Book Review

'Elvis: An Army Trilogy Volume 1'

Andreas Roth

Independently published, 2026, Hardback (8.25 x 12 inches), 239 pages,

Illustrated (b&w/colour), ISBN-13: 978-3000869297.

Reviewed by Nigel Patterson (September 2026)

Overview: Andreas Roth’s third book about Elvis is another beauty. His earlier releases “The Ultimate Elvis in Munich Book” and “Elvis An Army Trilogy Volume 2” were strong productions and well received by fans.

In the second book (but Volume 1) of his Elvis Army Trilogy, Roth focuses on the period from January 1957 to October 1958. As he states in his “Preface”:

“During that time, some of the biggest changes occurred in Elvis’ life.

“First Elvis himself cut off his trademark sideburns…

“Then, he lost his civilian status…

“Less than six months after his induction, Elvis’ mother passed away…

“To make things worse, Elvis was transferred overseas to serve out the remainder of his army stint in Germany.”

The book features bi-lingual text: English and German.

Narrative:

“Elvis An Army Trilogy Volume 1” is written in chronological order (some of the archival material is not presented chronologically) and covers all major events including Elvis’ Pre-Induction Physical, Induction, Fort Chaffe, Furlough, June 1958 RCA Recording Session in Nashville, his arrival in Germany, and attending a Bill Haley concert in Germany in late October 1958.

The text is strong and captures the reader’s attention. It is descriptive, rather than evocative - which is appropriate given the nature of the book.

When reading the book, many readers will discover things they were not previously aware of.

Regarding Elvis’ induction:

“On March 24, 1958, the time had finally come: Elvis would take the oath and become a Private in the US Army.

“At 6.30 in the morning, he arrived at the daft board headquarters with his parents half an hour early. Elvis was tired from an all-night party at Graceland, and there was a steady drizzle, but he still seemed in good spirits and cracked a few jokes.”

About Elvis’ fortuitous (for his fans) arrival in Germany at 9.32 a.m on October 1, 1958:

“Since it was the first day of the autumn school holidays, there were also some 500 fans there, chanting ‘Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!” They had been waiting since about 7 a.m., brandishing movie posters (handed out to them by Paramount officials) and dancing to his records, American MP and German police tried to keep them at least 150m away from Elvis, but the teenagers broke through the police cordon twice.”

And the photo of Elvis kissing 18-year old Jane Wilbanks during Elvis’ train ride from Fort Hood to New York has an interesting back story:

“Funnily enough, Wilbanks and Elvis had met years ago before when both were teenage contestants in a youth talent show at the Mid-South Fair in Memphis. At the time. She had refused young Elvis’ offer to ride a roller-coaster. This time around, things were different.”

At another point we learn about, and see, Elvis’ “new darling”, and it is not what you might think! And earlier in the book is an account of Elvis ‘Buying KP’. A neat account (with photos) is the USS Randall Show where Elvis plays piano but doesn’t sing.

Each text page has two columns to accommodate the bi-lingual text (left hand column in English, right hand column in German).

Photos:

The book contains hundreds of photographs (and archival images). Most are in b&w but there is also a substantial full color section. Given the age of the photos (nearly 70 years!), the visual quality is, not surprisingly, variable.

More than 50 books have been published about Elvis’ army years and life in Germany, which makes it difficult to know how many, if any, photographs that haven’t been previously seen. This is not an issue as the visual record in “Elvis An Army Trilogy Volume 1” is a robust and comprehensive one.

Some of the standout images are:

• Half-page photo of Elvis taking his written test for the Army (p8)
• Distance image of Elvis making his army bed at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas (p32)
• Troops on the march. While the other troops are all in regulation army uniform, Elvis stands out in the front row wearing a white t-shirt (p39)
• Retouch artists’ images of what Elvis would look like with an army crew cut (p64)
• A very dapper looking Elvis in Hollywood in March 1958 (p72)
• Elvis in his underwear being measured for his army uniform. The height chart behind him should put to rest any questions about his height (p112)
• Unusual full-page image of Elvis lying on the steps of his barracks at Fort Hood (p121)
• Full page photo of Elvis in his army uniform at Graceland (p127)
• Colour photos of Elvis at farewell press conference (pp148-149)
• Elvis, arguably against regulations, wearing an officer’s hat (p200)
• Image of a goofy-looking Elvis wearing an army helmet (p216)
• Somber image of Elvis and his father Vernon, at Graceland following the passing of Gladys Presley (p223)

Archival Material:

The range of archival material found throughout the book is essentially contained in three “Scrapbook” sections. These interesting items are a heady mix of candid photos, newspaper clippings, magazine and record covers, and other items.

Many of the press clipping headlines are engaging, for example:

• Elvis Leaves ‘Em Crying At Fort Hood RR Depot
• Elvis Cuts Sideburns: Army Won’t Get Chance
• King of Corny, But Elvis Is A ‘Kernel’
• Screaming German Teen-Agers Welcome Private Elvis Presley
• Presley Makes Good Impression on German Folk
• Presley Watches Bill Haley Rock

Other interesting archival material includes Elvis’ signed “Acknowledgement of Service Obligation” and his “Physical Induction Record.

There are also several informative transcripts including:

• A poignant transcript of the “Movie Stars Parade” article about the death of Gladys Presley and its impact on Elvis and his father, Vernon
• Elvis’ interviews as released on the RCA 7” EP, “Elvis Sails”
• Elvis’ interview on his arrival in Germany

Many readers will appreciate the “firsthand” account of Elvis in Germany by his good friend, Rex Mansfield.

And I wonder how many readers will guess why the author elected to feature only an image of Graceland on the book back cover?

Andreas Roth's "The Ultimate ELVIS IN MUNICH Book" was published back in 2004 and was similarly impressive - Read EIN's review here.

Overall Verdict: “Elvis An Army Trilogy Volume 1” is another strong and engaging release by Andy Roth.

Summary Ratings

Score: A to F (“A”: Excellent; “B”: Above Average; “C”: Average; “D”: Poor; “F”: Very Poor)

For more information about, or to buy a copy of “Elvis An Army Trilogy Volume 1” visit:

https://www.elvis-in-munich.de/

Author’s email: rothandy@t-online.de

Click to comment on this Review

Book Review by Nigel Patterson.
-Copyright EIN September 2026
EIN Website content © Copyright the Elvis Information Network.

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