Good books/Bad books on Michael - Holiday Gifts

[*~Tink~*]

There's a good thread about boycotting the new Rolling Stone tribute book here~
http://www.mjjcommunity.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81960

This made me think, maybe we can make up a list of good books and bad books, a list to give people who might be buying us Michael books for the holidays. Very well intentioned peeps may make the error of thinking anything MJ is a nice gift, not knowing we feel passionately about which books to support and which to definitely NOT support. If we could make a list, then we can pass it along with any wish lists we are asked for.

I'll start...

#1 good book~ Moonwalk :)



********************

THE BAD BOOK LIST SO FAR


Be Careful Who You Love: Inside the Michael Jackson Case by Diane Dimond

Freak!: Inside the Twisted World of Michael Jackson by David Perel and Suzanne Ely

J****, His Rise and Fall, Second Edition: The Social and Sexual History of Michael Jackson by Darwin Porter

(The) Magic, the Madness, the Whole Story by J. Randy Taraborrelli

Michael by Rolling Stone Magazine

(The) Michael Jackson Tapes: A Tragic Icon Reveals His Soul in Intimate Conversation by Shmuel Boteach

Michael Jackson Was My Lover by Victor M. Gutierrez

Michael Jackson Unauthorized by Andersen

Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson by Ian Halperin

********************


THE GOOD BOOK LIST SO FAR

Moonwalk
Moonwalker The Storybook
Dancing the Dream
Thriller 25th Anniversary
Opus

Conspiracy by Aprhodite Jones

For The Record 2nd Edition by Chris Cadman and Craig Halstead

In his own words by Catherine Dineen

In the studio with Michael Jackson by Bruce Swedien

Life Commemorative: Michael Jackson by Life magazine

Loving Michael Jackson by Selena Millman

Michael Jackson by Stewart Regan

Michael Jackson Before He Was King by Todd Gray

Michael Jackson King Of Pop by Lisa D. Campbell

Michael Jackson Life of a Legend by Michael Heatley

Michael Jackson Platinum Edition Collector's Vault (by David Lifton?)

Redemption by Hughes

Visual documentary by Adrian Grant

********************

[kottur13]

The Magic & The Madness was pretty good.

[Fede1583]

Dancing the Dream
Conspiracy by Aphrodite Jones
both were good books imo.

[*~Tink~*]

I had avoided Taraborrelli's Michael Jackson: The Magic, The Madness, The Whole Story supposing it seemed to fall on the tabloid side. Am I wrong about that?

bad book~ The Michael Jackson Tapes: A Tragic Icon Reveals His Soul in Intimate Conversation by Shmuel Boteach

bad book~ Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson by Ian Halperin

[*~Tink~*]

Dancing the Dream


Awww... love, love, love, love this one! :wub: Right now they are pricey!

[MJsBollywoodGirl7]

Dancing The Dream and Moonwalk is 2 very, very good MJ books to read. OMG do I love those books. Especially Dancing The Dream which is to me one of the most greatest books ever written.


A few bad MJ books 2 read:

Michael Jackson Was My Lover
Michael Jackson Unauthorized
and Freak


It makes me abslutely sick and angry of why those books were ever written about Michael. I just feel horrible about all of those poor trees that were cut down to make those books.

[Fede1583]

Awww... love, love, love, love this one! :wub: Right now they are pricey!

Beautiful and emotional :yes:

I wanted to buy the original printing but after a quick search on ebay :bugeyed I settled for the second printing on sale on Play.com (http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/10973892/Michael-Jackson-Dancing-The-Dream/Product.html) (if I'm not mistaken they are identical except for the book cover)

Oh, another good book is the Opus (which I'm agonizing over) and I was told this book (http://cgi.ebay.it/MICHAEL-JACKSON-MEMORABILIA-FOTO-TESORI-DEL-RE-DEL-POP_W0QQitemZ310182881820QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ2009 1119?IMSfp=TL091119165001r10532) (in Italian) is very nice too.
It's not too expensive....maybe I can write to Santa... :shifty:

[*~Tink~*]

It makes me abslutely sick and angry of why those books were ever written about Michael. I just feel horrible about all of those poor trees that were cut down to make those books.

I know just what you mean! When I find one or two like that, it's fun to move them to an odd spot in the bookstore like "cooking". Not that I have ever done such a thing... *whistles and walks away*


Beautiful and emotional :yes:

Oh, man... I read it a tiny bit at a time. I wanted it to last forever. :)



I wanted to buy the original printing but after a quick search on ebay :bugeyed I settled for the second printing on sale on Play.com (http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/10973892/Michael-Jackson-Dancing-The-Dream/Product.html) (if I'm not mistaken they are identical except for the book cover)

Thank you!!! I had only looked on amazon (US) and saw the used ones for so much! Now I am adding this to my wish list... no more reading it only online. :D



Oh, another good book is the Opus (which I'm agonizing over) and I was told this book (http://cgi.ebay.it/MICHAEL-JACKSON-MEMORABILIA-FOTO-TESORI-DEL-RE-DEL-POP_W0QQitemZ310182881820QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ2009 1119?IMSfp=TL091119165001r10532) (in Italian) is very nice too.
It's not too expensive....maybe I can write to Santa... :shifty:

Thanks you guys, keep 'em comin'! :D

[CaptainEoLove85]

A few bad MJ books 2 read:

Michael Jackson Was My Lover
Michael Jackson Unauthorized
and Freak

The title of those alone would make me not want to read them.

I agree with Moonwalk being #1 and Aphrodite Jones Conspiracy. Madness and the Magic is kind of iffy to recommend. It's somewhere in between, but overall I thought it was pretty good, if you can overlook some stuff.

These are the only MJ books I've read though, so I don't know what else to put. I haven't read Dancing the Dream yet, but I know it's really good.

[Fede1583]

Thank you!!! I had only looked on amazon (US) and saw the used ones for so much! Now I am adding this to my wish list... no more reading it only online.
No problem ;)
Keep in mind that they only deliver for free in Europe and that the prices are in £ or € ;)

[MJsBollywoodGirl7]

Some other good books to read about Michael are:

Michael Jackson Platinum Edition Collector's Vault
Moonwalk
Moonwalker The Storybook
Dancing The Dream
Michael Jackson King Of Pop by Lisa D. Campbell
Loving Michael Jackson (This is a very good book to read. It was written by a handicapped MJ fan.)
Michael Jackson by Stewart Regan
Opus


I will be getting the Opus book sometime next month. But I have all of the other books already and I just totally love them. Especially the first 4. And I still can't believe how much they want for the Moonwalker The Storybook. I had gotten that book a good few years ago and it was really cheap. When I had bought that book.

[oldmoon20]

I had avoided Taraborrelli's Michael Jackson: The Magic, The Madness, The Whole Story supposing it seemed to fall on the tabloid side. Am I wrong about that?

bad book~ The Michael Jackson Tapes: A Tragic Icon Reveals His Soul in Intimate Conversation by Shmuel Boteach

bad book~ Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson by Ian Halperin

I really wish a list like this was out before I was lame enough to get the 2nd book. :( I can't even return it now because I got it back in September but for some reason never really read it because it wasn't as good as I thought it would be. :(

[bluetopez]

I had avoided Taraborrelli's Michael Jackson: The Magic, The Madness, The Whole Story supposing it seemed to fall on the tabloid side. Am I wrong about that?

No, for me your right! I got it and don't want it on ebay yrs ago for $6 bucks but i still want my money back!

I like the visual documentary by Adrian Grant that was approved by MJ! It's more then a book but a timeline of MJ here and there and everywhere if u know what I mean?

[MJJNJ]

Good book

The Visual Documantary (authorized by Michael himself during his lifetime) - Adrian Grant

In his own words - Catherine Dineen

In the studio with Michael Jackson - Bruce Swedien

and of course OPUS

JRT the magic, the madness, the whole story is not bad to read but not good much.

[bulbhead]

Ask for

For The Record 2nd Edition

Michael Jackson Before He Was King

[Wok]

What I consider good and bad may differ from the majority here, but I will list them anyway.

The Magic and the Madness - This was well-written, and was pretty balanced. It was not afraid to criticize, yet at the same time was not afraid to show the positive aspects either. Some speculation and anecdotes are in the book, but like a lot of biographies, that goes with the territory. I enjoyed it.

Be Careful Who You Love- I am going to get a lot of flack for this one, but oh well. I think the book was well-written, and I read it a few times. I was hard pressed to find anything positive about MJ in the book and went to great lengths to find flaws and the extreme negativity in MJ's career and personal life. After reading it, I can see why this book got the press it did, and I would not recommend this to an MJ fan. In fact, it is widely shunned, and is understandable. I still read it though.

Freak: Poorly written, poorly executed, and it went all over the place. I tried reading it to see if it would get the point, but it never got there. It was a critical book, but even critical books can have some coherence to it. This failed to deliver.

Moonwalk- It was well-written, and flowed nicely. It was a feel-good story and many fans love it. While I enjoyed it, the book felt sugar-coated. I would recommend this book to fans. Oh the pics were nice too.

Life Commemorative: Michael Jackson - Very nice book, filled with photos and nice things. A nice coffee table book. I did not buy it, but did look at it at the bookstore. I would buy this for a fan.

[Muchos]

Moonwalk of course
Dancing the Dream
Adrian Grants Visual documentary
Michael Jackson In his own words (Beautiful quotes from celebs, familiy and friends)

Obviously Conspiracy by aprhodite jones (wich I havn't read yet,and i'm quite ashamed of that actually.. lol)

[Khim]

Thank you for the recommendations.
I really like Dancing the Dream! Lovely book!

[Memefan]

There's a good thread about boycotting the new Rolling Stone tribute book here~
http://www.mjjcommunity.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81960

This made me think, maybe we can make up a list of good books and bad books, a list to give people who might be buying us Michael books for the holidays. Very well intentioned peeps may make the error of thinking anything MJ is a nice gift, not knowing we feel passionately about which books to support and which to definitely NOT support. If we could make a list, then we can pass it along with any wish lists we are asked for.

I'll start...

#1 good book~ Moonwalk :)
great idea.

can you update your 1st post with all the suggestions for both good & bad?

The thread could serve as a guide for people thinking of buying books for the holidays.

[bubbyduck4MJ]

Good book - Michael Jackson Life of a Legend by Michael Heatley
(It's majority photos and it's hardcover and big like a coffee table book?)

I guess some books are clearly yes and clearly no, while others it depends on the fan to what you might get out of it.
Some of the 'tabloidy ones' have negative and positive aspects.

The clear yes books would be a much better gift though!

I looove Dancing The Dream so much. I had to get a second edition, but hoping to find an original one day that isn't too expensive! Lovely book. :) Beautiful photos of Michael. :)

[Krshna28]

If you want to know EVERYTHING about Michael then get these.

1.) A Visual Documentary (Adrian Grant - man who created mjworld.net) - this book contains every single event in Michael's life, even all the unimportant stuff. You'll always learn something new with this one.
2.) For The Record - this book includes every single bit if info about Michael's songs, videos, albums, concerts and films (even all available info on unreleased songs/videos and duets/collaborations).

[*~Tink~*]

I really wish a list like this was out before I was lame enough to get the 2nd book. :( I can't even return it now because I got it back in September but for some reason never really read it because it wasn't as good as I thought it would be. :(

*hugs* It's okay, don't feel bad.

Putting together a list of what we have so far now... goods and bads... :)

[*~Tink~*]

No, for me your right! I got it and don't want it on ebay yrs ago for $6 bucks but i still want my money back!

I like the visual documentary by Adrian Grant that was approved by MJ! It's more then a book but a timeline of MJ here and there and everywhere if u know what I mean?

That one sounds great! (the Adrian Grant one...)

Yeah, the Taraborrelli one I feel uncomfy with. Maybe I should put a star next to that one and let people decide rather than catagoize it, but to me it smacked sensationalism.

[*~Tink~*]

BAD BOOKS: the list so far, alphabetical order...

Be Careful Who You Love: Inside the Michael Jackson Case by Diane Dimond

Freak!: Inside the Twisted World of Michael Jackson by David Perel and Suzanne Ely

J****, His Rise and Fall, Second Edition: The Social and Sexual History of Michael Jackson by Darwin Porter

(The) Magic, the Madness, the Whole Story by J. Randy Taraborrelli

Michael by Rolling Stone Magazine

(The) Michael Jackson Tapes: A Tragic Icon Reveals His Soul in Intimate Conversation by Shmuel Boteach

Michael Jackson Was My Lover by Victor M. Gutierrez

Michael Jackson Unauthorized by Andersen

Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson by Ian Halperin

[*~Tink~*]

Before I make up the good book list, this is what we have so far. If anyone thinks differently, please say so...


good books....

Moonwalk
Moonwalker The Storybook
Dancing the Dream
Opus
Visual documentary Adrian Grant
For The Record 2nd Edition by Chris Cadman and Craig Halstead
Michael Jackson Before He Was King by Todd Gray
Michael Jackson Life of a Legend by Michael Heatley
Life Commemorative: Michael Jackson by Life magazine
Conspiracy by Aprhodite Jones
Michael Jackson Platinum Edition Collector's Vault (by David Lifton?)
Michael Jackson King Of Pop by Lisa D. Campbell
Loving Michael Jackson by Selena Millman
Michael Jackson by Stewart Regan
In his own words - Catherine Dineen
In the studio with Michael Jackson - Bruce Swedien

[marialovesmjj]

Good:

Redemption by Geraldine Hughes

[LauraLovesMJ]

I've read all of these except for the Opus. Can't wait to get that! :punk:

If you want info on the child molestation charges/trial:

*Michael Jackson Conspiracy by Aprhodite Jones
*Redemption by Geraldine Hughes (But I considered this book a total waste of money since there is NO real information in it.)

If you want to know about the heart of Michael Jackson:

*Dancing The Dream
*Moonwalk
*The Magic, The Madness, The Whole Story by J. Randy Taraborrelli
*The Michael Jackson Tapes: A Tragic Icon Reveals His Soul in Intimate Conversation by Shmuley Boteach - (Just don't read Boteach's comments.)


For Historical Reference:

*Opus
*Michael Jackson Platinum Edition Collector's Vault - Whitman Publishing


Books I personally want to get:

*Visual documentary Adrian Grant
*For The Record 2nd Edition by Chris Cadman and Craig Halstead
*Michael Jackson Before He Was King by Todd Gray

[magicmj12]

I've been bad and found a christmas present, I'm sure it's this book:
http://www.whsmith.co.uk/CatalogAndSearch/ProductDetails-Michael+Jackson+-9780755360536.html#

Is it a good/fair book?

