Rating: 
Summary: Unputdownable
Review: 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
Rating:
Summary: Why Don't They Leave This Great Man Alone?
Review: A well-wriiten book. I've got to say this about the subject: Such a clean-cut, mature, well-balanced lad is this Michael Jackson fella. Why can't they leave him alone? What a society we have created! A man can't molest little boys without being hounded by the authorities! Bless his little bleached heart and pinpoint nose. We all should grab our crotches in salute to this great human being! God Bless America, the land of the moronic.
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT!!!!!!
Review: All my life I've been fascinated by the megastar Michael Jackson. There is no one like him. There will never be anyone like him. One day I found this great book at the libray and thumbed through it. But I was captivated. I took it home and read it without putting it down. There is some opinion in the book but basically it tells the real story of the world's biggest star; his pain, his lonliness, his efforts for humanity and the world. Anything for people not to suffer the way he did. This is the story of a man with an iron will and shoulders of steel. A man who has been put through all kinds of torture and came out as the King. I salute and respect this master. May the jealous media and the people of the world one day discover his eccense. You will not forget it. You will never forget Michael Jackson.
Rating:
Summary: A BETTER UNDERSTANDING
Review: Although I don't condone his behavior, I can understand now why Jackson acts the way he does.This guy had a childhood from hell and the family weirdness goes WAAAAY back....from the ridiculous names to the multiple divorces to the cold, unfeeling parents who are convinced child abuse is discipline. Joe Jackson belongs in a cage. Katherine could have done SO much better than this arrogant womanizer who seems to enjoy terrorizing children. The book did something I never thought would happen: it made me feel sorry for Michael Jackson.
Rating:
Summary: TRULY COMPELLING
Review: As a huge fan of The Jackson Family, I truly enjoyed this book.
Mr. Taraborelli gave a very unbiased and in my opinion honest
look into The Jackson Family. He carefully researched his subject
and the result is well worth the read. I've read several books
about Michael Jackson and every other book paled in comparison
to Mr. Taraborelli's courage to report the good and the not so
good side of this family. Many authors seemed afraid to take such a no holds barred approach toward their subject opting for
a more sugar-coated story. But not this author, he gave a very
insightful and indepth look into the real Jackson Family and he
leaves the reader with a deeper understanding of the eccentrices of Michael Jackson. I highly recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't Put it Down!
Review: Finally a book about Michael Jackson that actually has some stories that we havn't already heard a thousand times! Although not as well written as some other of Taraborrelli's biographies, The Magic and the Madness is deffinately the book to buy if you want a factual, interesting and detailed account of The King of Pop. Written in a way that allows the reader to conclude their own opinions, Taraborrelli says it like it is, not the way tabloids want it to be, but also not the way Michael might want it to be either. This addictive page turner is the best I've read about Michael Jackson. Because the book only goes up to 1991, I desperately want the author to do an updated version so there's more captivating writing to read! Even so, this book out-shines even the most recent books about The King. This is the one!
Rating:
Summary: WHAT A BOOK!!!!
Review: I am a huge mj fan, when i first saw this book in the book shop i read on till the shop manager told me to stop!!I had to buy it. I took it home and just could not put it down. The detail it goes into is unbelievable!So much is revealed about the "King of Pop". This book answers all the questions you would ask if you were talking to michael yourself. Taraborrelli tells us of Michaels childhood and his problems with his father. Never before heard facts are shared, such as his relationship with Tatum O'Neil and his immense feelings for Diana Ross. Not only does this biography help us understand Michael, it also tells us a great deal about his brothers and sisters. Before reading this book i was pretty sure the horrible accusations about Michael were untrue, but now i have read this book i would bet everything i own on Michael not being found guilty!!This is a must have book for not just MJ fans but for anyone who has heard of him. Basically everyone in the civilized world should read it!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: A BETTER UNDERSTANDING
Review: I bought this book about two years ago. I consider myself a fan of Michael's and sometimes wondered why does he do the things that he do? But after reading this book, mostly everything that was said or published about him were fabricated by his people to make him seem more interesting. However, it backfired in the worst way. I realized that he has alot of insecurities, and tries too hard to live up to everyones expectations of him. Also, he's been hurt and betrayed quite often. Not to say that he didn't also betray a friend(ie. Paul McCartney). Even through his current legal troubles, you still get a better understanding of him in this book. On a serious note, if he can ever get out of this situation, he definitely needs to talk to a professional about his past and present, so he can move on to the future.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't Put it Down!
Review: I have read a lot of books about michaels life but none even come close to the amount of detail this book has. It is almost disterbing how much Randy knows about Michael's life from his love life to his religion to his face. Michael is a very private person and this book takes you everywhere Michael would not want you to go.
Rating: 
Summary: Tabloids Suck!
Review: I'm going to use a quote from Michael Jackson and tell me if I am correct about this book. "Just because you read it in a magazine or see it on the television screen don't make it factual." Now look this book is filled with lies don't read it, for a Michael Jackson fan it will only upset you. Frankly I haven't read it but I've only seen reviews that support this kind of nonsense! DON'T READ UNAUTHORIZED BOOKS GUYS! It means it doesn't come from Michael's mouth so why should you believe it? I love you Michael Jackson! You rock!
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