Peter Murrays compelling and highly readable biography of the building presents both sides of the story. Using previously unpublished files and papers; Murray has managed to unravel one of the most intriguing architectural controversies of recent times - what really happened when they built Sydney Opera House...
#2073461 in eBooks 2003-09-02 2003-09-02File Name: B000OT8E82
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy RickRaussso good; cant believe how much I didnt know about Elvis. Clever writing6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. The King Has No ClothesBy Bohdan KotElvis Presleys story is so fairly well known that it has become part of the American Dream canon of rags to riches. A new biography by history professor; Charles L. Ponce de Leon; begs to ask the question: What can another Presley biography add to our understanding of the man? "Fortunate Son" would not satisfy the ardent fan of Presley; but would perhaps fit the bill for those who want to know more about Presleys life but do not want to invest the time in reading Peter Guralnicks expansive two-volume biography ("Last Train to Memphis" and "Careless Love"). In fact; "Fortunate Son" reads like a cliff notes version of Guralnicks Presley biography; this point is evident as one peruses the notes section. Ponce de Leon illuminates Presleys high (1956 television appearances) and low points (1960s movies) in a succinct manner without giving the impression of rushing the reader despite the biography being only 212 pages."Fortunate Son" does not add any new information on the King of Rock and Roll as much as compress and develop a taut; concise picture from various past biographies and historical resources. In Ponce de Leons view; Presley is a casualty of fame. The author points out 1958 to be the crucial year where the slow unraveling of the King began (Presley is drafted into the U.S. Army and begins ingesting amphetamines to stay awake during his long rounds/drills; Presleys mother; Gladys; dies). Presleys lack of challenge and isolation grew as he was cranking out a "travelogue" (Presleys term for his movies) in as little as three weeks during the 1960s. And sadly; the Kings health and appearance went into decline; especially in the late 1970s; but no one in Presleys circle was on par with the King to confront the ailing singer. Ponce de Leon writes; "This was the terrible; tragic downside of being the King. Elvis had no equal; with everyone close to him being in his service; no one close to him could give him the help he needed.""Fortunate Son" not only tracks how someone born in a shotgun house in Tupelo; Mississippi can rock millions by the tender age of twenty-one; but also chronicles how this same Greek-god like singer becomes a parody of himself and ultimately dies prematurely at the age of forty-two. A riveting account told in a tightly drawn narrative.Bohdan Kot0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Solid readBy John MoellerDe Leon excels in bringing in more cultural and economic history to the story of Elvis; peppering it with a better overall cultural perspective that is not as evident in his major source; Peter Guralnicks two book opus "Last Train to Memphis" and "Carless Love".Where Guralnick spends most of his time delving into the personal and psychological; De Leon builds on the incredibly researched work of Guralnick by adding a more general and broader American cultural perspective that allows those new to Elvis Presley lore to place him better in his context.A very solid effort; De Leon has a nice and erudite writing style that never exudes pretentiousness. A very fine addition for those wanting a shorter and more general overview of a talented singer and even bigger cultural icon.