MICHAEL JACKSON:: THE MAGIC, THE MADNESS, THE WHOLE STORY, 1958-2009 Updated Edition, Kindle Edition

I don't know if you're like me, but ever since Michael Jackson passed away, I have wanted to know the truth.I don't think there has ever been anyone more misrepresented in human history than Michael Jackson. He said in an interview that '99.9% of what's written about me is not true.' He said this long before he ever went on trial.When it comes to books about Michael Jackson, two stand out,  Michael Jackson Conspiracy  by Aphrodite Jones, based on transcripts of the 2005 trial, and this one. If you're like me, when you read Conspiracy you can finally lay to rest any lingering doubts you may have about Michael Jackson's guilt or innocence.Magic and Madness stands out, not because of journalistic brilliance, but because it paints a humanistic and relatable portrait of the man and music. Taraborelli gives a balanced portrait of MJ, having met him many times since MJ was 10. Separate photos show him with Michael and Jermaine, giving him greater credibility than those who never met him.As you might expect from an author who has published many biographies, including three books on Diana Ross (he must really like her), Elizabeth Taylor, Madonna and Marilyn Monroe, Magic and Madness is a gripping read.The further you get into the book the more fascinating it gets. You might not know that MJ lived in Encino with the other Jacksons until he bought Neverland at age 30. This created interesting tensions and dramas described in the book. Paul McCartney introduced him to Neverland, where he stayed while they filmed the video for Say, Say, Say.One can appreciate the intrigue, politics and relationships at Motown. He does an incredible job of documenting the whole saga of the Jacksons signing with and leaving Motown and Jermaine being left behind. Jermaine married Motown supremo Berry Gordy's daughter,and had to choose between family and family. As Jermaine said: "I didn't leave the Jacksons, the Jacksons left me. At Motown." Definitely the strongest section of the book. Surprising then that the Jacksons would reunite the 25th Anniversary Motown tribute to Gordy when Michael would stun the world with his showmanship and debut the moonwalk.As you read about rhe relationship with feisty yet sensible Lisa Marie Presley, the dialogue sparkles and seems very true to life, as do descriptions of encounters with Elizabeth Taylor, a true friend. He captures them very well... His PT Barnum showman aspect, some escapades spectacularly successful, some backfiring.You may wonder about the extent of plastic surgery. Obviously, Jackson was not candid about all the surgery he had.He covers the incidents leading up to the 1993 case in some detail. Even if entirely innocent, MJ's behavior is still troubling, resulting in June Chandler losing custody of her child. She testified in the 2005 trial that she had not seen her child in 11 years, and was a positive witness in the 2005 trial, according to  Michael Jackson Conspiracy Certainly, Mj's sharing a bed with a young child seems odd, and Evan Chandler leveraged this as part of his grand plan to gain custody and win a huge legal settlement, which he did. Evan C's behavior seems very odd, disturbing and self serving, particularly the Sodium Amytal admission, pursuing a civil action without first contacting authorities, there's the tape, and the infamous Anthony Pellicano, Michael's scandal prone celebrity PI.For what purpose would he insist on sharing a bed with this child, and then insist to his mother that either she trusts him or not, and then playing off children against each other. If he has paid out a huge settlement, why insist on and risk continuing the same behavior, even if innocent.Jackson told Diane Sawyer on Prime Time in 1995 that the only reason he was not charged was because the accuser's description of his private parts did not match the photographs. Surprisingly Taraborelli does not mention this.This book was mostly written before the 2005 case, yet he still picked out inconsistencies in the prosecution case. He uncovered the previous Janet Arvizo allegations of sexual assault,trial and settlement against J C Penney when her son Gavin (the accuser) was arrested for shoplifting. He details a timeline for the molestation, occuring 'AFTER' the Living with Michael Jackson documentary had aired, and 'BEFORE' and 'DURING' the several times the Arvizos denied anything inappropriate had happened. THEN, the Arvizos consulted the 'SAME' attorney as the 1993 case, and allege two incidents of molestation. Jackson supposedly committed this crime while knowing he was under investigation for committing this crime, and simultaneously getting the Arvizo family rebuttal on audio and video. C,mon.If the author can find these loopholes, then why would Sneddon's DA office still prosecute a case where this family had already testified four different times, on audio, video, to Arvizo's school principal, and to DCFS that nothing had happened. Was it not obvious to him that you cannot give two diametrically opposite of the same events and expect to be believed by a jury? This matter should never have gone to trial. In fact MJ's attorney Tom Mesereau filed a motion to set aside the indictment.Things for Taraborelli to look at for future editions: He states the amount of the 1993 settlement at $20 million, and in the final chapter says $25 million. Which is it? As it's confidential, how does he know? Was it covered by Jackson's insurance or not? A discography showing chart hits and highest positions would be helpful. He makes no mention of the book . Redemption: The Truth Behind the Michael Jackson Child Molestation Allegation (Unautographed Copy)  written by Rothman's legal secretary Geraldine Hughes, an important book.He does not acknowledge the sources of some of his material, for example a conversation between Katherine Jackson and Lisa Marie. It seems unlikely either would be a source. He recommends checking out Maureen Orth's Vanity Fair series, and I have, yet she has written some of the most ludicrous articles about Michael. I did not care much for the last chapter which was obviously hastily put together, but did appreciate his reflections on the 2005 trial, even if pretty sketchy.Similarly, with John Branca, MJ's attorney. How could he know the surely secret details about the negotiations for Neverland, and the buying of The Beatles catalogue. Who or what is the source of June Chandler's account? The research and sourcing of official legal documents is very impressive, so kudos for that.If you want to know in great detail about the 2005 trial read  Michael Jackson Conspiracy  which I have also reviewed, and if you want to know the whole story read this book. I hope you find this helpful.

