For the first decade of the rock 'n' roll era, Elvis was unrivaled in fame, fortune, and importance. He was a sensation with virtually no precedent, but following a stint in the Army just when he was peaking, the focus of his career shifted from making dangerous music to mass-producing safe movies. Then came the TV event that we now know as the "'68 Comeback Special." It was originally supposed to be an hour-long ode to Christmas. What it became instead was a showcase for the power of Elvis—a rocket that not only launched Presley back onto the charts, but also fueled the rest of his life. This is the story of that showcase—a mid-career milestone that mirrored Elvis' miraculous rise to the top by breaking rules and rattling expectations.