"The Elvis Encyclopedia"

by David E Stanley with Frank Coffey

Amazon.com: 'Almost as good as a round-trip ticket to Graceland! Contains a day-by-day chronology of the King's life; more than 100 first-person anecdotes from his step-brother and oldest friend; more than 300 personal photographs, letters, and private documents; information on every Elvis movie and recording; bios of the King's 50 closest friends; and an experts-only Elvis quiz. The author, David Stanley, is actually Elvis' brother in a "I'm my own grandpa" kind of way: his mother married Elvis' dad.'

25th anniversary edition, Softcover: 285 pages JG Press; (January 2003) ISBN: 1572153199

EIN: Unlike David Stanley's previous three books (Elvis: We Love You Tender; Life with Elvis; Raised On Rock), The Elvis Encyclopedia emphasises visual treats over written content. The glorious color photographs grab your attention immediately and don't let go.

And this isn't to say that the content is inadequate. This is an "encyclopedia" and the hundreds of entries will adequately cover their respective subject matter for all but hardcore Elvisphiles.

However, for most fans there will be enough written content and the visual side of the book will more than compensate for any perceived deficiency in content.

With encyclopedic type releases, book design is very important, and The Elvis Encyclopedia passes this test with flying colors. The integration of text and visual is very clean, offering uncluttered pages with just the right amount of white space on the "glossy" pages. The design optimises reading and viewing pleasure. The Elvis Encyclopedia is a coffee-table release and is the type of book you'll want to thumb through time and time again.

The subject matter ranges from details on those closest to Elvis to his films, recording career and live performances. As the amazon.com review states, the book includes more than 300 items from David Stanley's personal collection and there is plenty that will engage you:

• rare photos and documents including the Medical Examiner's report in 1977
• detailed recording information for Elvis' full catalog
• detailed look at Elvis' film career
• a day-by-day look at Elvis' life
• interesting anecdotes and refections from both David Stanley and Lamar Fike
• biographies on 50 people close to Elvis
• a trivia quiz

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Interviews with David Stanley:

David Stanley talks to EIN (2004)

David Stanley talks to Madeleine Wilson (2003)

David Stanley talks to EIN (January 2003)