Absolutely fantastic book. RIP, Michael Jackson. ( )

Most likely, I've exhausted the subject of Michael Jackson and this will be the last book I'll read about him. Still, no matter how much is read, I'm always left with the sad, sad feeling of a small boy with amazing talent who remained a small boy with amazing talents and then threw it all away.

With top hit after top hit and concerts that brought the house down, Jackson was set to live a comfortable life until, things spiraled out of control when he was accused of molestation of young boys. Though not a shred of evidence was ever produced to substantiate the claims, Michael willingly paid off the parents.

With a family that perhaps loved his money more than him, there were little few people to guide him. And, his poor judgement did not enable him to listen to those who did provide clear suggestions. When drugs became a necessity, his emaciated body at the age of 50 simply could not sustain a soon to be on tour of a projected 50 concerts. Sadly, and it always will be sad, no matter how one feels about him, he died before the King of Pop could not regain his ruined perception of his life.

Taraborrelli writes a stellar depiction of a boy, like Peter Pan, who lived on an island surrounded by other children. Jackson's NeverLand with all his rides and game galleries enable him to remain childlike to the end. ( )

While the book does provide insight into Michael's life outside the spotlight, I cant help but feel that Randy emblished many of the suppose conversations, emotions and reactions he writes about. It doesn't help that Randy and Michael havent been close since around Thriller, which makes anything Randy has written after this time basically hearsay. I would ingest anything shared about Michael's personal life after the Jackson years with a grain of salt. ( )

An fascinating yet exciting biography of one of the world's best know celebrity, dubbed the King Of Pop by many. It provided a truthful insight into many of the controversy surrounding him. The plotting was ever exciting and there was not a time when it was boring. ( )

Fascinating book about Jackson's life with a recent postscript added after his death. I don't know much about Taraborrelli's credentials as a writer, but he does present a balanced view of the singer, neither condemning nor absolving him of any guilt. Unfortunately, the editing was abysmal; I found numerous typos throughout the book (not just the recent addition) that were a bit distracting in a professionally published volume. Aside from that, a gripping read that's worth your time if you're interested in MJ's life story. ( )