Impersonators Books

"Like me this book plays with men. Provocative, irreverent, acerbic and witty, it offers one gigantic intellectual orgam after another." - Margi Clarke

One of the most interesting - and funniest - books I've ever read, and certainly by far the best on masculinity. I especially enjoyed the masterpiece chapter on the movie 'Top Gun' which completely convincingly interprets it as a gay movie and shows how Cruise's real interest is Val Kilmer not Kelly McGillis.

Shortly after this book was published Quentin Tarantino appeared in a film called 'Sleep With Me' arguing this exact point. I wonder if he had a copy of Simpson's book in his dressing-room?

"Mark Simpson detects and dissects the myths of machismo and its attendant media circus with refreshing gusto and wit."`

`These smashingly provocative essays by the spunky Brit writer Mark Simpson... detonate myths, stereotypes and icons, gay as well as straight. The psycho-social line separating homo and hetero maleness, he fulsomely shows, is much fuzzier than Robert Bly and Pat Buchanan find it to be.'

`This set of high-spirited essays displays more insight into the masculine mystique than has the decade of earnest men's studies that preceded it. Simpson has an unerring eye for the inner logic and pretences of a wide range of masculine enterprises and symbols. ` - Choices

Great mirrored cover, a must for the completist.Very entertaining!

"Wise men say, only fools rush in. But I can't help falling in love with you." That should help put you in the mood for reading this review. "You ain't nothin' but a hound dog!"

Although this book is about impersonating Elvis, I was intrigued about the many details about how Elvis achieved his effects on his audience.

The author is an Elvis impersonator who is president of the Elvis Impersonators International Association. You will learn almost everything you need to know to look, sound, and act like Elvis in a way that will stimulate those who meet you. After this book is widely read, Elvis sightings should definitely soar!

You get instructions for creating your own Elvis costume for around $170 (if you do your own sewing and can rent some blue suede shoes). If you are like me, you didn't know that Elvis used lots of make-up in his stage appearances. You will learn how to put that make-up on yourself, as well as dye your hair the right color (yes, Elvis dyed his hair, too).

If you are simply a loyal Elvis fan, you can be more like him by using only the products he did (Brut, Colgate toothpaste, Wella Balsam shampoo, Neutrogena soap, Scope and Listerine), so you can smell as nice as he always did.

The book contains instructions for making your entrance, putting together songs in the way Elvis would have done, and making a splashy exit. I never would have thought of hiring people to pretend to be your bodyguards.

You are cautioned to keep your act and costuming in sync.

If you do decide to become an impersonator, you get lots of marketing advice as well.

After Elvis died, many people resented impersonators. Since then, many people hunger for more Elvis and the impersonators have gotten better. Somewhere between 3,000 and 10,000 people now do Elvis impersonations. After this book, that number and quality will surely grow.

There is a lot of good humor in the book about what it is like to be an impersonator. Sometimes you can pick up tickets left for Elvis at the box office. Other times you may get a chance to advise on or appear in a movie, as the author did.

The many wonderful photographs of Elvis make this book fun to look at for Elvis fans.

There was only one let-down. The author says, "I firmly believe Elvis is dead." Maybe I'll have to go see an impersonator show after all.

You can enjoy this book as a serious look at Elvis, as a serious look at being an Elvis impersonator, or simply as good humored fun. In any dimension, you'll enjoy yourself!

After you have finished reading and enjoying your Elvis reveries, I suggest that you think about what else may be missing from your life that you once greatly enjoyed. How can you recapture that? This may mean revisiting old haunts, taking on new "old" experiences, or making new friends who share the old preferences. In any event, allow yourself to be real about what you once enjoyed. You can enjoy your youth at any age!

"Uh, thankya, thankya . . . very much!"

Being from Jacksonville, and a big fan of Rick's, I recommend this book for everyone whether you want to be Elvis, Priscilla or Lisa Marie!! Full of memorable pics of Elvis, Rick performing and pics of him with Celebs like Sarah Jessica Parker from "Honeymoon in Vegas". The book is colorful, entertaining and fun for any library! Rick is the "King" of showman himself, so slip into your blue suede shoes, lean back relax and enjoy "Be Elvis" - it rocks just like Rick and the forever King!

As a collector of the unusual , I found this highly entertaining. I have seen plenty of Elvis impersonators in my day, and this struck me as amazing that there is a how to book...

A great gift for an elvis fans everywhere

This is the most comprehensive study of cross dressing I've seen.

The text covers the subject very well - not just here in the United States, but a large portion of it covers the scene in London and Paris as well.

The illustrations are great, and show what can be done.

This is not a "how to" book as much as a "here it is" book. Everyone who is at all interested in cross dressing will, I'm sure, find it very worthwhile. Just looking at the photos is worth the price.

There probably won't be another croosdressing book for a long time that covers the field as thoroughly, and the cover photo alone makes it a worthwhile addition to anyone's coffee rable!

Eve

Eve

As the proprietor of a drag performance club in New York, I eagerly awaited the release of this book, which had been rumoured about for almost a decade on the scene. Well, this book was worth the wait!