I bought the book before the updated version covering his death came out. I then purchased the Kindle version of the latest addition. At first I was quite angered by some of the things the author had to say about Michael Jackson. Even though he's known Mr. Jackson since he was 10 or 11 ... he doesn't talk about him like they were friends in my opinion. It seemed like this author was a reporter just trying to get a story whenever he talked to Mr. Jackson and the members of his family. It also appeared like the author was hinting around the fact that he thought Mr. Jackson actually molested those kids. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but if this person knew Mr. Jackson as long as he said he did ... surely he would be on the side of MJ's family who knew in their hearts that Michael Jackson could never do anything like hurt an innocent child. He went through hardships when he was a youngster; therefore, he could relate to their pain that he also experienced at that time.My mother was abused as a child and like Mr. Michael, children are her world. She worked as a nurse on the pediatrics floor in the hospital in town for decades. My niece is 7 years old and my Mom can talk to her like no one else can. She has this special kind of bond with little ones like Michael Jackson did. There are times I find my Mom `odd' because I don't always get why she feels so strongly towards children as she does, but she is the BEST mother anyone could ever wish for. All she wants is to treat children like how she WASN'T treated as a child. I feel that that is how Mr. Jackson must've felt. There were times when I was scared during the night so I'd run into my parents' bedroom and sleep in bed with them. More than likely Michael Jackson never had the chance to do that. I believe with Mr. Jackson being so phenomenal ... so larger than life he was an idol to these kids. If I was there I would've followed him everywhere he went. I'd be glued to his hip.I can only imagine how these children felt. I don't condone his behavior with having the little ones in his bed especially after the 1st trial. I feel that better judgment could've been utilized on his part since there was such fanatical speculation by those around him not to mention the world. And if people truly felt that MJ was capable of doing something like that ... why in god's name did they send their kids there? Kids and parents arriving at Netherland Valley Ranch in DROVES. The kindness and hospitality that was shown to these complete strangers ... they repaid him by accusing him of sexually molesting their child then demanded millions. Wow. I've gone off on a tangent here. Sorry. But if he truly thought of himself as being friends with MJ, he would have never thought Michael Jackson could have done something as heinous as that. Youths are so impressionable and there are so many who are abused while they are maturing that they become sociopaths and serial killers. For those out there who felt Michael Jackson was `weird' be glad that he turned out the way he did ... but I'm saying this because I truly never believed he molested those two little boys.Moving on ... I like how the author talked about MJ's marriage to Lisa Marie Presley. I never thought he was gay but I did think he was asexual. He was almost god like and gods don't need to have relations! Geez. But there was this one part that he brought out about MJ that was uncalled for. It was after one of the trials ... the 2nd, I believe, and MJ walked past Taraborrelli and he commented on how MJ smelled like musty old clothes are something of that nature. What was the point in mentioning that? It was completely out of context. If he was trying to make a point ... he didn't succeed. That put Mr. Jackson in a bad light so not only would people think of him as a freak but he was a stinky freak. But that is more than enough ranting.Overall the book was excellently written. Definitely a page turner, in my opinion, because there were a lot of things about MJ and his family that I didn't know anything about. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses, though, I don't condone any behavior that was out of context with the principles that we as an organization abide by. Collectively we are servants of Jehovah but each of us are individuals who make decisions of our own accord; therefore, we each individually are held accountable. In other words this is not a direct reflection of Jehovah God neither of what Jehovah's people are like as a whole. I just hope fans and spectators will keep that in mind while reading this biography of Michael Jackson and his family.

