Boxcar issued a literally heavy weight book on Elvis’ mansion.
Design
The book comes in a hard box and both the box and book cover are beautiful. Also the inside is a treat for the eye… well designed, tasteful colour combinations and a good text lay-out gives the book a very professional look.
Content
The 448 pages are roughly divided in two parts: the first mainly on Graceland (255 pages), the second on Elvis on or near the grounds during the time he owned the mansion.
The part on Graceland itself focusses on the history, the blueprint and the rooms, also upstairs. There are newspaper clippings, contracts, background information and of course tons of pictures. I can’t say I am fond of Elvis’ taste, to me it looks more like a bordello mostly… but I loved the pictures of Linda Thompson. The collected information is interesting and well written (or edited). Also in this part there are quite some shots of Elvis, mainly candid shots. Though they have an intimacy I like, they fit not on the full size, which happens sometimes. This is the only slight comment I can make on the design (oops, should have done that earlier).
For the very curious: the upstairs photos are not many and not in too good quality (in opposite of most pictures of the rooms).
The “through the years” part with Elvis are mainly candid shots, but also the few professional shoots (With Yvonne Lime, A Date With Elvis among others) that were done on the Graceland grounds. There are also some newspaper clippings in this part, on the visitors and Gladys’ death for instance.
Conclusion
To be honest I thought “do we really need this, another book on Graceland” when it was announced. The final product makes me happy to have it in my collection, a real beauty: not only a physical heavy weight, but also figural!
Seems like a nice book, but how much can one person really buy this summer? Or really need to have? None of these products are cheap. Was a time when a serious Elvis collector had to have it all. Today that serious collector has to be wealthy in order to keep up with it all. If I was starting out, I'd rather save and get a nice 50's piece, which is a real part of history
Though this may be a wonderful book I decided not to buy this type of expensive books anymore for many a reason. Firstly I agree with DGirl. In this time of need I rather spend my money on cds ( as I listen to them more often than going through my book collection!) or on wholesome activities for the benefit of those in real need. Then some time ago I wondered how many books I still will be able to read in my life time (not so many anymore), so those I still can must be uplifting spiritually. Anyway ELVIS is - for me - all about his music anyway. And a cd I can listen to in the car. As this is a limited edition (like many now-a-days) my skiping out leaves more for those who collect the.
Stunning!! Beautiful Book!! Joseph knows how to produce a masterpiece...
Great book but no new pictures for me in it except one or two. But great job & well done?
I would love to purchase this book but I'm having a difficult time finding it, agreed it is rather expensive but I would still love to have it. I know Elvis Australia has it but the shipping cost is out ot this world! ANybody our there have any suggestions? Thanks much!
A lavish presentation and the definitive book of Graceland. A bit steep in price given that I was already familiar with the majority of photos and it offered nothing new in the way of text. A coffee table book perhaps ? I feel that this is a book that I will rarely return to which is a shame. Personally I would argue that the "Elvis Files" are the best on the market at the moment and if given the choice and you're watching your pennies, go for one of these beauties instead.
Save all your money on these items and buy some original Suns. They never lose their value. Books never hold theirs. I tried to sell some and was offered peanuts. I would like to know the sum cost of all the FTDs, Books, etc that came out in 2012. I bet the price is staggering. Elvis action figures? Geez
I agree Steve V. I recently sold some Tunzi's and Shavers on ebay and made next to nothing. Shocked to say the least. Thought that I would clear some room at home and be a bit more disciplined with my future buys. The music is where it's at.
Sandi, despite what the European sites have been saying (to make sure you buy the book from them...) I received mine with no trouble from Amazon, fair price & P&P free! Not sure where you live, but I am in England. Good luck!!
i was leary of buying this because of what i read about it , especially all the bashing that ger rijff did , but i never cared for rijff or his over priced under produced and mych hyped crap . SO i bought this and i'm glad i did as there are some real great photos ones that the sheriff hanna /ELVIS unlimited book did not contain and this is far superior in production over that , what a great job and it shoes. it is a great addition to the ELVIS library.
I also enjoyed this book. Joseph have collected a lot of info, and the best quality versions of most of the pictures presented in this stunning product. If you are interested in an in depth history of Elvis' Graceland, this is the book you should buy! My only negative comment would be that it contains no photos of Elvis' private bathroom, the place where he died. I have seen pictures of the bathroom in various magazines through the years, so I cannot understand why he left this historic room out of the book? Maybe he's aiming for the sales shelves outside Graceland today, and did not want to risk a boycot from Elvis Presley Inc....?
