Elvis by albert goldman meet your next favorite book. For 38 years, letetia henley kirk kept silent about her years with elvis presley but now, days before the anniversary of presleys death. It is evident from elvis presleys actions on and off stage that his first love was gospel music. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, he is often referred to as the king of rock and roll or simply the king presley was born in tupelo, mississippi, and relocated to memphis, tennessee, with his family when he was. It turns out that elvis was very into spiritual readings, taoism, esoteric. Mar 09, 2020 presley himself either wasnt aware of or didnt particularly care about the outside worlds opinion of him, mind you. During his lifetime, elvis read over 1,000 books, mostly on spiritual topics. But for many fans and some critics, his research was undermined by his intense personal dislike of presley. The impersonal life written anonymously is described as elvis favorite book next to the bible and the one whose teaching. Under the tutelage of geller, elvis began to devour books on hinduism, judaism, numerology, theosophy, positive thinking, the newage, meditation, and christianity.
Why elvis presley got more to perform on the ed sullivan show. He spent his spare time reading spiritual books or staying in his room, sometimes inviting his cousin to discuss his favorite sketches from monty python. The following was originally published on the bodhi tree website in 2002. Lot detail elvis presley owned and heavily notated copy of. Elvis charged me with this responsibility, empowering me and inspiring me to write this book when he said, the world knows elvis presley all right. Geller has been a longtime personal friend and customer of the original bodhi tree bookstore on melrose avenue. Elvis and the beatles book elvis presley biography. Larry geller, who for many years was elvis main supplier of books and reading material, estimates that elvis read over a thousand books on philosophy, and esoteric and spiritual teachings. Those who knew him well say that elvis was a deeply religious man who spent hours reading spiritual books, meditating and praying to find the true meaning of life. He stated on many occasions that his favorite subject in middle and high school was wood shop. Elvis presleys secret letters to his spiritual guide collected in new book share this. Dec 06, 2015 the impersonal life is described as elvis favorite book next to the bible and the one whose teaching, practice, and discipline transformed his life. Actually, elvis only grammy awards were for his gospel music, winning best sacred performance in 1967 and best inspirational performance in 1972 and 1974. Elvis aaron presley january 8, 1935 august 16, 1977, also known simply as elvis, was an american singer and actor.
Elvis was a little before my time but my family met him and loved him so as a little girl i heard a lot of his songs and saw all of his movies. I do not recommend books, or anything else, involving elvis presley lightly but this book has its honestbright spots and those moments are well worth the price. Elvis presleys secret letters to his spiritual guide. We learn, for instance, that elvis read thousands of books on religion. Jan 08, 2017 the following was originally published on the bodhi tree website in 2002. The impersonal life is described as elvis favorite book next to the bible and the one whose teaching, practice, and discipline transformed his life. On tour, elvis traveled with his favorite booksamong them the torah, kahlil gibran s the prophet, the bible and the autobiography of a yogi. On elvis s bedside table in 1960 was the power of positive. It relates the life story of mukunda lal ghosh, an indian mystic who became famous under his religious name, paramahansa yogananda. Presleys spiritual quest started before the beatles. Elvis bought this book by the case and gave it out freely to friends and acquaintences.
Apr 23, 2015 larry geller, who for many years was elvis main supplier of books and reading material, estimates that elvis read over a thousand books on philosophy, and esoteric and spiritual teachings. Oct 26, 20 during the filming of harum scarum elvis was delving intoautobiography of a yogi, which, along with the prophet and the impersonal life, became one of his favorite books. Presley gave hundreds of copies of the book to his. Explore some of his favorite books in this special episode of the gates of graceland. On tour, elvis traveled with his favorite booksamong them the torah. During his lifetime, elvis read over 1,000 books, mostly on spiritual topics although he read all kinds of books, including a whole medical library. Elvis presleys notes show he probably read this book of. The best books about the man behind the rock n roll crown this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. For many years, elvis traveled with two trunks full of books as many as 300 so that he could read when he felt like it, when he was away from home. Ever the ardent spiritualist, elvis died reading one of his favorite books. The author has been discovered but little is known about the author.
Presley, who died a quartercentury ago friday, was a deeply spiritual. Elvis was known for his voracious reading of spiritual and religious material. The scientific search for the face of jesus by frank adams. A spiritual biography of elvis presley by gary tillery is a remarkable book about the spiritual ideas and life of the largerthanlife personality, elvis presley. May 09, 2017 elvis presley the singer had a large collection of religious books, and his favorite was the spiritual tome the impersonal life by joseph benner. These titles represent some of the books mentioned in his 1989 book if i can dream. The unmaking of elvis presley, his last few months were spent largely in seclusion his only company an array of spiritualism books.
Read our exclusive interview with larry geller here. Also very recommendable if youd like to know more about elvis and his love for gospelmusic. More editions of elvis presley songs of inspiration. Elvis presley books list of books by author elvis presley. All thats left to know about the kings recorded works book. Books about elvis presley fiction and nonfiction books about elvis, there must be many but i only own a few.
