Elvis Presley by George Klein (2007, Hardcover)

Elvis Presley The Family Album was written by George Klein and released in 2007. George Klein went to Humes High School with Elvis and worked at a local radio station in Memphis. Thus, Elvis and George "knew" each other and over the years they became "friends" and ultimately George Klein and Elvis Presley were just a "handfull of friends" that Elvis trusted...with anything. Therefore George Klein should be afforded every respect and appreciation for the friendship that he gave to Elvis and the friendship that Elvis gave back. An example is that Elvis was "Best Man" at Georges Wedding. Elvis was HONORED to be Georges' Best Man and he treasured George's insight, professionalism, intelligence, and Georges' ability to know when to talk and when...not to talk.
George has put together a book that "breaks new ground" by showing photographs that 99.9% of Americans have never seen. In this 143 page book George selectively captures many of the highlights of Elvis career by giving factual information and by providing relevant photographs.
This book presents itself as a "family photo album" with one or two sentences describing what was going on in the photo itself. It is a very unique and interesting way to structure a book and 'all and all" I liked it and it was good.
The photographs themselves are TOP NOTCH as they are beautiful, rare, and captured moments in Elvis' Life that Fans Worldwide would want to know about and to own.
George does not "carry a grind" against Elvis or anyone else. He lets the brief 1-2 sentences per photo, along with the photo, tell the story of what was going on - when - and who?
I LOVE this book becuase George Klein did not have an "agenda". George knew the South that Elvis grew up in and he knew the overwhelming poverty that Elvis endured from Elvis' birth until his musical success.
This book is structured so that the reader gets the sense that "they were right there" and I enjoy that.
Seeing Elvis from the time he was very young, to a blondish young teenager, to the dark jet black hair and sideburns to the Army, to the movie contracts 1960-1968, then to the 1968 Singer Special (aka: Comeback Special)when the sideburns returned, to Elvis onstage in Vegas and touring America from 1969 through 1977 (with the sideburns, jewerly, beaded jumpsuits, screaming fans at sold out stadiums, etc.).
I would have liked to have seen MORE in this book. MORE details about each picture, who were the people there, how did they know Elvis, etc. MORE photographs.
I also would have liked to see things that Elvis gave George. Whether it was a postcard, a signature, a letter, a car...whatever. I would have liked to see it so that we could get the sense of the "details" of their friendship.
However, this is an enjoyable book that Elvis Fans Worldwide should get. This book would also be a great "starter book" for children due to the visual layout and the hard bound cover.
Lastly, I am blessed to have one of the Largest (private) Elvis Presley Collections in the World along with being an Elvis Presley Expert. Accordingly, most Elvis books have an "agenda" or they are filled with "fluff" or they are filled with "someone once said" etc. This book is refreshing becuase George was there. He wasn't just there due to luck or geography but because Elvis TRUSTED him and loved him as a friend.
This is a testamate to Elvis and George becuase they truly are friends to each other even after all these years. I applaud them and I respect them.