Destined to Give: The Legendary Generosity of Elvis Presley

Destined to Die Young

AWARD WINNING BOOK

Destined to Fly: The Story of Ron Strauss – From Iowa To Elvis

A Story of The King’s Giving Nature

Destined to Give: The Legendary Generosity of Elvis Presley

Non-Fiction

Order Your Signed Copy Now - $28.00

Destined to Give – The Legendary Generosity of Elvis Presley examines the evolution of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s benevolent giving and the purpose he found by sharing much of his wealth with others. Hoedel explores the roots of that generosity, which was a learned behavior when he was on the receiving end during those early years of poverty in Tupelo. It was there that he witnessed a natural sense of giving rooted in survival.

Fame allowed Elvis Presley to be generous in ways he never could have imagined. However, trust became hard to come by for Elvis. His last personal sense of humanity was felt when helping nameless faces in need. They expected nothing from him and were grateful for the unexpected kindness. Gifting a complete stranger a new car certainly seems like a tale of great myth. Yet, in his final years, those were the moments of Elvis’ truest self-expression – the decent man behind the crown who only wanted to help people.

Elvis Presley had a strong moral compass, but it was difficult to follow at times while in the trenches of fame. The money blinded it. The fame distorted the reality of it. Expectations of those around him and expectations of the entire planet sometimes buried it. However, his values remained, most visibly in the continuous acts of generosity.

The Untold Story of Elvis Presley’s Health Struggles

Award Winning BOOK

Destined to Die Young

Non-Fiction

Order Your Signed Copy Now - $25.00

Destined to Die Young is the definitive examination of why the world lost Elvis Presley on August 16, 1977, when he was only forty-two years old. Author Sally Hoedel has painstakingly researched the subject and offers factual and scientific data—plus never-before-published information she gained by interviewing people who personally knew Elvis—to support her claim that Elvis Presley was never going to live a long life.

In this well-documented book, Hoedel explores how prescription medication was only one aspect of his compromised health and did not ultimately cause his demise. She examines Elvis Presley—a son, husband, father, and devoted friend—while ploughing through the negative hype and legendary myths surrounding the man. Elvis’ downward spiral of health struggles is presented and, for the first time ever, it is revealed that he suffered from disease in nine of eleven bodily systems, five of which were present from birth. This book dispels the long-held theory that abuse of prescription drugs is what killed Elvis.

Destined to Die Young is for anyone who is curious to know the true story of one of the world’s most famous cultural icons. For longtime Elvis Presley fans, it provides answers to lingering questions surrounding his death. You may be surprised to learn that, based on Elvis Presley’s family history and the genes he was dealt, nothing could have saved the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

The Story of the Pilot to the King

Destined to Fly: The Story of Pilot Ron Strauss – From Iowa to Elvis

Non-Fiction

Order Your Signed Copy Now - $25.00

Destined to Fly – The Story of Pilot Ron Strauss retraces the extraordinary life of an ordinary boy from Iowa as he leaves home and sets out for a life of unknown adventures. What began as a desire to be involved in aviation, quickly turned into a 12-year military career in the United States Air Force. Often choosing an unconventional route, Ron Strauss achieved his dream of becoming a pilot. With Elvis Presley as his boss, he even co-piloted one of the most famous airplanes in existence, the Lisa Marie.

Ron Strauss certainly cannot be reduced to the nearly two years he flew Elvis Presley. His story is more vast than that short period from 1975-1977. However, the book does capture Elvis Presley as a boss and a leader within a very unique organization. Elvis fans will walk away with new information about the Lisa Marie and what it was like to be called up in the middle of the night for an unscheduled destination at the request of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Hoedel examines the eight decades of Ron’s journey thus far. As she explores the roots of his character and the motivating factors behind his successful aviation career, she delivers a portrait of Americana. Aviation enthusiasts will also be inspired as they connect with this timeless story of hard work, perseverance, dreams, love, life, family…and flying.

About Sally A. Hoedel

SALLY A. HOEDEL is the author of Elvis: Destined to Die Young, Destined to Give: The Legendary Generosity of Elvis Presley and Destined to Fly: The Story of Ron Strauss – From Iowa to Elvis. She been honored with an Independent Publisher Book Award and a Pencraft Award for best nonfiction book of 2021. A lifelong Elvis fan and history enthusiast, she has a journalism degree from Michigan State University. Sally lives in Northern Michigan and is the proud mother of four daughters.

“I wrote Destined to Die Young because I genuinely believe this is a story that Elvis would want known. He needed to be a strong American male while he was alive, and he hid his pain and his body’s weaknesses. Yet, he always knew he was just like everyone else: human. I believe he would be okay with everyone now understanding just how human he was. He struggled but he tried. My only hope for this labor of love is that it makes someone stop and think about Elvis just a little bit differently. He deserves it.”