I also need to get 'Before He Was King'

[MarielovesMJ]

"Be Careful Who You Love" is a book that is bad and biased.

[JoanMJ]

For the record

Conspiracy by Jones. This should be owned by every fan.

[Adore]

ah I was thinking of making a thread like this :D Pretty much all the books I was gonna mention have been already lol :mello: Might be nice if we can go on amazon or something and get a little synopsis of the books from the publishers and key points from reviews to put in here too so people know exactly why they are good/bad

[Krshna28]

We all forgot about the Official Thriller 25th Anniversary Book!!!!

That's one everyone should buy.

[MJsBollywoodGirl7]

There's this book:

Michael Jackson - The Man In The Mirror 1958-2009 by Tim Hill


I think this is a good book. My mother just got it for me today. When it was suppose to be a Christmas present for me. But I just love the pictures in it. Even though I have seen almost all of them before. But I didn't really read any of it yet.

[ThunderPower]

I can't reiterate how horrible Michael Jackson Unauthorized by Andersen is. Absolute tabloid filth.

[LauraLovesMJ]

*bump*

[Anth0ny]

What exactly is so bad about The Magic and the Madness? Just because there was SOME criticism doesn't mean it's a bad book... I really enjoyed it.

Also, I definitely need to pick up some of the books in this thread. Never read Moonwalk yet!

[LouiseCK]

Don't forget
Redemption by Geraldine Hughes (Good Book)

[MarielovesMJ]

I can't reiterate how horrible Michael Jackson Unauthorized by Andersen is. Absolute tabloid filth.

I saw the summery on Amazon, It is absolute filth. And thank god that the MJ was My lover book by that a-hole Victor is out of print and hard to find.:clapping: That book was so low, by the descriptions that I read about it.

[Sebastian83]

RECOMMENDED/GOOD:

- Moonwalk

- Dancing The Dream

- The Visual Documentary by A. Grant

- Thriller 25th Anniversary: The Book

- For The Record

[mjgem]

i saw this today is it any good?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Michael-Jackson-Treasures-Celebrating-Memorabilia/dp/1847377971/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259151884&sr=8-1

[LouiseCK]

i saw this today is it any good?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Michael-Jackson-Treasures-Celebrating-Memorabilia/dp/1847377971/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259151884&sr=8-1

you can read the reviews anyway.


would recommend [Michael Jackson: The Visual Documentary] instead.

[Fede1583]

i saw this today is it any good?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Michael-Jackson-Treasures-Celebrating-Memorabilia/dp/1847377971/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259151884&sr=8-1

I saw it Sunday in a bookstore and flipped through the pages.
The book contains reproductions of concert tickets, newspapers articles, letters etc..and lots of pictures.
There's even a reproduction of the marriage certificate (of MJ and LMP) :doh:, which I didn't like. It's already available on the Internet for anyone to see and it's kind of a private thing that shouldn't have been put in the book imo.

I didn't buy the book in the end because I have seen most of the pictures and I didn't like some of the descriptions beside certain photos.
The concert tickets (there's reproduction of a ticket for the memorial too) are very well done though.

ETA: I have a question regarding the book Michael Jackson for the Record; which one should I buy, the first or the second edition?
first: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Michael-Jackson-Record-Chris-Cadman/dp/0755202678/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=IWB912VT2QQV1&colid=1ENZWMTJMGES7

second: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Michael-Jackson-Record-Revised-Expanded/dp/0755204786/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=INYD9TWFQ9RRE&colid=1ENZWMTJMGES7

[LouiseCK]

I saw it Sunday in a bookstore and flipped through the pages.
The book contains reproductions of concert tickets, newspapers articles, letters etc..and lots of pictures.
There's even a reproduction of the marriage certificate (of MJ and LMP) :doh:, which I didn't like. It's already available on the Internet for anyone to see and it's kind of a private thing that shouldn't have been put in the book imo.

I didn't buy the book in the end because I have seen most of the pictures and I didn't like some of the descriptions beside certain photos.
The concert tickets (there's reproduction of a ticket for the memorial too) are very well done though.

ETA: I have a question regarding the book Michael Jackson for the Record; which one should I buy, the first or the second edition?
first: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Michael-Jackson-Record-Chris-Cadman/dp/0755202678/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=IWB912VT2QQV1&colid=1ENZWMTJMGES7

second: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Michael-Jackson-Record-Revised-Expanded/dp/0755204786/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=INYD9TWFQ9RRE&colid=1ENZWMTJMGES7

haha I would buy the 2nd edition which is the 1st ed with addage.

[LauraLovesMJ]

The Geraldine Hughes' book is a COMPLETE waste of money. She brings nothing to light, especially if you've read Michael Jackson Conspiracy by Aphrodite Jones. If you only have $20 for a book and want to know about the history of what went on with the molestation charges/accusations, go with "Conspiracy". It is 1000% better than Hughes' book, which is nothing but Hughes' observations of a bad boss. :rolleyes2:

Hughes was also TOO CHEAP to hire someone to properly edit the book, so there are grammatical errors THROUGHOUT IT. There are problems with extra words being thrown in there, and constant syntax problems. Because of these problems, it made it harder to read, and certainly less enjoyable.

Here are a few examples from just quickly flipping through it:

Page 33:

"If, however, you walked behind the scenes of Mr. Rothman's office, you will find a different person altogether."

(Past tense mixed with present tense. :doh: It SHOULD BE either, "you walk behind the scenes of Mr. Rothman's office, you will find a..." OR "If, however, you walked behind the scenes of Mr. Rothman's office, you would find a..." It's like a friggin' idiot wrote it. And this person is supposed to be a LEGAL SECRETARY? She can't even put decent sentences together! :doh: )

Page 34:

"Mr. Rothman had no respect for the attorneys that worked for him."

(Um, it's... "the attorneys WHO worked for him".)

Page 37:

"He needed someone that did not mind bending and/or breaking the rules."

(It should be "He needed someone WHO..." I can't even tell you how many times she got the "that/who" thing wrong, because it was all throughout the book. :doh: You expect to see this kind of mistake on a message board, NOT in a BOOK put out for publication, which should've been properly and/or professionally edited.)

Page 35:

"Mr. Rothman's mannerism was often intimidating and physically threatening."

(It's either "Mr. Rothman's manner was often..." or else, "Mr. Rothman's mannerisms were often..." Seriously, all through the book it sounds like a complete idiot wrote it. )


Page 84:

"Everything was going according to a certain plan that it wasn't just his. :doh: And that once that he made a phone call, that guy (Rothman) was going to destroy everybody in sight..."

(The words "it" and "that" are both extra words. This kind of thing is throughout the whole book.)

I could go on and on, literally, but I don't have the time now. I will tell you that...


This was one of the most POORLY WRITTEN books I have ever read, and certainly THE MOST ANNOYING BOOK I'VE EVER READ.

But hey, if you like that kind of writing, be my guest. :) Just remember, there is NOTHING in the book but speculation by Hughes' and her personal opinions. TOTAL waste of money.

