc are in it as for billy Marty Lamar if you really cared you would of done more I don't feel sorry for you at all Priscilla no better then you all you all were nothing but gold diggers all of you Memphis mafia group you used Elvis and his parents

I've been an Elvis fan for thirty-five years, and I've read many nooks about the man, but this one, hands down, is the best! Before reading this book I thought I knew Elvis. I place emphasis on the word "thought." This book contains the recollections of three Memphis Mafia members: Marty Lacker, Lamar Fike, and Billy Smith, who was Elvis' cousin. One chapter also contains rememberances from Billy's wife, Jo Smith. Without going into too much detail, all I can say is that this book taught me more about Elvis than I could ever hope to know. The book runs the gambit of emotions. It is exciting, often hilarious, sometimes frustrating, and ultimately very sad. I have no doubt that these men loved Elvis, and I didn't walk away from the book with the impression that they were in it just for the money. These men spent more than twenty years with a living legend, and indeed, they have a story to tell. Some of their recollations are hazy, and some are crystal clear. And on a few occasions the guys even disagree with one another, and end up trading insults and funny one-liners. In other words, this is what it would sound like if these guys were in your living room talking about Elvis. By the end of the book I felt very sorry for Elvis, but also angry at him for not taking more control of his life. These three men have the utmost contempt for Colonel Parker and Priscilla, and not much love is lost for Vernon and Dr. Nick either. In fact, at one time or another, almost every major player in Elvis' life is critisized for furthering his agenda at Elvis' expense. Sadly, this is porbably all too true. Presley's life was a struggle from the day he was born until he died forty-two years later. He lived the American dream and watched that dream turn into a nightmare. In reading this book, I felt as though I was there with him every step of the way!

I've finished the book and can't help but want to know more. I cried in the last few chapters - especially for Billy Smith. I'm devastated about what I now know about Elvis - reading this book validated some of the things I'd heard and provided the details that made me feel like I was actually there. I'm glad I have read it and I think its a must read for anyone who feels a connection to Elvis Presley. If you're like me and you want to know who this man really was and why the world still loves him, buy this book. I will be forever changed by this book, hearing his music will never be the same again, I can't describe the emotional reaction I have had to this book. Thank you Alanna for being brave enough to put this together for all of us.

The re-issue of Alanna Nash's superb oral biography is long overdue. Justifiably acclaimed as one of the best ever books published about Elvis, the 792 page tome presents the recollections, views and emotions of three prominent members of the Memphis Mafia: Billy Smith, Marty Lacker and Lamar Fike. Regardless of the tension sometimes inherent in the differing views presented in Elvis and the Memphis Mafia, it is always engrossing and continually offers us gold nuggets of information which add immeasurably to our understanding of the man who was Elvis Aaron Presley. There is also great poignancy and sincerity in Elvis and the Memphis Mafia, and the reader's emotions will often flow from joy to laughter to anger and sadness. Such is the wonderful and illuminating way in which Alanna Nash has captured and presented her potent narrative. I have interviwed all the writers of this book & this short review cannot do justice. Look at the Elvis Info Net website for all the Interviews relevant to this book, which should help you decide. It is a moving & emotional read. Essential to help real Elvis fans understand his life - Piers EIN.

This book is 792 pages long so it takes awhile to read but it is well worth the long read! any Elvis fan will find this book very interesting. the guys tells us all about Elvis from the day he was born to the very end. the guys tell us how Elvis really felt about the people in his life such as Priscilla'Ginger and most of the other women as well. we also learn many things about the Presley family and how Elvis felt about them. you will read all about the drugs and how out of it he was the last few years. you will read about how Elvis never took a bath the last years of his life but would wash his hair and brush his teeth only. this was all due to the drug use and you will learn just how bad it got before the end. this book is filled with story after story about About Elvis and all the people that were a part of his life for so long. it is a great read for all fans.