Highly original and extremely acute, Treat Me Nice argues that Elvis and the Frankenstein Creature were condemned to self-destruction because they both horrified their creators. Treat Me Nice remembers not only the influential black musicians but also Orson Welles, Alfred Hitchcock, Herman Melville and Isaac Newton. Key figures in the doomed events are examined and Elvis is compared to other musical talents to reveal a clear view of his merit and importance. Inspired by 'Frankenstein' author Mary Shelley, who warned against our lack of sympathy for uncouth creatures, Treat Me Nice confronts traditional views and explores the contradictions within Elvis. It will be enjoyed and debated by Elvis fans but it will also appeal to those who enjoy popular music. 'Immensely enjoyable and a stimulating read.' Paul Simpson, author 'Rough Guide To Elvis'. 'This book deserves to be noticed. A formidable treatise.' Elvis Information Network.
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Review
'An academic book that stands out from the crowd' --Chris High Writers News
'Howard Jackson can write. The reader is in safe hands' --Clive Bradley TV and film scriptwriter
'Howard Jackson can write. The reader is in safe hands' --Clive Bradley TV and film scriptwriter
About the Author
Howard Jackson was born in Merseyside in 1948. He still lives there and has spent most of his life in Liverpool, although he has also lived in London, Nottingham, Glasgow and Preston for brief periods. He has toured extensively around Brazil visiting Canudos in the backlands of Brazil and the Southern States of America where he visited recording studios and met famous and not so famous musicians. Howard Jackson is represented by the Inspira Group
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By BossaNova
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A pleasure to read - the book is well-written, very informative and extremely well-researched, with lots of little gems of knowledge as well as info and opinion on the making of key Elvis albums and tracks.
The idea behind the book is very original, and to any sceptics out there the author definitely ties together the two characters of Elvis and Frankenstein's creature very convincingly. For fans of Elvis, there are surprising insights made that I, as a life-long Elvis fan, had never thought of before.
A must-read for fans of Elvis, music and literature as a whole.
The idea behind the book is very original, and to any sceptics out there the author definitely ties together the two characters of Elvis and Frankenstein's creature very convincingly. For fans of Elvis, there are surprising insights made that I, as a life-long Elvis fan, had never thought of before.
A must-read for fans of Elvis, music and literature as a whole.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
"Treat Me Nice" is a very well written and thoroughly researched book which looks at the influence, good and bad, of the individuals and circumstances that helped shape the career of Elvis Presley, a career which contained many triumphs but also many missed opportunities. The author Howard Jackson's lifelong fascination with American popular culture and music, in particular that which originated in the South, is evident throughout the book and he makes a convincing case for Elvis' place at the very heart of that culture and music. The comparison he draws with the creature in "Frankenstein" in explaining the career of Elvis is particularly fascinating, and although a fan, he doesn't exempt Elvis from criticism where he considers it appropriate.
Although his career lasted just over twenty years, Elvis made a great many recordings (as well as appearing in a lot of films) and the author's detailed knowledge of his catalogue has enabled him to draw the reader's attention to the many lesser known, yet still great, records which are often overlooked. This is particularly well illustrated by the teriffic cd that comes with the book.
I would definitely recommend the book to both dedicated and casual Elvis fans alike.
Although his career lasted just over twenty years, Elvis made a great many recordings (as well as appearing in a lot of films) and the author's detailed knowledge of his catalogue has enabled him to draw the reader's attention to the many lesser known, yet still great, records which are often overlooked. This is particularly well illustrated by the teriffic cd that comes with the book.
I would definitely recommend the book to both dedicated and casual Elvis fans alike.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Chris High
Format:Paperback
As a work that is clearly close to Howard Jackson's heart,Treat Me Nice provides an unusual yet thought provoking comparison between Presley as "created" by his own "Mad Professors" (primarily RCA, the movie studios & Colonel Parker) and the disillusionment, isolation and, ultimately, abandonment that ensued as a result, to that created by Mary Shelley for her famed creature. That Presley often rebelled against the control of his "masters" but that, more often than not they prevailed is without doubt, but the question as to whether Presley as a talent worthy of the title King ever truly existed is one that, here, is deftly and interestingly explored with great panache.
