Book Description

Nine-time NBA Champion coach Phil Jackson knows all about being in the spotlight-about high-profile, high-pressure seasons coaching gigantic personalities through adversity and controversy in the middle of a media hothouse in which every move is another headline, another installment in the soap opera. But nothing-not six championships with the Bulls of Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen, not three previous championships with the Lakers of Shaq and Kobe-had quite prepared him for the only-in-Hollywood high-wire act of the Lakers' 2003-2004 season.

In The Last Season, Jackson tells the full inside story of the season that proved to be the final ride for this great Lakers dynasty. From its beginnings in the off-season-with the signing of the future Hall-of-Famers Karl Malone and Gary Payton and the enormous expectations it created, and the bombshell news of the felony sexual assault charges against Kobe Bryant, one of the league's marquee superstars-Jackson describes the many challenges that arose during this turbulent season. Juggling enormous egos with enormous sums at stake, managing difficult relationships and public feuds, facing injuries, contract disputes, and team meltdowns, all in the shadow of the Kobe Bryant trial-slash-media circus, Phil Jackson somehow guided his team through to its fourth NBA Finals in his five years as its coach. There, finally, his team ran out of road, a failure Jackson examines with the same deep honesty and wisdom he brings to bear on the rest of this amazing season.

Few seasons in memory can rival this one for drama, and fewer coaches rival Phil Jackson in the ability to write about it with such wisdom and clarity. The combination has produced, in The Last Season, a book of tremendous human drama and timeless appeal, rich in lessons about coaching and about life.

With the honesty and insight that are his hallmarks, one of the most successful coaches in the history of basketball offers his personal account of a season like no other-the extraordinary ride of the 2003-2004 Los Angeles Lakers ... Read more

Book Description

"Some of the rumors are true, some of the rumors are false, and a lot of the tales are just plain weird.There are speculations about sex, allegations of unchecked greed and suggestions of a highly dysfunctional family."

THE BOSTON GLOBE

After hundreds of interviews, celebrity biography J. Randy Taraborrelli tackes the rujors andinnendo that hover over the extraordinarily popular and talented family from Gary, Indiana.He traces the real story behind Michael's extensive plastic surgery; his bizarre publicity stunts; the mini-Disneyland built for his private use; the exciting Motown days of chart-busting records and tours; the phenomenal solo success that has brought Michael undreamed-of wealth and also great personal pain, and much more.It's the whole Jackson Family saga, and it's all in here.

... Read more

Reviews (23)

WHAT A BOOK!!!!
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!!!!!!

THE BEST BIOGRAPHY EVER WRITTEN!
J. Randy Taborelli has written a compelling and engrossing biography of Jackson and his family. Taborelli is obviously a huge fan of Michael and his brother's music. His analysis of their career is brilliant. Taborelli's insight into the record business is fascinating. Especially interesting is his knowledge of Berry Gordy and Motown. I really enjoyed reading about The Jackson 5's split from Motown to go to Epic records. Taborelli tells truth about the jacksons; warts and all. But unlike sleazy talentless biographers, Taborelli puts heart and humor into his work. Taborelli, like the people who would want to buy his book, obviosly cares a great deal about Michael and his music.

A BETTER UNDERSTANDING
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.

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!

It made me feel sorry for Michael
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. ... Read more

Book Description

In 2002, as Sierra Leone prepared to announce the end of its brutal civil war, the distinguished anthropologist, poet, and novelist Michael Jackson returned to the country where he had intermittently lived and worked as an ethnographer since 1969. While his initial concern was to help his old friend Sewa Bockarie (S. B.) Marah—a prominent figure in Sierra Leonean politics—write his autobiography, Jackson’s experiences during his stay led him to create a more complex work: In Sierra Leone, a beautifully rendered mosaic integrating S. B.’s moving stories with personal reflections, ethnographic digressions, and meditations on history and violence.

