Jerry Hopkins' 1975 book question

[mozzarella]

Hey! Does anyone have an opinion about this book? Is it worth buying? Or Guralnick's double-book still rules?

Jerry Hopkins - Elvis, The Biography (http://www.amazon.com/Elvis-Biography-Jerry-Hopkins/dp/0859653919/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266426383&sr=1-10)

[debtdbruno]

Guralnick's books are the best....................much more indepth

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Guralnick's books give a very insightful overview of Elvis' life, probably the best so far...

[javierTCB]

Like Peter Guralnick, Jerry Hopkins is essential.

If you can buy both authors (whose research is complementary) is certain that you'll have a very close and detailed information of the work and humanity of the king of rock'n roll.

[mozzarella]

Thanks, I actually have both Guralnick books... I was just interested if Jerry Hopkins tells anything new.

[Lonniebealestreet]

Hopkins' books were groundbreaking for their time, less essential now. Enjoyable for sure and well researched but time was not on his side; people were more tight-lipped about Elvis' life when he was writing them than when Guralnick penned his. So if someone told Jerry a whopper he didn't have five other people refuting the tale or putting it in a different light with their version of the truth.

That's the thing about biographies: it really is a good idea to take in as much as you can if you are interested in truth. You might never get it outright but if you have several people's accounts of what happened, you can compare and contrast and consider the sources and their agendas/motivations and you should be able to fashion some semblance of truth out of that. Details may be a little jumbled but an overall essence of truth prevails -- a feeling or impression that is basically accurate and paints the truest picture of the subject.

[mozzarella]

Yeah right. Thank you! ;)

[Albert]

This is what Amazon says about the book:

Review
"Jerry Hopkins was the first serious journalist to take Elvis seriously, writing the first biography. The Elvis bookshelf is crowded now, but don’t let that put you off. This thoroughly revised and updated version of his two classic books deserves a shelf of its own." – Jann Wenner, founder and editor of Rolling Stone

"Jerry Hopkins long ago established the ground rules for serious biographical consideration of Elvis Presley. With a rare combination of seat-of-the-pants reporting and thoughtful portraiture, he creates a richly nuanced picture of a world in flux, both for Elvis himself and for the broad range of humanity that was – and continues to be – so indelibly affected by his music." – Peter Guralnick, author of Last Train to Memphis and Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley

"The book that Jim Morrison wanted to read. Jerry Hopkins retells the Elvis tale with both authority and compassion . . . Hopkins’ tome remains one of the leaders in its field, non-hysterical but sensational enough in its own way, thoroughly researched and written in a manner that equates with all the best novels – 4 out of 5." – Mojo

Product Description
Jerry Hopkins’s Elvis: A Biography was the first book on popular music to top the U.S. bestseller list, and its sequel was equally popular. Long out of print, both books, along with a wealth of exciting new interviews, are brought together in Elvis to form the most exhaustive account available of the King’s life. Telling the complete story of Presley’s rise and fall, from his poverty-stricken childhood in Tupelo through his musical development and emergence as pop’s first superstar to his decline and death, the book explores Presley’s singular appeal, his far-reaching influence, and his extraordinary legacy.

Featuring newly published firsthand interviews with people close to Elvis — including high school teachers, girlfriends, directors, agents, recording engineers, bodyguards, sidemen, karate instructors, medical professionals, and even his personal jeweler — Elvis presents a comprehensive and amazingly intimate look at this cultural icon.

[mozzarella]

Wow, thanks! (y) I really appreciate your extensive help!