As with any academic undertaking, it would be easy to assume that Treat Me Nice would be somewhat dull. However, this is far from the case, as Jackson's style is one that encompasses that which all students devour; a work that is fulfilling, compelling, interesting and, above all, quotable in any essay that surrounds the subject. From media studies to marketing (or how NOT to market a prized asset, in this case), students should find room for Treat Me Nice, if only to understand what it is that makes an academic study stand out from the crowd.
As for those who are simply keen to read something new about a man who's life has been turned over so often it looks like a ploughed field, this gives a refreshing insight into what is, it has to be acknowledged, a global phenomena that ultimately changed the face of popular culture forever. No 1950's Elvis = no Rock 'n' Roll = no Beatles = etc. etc. For providing that pause for thought so adroitly, Howard Jackson should be roundly applauded if nothing else.
A thoroughly enjoyable addition to the pantheon of Elvis literature that is currently available.
As with any academic undertaking, it would be easy to assume that Treat Me Nice would be somewhat dull. However, this is far from the case, as Jackson's style is one that encompasses that which all students devour; a work that is fulfilling, compelling, interesting and, above all, quotable in any essay that surrounds the subject. From media studies to marketing (or how NOT to market a prized asset, in this case), students should find room for Treat Me Nice, if only to understand what it is that makes an academic study stand out from the crowd.
As for those who are simply keen to read something new about a man who's life has been turned over so often it looks like a ploughed field, this gives a refreshing insight into what is, it has to be acknowledged, a global phenomena that ultimately changed the face of popular culture forever. No 1950's Elvis = no Rock 'n' Roll = no Beatles = etc. etc. For providing that pause for thought so adroitly, Howard Jackson should be roundly applauded if nothing else.
A thoroughly enjoyable addition to the pantheon of Elvis literature that is currently available.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
New Elvis Bible
Treat me nice is a book about Elvis Presley, his music and the Mary Shelley's Frankenstein Creature. Read more
Published 14 months ago by werner Dr. Kerkloh
4.0 out of 5 stars
Essential Reading
If you read only one book on Elvis make this the one! This is an essential read for Elvis fans but also for anyone who loves American music especially 50's Rhythm and Blues and... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Soulster '69
5.0 out of 5 stars
Its not all about ELVIS
What I like about this book is that its not just for fans of Elvis and his music. The author brings in comparisons with other famous musicians from the past like Frank Sinatra,... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Even Better than the Real Thing
4.0 out of 5 stars
Jut when you thought....
...nothing original could be written about Elvis along comes Howard Jackson's superb book. If you're serious about Elvis, then this has to be a must read.
Published 19 months ago by Alfaman
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good companion to the man and his music
I really enjoyed this book. I ought to say that I am not an Elvis fanatic. I do enjoy his music, and I respect his talent, but I am not a fanatic. Read more
Published 19 months ago by 4harrisons
4.0 out of 5 stars
Detailed insights & good knowledge
What I like about the book is that you finish the main book having
enjoyed it but before you can be disappointed at it ending you
discover a musical guide that has... Read more
enjoyed it but before you can be disappointed at it ending you
discover a musical guide that has... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Bob_78s
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thoughtful, original, well-written and more than worth a read!
Elvis Presley is a much-discussed icon of the 20th century and beyond and while I am a fan, I was beginning to despair that there was nothing new left to say about him and I would... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Queen Creole
4.0 out of 5 stars
Re Born Elvis Fan
This is not the lightest read on Elvis. There are times I would have
probably preferred something not so challenging. But, I am glad I
have read it. Read more
probably preferred something not so challenging. But, I am glad I
have read it. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Howgreatthouart
5.0 out of 5 stars
ELVIS BIBLE
This is now my Elvis bible, my ultimate reference book. Howard Jackson gets inside Elvis's head, explains why Elvis is so talented and important, but also why many people cannot... Read more
Published 20 months ago by YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE
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