Oh, almost forgot, she COMPARES MICHAEL TO OJ SIMPSON, SAYING THAT OJ WAS INNOCENT TOO, :doh: and saying that OJ was only arrested because he was a BLACK MAN. :doh: (One of the dumbest things I've ever seen in a book!)

[Fede1583]

haha I would buy the 2nd edition which is the 1st ed with addage.
Oh, ok, thank you. ;)

[Krshna28]

RECOMMENDED/GOOD:

- Moonwalk

- Dancing The Dream

- The Visual Documentary by A. Grant

- Thriller 25th Anniversary: The Book

- For The Record

These are the only MJ books I brought (OPUS hasn't arrived yet) and I must say that all five are must buys!!!!!

[*~Tink~*]

Okay guys I've updated my first post in the thread. Just keep titles coming, and I will add them in, okay?

Meme suggested it would be easier to reference the list if it was the first post in this thread. I think that's an excellent idea!!! Thanks, Meme!

[LouiseCK]

********************

QUESTIONABLE BOOKS
(these are books we have differing opinions on)

Redemption by Hughes

Please please tell me what you think of that book? I just bought it from Amazon but haven't received it yet. I thought it was a good one?

[ChrissyBrown]

I own: Moonwalk
Michael Jackson: Legend
Michael Jackson: The world says goodbye to king of pop
Michael: 1958-2009 (Timeline)
Michael Jackson: A visual documentary
Michael Jackson: Legend,Hero,Icon: A tribute to the king of pop
Michael Jackson: Dancing the dream
Michael Jackson: Life of a legend
Michael Jackson: Platinum Edition Collector's vault

Soon to own Michael Jackson Treasures & the opus whoo hoo.

All above are great but yet to read Michael Jackson:Legend

[ItsALLforLOVE]

Good ones (in no specific order):

Dancing the Dream
Thriller 25th Anniversary Book
Moonwalk
Before He Was King

Any one of these would be great gifts, along with Dangerous: The Short Films DVD!

[Thetruthbetold]

the author who wrote unmasked needs his head blown the off sorry for going some hard but the things he said in that book was out of line

[suzynyc]

I am searching for a new book to read related to MJ. I am having withdrawal symptoms from not having an MJ book to read for a while. But I'm having a tough time deciding what to get next. This thread helps.

So far I have read:

Moonwalk by Michael Jackson (first edition!) - A pleasant read.

The Magic, the Madness, the Whole Story by J. Randy Taraborrelli - This book is the size of War & Peace. Some things in there seem questionable, conflicting or what only Michael or others or a fly on the wall would know.

Conspiracy by Aphrodite Jones - Excellent recount of the 2005 trial that I wish EVERYONE, Jackson and non-Jackson fans alike, would read.

The Michael Jackson Tapes by Rabbi Shmuley - Excellent read, IMO. Although the best parts are Michael's own words. I think I learned more about him from this book than any other (at least his thoughts at the time). Although, I did feel a little guilty reading this information. It's also fun and interesting to read Shmuley's accounts of the time they spent together. Don't hate me but I kind of wish there were more tapes like these.

I think I may get the Geraldine Hughes book next. I want Dancing The Dream but that may be more difficult (and costly) to acquire.

I'm also interested in this one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1849382611/ref=s9_simz_gw_s5_p14_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-4&pf_rd_r=1RTH33X2E9PH4XBJZM4A&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470939031&pf_rd_i=507846

I don't want to read the crazy tabloid-like biographies (unless I'm desperate).

[CaptainEoLove85]

This book looks good, anyone read it? http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Jackson-Only-Triumph-Books/dp/1600783481/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259266552&sr=1-1

[*~Tink~*]

Please please tell me what you think of that book? I just bought it from Amazon but haven't received it yet. I thought it was a good one?

Don't worry. LauralovesMJ reviewed it and thought it was annoying and poorly written (see page 3 for her review). She said there was a degree of speculation or opinion, so she felt it a waste. BUT she did not say it was unkind to MJ. So there is nothing to worry about. And another poster really liked it.

I'd say if you already bought it, just flip through when you get it. But it seems harmless.

Oh, be sure to let us know your thoughts, too! :)

[bubbyduck4MJ]

BAD BOOKS: the list so far, alphabetical order...

Be Careful Who You Love: Inside the Michael Jackson Case by Diane Dimond


Omg, she wrote a book? ack. ...... :no: :rant:

[PoP]

The Redemption is questionable? The book which is written Hughes who she was a secretary at the time during the 93' case, be was convinced that Michael was innocent and believe it was all a plot to get Michael's money, that's why she wrote book. So she knows the truth, what I'm trying to say is, that book is a very good book I'm sure of it. I'd get it if I were you.

[Aeneiden]

Why is magic and the madness considered to be bad when MJ himself said that the stuff about his childhood in the book is mostly true?

[*~Tink~*]

Why is magic and the madness considered to be bad when MJ himself said that the stuff about his childhood in the book is mostly true?

"Unless you hear it from me, don't believe it." ~ Michael

Oh, it is so sad what this self proclaimed "friend" is capable of writing. Take a glance at just the names of his past articles. Sad. :(

http://www.journalisted.com/j-randy-taraborrelli

(I am not linking to the articles directly, as they are tabloid in nature and tone.)

[*~Tink~*]

The Redemption is questionable? The book which is written Hughes who she was a secretary at the time during the 93' case, be was convinced that Michael was innocent and believe it was all a plot to get Michael's money, that's why she wrote book. So she knows the truth, what I'm trying to say is, that book is a very good book I'm sure of it. I'd get it if I were you.

I wanted to honor both reviews of the book. LauralovesMJ mentioned she did not care for it. But since it seems most here do like the book, and since the author was well intentioned, I will move it to the good book list. :)

[bubbyduck4MJ]

"Unless you hear it from me, don't believe it." ~ Michael

Oh, it is so sad what this self proclaimed "friend" is capable of writing. Take a glance at just the names of his past articles. Sad. :(

http://www.journalisted.com/j-randy-taraborrelli

(I am not linking to the articles directly, as they are tabloid in nature and tone.)

I have only just started to read his book. But I noticed his name is in the VIP section for the Dot Portrait of Michael.. it made me a little confused about the relationship he had with Michael and if the book is good or bad...

[*~Tink~*]

I have only just started to read his book. But I noticed his name is in the VIP section for the Dot Portrait of Michael.. it made me a little confused about the relationship he had with Michael and if the book is good or bad...

Yeah, but that just means he signed up to be in the portrait.

He even used the bad name for Michael in an article writen after June. :( Just take a peek at the article titles alone. He was/is trying to perpetuate the "weirdness" myth. That's why his book has "Madness" in the title. There was nothing mad about Michael, nothing weird. But see, that is his angle. :(

[Krshna28]

Which books come with removable memorabilia (i.e. tickets and such things)???

[Sophielo]

Which books come with removable memorabilia (i.e. tickets and such things)???

Michael Jackson Treasures by Jason King. I got it this morning as a christmas present. The removable tickets, programmes and posters are very cool and the pictures are beautiful. The text is complimentary to MJ generally but there are inaccuarcies. Apparently in 2004 Debbie Rowe filed court documents saying she was inseminated by an artificial donor-um, that's the first I ever heard of it. And he said that when Michael went pioneering with the Witnesses' after Thriller that Michael got parranoid and really upset when people slammed the door in his face which is completely untrue. Plus he said that Witnesses' sell the Watchtower; they do not sell them, that's a blatant lie. They give them to people for free. But other than that the book's very nice.

[Krshna28]

Michael Jackson Treasures by Jason King. I got it this morning as a christmas present. The removable tickets, programmes and posters are very cool and the pictures are beautiful. The text is complimentary to MJ generally but there are inaccuarcies. Apparently in 2004 Debbie Rowe filed court documents saying she was inseminated by an artificial donor-um, that's the first I ever heard of it. And he said that when Michael went pioneering with the Witnesses' after Thriller that Michael got parranoid and really upset when people slammed the door in his face which is completely untrue. Plus he said that Witnesses' sell the Watchtower; they do not sell them, that's a blatant lie. They give them to people for free. But other than that the book's very nice.

Thanks for this..........

I have also heard of a book called "Michael Jackson Vault".....is that any good and does it have any removable memorabilia????

[IvoryKeys]

I got what I wanted. In the Studio with Michael Jackson! What I enjoy is that it's not just about Michael. That's probably only about half the book. The other half is on Bruce's recording processes. And what the recording industry looks like for the future. I can't wait to delve into it in about a week when I'll be on a bus about 5hrs a day for 10 days. Serious...Reading...Material.

[Arklove]

Michael Jackson Treasures by Jason King. I got it this morning as a christmas present. The removable tickets, programmes and posters are very cool and the pictures are beautiful. The text is complimentary to MJ generally but there are inaccuarcies. Apparently in 2004 Debbie Rowe filed court documents saying she was inseminated by an artificial donor-um, that's the first I ever heard of it. And he said that when Michael went pioneering with the Witnesses' after Thriller that Michael got parranoid and really upset when people slammed the door in his face which is completely untrue. Plus he said that Witnesses' sell the Watchtower; they do not sell them, that's a blatant lie. They give them to people for free. But other than that the book's very nice.

I got that one too this morning for Xmas...My mom got it for me...She says she's probably gonna buy herself one now too! I haven't read it yet...Just a few parts here and there...Seemed pretty decent

[*Tyler*]

I got it too. I think it's great. 95% positive. The fact that it has some minor negativity will likely just allow the general public that read it to accept all the positive things it says, without dismissing it, thinking it's just a sugar coated pro mj book. I loved the replica tickets, programs and things...and the pictures are great too.

[Krshna28]

Get the Michael Jackson Treasures Book for £10.50

http://waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/jason+king/the+michael+jackson+treasures/6863519/

[The One.]

Apparently the Finnish version of that Michael Heatley's book is very poorly translated and that it has some factual errors and some weird statements..?

[Sophielo]

I really like the Thriller poster that they included with the Treasures book I immediatly stuck it on my wall!

[Marilyn Monroe]

Thanks for this..........

I have also heard of a book called "Michael Jackson Vault".....is that any good and does it have any removable memorabilia????

yea it has removable replica items, like jackson 5 concert tickets, a presidential letter ronald reagan sent to michael when he got burned, mj and lisa's wedding certificate, 2004 invitation to neverland ranch, a postcard featuring neverland, pages of the patent-of the shoes to make him lean etc, etc. by the end of the book it got weird with copies of his 8 page Will in testament, and then what was weirder was a copy of his death certificate. ....so didnt need to add those things. but i liked it, i'd add it.

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/2175/51evjlognlsl500.jpg

[Julia]

There's a good thread about boycotting the new Rolling Stone tribute book here~
http://www.mjjcommunity.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81960

This made me think, maybe we can make up a list of good books and bad books, a list to give people who might be buying us Michael books for the holidays. Very well intentioned peeps may make the error of thinking anything MJ is a nice gift, not knowing we feel passionately about which books to support and which to definitely NOT support. If we could make a list, then we can pass it along with any wish lists we are asked for.

I'll start...

#1 good book~ Moonwalk :)



********************

THE BAD BOOK LIST SO FAR


Be Careful Who You Love: Inside the Michael Jackson Case by Diane Dimond

Freak!: Inside the Twisted World of Michael Jackson by David Perel and Suzanne Ely

J****, His Rise and Fall, Second Edition: The Social and Sexual History of Michael Jackson by Darwin Porter

(The) Magic, the Madness, the Whole Story by J. Randy Taraborrelli

Michael by Rolling Stone Magazine

(The) Michael Jackson Tapes: A Tragic Icon Reveals His Soul in Intimate Conversation by Shmuel Boteach

Michael Jackson Was My Lover by Victor M. Gutierrez

Michael Jackson Unauthorized by Andersen

Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson by Ian Halperin

********************


THE GOOD BOOK LIST SO FAR

Moonwalk
Moonwalker The Storybook
Dancing the Dream
Thriller 25th Anniversary
Opus

Conspiracy by Aprhodite Jones

For The Record 2nd Edition by Chris Cadman and Craig Halstead

In his own words by Catherine Dineen

In the studio with Michael Jackson by Bruce Swedien

Life Commemorative: Michael Jackson by Life magazine

Loving Michael Jackson by Selena Millman

Michael Jackson by Stewart Regan

Michael Jackson Before He Was King by Todd Gray

Michael Jackson King Of Pop by Lisa D. Campbell

Michael Jackson Life of a Legend by Michael Heatley

Michael Jackson Platinum Edition Collector's Vault (by David Lifton?)

Redemption by Hughes

Visual documentary by Adrian Grant

********************

I love Dancing the Dream it is my favorite book ever and Moonwalk simply brilliant. Before He Wa King is a good book and I brought one called Treasures and it is a picture book with heaps of beautiful pictures of Michael.

[treyspider]

absolutely luv
dancing the dream amazingg book
alsoo moonwalker an the others;)

[Daniela_mar]

Thanks for this..........

I have also heard of a book called "Michael Jackson Vault".....is that any good and does it have any removable memorabilia????

I have heard that the Vault is better than the treasures....
i have just orderet it!!!
i'm thinking about the treasure.. because theyr structure are very similar....

[MJsBollywoodGirl7]

I have the Vault it was one of my early Christmas presents. But I had just ordered Treasures from Ebay as a birthday present for myself. Which is next Monday I am already going to have a miserable birthday as it is. Because I just hate knowing that I am going to be starting a new decade of my life without Michael in it. My 30th birthday will be spent in bed just trying to forget.

[Gottobethere]

Bad book: Michael Jackson Life of a Legend by Michael Heatley.

Good book: Adrian Grant visual documentary.

[nickzark]

i bought Visual documentary by Adrian Grant .It is amazing.Very good work

[mjlover1988]

Bad book: Michael Jackson Life of a Legend by Michael Heatley.

Good book: Adrian Grant visual documentary.


What's wrong with Life of a Legend?

I thought it was brilliant.

[Gottobethere]

What's wrong with Life of a Legend?

I thought it was brilliant.

They got a lot of facts wrong plus the overall tone sounded like they weren't really big fans and the wrong picture isn't an in-joke it's a huge mistake that a real fan wouldn't let happen, it's just more cashing in on the MJ dollar.

[MJsPYT1]

lets see...some of the books I like are:

*moonwalk
*dancing the dream
*in his own words
*in the studio with MJ
*For the record
*before he was king
*Conspiracy
*The magic and the madness (1st edition ONLY, not the 2nd or the "whole story" one!)
*oh, I just downloaded the version of Rabbi smelly's book without his commentary, only Michael's words.