Though the Revolutionary United Front (R.U.F.) ostensibly fought its war (1991–2002) against corrupt government, the people of Sierra Leone were its victims. By the time the war was over, more than fifty thousand were dead, thousands more had been maimed, and over one million were displaced. Jackson relates the stories of political leaders and ordinary people trying to salvage their lives and livelihoods in the aftermath of cataclysmic violence. Combining these with his own knowledge of African folklore, history, and politics and with S. B.’s bittersweet memories—of his family’s rich heritage, his imprisonment as a political detainee, and his position in several of Sierra Leone’s post-independence governments—Jackson has created a work of elegiac, literary, and philosophical power. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Michael Jackson is to music what Ali is to boxing - #1
I've always wanted to just sit down and speak with Michael Jackson to find out what kind of person he is. What makes him tick? What does he think of the media who's always riding him about his personal life? What about the rumors and myths such as him buying the elephant man's bones and sleeping in an machine.
This book gives clear insight on the life of Michael Jackson through the eyes of Michael Jackson (not the press or the National Inquirer or any other media outlet). If you find this book, treasure it - I absolutely love autobiographies because you'll never here a story told from the view of that individual unless you hear it directly from him or her. I've read it once and I will read "Moonwalk" again!
ERIC

Michael's Own Words
This book was clearly written from his heart and is the truth about his life.Only Michael himself knows how he thinks and how he feels in his heart.Michael Jackson is one of the most misunderstood person on earth.He tells about his relationships with his brothers,family,and fans.If your a michael Jackson fan you will find out new things about Michael,and if your not a fan of him you will see you totaly misjudged the King Of Pop.His Autobiography is a great book and only takes about 3 hours to read.So take the time to find out things you never hear about him,and get the truth instead of the rumors.

Should have been advertised as fiction
A total whitewash...a world as Michael Jackson thinks it should be.

A MUST HAVE for every MJ fan!
If you've ever wondered about the early years of Michael's life, this book is for you. Written by Mike himself, the book goes into details about his childhood, the way to success with Jackson 5, the beginning of his solo career and the stories behind his famous songs like "Billie Jean". The only bad thing is that it's too short. It made me want more. I hope a follow-up will be written.

What do we REALLY know about MJ? This book will tell you...
Okay, we all may know what Michael Jackson is all about these days. We know that he dangled his youngest child over a balcony in Germany, he has totally altered his face since the earlier days,and yes, his skin is currently white, but wait! Stop there for just a second.

Go back to the year 1988. Michael Jackson is still capitalizing on the success of his first two major-label albums and has just released his third album, Bad. He is wondering what's next for him. He decides to write a tell-all autobiography, explaining his past, present, and future in music and the entertainment business. He also explains his love life, his ability to come up with extraordiary music, short films, and even dance moves, and also tries to clear up some of the nasty rumors that have since plagued his career.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the single greatest autobiography I have ever read in my life! Not only does Michael express his feelings about music, children, and personal life, but he also displays true detail and emotion within every single sentence. If you are a die-hard Michael Jackson fan, you will really want this book!

No matter what anybody will ever say about him, Michael Jackson is, has been, and always will be the greatest musical artist in the history of this world! ... Read more

Book Description

From the foreword:

"Carefully researched, elegantly written, and thoughtfully argued. . . . A superb case study of a professor who plowed the fields of racial change in Virginia before, during, and following World War II. . . . Jackson's determined and indefatigable voting rights crusade helped blacks move from the past to the present, from the indignities of Jim Crow to the new freedoms and responsibilities of full citizenship."

"No student of mid-century America can fully understand the transformation of the South and the origins of the civil rights movement without reference to the work and life of Luther P. Jackson. . . . [This work] sheds light on the evolution of African-American ideology, the roots of the civil rights movement, and the unraveling of segregation."--Andrew Lewis, coeditor of The Moderates' Dilemma: Massive Resistance to School Desegregation in Virginia

During the 1930s and 1940s, when America had little interest in addressing racial inequality, Luther P. Jackson became a leading voice in the struggle for racial justice. This biography tells the story of the professor and political activist who cajoled, implored, and lobbied black Virginians to vote--a man who fervently believed that education was at the core of the search for social change.

Long before the sit-ins and freedom marches of the 1960s, Jackson strove to erase the assumptions of racial inferiority that infected African Americans. Understanding that blacks had to change their minds before they could change their world, he set out to make people "vote conscious."