{

“Destined To Die Young is an earnest examination of how the genetic profiles of Elvis Presley and his parents interacted to abruptly end Elvis’s life. Author Sally A.Hoedel, in an admirable quest to uncover the true causes of Elvis’ relentless pain and untimely death, has penned an intriguing book to dispel decades of rumors about Elvis’ demise. Hoedel has mastered an enormous amount or pertinent research, which she delivers in an authoritative, yet conversational style, giving needed clarity and perspective to scientific and medical data. Destined To Die Young is an essential volume— a “must buy” for Elvis fans.

-Rose Clayton Phillips, Co-Author of Elvis Up Close and The King and Dr. Nick

“Since the continuous flood of books on Elvis written since his passing, I chose to stop reading them long ago, save several such as Allana Nash, Peter Guralnick and a few others. The book by Elaine Dundy, a dear friend, stands out from the crowd; her style, intelligence, and extensive research remind me of you and what you have accomplished with your book. Grappling with and creating a wholistic picture of one such as Elvis Presley is no small task, and you have made a meticulous and intelligently crafted contribution.

Many have tried, but your work is shining! Frida Kahlo once wrote, “I paint flowers so they won’t die” – so too, your wonderfully well-rounded book will remain as a seminal addition to the story of Elvis Presley, eclipsing most of the others. “

– Larry Geller, Elvis Presley’s personal hairstylist, friend and spiritual mentor

“It comes through that this was a labor of love for you and I’m certain that your vast research and well-written, revealing story will be a lasting piece of history…one that will change Elvis’ legacy and life story and will restore his true heart & soul to that of the sweet kid from Tupelo who dreamed big dreams but always put others dreams ahead of his own. I’m pretty sure he was guiding you from above to help set his story straight so his life would continue to help others avoid his mistakes, and to continue to impact lives so others will find a way to always hold on to the best part of themselves…and perhaps model themselves in his humility, generosity, loyalty, faith, forgiveness, kindness and love. That is a life well-lived, and a story well-told.”

-Lori Bosch, Editor

“Seekers of the truth! If you always thought there was more to the story of Elvis Presley, the man, this is the book for you. Written not just for the casual fan, but also those who consider themselves experts, Destined to Die Young contains surprising and little known facts about the family, friends, lifestyle and life-long health of the man who changed pop culture forever. Each page gives a unique and in-depth look into what made Elvis – Elvis. Author Sally Hoedel does not deny that Elvis abused prescription medications, but upon delving into this fascinating page turner, you will understand the many contributing factors of the king’s early demise, and why the medications are only a portion of the full picture. Elvis is humanized in an endearing, respectful, fascinating way and the story is told as only a true fan could tell it.”

– Krista Joy, Founder of TCBRadioNetwork.com

“If you have ever read or watched anything about the life of Elvis Presley and thought to yourself…there must be more to his story…this book is for you!! Destined to Die Young will open your eyes to see just what it really was like to be the King of Rock & Roll! Author Sally Hoedel pulls back the curtain of Elvis’s family history and reveals the one underlying motivation for his life. This is a fresh and respectful presentation of the Elvis Presley story, fueled by an in-depth look at the health issues he inherited from his blood-line, which in turn, contributed greatly to some of his abuses, and ultimately led to his early death. Sally Hoedel is a true Elvis fan herself and does a wonderful job of ‘humanizing’ Elvis while creating a whole new understanding and respect for him, BECAUSE of what you didn’t know, that you didn’t know! An absolutely fascinating and enjoyable read, which presents a unique and loving look at how we lost a wonderful entertainer/father/son/husband who gave HIS all, just to make OTHERS happy!”

– Peter Alden, Elvis Historian, Co-Host at TCB Radio Network

“I thoroughly enjoyed Destined to Die Young. Its mix of contextual Elvis biography and exploration of the disparate, but interlocking, factors contributing to his premature death are eruditely expressed by Sally Hoedel. The reader is engaged from the book’s opening paragraphs and led through a balanced examination of those causes. While there is necessarily some technical discussion, the book is still very accessible for non-technical readers. Destined to Die Young is not only an interesting and well-argued narrative, but also an important one due to its contribution to our understanding of the genetic forces that influenced Elvis’ life, and death.”

– Nigel Patterson of the Elvis Information Network

“This compassionate look at Elvis through Hoedel’s lens shows that Elvis’ pain due to multiple health issues was at the root of his prescription drug use. It paints a broader image of the man himself and gives his fans a breather from the media’s assumption that he was simply a victim of prescription drug abuse. I believe the author captured the essence of Elvis’ psychology and his drive to provide despite his physical limitations. I hope you will read this book. It is a sensitive look at a man who has been scrutinized from every possible angle in order to diminish him. Let the takeaway be a deeper understanding for the trailblazing entertainer who was so popular he was known the world over by his first name only. God bless his legacy and kudos to Sally A. Hoedel for restoring his good name.”

– Janice Fadal – Elvis Author and Daughter of Eddie Fadal



Contact Author

sally@elvisauthor.com