Elvis & Jerry became friends in 1967, when they both lived in Memphis, Tennessee. Jerry was a deejay then & played The King's disks the most. For more than two decades, when someone calls Graceland asking about Elvis collectibles, they are routinely referred to Jerry Osborne & his series of Presley reference books.

Elvis was not noted for his conversational skills however, I have a feeling we didn't know how funny he actually could be. He cracked some deadpan, off-the-cuff quips that you can just hear him drawl

This has to be for dyed-in-the-wool devotees who want to know every "Thank you" & "Oh Yeah!" & "Yes sir" The King ever uttered or his simple, polite Thank You Notes, congratulatory telegrams & holiday greetings. Sometimes I get the distinct impression that The King just didn't understand what all the fuss was about nor why anyone would want to ask some of the innane questions they did. When he was asked about music, however, he waxed positively poetic!

In his letters, Elvis did quite well, even has a lilt that comes through & it's surprising to see just who he wrote to. There is also a fascinating photographic history of this Legend's public life - a who's who of show business & movies!

If you know any Elvis fans & want to give them the ultimate present, then Jerry Osborne's Elvis-Word for Word is as good as it gets! For my full review do check out [my website].


Straight from the horse's mouth!   November 19, 2000
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

The thing about Elvis is he never wrote an autobiography, so for too long "the real" Elvis had to be revealed by "those who knew him."

Finally here's a comprehensive collection of things Elvis really said.

In this book are transcriptions of press conferences, concerts, and letters.

The biggest thrill for me was the publication of the letters Elvis wrote Anita Wood while he was in the Army. As far as I know, she hasn't allowed them to be shown previously (in the P.S.'s Elvis tells her to never show them to anyone).


Remake of other books   October 10, 2000
R. Campbell (Arizona)
2 out of 5 found this review helpful

I bought Elvis Word for Word in hopes of getting a somewhat personal insight into Mr. Presley's ambitions and desires in life other than performing. I felt this book made him seem somewhat out of it during his last few years of performing. The book made him seemed like a lonely, angry soul looking for a way out.