Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness
by J Randy Taraborrelli
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Book Summary Information
Author: J Randy TaraborrelliEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-06-04
ISBN: 0330420054
Number of pages: 704
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Book Reviews of Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness
Book Review: Well Balanced, Terrific Read!
Summary: 4 Stars
I read the first version of this book -- the one that ended around 1991. I knew it would be a good read, mainly because I've read other biographies by J. Randy Taraborrelli (i.e. books concerning the Kennedy women and Grace Kelly) and they were very interesting narratives that were obviously well-researched. I had no reason to doubt that this book would be the same, and it was.
The book is quite lengthy (over 500 pages), but you barely notice because it is so interesting. Taraborrelli has interviewed MJ himself (back in 1978)as well as countless other people who were either part of the Jackson family or worked for them for many years. He documents almost all of his sources with the exception of those who've asked for anonymity. The amount of documented sources he provides is significant though, and really convinces you that this book is about as close to the real truth as you're going to get without actually having lived in Michael's world yourself.
Taraborrelli covers everything in this initial version, from the family's first years in Gary, Indiana to Joe Jackson's determined struggle to shape his boys into one of the country's most successful musical groups to Michael's life in the spotlight, the burden of responsibility he carried since he was a boy, and his meteoric rise to superstardom in the 1980s. The book includes plenty of interesting and often humorous anecdotes about Jackson family relationships, particularly the greed and jealousies that eventually (and almost inevitibly) developed due to Michael's unprecedented success. Everyone wanted a piece of Michael's pie and just about everyone was willing to do almost anything to stay in his good graces. Taraborrelli even describes an incident in 1989 where a million dollar "reward" was offered to anyone in the family or any associate who could talk Michael into appearing for a series of Jackson concerts in Korea. Needless to say, the scramble to convince him was comical. The family motto? Don't make Michael mad, because if you do and then you need him (for financial "assistance"), where the hell will you (or any of us) be then?
The author's psychological theories about Michael and how he ended up to be the recluse he became are also interesting and overall, very logical. Jackson's story is a sad one, even the story in this particular version which ends a full 18 years before his tragic death. You can almost predict where his life is going based on the information that Taraborrelli provides, and it's not a tough prediction to make.
The narrative includes interesting insights into Jackson's personality that many in the public may not realize -- such as the fact that MJ was very shrewd about business matters and was seldom the "whimp" that he often appeared to be in public settings. It is also evident that Jackson had a forgiving nature, and could never quite cut himself off completely from his family members, even when they tried to take advantage of him.
I'm anxious to read Taraborrelli's full version of this excellent book, which from what I can gather is contained in "Michael Jackson: The Magic, The Madness, The Whole Story" due out on August 5th of this year. I know from experience that this author's research on Jackson's two marriages and his molestation trials will be thorough and as accurate as possible. It's interesting to note that in the initial version Taraborrelli predicts that Michael Jackson will probably die before he gets married.
If you're a Michael Jackson fan, or even if you're undecided about whether this man was more a saint or a sinner, this book is an excellent read about a fascinating musical genuis who found recognition and fame the world over, but paid a heavy price for it. My recommendation would be to wait for the final version to come out on August 5th and purchase it then, or to take out the initial version from the library, read it, and then read the extension after it is released.
Summary of Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness
So much has now been said and written about the life and career of Michael Jackson that it has become almost impossible to disentangle the man from the myth. Recent revelations are only the latest instalments of a saga that began decades ago. This book is the fruit of over 30 years of research and hundreds of exclusive interviews with a remarkable level of access to the very closest circles of the Jackson family - including Michael himself. Cutting through tabloid rumours, J. Randy Taraborrelli traces the real story behind the Michael Jackson we see and hear today, from his drilling as a child star through the blooming of his talent to his ever-changing personal appearance and bizarre publicity stunts. This major biography includes the behind-the-scenes story to many of the landmarks in Jackson's life: his legal and commercial battles, his marriages to Lisa Marie Presley and Debbie Rowe, his passions and addictions, his children. Objective and revealing, it carries the hallmarks of all of Taraborrelli's best-sellers: impeccable research, brilliant storytelling and definitive documentation.Music Books
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