This biography investigates the dichotomy between the public persona of Elvis Presley and the private reality of his existence as the central figure of the rock and roll era. Albert Goldman, a cultural critic and biographer, utilizes extensive research and interviews to deconstruct the rise, decline, and eventual death of the performer. The text argues that Presley's life serves as a primary case study for the excesses and cultural shifts inherent in mid-twentieth-century American celebrity culture.

Critics often note the controversial and provocative nature of Goldman's prose, which frequently challenges established narratives surrounding the singer. The book remains a polarizing reference point for scholars of popular culture due to its unflinching and often critical examination of its subject.