Brubach does a workmanlike treatment of the material, including some outstanding documentation of Parisian icon J. Alexander, but it's O'Brien's photos that make this book a must for anyone interested in transvestism, drag or late 20th century glamour. This former student of Walker Evans certainly carries on the documentary tradition brilliantly here, with this non-cliched, deeply sensitive portraiture.

Masterfully done by a man (photographer Michael James O'Brien) & a woman (Holly Brubach), who share a real appreciation of the fine art of cross- dressing & its trials & triumphs, this is the best, most caring analysis of drag & its artists I've ever read & the empathy & depth of perception caught by the photos (some color, some b/w) is alone more than worth the full price of admission (which I was glad to pay in the bookstore!)

Initially I picked this book up on the strength of the wonderful photographs by Michael James O'Brien. However it was the broad scope of Holly Brubach's look at the phenomenon of drag in different cultures and the depth of her observations about gender, which ultimately delighted me.

Ms. Brubach writes with a keen eye and ear for ironic details. Her expertise in the field of fashion and the arts gives her a unique perspective from which to write about drag, but if you think this subject superficial prepare to be surprised. Her humor, necessary to exploring such a subject, often had me laughing out loud. Highly recommended!

This book is one of the best biographies I have read in years. Mainly because it captures Sarria not as a dry historical figure, but captures who he is and the way he remembers his life and his rich and eccentric personality as well. Gorman tells about his personal struggles and views while writing this book in an article that can be found at http://www.angelfire.com/ca3/mattsmind/gorman.html

This semi-autobiographical story of Jose Sarria, the founder of the Imperial Court System in San Francisco CA in 1965, is a remarkable read. Jose has been aware of his Gay identity since childhood and never had a problem with it. In this book we learn of his many experiences from World War II to several World Fairs to the history of the Imperial Court system. Throughout the book, Jose's voice is clear and to the point. Reading his quotes is like having tea with him. You laugh and cry and learn to love a remarkable man. He's Gandhi in a dress and still going strong! Perfect reading for the beach or for gift giving.

Princess DaisyMae Imperial Court of New York

Rick Koslowski's "The King" is a unique story of an enigmatic Elvis impersonator who's making his reputation in the Vegas strip and in the world. A mystery man who hides his face behind a golden helmet, his performances are mesmerizing, so much so that his fans start believing he really is Elvis Presley. When a former tabloid journalist makes it his personal mission to find out The King's true identity and debunk this strange performer's comeback as Elvis, he runs into more than he bargained for!

Writer/Artist Rich Koslowski keeps raising the bar - and then jumping over it. Fresh from his incredible graphic novel 'Three Fingers' comes 'The King'.

The quirky humor of 'The Three Geeks' and his other early works is a bit muted here but it has been replaced with a richly matured skill at storytelling that tackles deeper topics like faith and belief in the absence (or in the face of) hard evidence.

The artwork is also worthy of note - rather than rely on garish coloring, the simple 3 tone artwork relies shading and shadow to emphasize the unfolding story.

Not just for comic book fans or Elvis junkies - this is a well crafted story that is well worth the time spent reading it. Again and Again.

I'v been following this series from the begining and I have to say it is one of my Favorite.

I love this series, it's just so innocent. (even though by this point makoto is having a few impure thoughts about ito ;} ). The story isn't the most origional one out there, but I still wait for the delivery truck impatiently for it. The chemistry is well handled, and enjoyable. This was my first Shoujo series, so it holds a special place in my heart so to speak. I'm a total tomboy so I normally wouldn't have touched it with a ten foot pole, I bought it on a whim, desperate for ANYTHING to read, and discovered an addiction, I immediatly ran all over metro ATL to find the other four out at the time and ended up devouring them all in one sitting. My husband even liked it! (took like 6 months to talk him into it)

My only complaint is ito's totally self destructive tendancy to worry about Mako's feelings! Hello! any more attraction and his hormones will start glowing. But I guess it wouldn't be half the fun if they had a happlily ever after in the first book.

This volume takes off exactly where the last left off, and doesn't disapoint the reader. The story continues to progress in its usual hilarious fashion.

Anything that gets my daughter staying up at night to read is aces with me!

This book was amazing to me, it changed my life to know so much about her was ammazing to me. In other words it was the best!!When my mum brought it for my birthday I was so happy over joyyed. I thank her every morning now and read it every day. i just love lindsay lohan . she's the best!!!

This anthology is a collection of academic work about a relatively undercovered and underappreciated topic: drag kings. This book continues the recent trend in studying female masculinities, especially lesbian masculinities.

I applaud the editors for being so diverse and inclusive. First, there is a black drag king on the cover. Too often, readers assume that if a black person is on the cover, then it's "just" a black book. Here, the editors proudly show a black king not fearing being pigeon-holed. In fact, there is much racial diversity here, including a work on whiteness and drag kings. Further, drag king lovers are included. I especially enjoyed the poem "A Voice from the Audience" by king fan Ann Tweedy. This book even has an entry from a male-born contributor.

My only warning is that this book is HIGHLY academic. Less experienced readers may be disappointed. However, professors and students or women's and gay studies will love it. Do peep this work if you can.