Book Review: Elvis Cousins
Posted: November 5th, 2025, 11:50 pm
Elvis Presley was famous. Something his various relatives seem to confuse that the interest was about Elvis – not the extended family – who generally mis-represent the degree of relationship or level of contact.
Elvis’ early inner circle was his cousins and high school pals and over time, he added other people.
The pressure he felt as being the primary employer of his family and his sense of betrayal becomes palpable when you read these relative’s stories of talking advantage of Elvis. Odd that they would expect a sympathy from the Elvis fans who lost him, in part, because of the endless greedfest around him.
When I bought books in stores, I would also look that the photos first, if they were all well known, public ones, with nothing new and no images of the author with Elvis – the book generally would fail the first buy test.
Earl Greenwood’s contribution to Elvis lore was mostly to reveal the Nick Adams relationship and contribute to the Elvis Aliver myths. More Southern Tall Tale Telling and spinning out whatever story gets one a paying audience.
Donna Presley Early appeared well after Elvis died, and has a sordid history with taking fan money and being the source of Presley DNA for various dubious claims and part of the Elvis Aliver – mostly to churn Fans’ complicated grief into speaking or items sold fees.
her two books are not really worthwhile, southern cooking and rehashing Elvis’ bio and gossip.
Aunt Lois Smith … honestly… don’t waste your money, eh
Elvis’ early inner circle was his cousins and high school pals and over time, he added other people.
The pressure he felt as being the primary employer of his family and his sense of betrayal becomes palpable when you read these relative’s stories of talking advantage of Elvis. Odd that they would expect a sympathy from the Elvis fans who lost him, in part, because of the endless greedfest around him.
When I bought books in stores, I would also look that the photos first, if they were all well known, public ones, with nothing new and no images of the author with Elvis – the book generally would fail the first buy test.
Earl Greenwood’s contribution to Elvis lore was mostly to reveal the Nick Adams relationship and contribute to the Elvis Aliver myths. More Southern Tall Tale Telling and spinning out whatever story gets one a paying audience.
Donna Presley Early appeared well after Elvis died, and has a sordid history with taking fan money and being the source of Presley DNA for various dubious claims and part of the Elvis Aliver – mostly to churn Fans’ complicated grief into speaking or items sold fees.
her two books are not really worthwhile, southern cooking and rehashing Elvis’ bio and gossip.
Aunt Lois Smith … honestly… don’t waste your money, eh