While much of what is in 'Elvis American Idol' has been published before, the author has a knack of presenting the information in such a way that it comes across as fresh and interesting. From a page on Elvis' Early Resume to spotlights on particular Elvis films and recordings, Susan Doll offers the reader an engaging perspective on Elvis' life and career, written with her usual verve and erudite style.

Regarding 1955's Sun Studio recording, Baby Let's Play House, she enlightens us with:

He also tinkered with the lyrics, changing "You may have religion" to "you may drive a pink cadillac" - a humorous foretelling of the car he would come to be identified with.

And on Elvis' often maligned film career, the author perceptively observes:

While most of Elvis's musicals are not classics, he certainly appeared in more well-crafted films than most pop performers of the period.......and, in retrospect, they offer wholesome entertainment that is in keeping with the traditional musical.

At times Ms Doll's narrative is short and point of fact and this nicely balances her more flowing passages.

The visuals in 'Elvis American Idol" are profuse. Unlike the Tunzi photobooks which are essentially all visual, the Doll releases are photo-journals, where the inclusion of text is just as important to each release as the photographs. The text complements the visual side, and vice versa, the result offering added value beyond a series of static pictures.

The 'book brick' size also works well and few fans will be disappointed in its most attractive cover.

Verdict: 'Elvis American Idol' distinguishes itself through great page design and the author's ability to crystallise a complex story and ideas in an entertaining and engaging way. The relatively cheap asking price around US$13.00 doesn't hurt either, making this hardcover book great value for money!