Descended from ex-slaves, Jackson was born in 1892, attended school in Lexington, Kentucky, and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Fisk University in Tennessee and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. Until his untimely death in 1950, he taught at Virginia State University in Petersburg. Convinced that teachers could sow the seeds of racial equality, he mobilized them along with their students and families. By publishing, organizing, and proselytizing on behalf of voting, Jackson stimulated a political awakening among black Virginians.

As a target for racial recrimination and hostility, Jackson walked a tightrope of protest and accommodation, one that jeopardized his health, family, and career. Yet he was a tenacious optimist with faith in the political process. He took the long view, Michael Dennis notes, recognizing that failed legislative maneuvers did not render conventional institutions useless.

Largely forgotten, even in Virginia, until the author resurrected his story, Jackson was involved in almost every important civil rights and liberal initiative in the South in the second quarter of the 20th century. His forceful program of political education laid the groundwork for the full-fledged assault on segregation of the 1950s, when Martin Luther King and other leaders of the civil rights movement emerged to stand on Jackson's shoulders. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Great Poems
The poems in this book are wonderful to read and the pictures in this book are great. I really like the poems a lot and I like to read them in my room. Michael Jackson did a great job with his poems in this book and I hope he continues to write poetry in the future.

One For The Fans
Dancing the Dream is unquestionably a must have for any Michael Jackson fan. Reading poetry and short stories in HIS own words is a thrill for the die-hards, and eye-opening to the critics.

Michael Jackson is more than meets the eye, and Dancing the Dream proves that ten times over. Including great quality photos, this is not a waste of money! If your a MJ fan, what are you doing? Get this book NOW!!

Breathtaking
This book is without doubt the best one I've ever read, no book has touched me like this one. It has such great messages and it's almost as if you can feel the magic by reading it that Michael probably felt when he wrote it. This is a must read for both fans and non-fans, because either way, this is a master piece.

Proof that Michael Jackson Is Very Intelligent & Loving
This was the most wonderful book I have ever read. As soon as I heard about it I had to have it because I have always been a huge Michael Jackson fan, and always will be. However, though I expected it to be good. I did not expect this. The poems and essays are so well thought out and beautifully written. The man has a true gift. Every single work is filled with the joy of life and is a true inspiration. It has even inspired me to start writing poetry, but I am not nearly as good as this. They made me smile, laugh, and cry. Whenever I have a bad day I read either "The Heart Said No" or "Grew Wings Without Me" or "Trust" and they truly lift my spirit. There are also great essays and poems about nature and animals like "When the Elephants March" and "Look Again, Baby Seal." Also, there are poems about the love of God. Furthermore you will discover how Michael really feels about children in poems like "Children of the World," "On Children," "When Babies Smile," and "Wise Little Girl." This man is the last person in the world that I would worry about being with children. After reading this, I trust him not to hurt children more than I do myself! And I adore children! This book is truly beautiful and will show the path of love and righteousness to anyone who reads it. I would recommend this to someone whether or not they have ever bought a Michael Jackson record. If you want to be inspired beyond belief, read this. If you want to know who the REAL Michael Jackson is, don't watch the news, read this.

Another Rich Chapter in The Life Of The King Of Pop
Michael Jackson wrote some Great Poems here and they cover many topics.Alot Of Folks don't Understand or Know How Talented he Really is.The Man has Been GIfted for so Long.He is a Great Talent. ... Read more

Book Description

A pop superstar since the age of eleven, Michael Jackson went on to earn enormous wealth and international adoration. But by the 1980s, things had already begun to get weird, what with Michael's bizarre facial reconstructions and skin bleaching, his odd preoccupations and phobias, and his unhealthy obsession with young boys. Before the eyes of the world, Michael Jackson was unraveling, culminating in his shocking indictment on child molestation charges. FREAK! is the riveting, no-holds-barred story of the rise and fall of a true American icon -- a blazing star who spun madly out of orbit.

Reviews (26)

Who're Calling A Freak??
It is very disturbing to think that someone out there could have enjoyed this read. But then again, we have all kinds of different people who allow themselves to be stuffed with all kinds of different stories and fabrications without even questioning them. Those are the people who refuse to think for themselves because it's a lot easier to let somebody else do it for them. And as it is in this case, the "somebody else" is the media. Humans have an interesting feature called the mind. Use it! And don't let the media make conclusions for you; don't let them turn you into fools!

