What do you think?
Rate this book
Michael Jackson The Maestro The Definitive A-Z Volume I A-J
Michael Jackson was no ordinary performer. From the moment he first moved to the rhythm of the Jackson family's old creaky washing machine he was destined to do big things. No one back then however, could have possibly predicted what would happen over the next five decades when the name of Michael Jackson would be one of the most recognisable in the history of popular music the world over. Not only would he have four consecutive number one records with his brothers the Jackson 5, but he would go on to have the biggest album of all time with Thriller and be recognised as the number one charity donor. From the author of the best selling book Michael Jackson For The Record, Chris Cadman brings you Michael Jackson's remarkable 'Life & Times' through his music, his performances, his interviews his achievements and his charity endeavours. Read about the significant people in his life and the many film offers that came his way that sadly never came to fruition. Plus discover his never ending devotion to children's charities and the less unfortunate around the world. This is Michael Jackson The Maestro - The Definitive A - Z, Volume 1: A-J.
792 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 18, 2013
3 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 2, 2015
I got a shock when Chris' book arrived from Amazon. It's a HUGE volume - at least compared to the others I have by him (in association with Craig Halstead) namely Michael Jackson For the Record and Michael Jackson The Solo Years.
And this is only Volume One: A-J !!!
On first perusal I found the layout confusing because of the many images (some of them stretched or squeezed out of their correct ratios) for which it's sometimes difficult to track down the supporting reference in the text.
The design is in keeping with the other aforementioned books, but it seems to me that a different style of lay-out and less of the barely relevant or poorly reproduced/badly proportioned images would have helped the look and readability of The Maestro.
The alphabetically arranged entries are, however, informative and have obviously been updated from Chris' previous titles as more information about Michael's life, career and musical output has come to light since his untimely passing.
There are some obscure (at least to me) gems, which the reader is only likely to come across when looking for something else - or by reading the book from cover to cover. For example, "Johnny Appleseed Story" is one entry, based on reports in 1986 that MJ was set to star in a film about the pioneering legend who planted apple trees across the United States. Apparently Michael wanted Steven Spielberg to direct.
While we, as fans, lament all the ideas, schemes and dreams Michael talked of (or that were attributed to him) we will probably never know for sure which of these many stories has any basis in truth. Some reference to a source might give us an idea, but without that, such an item is merely 'curious'.
Even though the focus of this book is on Michael Jackson, there is an unfortunate (in my view) amount of material on other members of Michael's family that is extraneous to his own life and career. Granted that there is a lot that inevitably involves MJ, but there is also material that probably comes from Chris and Craig's two volumes on the Jacksons that deals solely with one or more members of Michael's family.
In short, not being a J5, Jacksons or Janet Jackson fan, and generally being wary of most of the schemes of various family members, anything that Michael was not involved with I would have left out of The Maestro. A lot of the images of other artists, family members etc I would have also left out. Any image that was not crisp, clear and properly in proportion I would have definitely excised from the book.
But, despite these reservations re some content and the interior design (I love the cover), I am very pleased to add Chris' latest volume to my MJ collection. Updated (or new) information and insight into MJ - the man and the legend is always welcome.
And this is only Volume One: A-J !!!
On first perusal I found the layout confusing because of the many images (some of them stretched or squeezed out of their correct ratios) for which it's sometimes difficult to track down the supporting reference in the text.
The design is in keeping with the other aforementioned books, but it seems to me that a different style of lay-out and less of the barely relevant or poorly reproduced/badly proportioned images would have helped the look and readability of The Maestro.
The alphabetically arranged entries are, however, informative and have obviously been updated from Chris' previous titles as more information about Michael's life, career and musical output has come to light since his untimely passing.
There are some obscure (at least to me) gems, which the reader is only likely to come across when looking for something else - or by reading the book from cover to cover. For example, "Johnny Appleseed Story" is one entry, based on reports in 1986 that MJ was set to star in a film about the pioneering legend who planted apple trees across the United States. Apparently Michael wanted Steven Spielberg to direct.
While we, as fans, lament all the ideas, schemes and dreams Michael talked of (or that were attributed to him) we will probably never know for sure which of these many stories has any basis in truth. Some reference to a source might give us an idea, but without that, such an item is merely 'curious'.
Even though the focus of this book is on Michael Jackson, there is an unfortunate (in my view) amount of material on other members of Michael's family that is extraneous to his own life and career. Granted that there is a lot that inevitably involves MJ, but there is also material that probably comes from Chris and Craig's two volumes on the Jacksons that deals solely with one or more members of Michael's family.
In short, not being a J5, Jacksons or Janet Jackson fan, and generally being wary of most of the schemes of various family members, anything that Michael was not involved with I would have left out of The Maestro. A lot of the images of other artists, family members etc I would have also left out. Any image that was not crisp, clear and properly in proportion I would have definitely excised from the book.
But, despite these reservations re some content and the interior design (I love the cover), I am very pleased to add Chris' latest volume to my MJ collection. Updated (or new) information and insight into MJ - the man and the legend is always welcome.
March 3, 2014
"A Book Apart..."
As the author of "Defending A King ~ His Life & Legacy" about the incomparable Michael Jackson, I have read most of the books that are available about him. "Michael Jackson The Maestro" (Vol. 1) is a work apart from the 400+ others. It is the only book that is organized like an encyclopedia of information about MJ -- his music, performances, interviews, achievements, charity involvements, behind-the-scenes activities, and significant people in his life and career. The book is aptly titled "The Maestro": "a master in any art, especially a great composer or conductor of music." In my opinion, Michael Jackson was a "Renaissance man" in our modern world, and this title evokes that image for me. MJ's broad range of skills, his genius, passion, perfectionism, hard work, dedication, and versatility are well represented in this volume, from A to J. It is easy to read this book and to digest its contents because of the "nuggets" of information in its alphabetically-organized format. The reader will enjoy this book, learn from it, and then look forward to Volume 2!
As the author of "Defending A King ~ His Life & Legacy" about the incomparable Michael Jackson, I have read most of the books that are available about him. "Michael Jackson The Maestro" (Vol. 1) is a work apart from the 400+ others. It is the only book that is organized like an encyclopedia of information about MJ -- his music, performances, interviews, achievements, charity involvements, behind-the-scenes activities, and significant people in his life and career. The book is aptly titled "The Maestro": "a master in any art, especially a great composer or conductor of music." In my opinion, Michael Jackson was a "Renaissance man" in our modern world, and this title evokes that image for me. MJ's broad range of skills, his genius, passion, perfectionism, hard work, dedication, and versatility are well represented in this volume, from A to J. It is easy to read this book and to digest its contents because of the "nuggets" of information in its alphabetically-organized format. The reader will enjoy this book, learn from it, and then look forward to Volume 2!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews