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Michael Jackson
On 25th June, breaking news revealed that Michael Jackson, King of Pop, was dead.
Fans and the media watched in shock as the story unfolded: doctors had lost the battle to save him after he had collapsed from a heart attack. In a cruel twist of fate, he had passed away before he got the chance to make his final curtain call in the form of 50 planned sell-out shows at London's O2 Arena.
From a very young age, Michael's exceptional music talent was clear. He stood apart from his four brothers when they performed together as the Jackson 5 and, in 1974, he embarked upon what was to become a monumental solo career. A string of chart-busting albums and singles followed, with the Thriller album selling 47 million copies worldwide and yielding seven top-ten singles. It is believed that, in his lifetime, he sold around 750 million records, making him one of the most successful entertainers ever.
This in-depth and affectionate biography traces the rise of the man, from child prodigy to tortured megastar. It is the definitive portrait of a pop legend whose strange and brilliant life will never be forgotten.
Fans and the media watched in shock as the story unfolded: doctors had lost the battle to save him after he had collapsed from a heart attack. In a cruel twist of fate, he had passed away before he got the chance to make his final curtain call in the form of 50 planned sell-out shows at London's O2 Arena.
From a very young age, Michael's exceptional music talent was clear. He stood apart from his four brothers when they performed together as the Jackson 5 and, in 1974, he embarked upon what was to become a monumental solo career. A string of chart-busting albums and singles followed, with the Thriller album selling 47 million copies worldwide and yielding seven top-ten singles. It is believed that, in his lifetime, he sold around 750 million records, making him one of the most successful entertainers ever.
This in-depth and affectionate biography traces the rise of the man, from child prodigy to tortured megastar. It is the definitive portrait of a pop legend whose strange and brilliant life will never be forgotten.
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First published July 23, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 14, 2023
i had to read this for school. i didnt like it, and i have to skip some parts because it was boring Lol!
April 19, 2016
Herbertin Michael Jackson -elämäkerta ei vakuuttanut. Suuri syy oli se, että sisältö vaikutti kokonaisuudessaan poimitun lehdistä ja tv-ohjelmista, lähinnä Oprah nousee esille monasti.
Draamallisuutta teokseen tulee jäsentelystä. Kahteentoista lukuun jaoteltu kirja alkaa Michaelin viimeisistä hetkistä, kun lääkäri oli piikittänyt viimeisen kerran nukutusaineita popin kuninkaaseen. Kirja päättyykin hautajaisiin, jossa oli mm. Wesley Snipes, Kardashianin siskokset ja paljon muitakin julkkiksia.
Ensimmäisen luvun jälkeen lähdetään perinteiseen tapaan lapsuudesta liikkeelle. Tässä onkin teoksen yksi suurimmista heikkouksista, sillä tähden henkilökuva jää kovin valjuksi: varhaisvuosista tai vanhemmista ei ole juuri mitään mielenkiintoista kerrottavaa julkisuudessa esitetyn informaation lisäksi.
1966 Jackson 5:n läpimurto tapahtui. Muutamien vuosien päästä tenavatähti sai kilpailijan Donny Osmondsista. Teinitähti roikkui lopun elämäänsä - kirjailijan mukaan - Peter Pan imagossaan, kun rakensi unelmien Neverlandin, jossa oli huvipuistot, eläintarhat ja omat sekä vieraat lapsilaumat.
Levyistä ja niiden taustoista ei paljoa kerrota. Todetaan vain, että Thriller oli todella hyvä, eikä Bad yltänyt sen tasolle. Pakolliset listasijoitukset on tietysti mukana sekä sisarustsen välistä draamaa, mikä sekin on poimittu juorulehdistä.
Viimein päästään Dangerous-levyyn, uran alamäkeen ja pedofiliasyytöksiin. Uran huipennus lienee 1993 Super Bowlin väliajalla heitetty setti, joka kiskaisi viimeisimmän levyn listojen kärkeen Yhdysvalloissa.
2000-luku oli pitkälti musiikillista hiljaiseloa, sen sijaan skandaaleja riitti. Aiemmin oli mm. avioliitto Elviksen tyttären kanssa ja sitten muutama muu naisseuralainen. Michaelin neitsytmyyttiä ruoditaan kyllästymiseen asti, eikä lopetuskaan ole kovin mairitteleva: "Hyvästi, Popin Peter Pan. Michael ei koskaan halunnut kasvaa aikuiseksi." Musiikkimaailman legendan persoonasta ei tämän kirjan perusteella saa yhtään syvällisempää käsitykstä kuin jostain vanhasta Suosikin jutusta.
Draamallisuutta teokseen tulee jäsentelystä. Kahteentoista lukuun jaoteltu kirja alkaa Michaelin viimeisistä hetkistä, kun lääkäri oli piikittänyt viimeisen kerran nukutusaineita popin kuninkaaseen. Kirja päättyykin hautajaisiin, jossa oli mm. Wesley Snipes, Kardashianin siskokset ja paljon muitakin julkkiksia.
Ensimmäisen luvun jälkeen lähdetään perinteiseen tapaan lapsuudesta liikkeelle. Tässä onkin teoksen yksi suurimmista heikkouksista, sillä tähden henkilökuva jää kovin valjuksi: varhaisvuosista tai vanhemmista ei ole juuri mitään mielenkiintoista kerrottavaa julkisuudessa esitetyn informaation lisäksi.
1966 Jackson 5:n läpimurto tapahtui. Muutamien vuosien päästä tenavatähti sai kilpailijan Donny Osmondsista. Teinitähti roikkui lopun elämäänsä - kirjailijan mukaan - Peter Pan imagossaan, kun rakensi unelmien Neverlandin, jossa oli huvipuistot, eläintarhat ja omat sekä vieraat lapsilaumat.