Michael Jackson gave up his childhood; he gave up his life so we could be entertained. Anyone who's entertained with this kind of literature, however, is obviously not capable of reaching below the surface and understanding more important and meaningful things in life. It's easy for us to stick a label upon someone else's forehead. That doesn't mean we don't have one...

The man who wrote thi is insane
How can you writ a book aout someone you don't know? This book is a load of crap.

mj rocks this world!
Every day Michael Jackson is faced by judging, lying press & paparazzi. In my eyes he's a thoughtful, kind, inspiring person who is serving life for the unforgivable crime of being different. I'm a giant fan, and seeing this book makes me feel sick. The National Enquirer? Down there with the Sun and the News Of The World: would sell their soul just to get a story sold. If you want a half decent read, try his autobiography instead.

If I could have put zero I would have.
This is the worst book ever!!!! And for all of you people that thought it was great are just as ignorant as the guy who wrote it. This book contains all lies, that the tabloids have came up with in the past 20 years about Michael. Ed Breslin must not know anything about vitiligo. And also he talks about all these plastic surgerys, did he even look at what happened in the Pepsi commercial. When he had third degree burns covering half of his face. And also have you ever heard of singers getting nose jobs because it helps them breath and sing? I don't see why all he tried to do was make michael look like a twisted person and everything. The book is horrible and shouldn't be burned right next to Ed Breslin.

Freak is just the word to describe
To anyone who thinks Michael Jackson's kids are his, you're wrong. You think he has vitiligo, you're wrong. Michael jackson has been carefully scrutinized since the now infamous Bashir interview. Just look at him and you can see that he is not telling the truth. He paid all of his associates to say good things about him, but how they believe it is beyond me. Am I saying he's a bad singer? No, he's a fabulous. But his career is dead and his revenue is dried up.
This is a good book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Not worth reading!
Delusional and severely unstable, the author has somehow come to the conclusion that Michael Jackson is as infatuated with her as she is of him. She provides an outline of her lifestory, and a portion of the ridiculous, obsessive letters she has sent him. I feel terribly sorry for Michael Jackson, and hope he never has to confront this woman. ... Read more

Book Description

In December of 1814, American forces led by Major General Andrew Jackson moved into the city of New Orleans. For the next six weeks, Jackson’s ragtag troops of militiamen, free blacks, Indians, and pirates furiously defended the city against Britain’s elite army, led by Lieutenant General Sir Edward Pakenham. In the bloody confrontation of the two armies, the American underdog army decisively defeated Sir Edward Pakenham’s British troops.

The Generals tells the dramatic story of the battle between Andrew Jackson and Sir Edward Pakenham for the "booty and beauty" of New Orleans in the winter of 1814–1815. The Battle of New Orleans was the last battle in the War of 1812, which cost Pakenham his life and propelled Andrew Jackson into the national prominence that would eventually lead to his presidency. The Generals provides a detailed and intimate look at both the personal and professional lives of Jackson and Pakenham, demonstrating how their paths twisted and turned until they inevitably met each other on the battlefield outside of New Orleans.

Benton Rain Patterson leads readers through the captivating tale of a central battle in American military history and subsequently brings the biographies of these two great generals into full light. ... Read more

Book Description

When the most famous, successful and talented pop singer of all time makes a comeback, the world sits up and listens, the press takes notes and the fans go shopping. And so it is with Michael Jackson, out of the limelight for five years, yet with his new album just released, its as if he's never been away. Yes, 'The King Of Pop' has returned in triumphant style topping charts worldwide, breaking records and receiving rewards. Michael Jackson: An exceptional journey, brings the story up to date, using equal parts newly researched text and both classic and rarely seen full color photography, this book will appeal in every way to his millions of fans new and old. With only two other books currently available on this mega star (and both of these seriously outdated) this brand new visual documentary could not come at a better time. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Save Your Money -- Very Skimpy
This "book" is a waste of money. I put the word "book" in quotes because in fact this little tract is less than 10,000 words. That's only about one-tenth the length of an average book. Furthermore, the "author" (also in quotes) has terrible spelling and grammar. Although it appears that Wegner did work for Michael Jackson, it seems Wegner barely met him. Wegner has hardly any information about Jackson. He "reveals" that boys would sometimes sleep in Jackson's room (which Jackson himself has said many times) and that Jackson would sometimes hug boys or sit close to them on a golf cart, both of which Jackson himself has shown in his recent "Home Movies" special. I'm sorry I wasted my money on this!

