Posted by PaulB on January 18, 2002, at 22:36:15
In reply to Re: Elvis Presley And American Culture, posted by PaulB on January 1, 2002, at 17:39:06
> > > I wanted to post a message about Elvis because I just finished the much hailed and raved about second part biography of Elvis life by Peter Guralnick called 'Careless Love-The Unmaking of Elvis Presley'.
> >
> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> >
> > I read the same book (in fact, I've read quite a few books on Elvis). Though I found Mr. Presley's life interesting, I couldn't stand his music.
> >
> > Unfortunately, Mr. Guralnick is ten years behind the times. The late Albert Goldman via a sequel to his original Elvis biography came to the same conclusion in 1991, but nobody listened or believed Goldman at the time.
> >
> > Get a copy of "Elvis: The last 24 hours" and determine for yourself if Elvis was depressed and intentionally over-dosed himself.
> >
> > Re. the things that could have made Presley depressed: this is self-evident by the way he lived and the people who leeched off of him starting with that carny Colonel Parker.
> >
> > Personally, I couldn't draw any conclusion from either work since the main component of the argument is very much dead, which is circular reasoning, but it's the best I can do for now.
> >
> > By the way, the very best book I've read on Elvis is the original Goldman work entitled "Elvis." This was out-of-print for a while, but it may be back. I have autographed copies of both Goldman books. He was a friend of mine.
> >
> > kazoo
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> HeartbreakhotelAlwaysOnMyMindHounddogJailHouseRock
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
> Finally, I have managed to get hold of a copy of the original Goldman work you mentioned entitled 'Elvis' It wasnt easy because, as you stated it has been out of print for a while. 'Elvis: the Last 24 hours' is still available so Im in no hurry to get that one at the moment. Actually I read the sequel to Mr. Guralnick book 'The Last Train To Memphis', 'The Unmaking Of Elvis Presley' first. They are just so well written with great structure. Another good book is 'The Psychology Of Elvis'.
>
> I think each of these books takes a look into a man who was far more complex than some people might have guessed. In a book club I went to someone stated that 'Elvis was America and epitomised American culture'. If anyone reads this message what do you think defines American culture and sets it apart from other cultures in the Western world and beyond and the remark the person at the book club I went to meant.
>
> This is a message that has its roots in psychiatry so I hope its fitting here at PSB Dr-Bob. If you think overwise, I apologise.
>
> PaulB
>
>Its 4.18 in the UK and Im not going to stop now on Goldman's Elvis. This compelling life story is drawing to a dark close. Somehow I got through 200 pages in three hours with lots of hot coffee which the late King himself used on occasion. Fortunately I dont have access to his narcotics. I just cant put the book down. Pricilla has just gone in this work of non-fiction and I know that this book has a finale that is everything and nothing but tragic. I know the tale well but not the whole truth. Now Goldman, a master storyteller, is revealing it to me in American, excessive, unbelievable, brain-draining style. The fire is burning in my place and Im going to boil the kettle for some more hot coffee then I will snuggle up in my little corner to prepare myself for the end of this book. It gives me hope though that one the pain that destroys the human soul does, eventually, end. Death is peace and perhaps you can breath, for a few moments before you go, the way you did a long time ago.
PaulB
poster:PaulB
thread:11539
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020112/msgs/16956.html