Product Description

In this unique and intimate volume, now in paperback for the first time, Sonny West, Elvis Presley's close friend and bodyguard for nearly two decades, provides a no-holds barred, first-hand depiction of 'The King.'"Elvis" is packed with previously unseen photographs and untold stories about Presley's personal and public life - learn why he refused the not-so-subtle advances of Ursula Andress on the set of "Fun in Acapulco", uncover amazing personal details from Presley's historic meeting with the Beatles, and discover the secrets behind the King's famous handshake with Richard Nixon in 1970.This will become a treasured addition to the collections of Elvis fans everywhere.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #116326 in Books
• Published on: 2008-10-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781600781490
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From the Publisher
"No one loved Elvis more than Sonny West. He was a true and loyal friend to Elvis and he did what he could to protect and advise him. Sonny's book reveals some of the saddest parts of Elvis's life that a lot of us suspected but didn't want to accept. If only Elvis had listened to his friend, perhaps he would be with us today. It truly shows us how hard it was to be The King." -- Lee Majors

"Among all of Elvis Presley's close associates, no one tells stories that are more entertaining than Sonny West. He can mesmerize audiences for hours with his Elvis tidbits. Likewise, I have followed Marshall Terrill's budding career as a biographer and he is quickly heading straight to the top. West and Terrill. If this were the New York Yankees, you'd be thinking Ruth and Gehrig or Mantle and Maris. Powerful!" -- Bill E. Burk, Publisher, Elvis World magazine

From the Inside Flap
Elvis: Still Taking Care of Business is one of the most authentic portraits ever written about one of the greatest American entertainers. It is a balanced, respectful, and insightful look at Elvis's last two decades written by Sonny West, a true Presley insider and charter member of the infamous Memphis Mafia.

West, who worked and played with Presley from 1960 until the year before Elvis's death in 1977, was there for it all. Many books about Presley are written by third parties who never even met the man. Not this book. West was like a brother to Elvis, and has great insight into one of the most beloved, yet complex, figures of the 20th century. Elvis: Still Taking Care of Business is a roller-coaster ride that follows Presley's personal and professional ups and downs, his mercurial temper, his generous spirit, and his tragic decline. Sonny West had a front-row seat for it all, and now so will anyone who reads this book. Included are stories and photographs that have never been published before! A special section on former Memphis Mafia members called "Where Are They Now?" brings fans up-to-date on the lives of Elvis' closest confidants. West also answers some tough questions from fans in a special appendix. Presented in an entirely different tone from West's first book, Elvis: What Happened?, this is a loving, fun, and poignant book that is sure to enthrall Elvis Presley fans around the globe.

About the Author
Sonny West was Elvis Presley's close friend, trusted confidant, and bodyguard for 16 years. He is semi-retired and routinely performs an hour-long show around the world called Elvis: Up Close and Personal by Sonny West. He resides in the middle Tennessee area with Judy West, his wife of 36 years.

Marshall Terrill is a veteran reporter for the Chandler (Arizona) Connection and is the author of a dozen books, including best-selling biographies on actor Steve McQueen and basketball legend "Pistol" Pete Maravich. Terrill resides in Tempe, Arizona, with his wife, Zoe.

Customer Reviews

Might have been well-intended
I was giving Sonny the benefit of the doubt that this would be an improvement on the last book. I am trying to be forgiving about the first betrayal but, it is difficult. This reads to me like the second episode of..Elvis, What happened. By now, Sonny should know better. His cousin, Red West, has done the respectful thing and kept his mouth shut. I believe Red regrets the first book and really loved his friend, Elvis. I don't feel the same way about Sonny.

Good but not good enough to repair the damage
I went into this book unbiased as an Elvis fan keeping an opening mind.
But after having read the book I simply cannot recommend this book in good conscience considering the way you threw Elvis under the bus with your previous book.

Sorry all I could think of while I was reading is what Joe Esposito said in his book Elvis Straight Up. Sonny I am not trying to be mean but the fact is who are the fans to trust? You or Joe Esposito?

The fact is that you have a consistent track record for being disloyal and disrespectful to Elvis.

The fact is Joe Esposito, Jerry Schilling, George Klein, Sam Thompson are all still welcome at Graceland why aren't you?

If you want to get on the good side of the fans you should reach out to the fans the way Joe does with his partner Daniel Lombardy in their Celebrate Elvis or Jerry Schilling does by going on the cruise with the fans. As they say you must first earn the trust and respect. In your case you might have to spend the rest of your life making up for your past, but it is a small price to pay if you want to correct your past.

Conclusion save your money for the Elvis is still alive movie Sonny is coming out with this year.

JUST TRYING TO MAKE MORE MONEY OFF OF ELVIS
I was so disappointed with this book. I thought for sure it was going to be different from his last. In a way it was, this one was somewhat less hostile. I just think that Mr. West is trying once again to make money off of his association with Elvis. I just can't refer to him as a friend to Elvis, because friends like this who needs enemies. Mr. West would be of retirement age and I think he was just looking to make his retirement a little more secure and what better way than for him to once again live off of Elvis. I wonder where Mr. West would be today if he had not ever known Elvis. I'm sure his life would have been far less interesting and glamorous. If only he could have been a more sincere and honest friend like Joe Esposito, George Klein, Jerry Schilling and so many more. I think we can all tell the real truth about Elvis just by the so many true and wonderful friends and the legions and legions of fans he has today and he continues to create even more fans and many of them were not even born when Elvis passed away. I think we can safely say that Elvis will be remembered and loved for many generations to come and in the not too distant future people will be saying, 'Sonny who? Oh that guy that took advantage of Elvis in life as well as after he died.' Sorry Mr. West you lack credibility. Go away and please stop trying to make a buck off of Elvis.