This is a curious book. The author is a fan of Jackson's music and had known him since the very early years. It's an in depth biography, spends a lot of time on Jackson's bizzare childhood and examines the effects it had on his adult self. On the whole it's a sympathetic account but as you go through the book you come to realise that Jackson himself is not so much a strange individual as a deeply tedious one. He seems to have no interest in anything beyond being the most famous man in the world and the richest. At no point does he have any friends, his strange relationship with Diana Ross notwithstanding. He seems to view everyone else in the world as being there to further his career and bolster his ego. Close associates are dropped for daring to suggest than an album might not be successful.He seems to have no opinions or ideas either. He whines about Madonna being named as the artist of the year, apparently not understanding that she is an artist who expresses a world view, right or wrong.And throughout there are the children. It's a disturbing read at times, the allegations that dogged the performer for years refuse to die away and the author seems reluctant to offer a view, leaving it to the reader to make a judgement.Crucially, in all these things, Jackson doesn't understand why anything he may do could be wrong. Nothing is off limits to him because he's Michael Jackson.There comes a point in this book where the reader finds that Jackson is not worthy of any sympathy. How far in that is probably depends on how much you admire the art.

Lovely than you

J. Randy Taraborrelli hat vor vielen Jahren ein sehr temporeiches und unterhaltsames Buch geschrieben. Der Text ist durchgängig durch Überschriften strukturiert. Die ersten Jahre der Jacksons, das Reifen von Michael, seine Weggefährten, all das könnte zäh und voller Pathos sein, aber Taraborrelli reichert die Geschichte mit Szenen und Dialogen an. Mich stört es nicht, dass er oft wörtliche Rede benutzt, es macht die Situationen plastischer und lässt Michael wie einen gewöhnlichen Jungen von nebenan erscheinen, der einerseits sensibel, andererseits aber ehrgeizig und zielstrebig ist. Er ist angewidert von Unsittlichkeit und davon, wie die Männer in seinem Umfeld Frauen behandeln. Michael will Liebe und Anerkennung, aber vor allem sehnt er sich nach Erfolg. Auch die anderen Familienmitglieder nehmen viel Raum ein, es ist ein rundes Bild, informativ und schnell vertraut.Taraborrelli kannte Michael seit den Anfängen und er stellte ihm auch unangenehme Fragen, eben all das, was das Publikum wissen wollte. Michael hat Taraborrelli deshalb sicherlich nicht als „Freund“ empfunden, auch wenn das suggeriert wird. Er wurde oft wütend, insbesondere wenn es wieder einmal um die vermutete Homosexualität ging. Aber Taraborrelli blieb sachlich und auch objektiv. Manche Anekdoten sind fragwürdig: Frauen, die erzählen, Michael hätte sie „fast geküsst“; Michael der von einer Reporterin mit einem unbekannten Mann beim Fernsehen ohne Licht „erwischt wird“, die zufällig beim Tanzen gebrochene Nase vor der ersten plastischen Operation (…). Aber auch das gehört dazu, ein paar Gerüchte, die eben nicht verschwiegen werden sollen.Das Buch bricht das erste Mal