Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: A compelling biography of one of the worlds hottest talents which rightly doesn't in any way try and put her down like some other sources have in the past. What you immediatley feel from J. Randy Taraborellis writing (famous also for his startling biography on Soul music legend, Diana Ross) is a huge sense of respect for this multi talented Pop Icon who has never ceased to amaze and surprise with her stunning back catologue of studio albums. What this book offers is a fascinating story of her upbringing where she tragically had lost her mother at the tender age of 5, her often troubled relalationship with her father. her strong religious beliefs, her eventful struggle to fame through to her triumphant first taste of success and gradually blosomming into one one of the most successful and enduring female artists in history. As well as that it also traces her erratic movie career from the low budget A Certain Sacrifice, through to her triumphant and utterly magnificent performance in Evita. It also focuses on her turbulent marrage to actor Sean Penn through to her happier marrage to respected and highly talented film director, Guy Ritchie. Taraborelli attempts to analyse much of Madonnas music through her albums such as Like A Prayer and Ray Of Light which each offers insightful and indepth reviews. It makes utterly compelling reading and once you start you just won't want to put it down! Without doubt the best and most articulate book i've ever read on Madonna.
Rating: 
Summary: Tabloid Style Is Out-Of-Touch With Madonna's Current Image
Review: As the "Madonna historian" refered to four times in this book, I have to say I am a little dissapointed with the final result of this biography considering it took 10 years to complete. The amount of information collected was probably enormous, but it's editing and delivery leaves much to be desired. Madonna: An Intimate Biography, is an excellent compilation of the various media news reports spanning Madonna's entire career, but most fans have already heard these stories and there is not much "new" offered. Many of the stories originate from Madonna's sensationalized tabloid past which is not really very current with Madonna's present image and relationship with her fans. The author tried to end on a positve note only after spending much of the book showing every negative trait of Madonna's former persona. I would have liked to have seen more focus on the new exclusive interviews with people surrounding Madonna's career. The author did do some of this, but did not present very many new details unless they were of a negative tone. This style of bio would have been better suited for circa 1990-1992. I did find the John Kennedy Jr. stories more detailed than what was previously reported due to the authors research into the Kennedy clan, but I don't have 100% confidence in the author's quote accuracy considering that his references to my work were close to, but not quoted 100% correct. This is not a big deal, but it makes it hard to believe that these stories happened exactly as described in the book. I saw what might be considered expressed bias aginst Madonna with this book by the publisher (Simon & Schuster) on page 221 where the author claims that Madonna stole her "Sex" book idea for Time-Warner from Simon & Schuster editor Judith Regan. If this story is true, it might have been better for this book to have been published by another publisher. Otherwise the appearance of a negative "pay back" to Madonna with this book does cross the readers mind as it did when I read the story. I would also like to have seen more detail on the production of Madonna's recordings which is why she is so famous in the first place. There are many juicy stories about the production of her albums that have not yet been told in detail. The author missed an opportunity to explore this, particularly with her former collaborators Shep Pettibone, Stephen Bray and Tony Shimkin and Junior Vasquez. As much work as the author put into this book, perhaps he didn't ask enough questions or the right questions when speaking to the interview subjects. More likely, these details may have been edited away by S&S as too boring? At any rate ,this "intimate" biography just doesn't seem very intimate with sources credited to People Magazine, The National Enquirer and the Globe. Sure many other sources were also used, but the tone of this bio for the majority of the first 2/3'rds of it, reeks of the style of these publications. Perhaps the publisher would consider publishing a volume two
using the rest of Taraborrelli's research using a different delivery style and tone more current to Madonna's more mature fan base and current public image? ...
Rating:
Summary: Don't Believe Everything You Read
Review: I have read this book, and i have also read the reviews written by other people. Unfortunately, they belive most of it, however not all of it is correct. Although the author researched extensively, he got many things wrong. From little things (like song's chart positions) to where he got his research (confusing resources like MTV and VHI). But it's not just that, it's the BIG PICTURE. Come on, unless you have the support and participation of the person you are writing a biography on, you're going to get a lot of it wrong. I don't care if he did interview Madonna's associates from the past--they could have resentful feelings toward her and might have offered the author many untruths. All i'm saying is, Madonna had nothing to do with this book, so if you choose to read it, be cautious. The reason I gave it 3 stars is because it was an interesting read, i'll admit that. My rating is based on considering his book FICTION. If i consider it non-fiction, my rating is 0 stars!