A Very Sad Attempt!
The first thoughts that came to mind as I read this book were if Mr.Wegner observed one-tenth of which he stated he did with Mr. Jackson and young men Mr. Wegner should be charged with aiding abetting and accessory to a crime.

In my years of reading I've read more fiction that seemed believable than what Mr.Wegner claims is truth and based in fact in his book.

It comes across as a sad attempt to obtain money from his previous employer. I won't even bother going into detail on the spelling and spacing in the book that in and of itself is hurtful to his credibility.

I can only conclude that Mr.Wegner was suffering from visual delusions during his employment with Mr. Jackson and had great hopes of wealth from his attempt at writing a book about a man who has given so much of his time and wealth to the needy selflessly.

Lets get the facts straight
I have read this book and liked it very much. The people writing these bad reviews don't know what they are talking about. If they had bothered to notice, the book was published in October 2002. Months before Michael was interviewed in Feb. 2003 about the children sleeping in his bedroom. It appears the news medias liked the book, or they wouldn't be interviewing Wegner over and over again. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

HUGE Waste of Money
The "author" of this disgrace should be ashamed of himself. Not for talking about Michael Jackson, but for putting out this piece of garbage and calling it a "book."

Each page has HUGE typeset, is triple-spaced (I figured each page has maybe 90 words), has typos and/or is just plain blank. This guy does to the reader what he believes Michael Jackson did to the kids!

If you're expecting an "insider's" perspective of the Michael Jackson situation, don't hold your breath. This guy's stunning insight includes stuff like "it took me 2 hours to drive around Neverland." Wow, tell me more Uncle Remus!

Where's the gossip? Where's the drama? Why was I stupid enough to buy this book?

ZERO STAR RATING SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED FOR BOOKS THIS BAD.
This is NOT a book by any definition. It's 90 pages are printed in huge type with triple spacing! Then there is also a significant amount of blank paper at the end of each and every chapter. So it must boil down to about twenty or so pages of a "normal" book. Just an issue or two of the "Enquirer" will give you more than you will find in this self-published "work." Save your money and run from this one! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Miraculous Story of Survival
It's hard to imagine that a society could tolerate the killing of 6 million Jews. It's even harder to imagine how this happened only six decades ago. I have studied and read many Holocaust books, but I can not remember one that affected as deeply as Michael Jackson's memoir and story of survival in Head of the Line: A Holocaust Survivor's Memoir. Mr. Jackson not only recounts a personal tale, but he tells the story of European Jews prior to World War Two. His use of Yiddish reminded me of a language past that my grandparents spoke about. Mr. Jackson gives a first-hand account of growing up as a Jew in the Carpathian Mountain region of pre-World War II Czechoslovakia. He proudly recounts his days growing up surrounded by a large extended family that treasured life, religion and freedom. His memoir traces his journey through the Holocaust as he bore witness to the atrocities of the war and the destruction of his family. He tells his story of survival in detail, from his deportation from his home, to forced labor marches and slavery to Dachau and eventually America. It is through acts of unexplained miracles, courage and a strong will to survive that Mr. Jackson is able to share his story. In just a few years time, we will rely on books like Mr. Jackson's to teach and explain the Holocaust. It is from this memoir that I will teach my children and my children's children about the Holocaust. It is for that reason that I recommend this book. Mr. Jackson's memoir will forever remain on my bookshelf. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This is better than most older books on MIchael
I have to say other than all of this book being in black and white, except the cover it's a cool book. THere are pictures of michael with his white glove pre Motown 1983. Alot of Triumph tour pictures and some 1984 pictures. It goes all the way up to the Pepsi commercials. Alot of the pictures though from the 80's I have already and plus they are in color so that's kinda a down for the book. that's about it. it's a kid book like marvelous michael jackson or this is michael jackson or like that. peace ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This is another of Michael's most popular biographies.
Every library probably has this as well. Again, i grew up onthis book. I checked it out at the library a lot. Most pictures youmight be familiar with. It has him posing with his llamas I think, Beat it picture a lot of stuff. Plus discography, did you all know that he was the backup on that song ("it always feels like somebody's watchin' me.") Yes it's him. I along with everyone in America said it wasn't him but it was and the book shows the proof. It's from Rockwell's song by the way. I don't remember the name. Made back in '84. If you're a huge Thriller era fan of MJ's like I am then you'll love this book. Plus early pictures of him as well!!! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Michael Jackson book everyone has seen!!!
Okay, if anyone hasn't seen this, it's like in almost everylibrary I've been to. I grew up to this book. I checked it out dozensof times when i was little and have recently checked it again. It's a great book. It has pictures of Michael at home, on tour, guiness book nomination for thriller party (cover pic) plus at home pictures. Good book, folks good book! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Dear Dave,
Dear Dave,