bei der Jordie Chandler-Geschichte ein. Vieles ist spekulativ und es fehlen Hinweise darauf, wer was beobachten haben will. Hier wird der literarische Stil den Ereignissen nicht mehr gerecht. Man merkt, dass Taraborrelli beim Schreiben noch nicht wusste, wie die Geschichte ausgehen würde, vielleicht wollte er sich etwas absichern, um nicht als „Verteidiger“ Michaels dazustehen. Michael wird zu sehr als verliebt oder gar besessen von Jordan dargestellt. Hat das June Chandler so beschrieben? War Michael wirklich anders als bei all seinen anderen Freundschaften mit Kindern? Genau das wäre ja interessant, aber es bleibt unklar und hier wäre sicherlich mehr Objektivität nötig gewesen. Die Beschreibung ist detailliert, aber teilweise auf Boulevardzeitungsniveau. Ich hätte auch gerne mehr dazu gelesen, wie Michael es geschafft hatte, seiner Schwester LaToya zu vergeben, die er in seinen Videos mitspielen ließ und die ihn in der schwersten Zeit verraten und verkauft hatte.Taraborrelli beschreibt ausführlich die Ehe mit Lisa Marie Presley. Es ist ein Highlight des Buches und wahrscheinlich auch ein Highlight in Michaels Leben. Michael tritt hier als ein liebender, erwachsener, echter Mann hervor. Taraborrelli hatte einen guten Draht zu Lisa, einer sehr offenen und ungekünstelten Frau. Überhaupt schafft es der Autor, viele in Michaels Umfeld als besonders sympathisch hervorzuheben. Insbesondere Janet hat es ihm angetan, sie wird in höchsten Tönen für ihren Erfolg und ihre Schönheit gelobt, ebenso wie John Branca, der wohl ein juristisches Genie ist. Taraborrelli versteht es auch, stellenweise sehr lustig zu schreiben, ohne das es zu gewollt wirkt.Ab der zweiten Hälfte der 90er Jahre bricht das Buch aber endgültig ein. Es werden nur noch vereinzelte Ereignisse abgearbeitet, es ist keine Chronologie mehr erkennbar, lange Passagen werden grundlos in den Fußnoten widergegeben. Taraborrelli damals hatte den Kontakt zu Michael verloren. Ab jetzt wirkt es so, als wären es einzelne Reportagen aus Zeitschriften, die hier zusammengetragen wurden. Der Autor sinniert über das Leben vor Michaels Spiegel stehend, er skizziert die finanziellen Zustände und er lässt mindestens zehn Jahre einfach weg.Im Buch fehlt außerdem etwas Zentrales: Michael Jacksons Wohltätigkeit wird nur kurz thematisiert, obwohl ihm Frieden und Kindeswohl besonders am Herzen lagen es ein zentraler Aspekt seines Schaffens war.Diese Biografie ist auf jeden Fall sehr lesenswert, sie ist kurzweilig und informativ, Michael wird nicht verklärt und nicht der Lächerlichkeit Preis gegeben. Ich war traurig, als das Buch zu Ende war.

Good book. The whole life, and then good reportage on the accusations. My take? The author says this in an interview. Mj was asexual. He straight up just wanted to hang out with kids, because he has a very superficial sexdrive. But was such a boss, until what happend to every great star happend to him. Drugs, ego, tabloids. They stole him from us. He lost fiath in himself. And he was a drug addict, unfortunately

This is a very interesting book. Well written, flows well, a page turner, and quite a few nice glossy photos. I purchased used and it was in great shape. Definitely recommend if you're a Michael Jackson fan.