Rating:
Summary: Awesome Book
Review: I thought this was going to be a huge let-down; I deplore books that promise a lot in their titles and then don't deliver the goods. How much more "intimate" can anyone be with Madonna's life, considering what she's already said and done? (Remember the SEX book of hers?) Plenty, apparently ... at least based on this author's hard work. If you are a die-hard fan, as I am, much of this drama will seem familiar. But even I didn't know the stuff about Madonna and John Kennedy Jr, Warren Beatty and some of the other guys. Plus, the author does give credit where it's due regarding Madonna's songwriting ability and her business sense. On the whole, this was fair and balanced, and it made me actually like a lot of the guys she's been with, such as Tony Ward -- but the awful Dennis Rodman, who the author gives the business to here, is as much a traitor to Madonna as any man could be. All in all, there's no way any reasonable person could view this book as a hatchet-job, except maybe the see-no-evil, hear-no-evil fan who can't bear a critical word about his diva. Plus, this is an easy, fun read. I ripped right through it, and can't wait to read it again. So, I give this book 5 Big Stars... and I can't wait for the sequel.
Rating: 
Summary: A Fun Read
Review: Madonna is one of the most successful artists in the history of pop music. A key to her success was her single-minded determination to become a star no matter what it took. Along the way she used a lot of people and bruised a lot of egos. Not surprisingly, many of those whom she stepped on were very willing to talk to Taraborrelli, a modern day Kitty Kelly whose biographies/victims include Diana Ross (the delightfully nasty Call Her Miss Ross) and Michael Jackson (The Magic And The Madness). This makes for quite a fun read. Taraborelli does a good job of detailing Madonna's turbulent childhood (the loss of her mother, her strained relationship with her father, even the loss of her virginity!?!) but the book really takes off when Madonna goes to New York in 1978 in search of stardom. We are introduced to Camille Barbone, a talent agent who is the unsung heroine in the Madonna story. Camille invests every cent she has into Madonna's career only to be dumped by the Material Girl when she finally secures a recording deal with Warner Brothers. Early on, we also see Madonna go through a series of male musical collaborators who double as lovers, ensuring their professional devotion to her until she moves on to bigger and better things (among them Jellybean "Holiday" Benitez). As Madonna's career takes off, the men she chooses to date are inevitably celebs themselves. The book is most entertaining in dealing with her many relationships, including hothead first husband Sean Penn, wishy washy JFK Jr. (who dumps Madonna on Mommy's orders), old fart Warren Beatty (as much a user as Madonna), and superfreak Dennis Rodman, who kissed and told about his relationship with Madonna in his own tell-all book (a big no-no in Madonna's world). Where the book falls short (and is kept from meriting five stars) is in its frequently contradictory assessments of Madonna's music. After raving about the contents of Madonna's third album TRUE BLUE (and its five major hits), for instance, he sums it up by saying it "wasn't a great album. A less intriguing artist might not have survived it." Even though Taraborrelli wrote for music magazines early in his career, he is not a strong analyzer of pop music. This book ends in mid-2001, at a time in Madonna's life when her personal and professional life were seemingly at her peak (the birth of her son Rocco and marriage to Guy Ritchie, the release of her two strongest albums RAY OF LIGHT and MUSIC had all occured within the previous two years). As her wedding unfolds on the final pages, we are introduced to a kinder, gentler Madonna who has reconciled with her father and seems to finally appreciate the little things in life. For Madonna fans, it was a great time to end the book (since then, her professional life at least has not been so successful, with the universal panning of her film Swept Away - which Ritchie directed - and the subpar AMERICAN LIFE album). For all of the entertainment this amazing woman has provided, she deserves a happy ending.
Rating:
Summary: A Fun Read
Review: Madonna is one of the most successful artists in the history of pop music. A key to her success was her single-minded determination to become a star no matter what it took. Along the way she used a lot of people and bruised a lot of egos. Not surprisingly, many of those whom she stepped on were very willing to talk to Taraborrelli, a modern day Kitty Kelly whose biographies/victims include Diana Ross (the delightfully nasty Call Her Miss Ross) and Michael Jackson (The Magic And The Madness). This makes for quite a fun read. Taraborelli does a good job of detailing Madonna's turbulent childhood (the loss of her mother, her strained relationship with her father, even the loss of her virginity!?!) but the book really takes off when Madonna goes to New York in 1978 in search of stardom. We are introduced to Camille Barbone, a talent agent who is the unsung heroine in the Madonna story. Camille invests every cent she has into Madonna's career only to be dumped by the Material Girl when she finally secures a recording deal with Warner Brothers. Early on, we also see Madonna go through a series of male musical collaborators who double as lovers, ensuring their professional devotion to her until she moves on to bigger and better things (among them Jellybean "Holiday" Benitez). As Madonna's career takes off, the men she chooses to date are inevitably celebs themselves. The book is most entertaining in dealing with her many relationships, including hothead first husband Sean Penn, wishy washy JFK Jr. (who dumps Madonna on Mommy's orders), old fart Warren Beatty (as much a user as Madonna), and superfreak Dennis Rodman, who kissed and told about his relationship with Madonna in his own tell-all book (a big no-no in Madonna's world). Where the book falls short (and is kept from meriting five stars) is in its frequently contradictory assessments of Madonna's music. After raving about the contents of Madonna's third album TRUE BLUE (and its five major hits), for instance, he sums it up by saying it "wasn't a great album. A less intriguing artist might not have survived it." Even though Taraborrelli wrote for music magazines early in his career, he is not a strong analyzer of pop music. This book ends in mid-2001, at a time in Madonna's life when her personal and professional life were seemingly at her peak (the birth of her son Rocco and marriage to Guy Ritchie, the release of her two strongest albums RAY OF LIGHT and MUSIC had all occured within the previous two years). As her wedding unfolds on the final pages, we are introduced to a kinder, gentler Madonna who has reconciled with her father and seems to finally appreciate the little things in life. For Madonna fans, it was a great time to end the book (since then, her professional life at least has not been so successful, with the universal panning of her film Swept Away - which Ritchie directed - and the subpar AMERICAN LIFE album). For all of the entertainment this amazing woman has provided, she deserves a happy ending.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a very good effort at all.............................
