The cultural revolution that Elvis brought on was a confluence of timing that fit the universe so perfectly in the 1950s and catapulted his shift to cultural icon in a triumphant rags to riches story. While outwardly triumphant, Guralnick does a fantastic job of showcasing Elvis’s early life - the good and the bad - with empathy, respect, and detail. Granted this book isn’t for everyone - it’s a long and meticulous info dump - but it’s worth a read if you’re a fan or simply fascinated.