Dave, I have a few notions about why your book, _Trapped_, is now sadly out of print. It is, after all, perhaps the best-written tome you've ever come up with. It's filled with more honest emotion than any of your other writing. It's a book that bleeds and struggles and fights with itself. So why, Dave, do you think this book fell away from us?

Could it, Dave, have something to do with the white-liberal-inadvertant racism and condescension that offends to the very marrow of one's bones? Could it be, Dave, your "smarter/holier/morally superior-than-thou" stance? Could it, Dave, have something to do with the ugly, though again inadvertant homophobia that drips creepily from so many of the pages of this book? Could it be that in looking way down on your subject, you dug yourself a hole of hypocrisy from which you've never entirely been able to climb out?

Could it be, Dave, that you were never satisfied with just being a music lover and critic? That you, Dave, wanted to somehow _control_ what musicians said and did to an utterly unreasonable extent? Could it be, Dave, that you wanted those musicians to look up to you, and ask for and follow your advice every time they made a public move?

Finally, could the problem, Dave, be that you finally did find yourself an artist who listened obediantly when you wrote (or quite probably said) "Dear Bruce . . ." And could it be that you were happier when that artist fulfilled your dreams instead of his own?

Dave, you're a fine writer and your analysis of Jackson's songs rank among some of the most insightful ever written. This is why it is so sad that your book is so hard to find. Why, there are times when you propel a listener to run to the nearest CD player and put on their Jackson records immediately. Your words make the music dance right off the page. You seem to understand Jackson's fear, and rage, and pain as he sings those emotions on his records. You even capture the joy of the records like few other writers. You truly illuminate what is best in Jackson's music, and even at time betray a compassion for the man that you try not to feel.

But, Dave, what you failed to do here, as elsewhere, is to take a good look first at the man in the mirror before wagging your finger down at the struggles of another.

decent
This book is decent, although others are better. I would recommend a read if you are a Jackson fan.

A FLAWED, BUT GOOD BOOK ON WACKO JACKO.......
At times, Dave Marsh succumbs to overt hyperbole (who the hell cares whether Jackson loves Bugs Bunny cartoons?) and white "progressive" racist arrogance (Yo, Dave, if "black people carry a burden in America, Michael"---ain't that caused by white racism?). Still, by and large, it serves as a good book on M.J. up to THRILLER (I wish he'd update it for the 90's), and it functions nicely as ironic commentary on his own newsletter (ROCK & RAP CONFIDENTIAL)'s runaway, naive intergrationist/communitarian rhetoric.

Insightful look at Jackson, black pop and celebrity.
Music critic Dave Marsh (of "Rap Confidential") looks at the life of Michael Jackson up to the end of his disasterous "Victory Tour." Between a series of open letters to Jackson, he looks at his history, as well as the history of contemporary black music and the responsibilities a black artist has to his audiences. Although heavily opinionated, the book's viewpoint is valuable - and compassionate to Jackson, even though it disagrees with him. ... Read more