Review: OK, so being a huge Madonna fan, I was very excited to receive this book as a birthday gift. However, I have to take issue with the author - a VERY SIGNIFICANT amount of information has been lifted (sometimes word for word) from Matthew Rettenmund's exhaustive and indispensable ENCYCLOPEDIA MADONNICA (every Madonna fan should own THIS book). I kept thinking as I was reading Taraborrelli's book - 'where did I read this before', and sure enough, Rettenmund was the source. Also, the author replicates conversations Madonna has had with 'sources' or that have been 'overheard' by 'sources' who recall these exact conversations from years past. I don't know about you, but I can barely remember the EXACT words I spoke to my boyfriend yesterday!! The author's opinions on Madonna's music are amateurish and trite - not worth reading. He speculates on what might Madonna have thought in certain situations - WHATEVER!!! This book is badly written and corny, and does not do its subject justice. Hopefully, Andrew Morton's biography, due out later this year will have a little more credibility. Save your money for that one - I have read a couple of Morton's biographies, and the guy really knows his stuff - and can write coherent chapters!!! Disappointing effort, to say the least.
Rating:
Summary: My bible
Review: The only thing I wanted to know that this book didn't tell me was where RAIN peaked on the Billboard charts. If you know where it did, then after reading this book you will know all you need to know about Madonna up to 2001. This book's got everything about her, absolutely everything. What's more? It reads smoothly and well, even those who don't consider themselves readers of books will be able to read this with ease, and why wouldn't they? Except for Taraborrelli's odd observations about the True Blue album (he said a less-interesting artist wouldn't have survived it...mmmm NO!), this is a great book about the Material Girl, and quite a tribute to her life and work as well. This is the only Madonna biography you NEED to own. ONE THING THOUGH!: He gives away the ending to BODY OF EVIDENCE. If you haven't seen the movie, see it before reading this book, unless you skip the early nineties section (at your own risk) or absolutely do not want to see the movie. I hadn't seen the movie yet, and I was very disappointed to suddenly read what happened at the end, because it was in my plans to buy the DVD. I have, and I know I would've enjoyed it much more.
Rating:
Summary: gossipy, but no social commentary
Review: There isn't really anything new about Madonna in Taraborrelli's unauthorized 2001 biography that hasn't already been covered in Rolling Stone magazine, or on MTV or VH1 specials. Taraborrelli, however, does a good job of compiling already existing information and some of his own, new Madonna material in his book. The book is gossipy, with salacious details of Madonna's love affairs, and the many people she has steamrolled over on her path to fame and fortune. What this book lacked was a look into Madonna's creative process, and a cultural and social commentary on the impact of her artistry. Madonna's vision - her music sense, dance background, fashion, and sexual brazenness - helped to usher into the world a generation ready for MTV and great dance music; her strong influence on pop culture is undeniable. Unfortunately, Taraborrelli gets so bogged down in the gossipy aspects of Madonna's life that his book seems to forget her musical and artistic ingenuity.
Rating:
Summary: PERFECT!!
Review: This book by J.Randy Taraborelli is a quite interesting biography of Madonna, providing information on her personality in various levels. We read about her relationships with her parents, her friends, love partners and collaborators, about her views on many issues, her growth as a person and an artist.
If you want to know about her, then this book is definetely worth your time.
Madonna is certainly an important personality of modern culture, and this book is fast and enjoyable and cleverly the author does show Madonna's negative aspects, and does not try to create her psychological profile.
The book is simply based on facts and accounts of Madonna's acquaintances.
I just gave it 3 stars because I found it was interesting, but it simply isn't a favorite of mine.
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