I have other books, but I don't feel like going to look at the titles, lol

Let me know if you have any questions about any books and I can clarify to the best of my ability! :)

[Pentum]

Okay, so I just finished reading Life Of A Legend. The book was good, imo, but had some facts all wrong. A good book for noob fans. Now, this was actually my FIRST MJ BOOK ever, BECAUSE I never read books. I hate it actually, but reading books about MJ made me like reading books more.

So I ask you this, what should be my next MJ book? I want the best one.

List from 1. Page:

THE GOOD BOOK LIST SO FAR

Moonwalk
Moonwalker The Storybook
Dancing the Dream
Thriller 25th Anniversary
Opus

Conspiracy by Aprhodite Jones

For The Record 2nd Edition by Chris Cadman and Craig Halstead

In his own words by Catherine Dineen

In the studio with Michael Jackson by Bruce Swedien

Life Commemorative: Michael Jackson by Life magazine

Loving Michael Jackson by Selena Millman

Michael Jackson by Stewart Regan

Michael Jackson Before He Was King by Todd Gray

Michael Jackson King Of Pop by Lisa D. Campbell

Michael Jackson Life of a Legend by Michael Heatley

Michael Jackson Platinum Edition Collector's Vault (by David Lifton?)

Redemption by Hughes

Visual documentary by Adrian Grant

[mj_brainiac]

The Michael Jackson Treasures book is okay but has a negative tone after the Thriller chapter

[LauraLovesMJ]

I wanted to honor both reviews of the book. LauralovesMJ mentioned she did not care for it. But since it seems most here do like the book, and since the author was well intentioned, I will move it to the good book list. :)There is no doubt in my mind that Geraldine's intentions were good. She's just a *horrible* writer, and sounds extremely ignorant. I don't see how a legal secretary can have such poor writing skills since they have to READ so much.

I can't imagine any credible source taking her seriously considering her poor writing skills and her neglect in getting an editor to edit the book. And comparing Michael to O.J. Simpson made me mad too. :mad:

[KayHey]

It's interesting how nearly all of the bad books listed give away the fact that they are negative in their titles already. All, except that Rolling Stone book. There's some word or a little phrase that tells you the book will be negative and/or biased.

I have Dancing the Dream, Moonwalk, Conspiracy and Redemption so far and the list will help me decide which book to get next.

[Lorraine]

Get the Michael Jackson Treasures Book for £10.50

http://waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/jason+king/the+michael+jackson+treasures/6863519/



:mello: I got this for my mum in the store Christmas eve and paid the full price. :bugeyed :lol:


Lovely book though. :wub:

[LauraLovesMJ]

I have the Vault it was one of my early Christmas presents. But I had just ordered Treasures from Ebay as a birthday present for myself. Which is next Monday I am already going to have a miserable birthday as it is. Because I just hate knowing that I am going to be starting a new decade of my life without Michael in it. My 30th birthday will be spent in bed just trying to forget.Oh hon... I know how you feel, :better: but please don't spend your birthday that way, OR your life. From Michael's poem "A Child is a Song": (Emphasis mine.)

"Each song is a child I nourish and give my love to. But even if you have never written a song, your life is a song. How can it not be? In wave after wave, Nature caresses you - the rhythm of each dawn and each sunset is part of you, the falling rain touches your soul, and you see yourself in the clouds that are playing tag with the sun. To live is to be musical, starting with the blood dancing in your veins. Everything living has a rhythm. To feel each one, softly and attentively, brings out its music.

Do you feel your music?

Children do, but once we grow up, life becomes a burden and a heavy chore, and the music grows fainter. Sometimes the heart is so heavy that we turn away from it and forget that its throbbing is the wisest message of life, a wordless message that says, 'Live, be, move, rejoice - you are alive!' Without the heart's wise rhythm, we could not exist."

If you haven't read "Dancing the Dream" then you might want to order it. You will see into Michael's sweet soul like never before. He was such a poet, such a lover. :wub: I am just amazed at his child-like innocence and beauty. But for sure it will make you feel super close to Michael, and make you feel connected to him still. That is what it does for me anyway. :)

I have the Vault book too and absolutely LOVE it. In some ways I like it even better than the Opus. :yes:

[MJsBollywoodGirl7]

Oh hon... I know how you feel, :better: but please don't spend your birthday that way, OR your life. From Michael's poem "A Child is a Song": (Emphasis mine.)

"Each song is a child I nourish and give my love to. But even if you have never written a song, your life is a song. How can it not be? In wave after wave, Nature caresses you - the rhythm of each dawn and each sunset is part of you, the falling rain touches your soul, and you see yourself in the clouds that are playing tag with the sun. To live is to be musical, starting with the blood dancing in your veins. Everything living has a rhythm. To feel each one, softly and attentively, brings out its music.

Do you feel your music?

Children do, but once we grow up, life becomes a burden and a heavy chore, and the music grows fainter. Sometimes the heart is so heavy that we turn away from it and forget that its throbbing is the wisest message of life, a wordless message that says, 'Live, be, move, rejoice - you are alive!' Without the heart's wise rhythm, we could not exist."

If you haven't read "Dancing the Dream" then you might want to order it. You will see into Michael's sweet soul like never before. He was such a poet, such a lover. :wub: I am just amazed at his child-like innocence and beauty. But for sure it will make you feel super close to Michael, and make you feel connected to him still. That is what it does for me anyway. :)

I have the Vault book too and absolutely LOVE it. In some ways I like it even better than the Opus. :yes:

I have Dancing The Dream book I gotten a few years or so ago. It is one of my absolute favorite books to read. I know I should go back and read it again. But every time I do I just start crying all over again. After just reading one of his poems. But I am still trying I guess. It is just so hard for me though. Especially trying to get over someone that you practically spent almost your entire life loving. I know I will never be fully over him. I just have to learn to find ways of trying to get him off of my mind for a little while. And yeah I know I shouldn't spend my birthday that way. Maybe I won't but right now I really don't know yet.

These are the other MJ books that I have.

Dancing The Dream
Moonwalk
Moonwalker The Storybook
Michael Jackson by Stewart Regan
Michael Jackson Man In The Mirror 1958-2009 by Tim Hill
Opus
Michael Jackson For The Record Second Edition Revised and Expanded
Michael Jackson Collector's Vault Platinum Edition
Michael Jackson King Of Pop Lisa D, Campbell
Loving Michael Jackson by Selena Millman
Michael Jackson Treasures
Michael Jackson Unauthorized


Now don't even dare get me started on that last book. I was 15 years old when I had gotten that book. And at that age I should have known better by getting a book that is nothing but tabloid garbage. But I didn't and I just so totally wish I could burn it. But where I live it is not allowed.

[KayHey]

I had some extra time in my hands and I looked through the selection of a Scandinavian online store. Here are some that I found, whether good or bad.

The first book, Goodbye Billie Jean: the Meaning of Michael Jackson has its own Facebook group and seems good. There are many contributors to this book. Lorette C. Luzajic has her own website too (http://www.thegirlcanwrite.net/).

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Goodbye-Billie-Jean-the-Meaning-of-Michael-Jackson/184458007947#/pages/Goodbye-Billie-Jean-the-Meaning-of-Michael-Jackson/184458007947?v=info

This is a forthcoming publication, probably a photographic book. Does anyone know more?

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Neverland-Lost/Henry-Leutwyler/e/9783869300504

The photographer's website:
http://www.henryleutwyler.com/

Was this listed already? Michael Jackson: the Unseen Archives. It seems pretty good also.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Michael-Jackson-1958-2009-Unseen-Archives/dp/1407587927

Those are the ones that looked potentially good to me. Any insight is appreciated.
Then the bad ones I came across.

This first one Michael Jackson: the Master of Illusion, it has it's own website too, seems to be suggesting that Michael has "inadvertently" created the "illusion" of his death. Hmm...? The excerpts read like a novel...

http://michaeljacksonmasterofillusion.com/

The Resistible Demise of Michael Jackson (come again??) looks bad, even its cover and that silly title. It has one great (one star) review on Amazon.com, where the reviewer suggests a bunch of books to buy instead of that one.

http://www.amazon.com/Resistible-Demise-Michael-Jackson/dp/1846943485

This one, Letters to Michael Jackson, raised a question: how on earth do people like this get their books out?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Letters-Michael-Jackson-Karen-Taylor/dp/1403385033

This next one falls into the unclear category. It's called I Can't Believe It! Michael Jackson and a subtitle Stay Strong Michael. It was very hard to make any sense of what this book is about, really. Is it positive? Any ideas?

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/I-Cant-Believe-It-Michael-Jackson/Telia-Diane-Perryman/e/9781425928575/?itm=1&usri=Diane+Perryman

This last one is another puzzle. I was ready to throw this book,
Michael Jackson The Autopsy Is In...It Was Homicide, into the bad book category when I read the synopsis. But the only review is positive. So...? I'm sure this book is very quickly put together at least.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Michael-Jackson-The-Autopsy-Is-InIt-Was-Homicide/Phyllis-Jager/e/9780557083640

As I wrote above, any additional insights into these books would be great, though it's pretty easy to tell which ones not to buy (with the exception of those unclear ones, obviously).

[BBoiSound]

http://www.michaeljacksonfortherecord.com

Check it out - these are two books MORE than worth it.

[BBoiSound]

Thanks for this..........

I have also heard of a book called "Michael Jackson Vault".....is that any good and does it have any removable memorabilia????

It's frustrating because my Web site The Michael Jackson Vault (MJJVault.us) has been around since 2005. This book came out randomly with my site title... Frustrating lol

[bubbyduck4MJ]

Does anyone know where I can pick up the Vault book in Australia?

Also, I saw the Michael book by the editors of rolling stone. I haven't read it yet but a couple of the pictures I hadn't seen before so that was nice. At first I was like what the hell is it called because there's no title or any words on the front or back cover just 'Michael by the editors or rolling stone' on the side panel.

[souldreamer7]

Does anyone know where I can pick up the Vault book in Australia?

Also, I saw the Michael book by the editors of rolling stone. I haven't read it yet but a couple of the pictures I hadn't seen before so that was nice. At first I was like what the hell is it called because there's no title or any words on the front or back cover just 'Michael by the editors or rolling stone' on the side panel.



http://www.booktopia.com.au/michael-jackson-vault-a-tribute-to-the-king-of-pop-1958-2009/prod9780794829292.html

or maybe here

http://www.boomerangbooks.com.au/search.cfm?count=1&t=t&s=Michael+Jackson

[MJfan10]

There's a good thread about boycotting the new Rolling Stone tribute book here~
http://www.mjjcommunity.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81960

This made me think, maybe we can make up a list of good books and bad books, a list to give people who might be buying us Michael books for the holidays. Very well intentioned peeps may make the error of thinking anything MJ is a nice gift, not knowing we feel passionately about which books to support and which to definitely NOT support. If we could make a list, then we can pass it along with any wish lists we are asked for.

I'll start...

#1 good book~ Moonwalk :)



********************

THE BAD BOOK LIST SO FAR


Be Careful Who You Love: Inside the Michael Jackson Case by Diane Dimond

Freak!: Inside the Twisted World of Michael Jackson by David Perel and Suzanne Ely

J****, His Rise and Fall, Second Edition: The Social and Sexual History of Michael Jackson by Darwin Porter

(The) Magic, the Madness, the Whole Story by J. Randy Taraborrelli

Michael by Rolling Stone Magazine

(The) Michael Jackson Tapes: A Tragic Icon Reveals His Soul in Intimate Conversation by Shmuel Boteach

Michael Jackson Was My Lover by Victor M. Gutierrez

Michael Jackson Unauthorized by Andersen

Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson by Ian Halperin

********************


THE GOOD BOOK LIST SO FAR

Moonwalk
Moonwalker The Storybook
Dancing the Dream
Thriller 25th Anniversary
Opus

Conspiracy by Aprhodite Jones

For The Record 2nd Edition by Chris Cadman and Craig Halstead

In his own words by Catherine Dineen

In the studio with Michael Jackson by Bruce Swedien

Life Commemorative: Michael Jackson by Life magazine

Loving Michael Jackson by Selena Millman

Michael Jackson by Stewart Regan

Michael Jackson Before He Was King by Todd Gray

Michael Jackson King Of Pop by Lisa D. Campbell

Michael Jackson Life of a Legend by Michael Heatley

Michael Jackson Platinum Edition Collector's Vault (by David Lifton?)

Redemption by Hughes

Visual documentary by Adrian Grant

********************


Thanks for the list :)

[Silouette]

Michael Jackson Man In The Mirror 1958-2009 by Tim Hill

I got this book for a Christmas present but I havent read everything yet.
But on the back cover (and probably inside) Hill states that MJ won an
unprecedented 7 Grammy awards for THRILLER. I've always thought,
read, heard that it was 8. :scratch: Is there other discrepencies in the book?

[Daniela_mar]

i'm not sure.. but i'd like to buy this book...

http://www.amazon.de/Michael-Jackson-King-Pop-English/dp/3981312716/ref=sr_1_29?ie=UTF8&s=books-intl-de&qid=1263308793&sr=1-29

it is sold only by amazon germany.. someone has information about it?
i don't understand the opinion.. it's in german language!!!

[This Is It]

I got this book for a Christmas present but I havent read everything yet.
But on the back cover (and probably inside) Hill states that MJ won an
unprecedented 7 Grammy awards for THRILLER. I've always thought,
read, heard that it was 8. :scratch: Is there other discrepencies in the book?

I think he won seven for Thriller - but eight overall, one for the ET storybook.

[JMie]

What can you say about this book?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512WEVSHNDL._SL500_AA240_.jpg

Good or bad?

And another question. Really need your advice guys. I have the Vault book, so do I need Treasures? Are they similar or different?

[Silouette]

Kathie....I dont even know.


I think he won seven for Thriller - but eight overall, one for the ET storybook.
Oh, ok. I knew it was 8, but didnt realize one was for E.T.
Thanks love. :)

[.Butterflies.]

