Inside Graceland: Elvis' Maid Remembers

by Nancy Rooks

If you wanted a picture of the life of Elvis Presley, who better to paint it for you than someone who worked as his trusted cook and maid at Graceland? Someone whose daily tasks centered around keeping the King of Rock & Roll happy, whose every move was designed to please the greatest music legend the entertainment world has ever known.Here is that picture, as painted by Nancy Rooks. Nancy worked for Elvis from 1967 until his untimely death in 1977. Read her stories of what those years were like, of what the routines were at Graceland, and what it meant to be close to Elvis and his family on a daily basis. Read the sad account of her rushing upstairs, after a frantic call from Ginger Alden, and finding him on the bathroom floor. This book presents that picture, one that every Elvis fan will want to see.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir

169 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 23, 2005

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Don't tell anyone anything about Elvis."

Not surprising those were the first words that had been ingrained in Nancy B. Rooks since her first workday as a maid at Graceland in 1967.

.....Can you even imagine what it was like to see Elvis up close and personal in his home environment the very first time?

.....Can you imagine being invited to sing with Elvis as he played the piano?

.....And, can you EVER imagine being one of the first to see Elvis laying dead on his master suite bathroom floor....ten years later?

Overall, I found this memoir both interesting and sad. Most, but not all of what I read here about Elvis I had read before, but nothing about the myriad of job duties Nancy performed....including being an ear for the man. So many memories to cherish of her private times with Elvis.

I found it strange that Elvis never wore t-shirts, but not that he played dangerous games with fireworks or that he treasured his baby daughter Lisa Marie born 2-1-68. Not much of anything was said about Priscilla.

Was a bit disappointed there was not more about Elvis singing, the songs he sung around the mansion, other than a general comment about him singing his heart out around the piano. Would have enjoyed hearing more specifics.

With much older brothers, I grew up listening to and loving Elvis and have never stopped. Watched two of my favorite Elvis movies I hadn't seen in ages after reading this work of non-fiction....Jailhouse Rock (his first movie) and G.I. Blues.

3.5 Stars with a round up to 4.0 because I thought it a well done memoir that came straight from the heart.

[*TUDOR^QUEEN* · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really interesting perspective written by a maid at Graceland named Nancy Rooks who worked there from 1967-1977. She was present for some of the most critical events such as the birth of Lisa Marie Presley and the death of Elvis. In fact, she was the first one notified by fiance Ginger Alden via kitchen intercom of Elvis being unresponsive, and saw the deceased Elvis in his bathroom. The book is under 200 pages, and so is economical and devoid of her talking about herself and home family. She focuses entirely on Graceland and the Presley family. I'm sure a lot of other Elvis biography authors used this memoir as a necessary resource in writing theirs. This was a very quick and easy read, with a free flowing writing style. I loved reading about her interaction with the Presley family members, the layout of the house, and her cooking and cleaning processes. This was a very loving and respectful memoir and about the only juicy details she divulged was what kind of underwear Elvis always wore (she did the laundry too). Highly recommended for Elvis fans.

[Dennis Yebba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice enjoyable behind the scenes read

I really enjoyed this book , it was a small glimpse of the everyday life of an American idol.
Well done and respectful , I would recommend it , very quick read , I didn't want to put it down.

[Pat Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book.

Excellent book.

Very well written. MADE you feel like you were there, at Graceland. Especially when Elvis and his family passed away.

[Danielle Croteau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivant!

Ce livre est un must pour les fans d'Elvis. Elle partage tout simplement le quotidien de Graceland. On découvre la famille Presley , beaucoup d'anecdotes.

[kathleen johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for sharing your memories and being part of a wonderful family.

Dear Nancy
Thank you for sharing your memories of Elvis and his family. A lot of people forget that they all are just like all of us. We all have the good and bad in our lives and this is why we are all considered as one of the human race.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. Actually I thought I would love this book. Unfortunately I did not love it. I liked the content -- lots of inside stories of the last 10 years of Elvis' life at home from a first hand observer. The material was interesting but the way the book was written was not compelling. I am not sure Nancy Rooks wrote this book. Although I do not know her, many books which are written, you can sense the author's voice as you are reading, almost as if they are sitting next to you telling the story. I did not sense this. I felt no passion or emotion in the reading. It was almost like Ms. Rooks told the story to someone who took down the story and retold it without any real emotional involvement. Still it's a good story to read and will be enjoyed by any Elvis fan just for the details given from an insider who was privy to the private Elvis for 10 years and continued to work at Graceland thereafter for several years.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy Rooks was one of the Graceland staff who stayed on after Elvis Presley's death, helping take care of the house until the last family member who resided there (Elvis' aunt Delta) passed away. She recently chose to share her memories.

Rooks is an honest voice about what it was like to be an insider in the Presley household; her memories of Elvis are all fond, although she acknowledges that he could be very temperamental in his later days. Her memories of some of the other folk are not as kind, as she did feel "Mr. Elvis" was being used by many around him -- and that jibes with several other accounts I have read.