In some ways yes, and in 1977 when the first book dealing with his drug addiction came out, the answer is no. In this book, goldman drew on more than four years research into elvis presleys life. Some of elvis s favorite books those who knew him well say that elvis was a deeply religious man who spent hours reading spiritual books, meditating and praying to find the true meaning of life. The impersonal life is the book that elvis had been looking for all his life. This sent elvis off into a whole different spiritual direction and it did not sit well with those in his inner circle. He loved his father but may not have had a lot of respect for him. The impersonal life, first published in 1914 and also known as the i am teaching, claims that the true spirit resides in every human being. This twenty song set features performances of some of presley s favorite songs, including how great thou art, he touched me, swing down sweet chariot, and more. A study in the evolution of the human mind by richard maurice bucke. He has a very unique voice and all the impersonators in the world dont even come close to his voice. Shortly before his death, elvis had given his friend, wanda june hill, a list of his favorite books, saying to her that if she didnt do anything else in her lifetime, that she should read these books. Elvis presley was a complicated man blessed with immense talents and a man burdened with heartache and a desire for spiritual truth. Because as all elvis biographers tell us, it spoke to him in such a clear understanding voice.
Oct 28, 2018 elvis presleys secret letters to his spiritual guide collected in new book share this. Goldmans 1981 biography elvis was much more controversial. It was so dear to elvis that he began sharing it with the world by giving copies away by the case. Top 10 christian gospel songs sung by elvis presley. Presleys letters are from a time in his life when he seemed to be in decline. Check out a few of his favorite books and learn more at the graceland blog. Of all the countless facts about elvis presley that made up his storied life, possibly. The impersonal life was actually first published anonymously in 1916. Priscilla presley revealed the unsettling words that elvis. Presley shared his spiritual beliefs with geller and meditated for hours with him before a show. Isbn 9780793572366 9780793572366 softcover, hal leonard corporation, 1997. In this book, goldman drew on more than four years research into elvis presley s life. Books about elvis presley fiction and nonfiction 92 books. Elvis presley the singer had a large collection of religious books, and his favorite was the spiritual tome the impersonal life by joseph benner.
It has since become eagerly sought after by elvis fans. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Elvis presley and graceland were fixtures in ginger aldens life. Elvis presleys favorite spiritual books on amazon junglefind.
It has a little introduction about how elvis used this book. This list of books was given to us by larry geller, elvis hairdresser and intimate spiritual advisor. This book about selfdiscovery and spirituality attracted elvis to its message and he was known to. Elvis by albert goldman 1980s collectible rock n roll dustybarnvintage 5 out. Less impressive is the other book he was allegedly reading sex and psychic energy. May 11, 2002 most of the general public doesna t know that elvis presley was a student of spiritual philosophies. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, he is often referred to as the king of rock and roll or simply the king. Dec 14, 2016 it is evident from elvis presleys actions on and off stage that his first love was gospel music. The king had specifically requested it a few weeks earlier, having heard that it proved the authenticity of the shroud of turin, said to be jesus burial wrapping. It seems that several elvis websites confirm elviss interest in theosophy and one site even claims he was a member of the society but gives no details. Aug 28, 2011 of all the books, it was the impersonal life, by joseph benner, a western mystic who wrote inspirationally about the divine consciousness in man, which was to become elvis favorite book, the. One of elvis favorite books was the impersonal life by joseph benner.
Millions of words have been written about the turbulent and legendary life and career of elvis presley. Aug 14, 2015 for 38 years, letetia henley kirk kept silent about her years with elvis presley but now, days before the anniversary of presley s death on aug. Letters from elvis is based on a collection of authenticated, handwritten letters presley and his friends harry belafonte, tom jones and marlon brando secretly wrote to their spiritual guide carmen monrez. Aug 17, 2002 presley, who died a quartercentury ago friday, was a deeply spiritual man, said rosen, whose book is divided into reflections on 42 taoist conceptsone for each year of elvis life. All throughout his career, elvis presley spoke of how heavily his life and music were influenced by gospel. Most of his books had footnotes in his handwriting throughout them.
Private nurse pens book about life with elvis presley. Jan 08, 2020 we cannot be sure that elvis read all of these books, but they concern subjects he was deeply interested in and felt were important to his daily life. Set of 3 vintage elvis presley books elvis and me are you lonesome tonight. Jun 21, 2019 ever the ardent spiritualist, elvis died reading one of his favorite books. Within a year, elvis had devoured over a hundred books on spiritual.
During the filming of harum scarum elvis was delving intoautobiography of a yogi, which, along with the prophet and the impersonal life, became one of his favorite books. And although elvis remained a lifelong christian he respected other faiths. Presley himself either wasnt aware of or didnt particularly care about the outside worlds opinion of him, mind you. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Aug 18, 2018 in peter guralnicks book careless love. In march 1960, elvis was asked what his favorite style of music was and he responded spiritual music i know practically every religious song thats ever been written.
Elvis by albert harry goldman elvis traveled with a portable bookcase containing over 200 volumes of his favorite books. Some of elviss favorite books those who knew him well say that elvis was a deeply religious man who spent hours reading spiritual books, meditating and praying to find the true meaning of life. Elvis had given his friend, wanda june hill, a list of his favorite books, saying to her. I love gospel music and i think elvis does a really good job on singing them.
A lot of people have a difficult time believing that elvis was an avid reader of many spiritual books. This twenty song set features performances of some of presleys favorite songs, including how great thou art, he touched me, swing down sweet chariot, and more. An edition of the the impersonal life, published in 2001, is listed as the graceland edition and contains a short preface describing elviss spiritual aspirations and an introduction. Lot detail elvis presley owned and heavily notated copy. Of all the books, it was the impersonal life, by joseph benner, a western mystic who wrote inspirationally about the divine consciousness in man, which was to become elvis favorite book, the. The secret reporter present when elvis met the beatles. Youll love this list of elvis presleys favorite spiritual books on amazon.
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