In September 1958, U.S. Army Private 53310761, Elvis Presley, sailed for Germany as part of the 3rd Armored Division. just twenty-three years old, he was, arguably, the most famous man on earth.

Nearly thirty years later Andreas SchrÖer, a German private eye fascinated by Elvis, spent seven years completing the awesome task of reconstructing Elvis's time in Germany. He tracked down Elvis's friends, acquaintances, and admirers-even a previously unknown German girl with whom Elvis had a secret relationship. Their stories, together with more than 270 rare photographs from their personal collections, are presented here.

Private Presley traces the story of Elvis's two years in the army: the trauma of his mother's death just three weeks before he left for Germany; the media circus of his arrival and the constant attention of the press during his stay; his first experiments with drugs; the girls with whom he was and was not involved; his early encounters with his future wife, Priscilla, who was just fourteen when they met; and his triumphant return to America.

Although the life of Elvis Presley was filled with controversy, it is widely acknowledged that his time in Germany was a crucial watershed in his career as well as in his private life. It is also the least documented period of his life, making Private Presley the only accurate study of the rock legend as soldier.