Anyone read 'The King of Pop's Darkest Hour' By Lisa D. Campbell who alot of you are mentioning in the 'good books' from the other book she wrote about MJ? I accidentally fell across the temporary preview of the book on google (http://books.google.com/books?id=n1S4bMjM8LoC&lpg=PP1&dq=Lisa%20D.%20Campbell&pg=PA11#v=onepage&q=&f=false). Thought...well, I'll read one or two pages to see how it is. Next thing I knew I was up until 3am and finished it in the day

[JMie]

Anyone read 'The King of Pop's Darkest Hour' By Lisa D. Campbell who alot of you are mentioning in the 'good books' from the other book she wrote about MJ? I accidentally fell across the temporary preview of the book on google (http://books.google.com/books?id=n1S4bMjM8LoC&lpg=PP1&dq=Lisa%20D.%20Campbell&pg=PA11#v=onepage&q=&f=false). Thought...well, I'll read one or two pages to see how it is. Next thing I knew I was up until 3am and finished it in the day

Yes. I have this book. It's a good one.

[crows in black]

wait a minute, what is wrong with Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson by Ian Halperin ??

I remember this author came on Howard Stern and said that he originally set out to expose MJ but he realized how great MJ was and he wanted this book to set the record straight about him and prove that all the allegations about him were false. I haven't read it yet but I was always under the impression that this book was supposed to "vindicate" MJ...it sounded like it would have been good

[The One.]

What about

Michael Jackson: King of pop by Emily Herbert
Michael Jackson: A life in music and The complete guide to the music of Michael Jackson & the Jackson Family by Geoff Brown.

They sound alright but does someone have these books?

[JMie]

What about

Michael Jackson: A life in music and The complete guide to the music of Michael Jackson & the Jackson Family by Geoff Brown.

They sound alright but does someone have these books?

I have these ones. I read them loooong ago (in the 90s, I think). And the only thing I can remember right now is that in the second one he wrote that the song Speed Demon was about being high on drugs (Methamphetamine) which was a shocker to read for a 18-year-old me. I didn't even know that word. I was so surprised that I remember about it even now.

[ruchie]

I loved the first editions of MoonWalk and Dancing The Dream and Do you guys remember that Michael had a kiddie book that went along with The Smooth Criminal Video?It had all The Pics from the Shortfilm. I'm not getting rid of them for any price. I also Have The Magic And The Madness which was otay and Michael Jackson unauthorized which I didn't care for. My Daughter gave me Michael by the editions of Rolling Stone for Christmas. I like the pics more than the stories.

[mj_smile]

i'm not sure.. but i'd like to buy this book...

http://www.amazon.de/Michael-Jackson-King-Pop-English/dp/3981312716/ref=sr_1_29?ie=UTF8&s=books-intl-de&qid=1263308793&sr=1-29

it is sold only by amazon germany.. someone has information about it?
i don't understand the opinion.. it's in german language!!!


Ich bin leider erst nach MJs Tod auf diese, von ihm einzige authorisierte, Biographie aufmerksam geworden. Nach langer Suche habe ich dann ein gebrauchte Ausgabe gefunden. Das Buch hat einen sehr schönen Einband, die Bilder sind von sehr guter Qualität, und die Biographie ist sehr interessant auch wenn ich nicht viel neues erfahren habe. Es ist ein wunderschönes Andenken an MJ.Translation:

The only one authorized biography by MJ came to my attention, unfortunately only after his death. After a long search I found then a used edition.
The book has a very nice cover, the pictures are of very good quality, and the biography is very interesting even if I did not learn much new. It is a beautiful memory of MJ.


The book, first edition in Jan 2001, only in german language, was sold out immediately after its publication.
( After his death he was on 2 or 3 german tv channels .. he was wrong on a few events (I've forgotten what it was)
and I was angry about that, because I had more accuracy expected by an authorized biographer. )
Anyway I bought it immediately after the new edition, July 2009, was published (since 2001 almost no news have been added), but hadn't read it yet.
It is still packed *g*

Below a link where you can read more reviews .. sorry, again only in german language (you can use a translator machine like google). The comments are not so good - they all show great disappointment like I wrote above about his interviews - and, the poor quality of his images has been criticized.
After all, not a bad book.

http://www.amazon.de/Michael-Jackson-King-Christian-Marks/dp/3980652416

http://www.mjbooks.de/index.php (directly from the author)


Hope, it helps.

[Gottobethere]

wait a minute, what is wrong with Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson by Ian Halperin ??

I remember this author came on Howard Stern and said that he originally set out to expose MJ but he realized how great MJ was and he wanted this book to set the record straight about him and prove that all the allegations about him were false. I haven't read it yet but I was always under the impression that this book was supposed to "vindicate" MJ...it sounded like it would have been good

Halpernin is a lying scumbag and his book is full of rubbish like Michael couldn't sing anymore, Michael couldn't dance anymore all of which TII proved to incorrect, he also claimed Michael was gay and dressed up as a woman to pick up guys.

[Gottobethere]

Michael Jackson Life of a Legend by Michael Heatley is not a good book. it has inaccuracys to the point were a picture of Michael on the cover is actually an impersonator, this was another one of those books rushed out after june 25th by someone pretending to be a fan but actually just trying to cash in.

[AfricanQueen]

Well Ian Halperin wrote in his book that Michael was Gay and actually was trying to chat him up. We know that Michael did not molest any Child and we do not need Ian Halperin to tell us that.
He said he advised Michael to change his look.....blonde hair with a dark streak! Is he real this Guy?

[Ágnes]

This one is a very nice book!

http://www.mjjbook.com/

[Rockin.]

He said he advised Michael to change his look.....blonde hair with a dark streak! Is he real this Guy?

:lol: whaaaat

[bubbyduck4MJ]

This one is a very nice book!

http://www.mjjbook.com/

Who is writing that? Does anyone here have it?

I see they also said that a new book is coming...


My question was about the 'In his own words' book by Catherine Dineen? Why is this book so highly valued?

[Severus Snape]

Good to see a thread like this--help each other out. I have nothing to contribute--I couldn't imagine reading anything on Michael not written by Michael. Too risky, and simply not worth my time, Aphrodite Jones being the only exception--but that wasn't on Michael per se. Still, things like this are needed--there's an entire ocean of crap out there written about Michael, and passing the word on about which books to avoid is always a good idea.

[Veronas]

Good books:

- 'In The Studio With Michael Jackson' by Bruce Swedien
- 'Invincible Sabotage: Inside Michael Jackson's Case' by Luka Neskovic
- 'King Of Pop Darkest Hour' by Lisa D. Campell
- 'Thriller 25' official released book

[virginia_woolf]

Who is writing that? Does anyone here have it?
I see they also said that a new book is coming...


It's a book with stories written by fans who met Michael or saw his concerts. It's worth buying imo (if you like to read fan stories)

[Pentum]

Joe Vogel's Man In The Music is a must to own. Very good book, I've read it myself. It only focus on Michael's art.
http://www.amazon.com/Man-Music-Creative-Michael-Jackson/dp/1402779380

[GlovedPimp]

magic and the madness was a good read!

[pisces]

Joe Vogel's Man In The Music is a must to own. Very good book, I've read it myself. It only focus on Michael's art.
http://www.amazon.com/Man-Music-Creative-Michael-Jackson/dp/1402779380

Yes, this book is definitely worth buying.

[kissybissy]

Haven't read either good or bad books on mj.

I would read a book that is about the real mj without neither falling into the fanaticism nor the tabloid side of things. He was not neither a saint nor the devil. He was a human being with flaws and virtues as well. The Frank Cascio book seems to be a good book, because it seems it does not fall into those categories.