Michael Jackson:: The Magic, the Madness, the Whole Story, 1958-2009

by J. Randy Taraborrelli

Book Overview

Cutting through tabloid rumors, Taraborrelli provides an objective and revealing look as he traces the real story of Michael Jackson, from his rise as a child star through to his ever-changing personal appearance and bizarre publicity stunts to his untimely death.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446564745
• ISBN13: 9780446564748
• Release Date: August 2009
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 784 Pages
• Weight: 2.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.8" x 6.5" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Review, The music, The madness, The whole story

This book was a great purchase, one that leaves out all the garbage about MJ and sometimes that's hard to find. A must read for true fans. At a whopping 700+ pages it's a great read, and great bargain. I did wonder about the validity of some of the into but all in all i think most is very good, and coming from someone who has obviously followed MJ's career from early on. This book gets the thumbs up for sure!

A "must read" for both fans and critics of Michael Jackson

Before Michael's death, I had never heard of the author of this book, J. Randy Taraborrelli, nor had I remembered how much I really loved Michael Jackson as an artist. My grandmother bought me the "Thriller" album when I was five-years-old! Even grandma did not escape the knowledge that this album and musical genius was one of kind and always would be. I would play it over and over again even as a small child. The song, "Thriller" was my favorite. The scary laugh at the end would get me every time! I have been a fan of Michael's music for the past 27 years. No celebrity death has hit me like when Michael Jackson died. I felt, as did many others, like I "grew up with him." Besides him being an incredible musical genius, he did so many wonderful things for not only people who knew, but complete strangers. I was in love with his musical talent as well as his heart. Over the years, I had children, went to work, and etc. But his music was never too far from my heart. His death brought back incredible nostalgia. I bought Taraborreli's book shortly after Michael's death. After reading it, I am and always will be mesmerized by Michael's life. No one on this earth would have an effortless time dealing with all that he had to deal with. But I also agree with the author that Michael also made things difficult for himself as well. Who doesn't? If many of our lives were put under a microscope like Michael Jackson's has been since he was a young boy, how would we fair? I have to admit I cringed on the inside reading about the molestations. I have not been swayed either way in my beliefs of whether he is guilty or not. I am still just as foggy as I've ever been. For all the evidence that there was against him, there was always compelling evidence pointing to his innocence. One thing I know for sure is that my opinion really doesn't matter. There is only one judge in this life, and that is God. So I leave the molestation issue there, even though I pray and wish no child ever has to endure sexual of physical abuse of any kind, but I know that is not a reality. I thought this book demonstrated the truly human side of Michael Jackson and what all he endured in life, both good and bad. His life was filled with incredible blessings coupled with just as many tragedies. The physical and emotional abuse he suffered as a child is very serious. Not everyone "gets over it" as many people felt he should have by now. Suffering from child abuse can and does cripple people for life if they do not receive any help, no matter how rich and famous they are. Money, fame, drugs, and other people do not erase the pain as many onlookers may have thought it should have for Michael. I felt a wide range of emotions for him. I felt compassion, admiration, confusion, respect, and absolute amazement. Underneath it all, Michael was a human being, and people need to remember that. Even if he did seem "superhuman" and may have even viewed himself in that light. I think Taraborreli did jus

Eccentric but not Evil

I loved this book. I read it so fast and it's a thick book. I recently read "Be Careful who you Love". And it was so obviously biased and tabloid cheap- it left a really bad taste in my mouth. People have labeled that one un-biased ok not true for sure. This author has a lot more legitimate interviews and a lot more compassion. But he is also real about how Michael is eccentric he has played the victim role a lot rather than take hold of his life. What I discovered and found most shocking really was Michael and Lisa Marie really had something sexual and honest for a minute. The truth as the author puts it really is stranger than fiction. They really did love each other. I think Michael has been through a tedious three ring circus of a life. He has been through hell really. At the end of the day at least he has been able to maintain compassion, believe in God, Love his children his fans and despite everything his family. Personally I believe it to be his best attribute. I thought the book was very fair. Read it if you are interested in the truth about Mr. Jackson.

Unputdownable

A riveting read in the typical conversational style of Taraborrelli. I zipped through it in about 1 week and couldn't put it down. It details Jackson's early life to the present day and you definitely get an excellent interpretation of how the crazy success of his youth, coupled with difficult family relationships shaped the man and his actions today. It is certainly testimony to the destructive nature of phenomenal wealth on a family, where greed seems to be the prime motivator even though they do love each other also. I suppose every family's dynamics are different and even difficult and the Jacksons have certainly lived theirs in the spotlight. Taraborelli gives a very good insight into Jackson's character and you begin to understand some of the choices good and bad that he has made and is still making in his life. He is someone who has rarely experienced the word "NO" and this is obvious in his approach to situations - giving a very good impression of a belligerent teenager at times. It's good to see photos as well, cause you can do a chronology of the changes made through plastic surgery and see finally the devastation of his face today. It is very sad, especially when you see photos of him in 1983-1984 when he was musically and physically insurmontable. Unfortunately the way Jackson has chosen to live his life has overshadowed the incredibile musical legacy and sometimes I tend to forget what an important contributor he has been to our times. Definitely a book for anyone who is interested in the ordinary and extraordinary - very well written - the style is only eclipsed by the subject matter - the Enigma that is Michael Jackson

A book to read and RE-read

excellent excellent book. Highly entertaining, detailed, objective. Forget about the other MJ biographies, cuz this book gives you the low-down on everything, the "behind-the-scenes". It covers not only his life, but the inner-motivations of his decisions, mind, thoughts, reasoning, relationships especially. Excellent!