Last Train to Memphis, the first part of Guralnick's two-volume life of Elvis Presley, received unprecedented accolades. This concluding volume recounts the second half of Elvis's life in rich and previously unimagined detail, and confirms Guralnick's status as one of the great biographers of our time. Beginning with Presley's army service in Germany in 1958 and ending with his death in Memphis in 1977, Careless Love chronicles the unraveling of the dream that once shone so brightly, homing in on the complex playing-out of Elvis's relationship with his Machiavellian manager, Colonel Tom Parker. It's a breathtaking drama that places the events of a too often mistold tale in a fresh, believable, and understandable context. This is the quintessential American story, encompassing race, class, wealth, sex, music, religion, and personal transformation. Written with grace, sensitivity, and passion, Careless Love is a unique contribution to our understanding of American popular culture and the nature of success, giving us true insight at last into one of the most misunderstood public figures of our times.
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beautifully written and refreshingly sincere, sets new high standards (DAILY MAIL )
Homeric in its play of beauty and folly, this is a monumental work (INDEPENDENT on Sunday )
Homeric in its play of beauty and folly, this is a monumental work (INDEPENDENT on Sunday )
Book Description
*The long-awaited second volume of the definitive biography of Elvis Presley.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Paula Lees
Simply brilliant. This book takes you through every aspect of Elvis Presley's highs and lows. The drug abuse, the marriage break-up and ultimately to the end of his life for one of the greatest performers of all time. People have often asked why didn't the Presley Mafia around him save him? The answer can only be because nobody could save him from himself.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By s
VINE™ VOICE
Amazon Verified Purchase
This book follows on from Last Train to Memphis and gives an amazing insight into Elvis and how he was used and abused by family and friends.Colonel Tom Parker is shown in a positive light,warts and all.The book is incredibly well written,full of interesting detail and written sympathetically.It details the life of Elvis from his army days and is a book difficult to put down.You will believe,after reading this book,there is nothing you don't know and won't have the need to read anything more about Elvis,such is the detailed info contained in this great read.Highly recommended to all serious fans but possibly a little to heavy for others with only a little interest in the King.Fantastic value for money.
23 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Mr Guralnick second part of Elvis' biography rehabilitates much of Elvis fat and decadent image without denying it.The book is well written, well researched and never loses its objective grip. It clearly describes the slow, but defintite slide downwards of a desperate Elvis. Elvis, it seems, feels trapped, lonely and often bored. It is really revealing how Elvis is ruined artistically in the 60's by the Colonol and his own entourage. No one seems to believe or understand the true greatness of Elvis as a singer - he remains the lucky Kid to most of them.
Apart from a brief (and often ignored) artistic renaissance in 1968 - 1973, Elvis never rises to his olde highs - though he himself seems despearte to do so. Often he hates his own movies and crappy songs - but remains loyal to the Colonel's deals. "The Colonel always has done him well" being the reason.
In the end Elvis is heading for selfdestruction, often wrestling with his own selfesteem, but caring less and less. What remains to end though is his love of singing. Sad, but classical reading into the pressures of stardom even if you're not an Elvis fan. It is all about the rise and fall of a superstar with Elvis being a great template for many examples.
Apart from a brief (and often ignored) artistic renaissance in 1968 - 1973, Elvis never rises to his olde highs - though he himself seems despearte to do so. Often he hates his own movies and crappy songs - but remains loyal to the Colonel's deals. "The Colonel always has done him well" being the reason.
In the end Elvis is heading for selfdestruction, often wrestling with his own selfesteem, but caring less and less. What remains to end though is his love of singing. Sad, but classical reading into the pressures of stardom even if you're not an Elvis fan. It is all about the rise and fall of a superstar with Elvis being a great template for many examples.
If you think Elvis was crap ever since the 60's & never bothered to be interested - this book explains why and why not you'd be right without getting gossippy or taking sides. I'll bet you go out and try some of his 70's records, probably a live one.
A great book to read on a great subject.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
This book documents Elvis' life from the time he left the army until the time he passed away, covering in depth his years with the so-called Memphis Mafia. It has to be one of the most compelling and interesting musician biographies I've read. It draws on a huge archive of interview material and is sympathetic to its subject, a poor Southern boy who gets the whole world, but sadly can't live a normal life because of it. You come away with respect for Elvis as a person, rather than the tacky icon he became. Highly recommended!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
This is an incredible book. I have been an Elvis fan for most of my life and I have never really understood what went wrong, and have often asked myself exactly why did Elvis go into such a decline. This book enabled me to fully understand what happened.