The book does suffer from some editorial issues (e.g., "it's" where "its" is meant), but they are minor. I would think most Elvis fans would enjoy this book.

[Susan Krutzler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic and deeply moving memoir from the perspective of Elvis‘s maid. She shared her warm relationship that she had with him, but it was not for her benefit or to expose Elvis. It was to show us some special tidbits, and an insiders view of what it was like When the cameras weren’t on. All the little insider tidbits people would love to listen to, but couldn’t possibly know unless they were inside the family. It was enjoyable and tender and sad and I wanted it to continue. A truly wonderful book.

[Gary Parkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful look inside the "House on the Hill"

Simply put, this book is written about life in and around Elvis home, by one of it's most trusted and loved employees.

It is simplistic and straightforward in its style, flits a little from subject to subject but is a must for any Elvis fan as it gives a down to earth view of life within Graceland.

First hand accounts are a must and there aren't many that show day to day life in Memphis.

[Kandi Gunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a heartfelt story.

This is one of the best books I have read about Elvis and his family. It was told with such love that it was easy to discern that Nancy was not just a housekeeper and cook; but, also a part of the family. I will be reading this one again as I enjoyed it so much!

[Delores J Mullins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elvis Maid Remember

The maid Nancy was a good friends with Elvis. She took care of Elvis like one of her own. Nancy made sure Elvis taken care of. She really loved all the Presley Family. She tells of Elvis's funny side and how Lisa Marie did the same things. This is a great book to read. Nancy did a fantastic job on this book. Kudos to Nancy.

[Grace Mauberret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt and warm memories

I enjoyed this memoir of Graceland and the Presley family. Mrs. Rooks was a loyal and kind confidante and staff member to Elvis, Vernon and family, and her affection for them is kind. It reflects well on their relationships without resorting to the crass exploitation so often displayed in other Elvis tell-all books.

[Ronald House · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read

I could hardly put the book down! It is an up close and personal story of the personal Elvis!! I laughed at the happenings at Graceland!! I also cried through the last chapters!!!
This is definitely a personal story by someone who loved Elvis very deeply!!
I absolutely recommend this book!!!

[Bonnie Fennig · Rating 4 out of 5]

You have to believe this is as close to an honest account of what things were really like coming from a house maid/cook that lived at Graceland for more than 10 years, the last years of EP's life. First half of book dealt with stories of the day to day. The last half was a personal telling of the death of EP and the funeral, etc. Very sad...

[nancy kessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Riveting and loved it.

Nancy Rooks told her story well. I loved hearing the very personal view she had inside Graceland and her obvious loyalty to Elvis and the Presley’s shone thru. Loved it.

[Peggy Klinghammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting and personal account.

As an avid Elvis fan since he began, I truly enjoyed reading about day to day life inside Elvis' home. I did get to meet him in 1972 which was a thrill of my lifetime. Any fan would enjoy this personal account.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly detailed!

I loved this book! I learned so much more about Elvis as a human and her writing is so creative and detailed! I really enjoyed hearing about Graceland when the Presley's still lived there. Excellent job Nancy Rooks!

[Joanne Nugent · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

It's good to hear a different perspective esp form the housekeeper that worked at Graceland for many years. Thorough the eyes of a lady who started out as an employee and ended up a trusted friend of the family, seen the family through lisamaire birth to elvis death.

[Paula Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read





I thought it was an honest account of Nancy's time at Graceland. Read it in one day, I couldn't put it down. I've read so many books about Elvis, and this one was done with love and respect.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just OK

This book could have been written by anyone who was a fan and read books about Elvis. I don’t mean that with any disrespect, but this book seems to be written by another person who has hopped on the Elvis money train.

[Linda A Seidman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful

A very good and ordinary view of what life was like with a superstar. Easy to read and continued interesting facts about Graceland and how special this home was and continues to be. Highly recommend.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok…

A few new stories. More information about Vernon, Minnie Mae and Aunt Delta and some Lisa Marie… not much on Elvis… some tidbits on Priscilla… didn’t realize she had Nanny’s for Lisa Marie but not surprised… she fires a few people… eh. Not a fan of hers lol

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Wonderful read! Nancy truly loved the Presley family and I enjoyed learning the little secrets about the mansion and its day to day operations.

[Teresa Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. “Inside Graceland “Maid remembers.

This was very good reading and I could feel the feelings written I. My heart. Loved it and also loved the maid.

[Cheryl Jankowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart felt memories

It is all the little day to day things that allow a personal glimpse inside the walls of Graceland. A lot of love shines through.

[Nita Hill Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't want this book to end. Made me feel like I was right there with her!!!

[amelia lovorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is alive with memories

Interesting read- at varying times you smile and then come close to tears as you take a turn walking through their lives.

[Kellie Hale Kidwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great Elvis book that I, surprisingly, didn't know existed. I really appreciated reading about his life from Nancy's point of view and without sensationalism. Well worth a read for Elvis fans!

[Louise Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really sweet. Mrs. Rooks was a class act