First published in 1982 and edited by Martin Torgoff, this large-size volume contains over 250 pages of information on the King of Rock & Roll, including a multitude of photographs in b&w and colour, and perspectives on various stages of his career by different authors.

It begins with Anagrams by Glenn O'Brien under the clever subtitles "Veils", "Evils", "Levis", "Viles" and "Lives" dealing with some of the factors that galvanized his career as well as some of the more sordid rumours surrounding his death.

Then Martin Torgoff writes, under the heading "After The Flood: Elvis And His Literary Legacy", about the avalanche of books written about him, especially followng his death. This is followed by Stanley Booth's "A Hound Dog, To The Manor Born" - chronicling his younger days - and "The King Is Dead! Hang The Doctor!" which covers the involvement of the infamous Dr. Nick. In between these chapters are some of the most beautiful full-page colour photos of Elvis and his family, with Bill Haley & Johnny Cash, in his tanker's uniform, a wedding shot with Priscilla, and early shots of baby Lisa Marie.

Linda Ray Pratt then takes over to tell us about his immense popularity in the South under the heading "Elvis Or The Ironies Of A Southern Identity." After that John Walker's "The Bootleg Elvis" informs us of the more blatant commercial rip-offs capitalizing on his fame, while Stephanie Chernikowski [A Real Gone Cat] and Gay McRae [More Notes Of A Fan-Atic] look at his life from a fan's perspective.

Next up are two "fantasies": the self-explanatory "If Elvis Had Lived" by Lenny Kaye, and "Graceland Uber Alles" by Lester Bangs - both of which, in my opinion, could have been deleted in favour of more photos.

From there to the end of book, mixed with more candid shots, are 127 pages of his life, music, films, people, places, and things from A to Z. Every song he had released is here along with its date of release and LP title, where applicable. There are also thumbnail sketches of personalities who either influenced him, acted with him, sang with him, or who were contemporaries he knew and admired - from Johnny Ace to Chuck Willis.

Don't miss it.