Elvis: Still Taking Care of Business: Memories and Insights About Elvis Presley From His Friend and Bodyguard

West's second book about Elvis Presley is the view of "someone who was there" that is more muted from the more famous book he was associated with that was written thirty-eight years ago. This book is somewhat better because Mr. West chose a better ghost writer than Levy. West is probably one of the four persons who truly know what living with and working for Elvis Presley was like and the book provides a balance view of Presley. While it is not on the level of the two volume biography of Presley by Peter Guralnick, it does provide a slice of Presley's life. Since so many books have been written by former lovers, friends, ex-wives, and people who met Elvis once, this book is lost in the total volume of books published since Presley's death, in 1977. West's loyalty to Tom Parker is to be admired but Parker was the primary reason that Presley got stuck in the endless musicals that ruined his reputation as an actor. Presley performances in such films as "Kid Galahad", "Follow That Dream" and "King Creole" illustrate that he could have built an acting career along the lines of Steve McQueen or James Garner. Parker short-changed his acting career because every movie meant over a half-million dollars to Parker, who was a gambling addict always in need of cash. What is amazing is the number of reviewers who still refuse to believe Elvis Presley "killed himself" with no help from anybody other than doctors providing him with prescription drugs. Every item printed in West's first book, which seems to still bring out pure hatred for West, has been documented by the above-mentioned Guralnick biographies. The remaining "haters because West dared to write another book and profit from knowing Presley" should realize Presley is probably the most famous icon of the 20th century and that status will generate books by persons that touched his life. Recently, Rivera aired a special "Elvis at 80" which provided another hour about how Elvis killed himself with massive numbers of prescription drugs. Anyone that believes a person can take 200 q-lutes a month and live a long life is in denial. That drug was banned by the DEA, in 1986, because 1 at a time knocked you out for hours and Presley was taking 10-12 a day along with the numerous pain killers like peradan, Mr. West's book is a positive reflection of Elvis Presley's life.

Elvis is still of great interest to those of us who remember him

Mr. West was whisked into an unusual life thru his association with Presley. Most normally he would have ended up going a predictable way and living out the style of his friends and family. But, West voided that life when he signed on with Elvis Presley. This book gives all an idea of what that decision led him to and where that led his own life. Thru it all you can see he was an honest guy and a decent person. He wasn't a fake, pimp, addict or some nut working Elvis for something. West was just the sum of his parts; a down to earth, honest southern boy who got one hell of a ride out of his choice to 'ride with the King'. West is now gone, he passed away in 2017 in his 70s. He had been having health issues for years. Not getting any 'real' money out his life in showbiz or with Elvis he was pretty much broke near the end. Seemed like the only person who had any time around Elvis wound up broke. Except for Joe Esposito, who was a slick operator and managed to work both ends against the middle to parlay his association with Presley into a mild nest egg. Whereas West and others were true and loyal to Elvis 'Slick Joe' went to highest bidder. In his case, that was EPE. That said, and not to pick on Esposito (who died in November, 2016), it just illustrates a point about Sonny West: he was an honest guy, really loved and cared about Elvis and was a true friend to the end. And, after you buy and read this book, you'll see why that's true. The book is a upfront, true and measured description of his 'life with Elvis' and it warrants a reading from Elvis fans and anyone else who has an interest in the subject.

Entertaining and kept me engaged. I don’t fully believe everything as truth, not because I think Sonny is lying but bc it is from his memory and perspective. He only knew a part of Elvis just like each of his MM did and others in his orbit. You can’t know all of him unless you were each member of the MM, married to him, dated him, was a mistress, gate girl, maid, his mom, dad, cousin, uncle, Minnie Mae, Aunt Delta, movie executives, leading ladies, Colonel Parker and others along the way ALL AT ONCE including the man himself. Otherwise, each person has only a tiny piece of him and their memories with him to tell. This was another book about a tiny piece and I did enjoy their piece and view. However, I do believe it is what Sonny saw, felt and experienced and his reality of it. He did have some great stories, and I agreed with some of his opinions on things. I do not like the putting some down due to being hurt by them, but many of the MM and people around Elvis seem to do that. Overall it was good and I am glad he wrote it. Also I do appreciate him explaining about Albert Sachs book sounding like Albert didn’t like Elvis. I always felt the same thing and thought maybe I was making that up. Maybe I read it wrong. Do read the book.

Good book, written with love by his bodyguard. Real truth but no bashing

Backstabbing Sonny is back. I gave it a quick read, then gave it away. My advice? Simply stay away. He tries to underplay his sleazy " Elvis: What Happened?" contributions and replace them with newer, more pleasant memories of his days with Elvis. Too little, too late. These Memphis Mafia guys were there through it all, lived it with Elvis -- the good, the bad, the ugly. Once their connection with the boss (which is what they called him, not 'King') was over they cashed in. Oh, they were all innocents looking back, of course, and old weird Elvis was the crazed bad guy leading them astray. I've no doubt that had they sucked it up (it was really all about lawsuits over violence done to fans) and waited it out, Elvis would have brought them back into the fold, despite Vernon Presley's protestations. RIP, Sonny, I hope you've found the forgiveness you craved later in life in the next one. Three fallen flaming stars.

I only like to read books that are written by people who knew Elvis personally or are well researched and can back-up what they write. Sonny West was a part of Elvis’s inner circle, the Memphis Mafia. He shares funny stories of his time with Elvis at Graceland and on tour. Sonny also shares what he knew and saw regarding Elvis’s prescription drug problem, something not everyone will like to hear. I feel Sonny is honest and not at all self-serving in his book as he shares his lifelong friendship and love for Elvis. I am glad I have added this book to my collection. Highly recommend it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I think this is very enlightening and very tragic. It tells the real story of Elvis' death. Couldn't put it down.

Se puede leer en Ingles aunque no tengas un nivel alto

Livre intéressant. J'aime bien apprendre à connaître l'homme qu'il a été en-dehors des projecteurs. Ses bons et ses mauvais côtés. Personne n'est parfait. Elvis je t'aimerais toujours.

It showed how he was as a person. Not just a performer

Its hard to summarise this book, but what I will say is, if you are afraid of hearing cold, hard facts from Sonnys perspective then it may not be for you, still I would highly recommend reading this with fresh eyes and lose all pre-conceptions. I enjoyed it thoroughly but found it hard when it comes to the removal of Sonny, Red and Dave from Elvis life, such a sad time in Elvis life and particularly for Red and Sonny to risk their friendship with Elvis. I have moved on from Elvis What Happened as I assume most fans have, as we know now much more than we were prepared to accept first time around and what comes through in this book is the love and devotion that they had for each other, in spite of the last few years.

Great