Elvis Is Dead and I Don't Feel So Good Myself

Rating:
Summary: A Southerner Grows up
Review: For some reason this book's subtitle isn't included here at Amazon: "Elvis is Dead, and I don't Feel So Good Myself". Like many southerners of his generation, Lewis Grizzard grew up as a democrat, surrounded by democrats. Why? Well because Abraham Lincoln had been a Republican, of course, and there are still Southerners who are sore about the Civil War, but they're generally the kind of people who are sore about most things. Grizzard's fellow southerners were mostly bible-thumping conservatives and this book examines changes that began to occur in Grizzard's thinking - such as the realization that his political ideology was REALLY more in concert with the Republicans. Similarly, he had grown up in the 50s and 60s thinking that he was a rock and roll rebel and relishing the rhythms of Elvis and Carl Perkins - but as he grew up he recognized that his musical tastes were now more along the lines of Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard than what was passing for "rock and roll" 15 years ago.

Lewis doesn't apologize for his views - and in America he shouldn't have to - and if his opinions offend you I'm sorry someone held a gun to your head and made you read his book! But if you can get over any eagerness to be offended I think you'll find Lewis Grizzard an observant and funny chronicler of the human condition.

Rating:
Summary: A Southerner Grows up
Review: For some reason this book's subtitle isn't included here at Amazon: "Elvis is Dead, and I don't Feel So Good Myself". Like many southerners of his generation, Lewis Grizzard grew up as a democrat, surrounded by democrats. Why? Well because Abraham Lincoln had been a Republican, of course, and there are still Southerners who are sore about the Civil War, but they're generally the kind of people who are sore about most things. Grizzard's fellow southerners were mostly bible-thumping conservatives and this book examines changes that began to occur in Grizzard's thinking - such as the realization that his political ideology was REALLY more in concert with the Republicans. Similarly, he had grown up in the 50s and 60s thinking that he was a rock and roll rebel and relishing the rhythms of Elvis and Carl Perkins - but as he grew up he recognized that his musical tastes were now more along the lines of Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard than what was passing for "rock and roll" 15 years ago.

Lewis doesn't apologize for his views - and in America he shouldn't have to - and if his opinions offend you I'm sorry someone held a gun to your head and made you read his book! But if you can get over any eagerness to be offended I think you'll find Lewis Grizzard an observant and funny chronicler of the human condition.

Rating:
Summary: You must understand the south
Review: The man who said this was whine'n outloud, never understood Gizzard and never will. This book is one of his best works. The style in which he roles off his stories, each with their own twisted view is unique only to Gizzard. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: My favorite Grizzard book
Review: This is my favorite. Grizzard is closer to my parents generation than mine, but I can relate to this book. I especially love his commentary on country music. I'm sad to see that this book is out of print, but I would highly recommend it to everyone. Another Grizzard book that every fan should read is "My Papa Was a Pistol and I'm a Son of a Gun." It is a very touching story of Grizzard's father written with great love and understanding. It would probably suprise some people that Grizzard can write with such feeling.