Levyistä ja niiden taustoista ei paljoa kerrota. Todetaan vain, että Thriller oli todella hyvä, eikä Bad yltänyt sen tasolle. Pakolliset listasijoitukset on tietysti mukana sekä sisarustsen välistä draamaa, mikä sekin on poimittu juorulehdistä.
Viimein päästään Dangerous-levyyn, uran alamäkeen ja pedofiliasyytöksiin. Uran huipennus lienee 1993 Super Bowlin väliajalla heitetty setti, joka kiskaisi viimeisimmän levyn listojen kärkeen Yhdysvalloissa.
2000-luku oli pitkälti musiikillista hiljaiseloa, sen sijaan skandaaleja riitti. Aiemmin oli mm. avioliitto Elviksen tyttären kanssa ja sitten muutama muu naisseuralainen. Michaelin neitsytmyyttiä ruoditaan kyllästymiseen asti, eikä lopetuskaan ole kovin mairitteleva: "Hyvästi, Popin Peter Pan. Michael ei koskaan halunnut kasvaa aikuiseksi." Musiikkimaailman legendan persoonasta ei tämän kirjan perusteella saa yhtään syvällisempää käsitykstä kuin jostain vanhasta Suosikin jutusta.
December 29, 2020
A quick, easy read but not even close to a definitive biography about the King of Pop. I would file this as hagiography, not a biography, as it is clear throughout that Herbert is a huge fan of Michael Jackson. But no sources are listed, and much of the material seems to be pulled from well-watched television interviews that Jackson sat for with Diane Sawyer, Oprah Winfrey and Martin Bashir. It does a decent job of following Jackson’s career from child star to the biggest figure in the music and entertainment world, but for anyone aiming to glean more insight into him mark this one as a starting point to more serious, thorough works.
December 20, 2021
No original research here - a collation of interviews and stories already in the public domain
July 13, 2019
Albeit clearly written in haste after the King of Pop died, it is a beautiful homage to him. Yes, everyone who has even somewhat followed his career know of the major events in his life, but I did like the way she talked about him with respect, awe and above all, understanding. Though a bit condescending at times I think this is a very good read for everyone about a man who really wanted to change the world and how it is difficult to stay pure, innocent and lifelike in a world where most other people and cultures themselves are dirty minded and money hungry, where tabloids and people you thought were your friends can take advantage of you. How fame and lack of childhood can lead to pain and loneliness. And above all, the kind of talent the kind of which, I dare say, the world will never see. Like my mom always said: "I get angry when I think of his death. The world has lost so much just because people don't CARE. If we have people who clearly are sensitive but troubled, we have to take care of them." The world made mockery of him even though he did have his fans and loved ones. But how many stopped to think he really is a human being with feelings and how much he suffered because of it, and there were reasons for his behavior - like altering his looks - he hated them and he didn't want to look like the boy his father called ugly. who would have thought the superstar who seemingly had everything deep down had low confidence - hand in hand with a huge ego? I've seen it before, but it didn't really cross my mind when he was alive. And that is sad - cause Mr. Jackson would have deserved to read these kinds of books about himself instead of the jokes and tabloid stories he had to battle with. And again, after his death all evil words are taken back... *sigh*... too late for him - and for the world. RIP, Michael <3
March 1, 2013
I came across this book frm my local library on audio & can listen 2 it on any device its amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed this biography ive always luved Michael Jackson I grew up listening 2 the incredible Jackson 5. You can easily c & understand y Michael had so many issues & struggles due 2 his father Joe Jackson`s extremely cruel verbal abuse & beatings constantly telling Michael how ugly he was as a young child & non stop pushing him 2 sing & entertain he really neva had a childhood his father is a pig & only ever cared abt the money even after Michael`s tragic death. No wonder Michael turned 2 cosmetic surgery & bleaching his skin colour cause he was made 2 feel he was ugly even though he wasn't ugly @ all. Michael was a gifted singer & dancer & will always be the King of Pop. This is a must read 4 any Michael Jackson fan. Michael u will always ROCK!!!
May 17, 2010
A very good biography of the life of Michael Jackson, from his early days in the Jackson Five, his amazing solo career through the heady days of Thriller, to the scandals and gossip that threatened to damage his reputation forever. It is not an in depth coverage of each event as you will get in bigger books but it does cover the main events in his life and it is a good starter book for anyone with a passing interest in the King of Pop.
September 6, 2012
I personally think this book is really interesting and if you are doing an assignment on Michael Jackson, like I am, this book will help you with it. It has basically everything he did in his life in detail, his achievements to his failure, his awards, his No.1 hits, his death etc. I am half way there through this book, and I can't wait til I read it again. For me, when I start reading the book, it is hard to put it back down. Love this book!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2010
My excuse for reading this was that it was available in a hotel while I was on vacation and I had run out of reading materials.
But, I now know much more about MJ than I ever did, or wanted to. And it was pretty depressing and poorly written.
But, I now know much more about MJ than I ever did, or wanted to. And it was pretty depressing and poorly written.
January 13, 2014
To the author Emily Herbert, thanks for this biography. It's what the King of Pop would have wanted. Great read! Nicely & clearly written. I'm in awe of MJ's life. One of the greatest talent the world has ever witnessed!
March 6, 2013
A great book about a great guy! Infact the THE biggest superstar the world has ever seen.
Brief and concise. A nice flow. Good and easy read.
Brief and concise. A nice flow. Good and easy read.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews