by Moe Zilla

Created on: February 14, 2008

Dozens of books have been written about Elvis Presley, but very few involved this much research. "Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley" is a rare treat, offering incredible detail on the life of the singing icon, and it also uncovers some fascinating insights.

Peter Guralnick spent more than five years reviewing all the available biographical information on Elvis, and he also conducted his own interviews to gather still more information. As a music writer for Rolling Stone, he'd already written a definitive essay on Elvis for their "Illustrated History of Rock and Roll." Gurlanick then studied the roots of the singers life in rural and poor Mississippi, charting the influences and personal development that led him to that fateful first recording session at Sun Studio in 1953. "Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley" had captured the beginning of Elvis's career. But what happened after his early successes?

"The Unmaking of Elvis Presley" represents the second half of Guralnick's research, opening with Elvis's nervous return from the army in 1960. The book details the preparations of Colonel Tom Parker during Elvis's two-year tour of duty, also reviewing the Colonel's roots as a southern carnival huckster. It's an exciting moment, as the press and the fans gather for the singer's return appearance on "Frank Sinatra's Welcome Home Party for Elvis Presley." But soon Elvis's popularity and the Colonel's ambition will lead Elvis to into a surprisingly successful career as the star of nearly two dozen musical films.

Every year of Elvis's life is represented, and Guralnick gets surprisingly insightful remembrances from his exhaustive interviews. He interviews Elvis's co-star on "Paradise, Hawaiian Style," who reports that Elvis "was very withdrawn and kept to himself in between takes..." - but who then reveals that Elvis had a deep interest in theology. Further interviews uncover an Elvis seeking spiritual fulfillment, and at one point Elvis believes he sees the face of Josef Stain in the clouds. (Staring longer, Elvis believes he sees the clouds turn into the face of Jesus.) The religious epiphany lends an ironic context to this chapter of Elvis's life. Commercial demands kept Elvis continuing his performing schedule, including his next movie, "Harem Scarum."

Each chapter opens with the perfect photograph of Elvis, starting with an amazing photograph of young Elvis eating with his father and grandmother. There's a picture of a genuinely worried Elvis getting off the train in Memphis after being discharged from the army, and a later photo of a glamorous Priscilla standing with her poodle "Honey." One remarkable picture shows 22-year-old Ann-Margret being serenaded by the king of rock and roll - and it tells a story that's supported by the research in Guralnick's book.

Guralnick was 56 when this book was published, and it was obviously a project that was close to his heart. But his labor produced results, in the form of one great anecdote after another. Even after Elvis's burial, there's one last amazing story from one of his pallbearers. A large tree branch cracks and falls just as Elvis's coffin passes underneath. "We knew you'd be back," Lamar Fike had joked.

"We just didn't think it'd be this soon!"

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