Baby, Let's Play House: Elvis Presley and the Women Who Loved Him [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

I gave this five stars because, having read Nash's earlier "Memphis Mafia" book, I feel she has grown exponentially as a writer and as a journalist. In BLPH, Nash doesn't rely on one source for the retelling of certain events (such as how Elvis and Priscilla met), but presents opposing recounts from key witnesses and ultimately lets the reader decide whom to believe. This is a far leap forward from Peter Guralnick's dry and myopic two-volume "biography" of Elvis, and I learned some shocking things in the process. Some so outrageous I wonder how she legally got them into print. (No spoilers here--I won't go into detail.)

Ultimately, she has the benefit of much research and multiple interviews to pull from, and she does so freely. Unfortunately, she consistently returns to a single psychologist for repetitive views on Elvis's "twinless twin" obsession as a motivator/syndrome throughout his life. No doubt the Jessie Garon connection had an effect, but this book pushes it into every area of Elvis's psyche, and it's too much. Same with his connection to Gladys: every woman was his mother, etc. I find that simple and dismissive, but it doesn't detract from the overall presentation of material here. Given the state of book publishing these days, Nash had to find a "hook" upon which to build this book, so she has chosen to focus on his relationships with women as a backdrop to his life story. I have no problem with that; in fact, she does it rather well.

The downside for me was that, while there are numerous areas which explore a different side of Elvis the person, the book simply reiterates the age-old and, for my money, erroneous ideas regarding his career in the 1960s: the movies were all stupid, the music was terrible, Elvis hated doing them, he could have been a great actor, etc. On the surface, some of this is true, but a deeper exploration might have found a more believable answer. Nash repeatedly remarks how miserable Elvis was making these movies, and then reports (via quotes from co-stars) how happy and eager he seemed on the set. Listen to the outtakes from soundtrack recording sessions and you won't hear a miserable singer--you'll hear a vibrant personality having fun with songs like "You Can't Say No In Acapulco."

Personally, I don't believe Elvis hated these movies or these songs. So many of them influenced his personal style: how he dressed after "It Happened at the World's Fair" or enjoying the darker make-up he wore for "Harum Scarum." Nash also reports that he enjoyed stronger ballads after leaving the army (i.e. "It's Now or Never"). And many of the songs on his soundtracks reflect that style of music. Neither were they all bad. "They Remind Me Too Much of You" is eerily reminiscent of "These Foolish Things."

Bottom line is the 1960s weren't the 1950s. Nash quotes Raquel Welch asking why "they" had cleaned up this rebel so much? But even the Beatles appeared on TV in suits and ties. Marlon Brando made several classic films in the 50s, then dreck until "The Godfather" in the early 70s. I fully believe Elvis enjoyed only having to work for three weeks total on a movie while earning somewhere between $1 and $2 million on profit sharing and record royalties. He was young, he was gorgeous, and he was a star. Of course, I'm sure he hated the "bad" years, 1964-1968 ("Kissin' Cousins" to "Easy Come, Easy Go") when they movies became unwatchable and worse, unlistenable.

In any case, opinions aside, BLPH is a fascinating, well-rounded biography of Elvis with as much source material and information as you could hope to get. Painstakingly researched and documented, and all of it interwoven in a fine, mature writing style. Until someone else comes along to question the standard, status quo perception of his career, this will do just fine.

Just when I thought that all of the Elvis books had been written--along comes "BABY LET'S PLAY HOUSE--The Women Who Loved Elvis." Boy, I thought that I knew it "all" about him; however, the thorough research and actual interviews with the women involved (including myself) were stunningly revelatory! Nash is "beyond thorough" in her tedious research...tracking down every "live" specimen of a woman who had an association and/or relationship with lover boy Elvis. The book really tells a lot about what made Elvis "tick" when it came to women; however, in the final analysis it reveals--to the absolute delight of all his fans who love him--that "THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL" IN HIS LIFE WAS HIS FANS--AND THE AFFAIR IS STILL GOING ON! We just can't help falling in love with Elvis even after all this time; I guess there is nothing any sexier on the planet (and maybe never will be) than Elvis singing "Hunk of Burning Love" in a white leather, fringed jumpsuit. Whew! Yes, and most all the lucky gals who knew Elvis "close up" still cherish the experience and can't quite "wipe that smile off their faces" when reflecting on their up close and personal experiences with him. Alanna Nash's book has captured in enthralling, sexy detail their wonderful stories and present day reflective memories--all a marvelous, important part of the "mystery of Elvis." This book is a treasure and a "must have" for every true Elvis fan and I'm delighted to have been featured in it (Kay Wheeler). She told my story exactly per our interviews in complete accuracy. Like the great screen idol, "Valentino" of days gone by, Elvis' loves are intriguing and fascinating beyond measure. Real Elvis fans need to know EVERYTHING about him! Now we can all imagine and even almost believe that we are the "woman" that he needed; because obviously he never found her!Don't miss this incredible book! KAY WHEELER --[google it)

For many years I would not speak with anyone or give my life story due to people making accusations regarding our relationship and the age difference. But, knowing the good reputation of Alanna Nash (this fabulous author) & knowing that this was a Labor of Love made me want to share just a little of my story and the special way this man Elvis touched my life. The way Alanna portrayed his life and the women who were touched by his life was so beautiful & heartfelt! It really opened up a lot of emotions & precious special memories for me. For many years I just couldn't quit understand why Elvis wanted to be with me so much but, after reading Alanna's book It became such an enlightment more and more as to why Elvis wanted to be with me so much at such a young age. Yes, you might look at him and judge him for how he lived his life but, if you could have looked into his life just for a moment and could have seen all that he was going through then you might understand why this man lived the life that he lived. I was the last fourteen year old before his life ended and I just want to say that I appreciate him treating me with the utmost respect and for being the true southern gentlemen that he was by never taking advantage of me whatsoever! Elvis never knowing what women really wanted from him was always a fear but, I realized that all this man ever really wanted was to love and just be loved...

Reeca Smith Gossan