Having learned the basics of what happened in various books, documentaries and interviews, this helped fill in the missing pieces, it goes into such depth that I could almost feel how Elvis and those surrounding him felt at crucial points in his decline.
In summary the problems that accumulated would have broken a majority of people much earlier.
Almost certainly the major problems that plagued Elvis in the final few years of his life included the damage to his ego due to Mike Stones' relationship with Pricilla, the raquetball ball court fiasco, the bodyguard book, low record sales, bad concert reviews, the Colonels' gambling habit, the weight problem, the drug addiction, the CBS TV Special, financial expenditure greater than income and Gingers' lack of commitment to their relationship, the list goes on.
Perhaps the live concerts although sometimes difficult to execute with his declining health were probably a little light relief from all of the above and they paid some of the bills.
After reading the book I really can't see how Elvis could have dug himself out of this dark hole. I still can't decide whether it was suicide or an accidental overdose, I suppose we shall never know.
Having learned the basics of what happened in various books, documentaries and interviews, this helped fill in the missing pieces, it goes into such depth that I could almost feel how Elvis and those surrounding him felt at crucial points in his decline.
In summary the problems that accumulated would have broken a majority of people much earlier.
Almost certainly the major problems that plagued Elvis in the final few years of his life included the damage to his ego due to Mike Stones' relationship with Pricilla, the raquetball ball court fiasco, the bodyguard book, low record sales, bad concert reviews, the Colonels' gambling habit, the weight problem, the drug addiction, the CBS TV Special, financial expenditure greater than income and Gingers' lack of commitment to their relationship, the list goes on.
Perhaps the live concerts although sometimes difficult to execute with his declining health were probably a little light relief from all of the above and they paid some of the bills.
After reading the book I really can't see how Elvis could have dug himself out of this dark hole. I still can't decide whether it was suicide or an accidental overdose, I suppose we shall never know.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By declan58
After the exhilaration of the read that is "Last train to Memphis" - detailing the rise of Elvis, Peter Guralnicks charting of Elvis' slide into self-destruction - "Careless Love" - is both compelling and heartbreakingly sad. I was eight years of age when Elvis died and I can still remember my mother crying and sobbing upon hearing the news. The telling of a tragic story where everybody knows what is coming at the end is handled very well by the author and is at times rivetting. Guralnick manages to transfer the futility of Elvis' death expertly onto the page.
Whether you are a serious Elvis fan looking for more information about the life and death of Elvis or a casual reader just looking for a good read I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
Whether you are a serious Elvis fan looking for more information about the life and death of Elvis or a casual reader just looking for a good read I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
INTERESTING..
I found this book a very interesting read. I think anybody interested in Elvis Presley would find this book very descriptive and well-detailed.
Published 23 days ago by bluegoddess
5.0 out of 5 stars
Haven't read it yet
Since visiting Graceland last November I have been avidly reading all I can about Elvis,I've read several books but these seem the best
Published 1 month ago by J M Dickinson
3.0 out of 5 stars
It's hard to be a King
.. or a public figure - if you want to live private life, too.
Thorough study ... but don't like the "gutter press" - style here and there.
Thorough study ... but don't like the "gutter press" - style here and there.
Published 4 months ago by anu
5.0 out of 5 stars
True Elvis
Excellent. Details doesn't make this hard to read.
If I didn't have this I'd buy it again. Very very very good
If I didn't have this I'd buy it again. Very very very good
Published 6 months ago by Tapio Turpeinen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really enjoyed this book
I've always been an Elvis fan and I have to say that this book gives a fair and honest account of his life. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Rose C
5.0 out of 5 stars
Careless Love
Following on from Last Train To Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley, this is the second volume in this definitive Elvis biography, taking his life from his time in the army until... Read more
Published 13 months ago by S Riaz
3.0 out of 5 stars
itn wasn't for me.
it wasn't for me, so i do not know what it was like, i do not like elvis.
so therefore i wouldn't know.
so therefore i wouldn't know.
Published 17 months ago by LeahTee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply the Best!
Having read volume 1 of Mr Guralnick's biography of Elvis and visiting Graceland etc earlier this year , I was keen to read the second half of the Elvis Story. Read more
Published on 14 Aug 2010 by Mr. J. B. Gregg
4.0 out of 5 stars
Heavy, man.
Indeed, it is heavy and that's not just the weight. Following on from Last Train from Memphis, this book tells the story of Elvis's life from his army days onto his death in 1977. Read more
Published on 12 Feb 2004 by sp
2.0 out of 5 stars
Careless, Loveless
A definate curiosity after the stunning "Last Train From Memphis." But Careless Love falls short, overly focusing on the down-side of Elvis career and missing out on far far too... Read more
Published on 20 May 2002
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