Inner Elvis: A Psychological Biography of Elvis Aaron Presley

This is a great work not to be missed, for those looking for exceptional insight and value into Elvis's world. The analysis of "Twinless Twins" was priceless in its value at showing who Elvis was as a person, and I had to call home to see if I had been a twinless twin myself, since I have felt many of those same feelings (other than having my long standing invisible friend revisited, mom said no...). The Inner Elvis takes the reader into how the closeness of being twins in the womb can change a person forever, even when they grow up distanced from their twin by death or physical separation. Add to that a mother who was unable to cope with the loss of one son and the abuse of a wayward husband. She heaped the love and the fears of their spartan early existence onto the one son remaining. Combining all of this offers a fascinating read into Elvis' motivations. I did take some objection to the author's obvious atheistic viewpoint, as God was very real to Elvis, his mom and also to me, and He isn't some crutch to the weak masses as Peter likes to put forth here. But, Peter, like everyone, will find that out for himself one day too. All in all though, The Inner Elvis is a worthwhile read for the "why's" about Elvis. I always wondered why Elvis didn't stand up and tell the near-criminal Colonel Tom Parker to shove off in the 60's when the incredibly selfish and controlling manager forever damaged Elvis' movie career potential, and now I know. It was Elvis' fatal flaw, now understood a bit better. RIP Elvis, you were a wonderful, warm and brilliantly gifted man who shared his talents and love with the world. You left the world so much better for having been in it. And, say Hi to Jessie Garon for me.

I read this book AFTER reading the 2 book biography of Elvis by Peter Guralnick and I think that is how best to read this. While Guralnick gives the 'definative' story of Elvis and what happened to him, I think "The Inner Elvis" explains the WHY of it all. There is in this book the 'missing link' the explanation of why, and how Elvis was so affected by the early years of his life and the psychological effects of such things as his mother's over protection "enmeshment", his dead twin brother amongst other things. This book, I found, was a fascinating read but if you haven't read the full biography of Elvis' life and were looking for it here then there's a lot of detail missing, but that isn't what the author intended, I believe. His point and explanations are very well made & I rate this a 5 star read.

The Inner Elvis was, for me, an identical twin, like reading a highly suspenseful mystery or spy novel. I devoured each page, each new pyschological insight. As the author reveals through extensive research of events, interviews, recordings, Elvis Presely was, in large part, shaped by his lost (br)other and their one source, their mother.Dr. Whitmer's "discovery", so to speak, of the origin of Elvis' unique musical style is nothing short of brilliant, spot on. I am sure music critics and scholars would scoff at his view but as an identical twin and a musician I understood it perfectly. I look forward to any further explorations Dr. Whitmer may pursue in the psychological study of twins.A great read.Charlie Wine