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Elvis Presley Audiobook
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(3.92) - 26 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
PEN/Hemingway Award-winner Bobbie Ann Mason turns her acumen on one of twentieth-century America's most mysterious icons, The King himself. This new biography eschews sensational speculation to paint a thoughtfully researched but wholly felt portrait of the man-child who metamorphosed into a hero, one of the most popular and least supported characters in American history. In 1955, at age 20, Elvis provoked his first near-riot when he sang at a baseball park in Jacksonville. Inspired by black gospel quartets and mentored by producer Sam Phillips, Elvis blended hillbilly music with rhythm and blues in a synthesis that defined a new direction for popular music. Mason's book gets at the consciousness of the icon and of the cultural climate that made him one.
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"A breezy and enjoyable little book that doesn't, in the end, manage to convey the enormity of Elvis's life. Understandable, considering how short it is. It's obviously a good starting point, though, and I can't wait to get my hands on Guralnick's two-volume bio of the King."
— Jesse (4 out of 5 stars)
Elvis Presley Listener Reviews
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" Wonderful examination of a woefully misunderstood life and a true American tragedy by a good novelist. References the Guralnick book heavily, which I've been told is just amazing. Very engaging read, if only to understand the phenomenon. "
— Alan, 11/16/2013 -
" A great little biography of Elvis. "
— doug, 4/26/2013 -
" I'm reading this FOR SCHOOL. Yeah, I think it's cool too. :) "
— Lindsey, 1/30/2013 -
" Bobbie Ann Mason was the perfect person to write this small "Penguin Lives" biography of Elvis. She obviously is a fan but she didn't shy away from the foibles. A good book to read in celebration of his 75th birthday "
— Debbe, 7/18/2011 -
" i only read this b/c my sister was doing her senior thesis on elvis & i happened to be visiting her. "
— Stephanie, 9/11/2010 -
" This was pretty good. I normally do not like musical bios, but this one was easy to read and fun. "
— Leyla, 8/27/2010 -
" Great little book to read if you'd like to know more about Elvis before visiting Graceland. Fascinating stuff that adds depth and reality to the story behind the glitz. Well written - entertaining, informative, and honest. "
— Mbmar, 3/29/2010 -
" Bobbie Ann Mason was the perfect person to write this small "Penguin Lives" biography of Elvis. She obviously is a fan but she didn't shy away from the foibles. A good book to read in celebration of his 75th birthday "
— Debbe, 3/6/2010 -
" This was pretty good. I normally do not like musical bios, but this one was easy to read and fun. "
— Leyla, 5/17/2008 -
" A great little biography of Elvis. "
— doug, 4/28/2008 -
" Wonderful examination of a woefully misunderstood life and a true American tragedy by a good novelist. References the Guralnick book heavily, which I've been told is just amazing. Very engaging read, if only to understand the phenomenon. "
— Alan, 9/3/2007 -
" i only read this b/c my sister was doing her senior thesis on elvis & i happened to be visiting her. "
— Stephanie, 6/4/2007
About Bobbie Ann Mason
Bobbie Ann Mason is a bestselling author, winner of the PEN/Hemingway Award, and a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, American Book Award, and PEN/Faulkner Award. Her memoir, Clear Springs, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. She is a writer-in-residence at the University of Kentucky.
About Karen White
Karen White has been narrating audiobooks of all genres since 1999. Honored to be included in AudioFile’s Best Voices, she’s also a four-time Audie Finalist and has earned multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards and Library Journal starred reviews.