Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness [Paperback]

J Randy Taraborrelli (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 4, 2004

So much has now been said and written about the life and career of Michael Jackson that it has become almost impossible to disentangle the man from the myth. Recent revelations are only the latest instalments of a saga that began decades ago. This book is the fruit of over 30 years of research and hundreds of exclusive interviews with a remarkable level of access to the very closest circles of the Jackson family - including Michael himself. Cutting through tabloid rumours, J. Randy Taraborrelli traces the real story behind the Michael Jackson we see and hear today, from his drilling as a child star through the blooming of his talent to his ever-changing personal appearance and bizarre publicity stunts. This major biography includes the behind-the-scenes story to many of the landmarks in Jackson's life: his legal and commercial battles, his marriages to Lisa Marie Presley and Debbie Rowe, his passions and addictions, his children. Objective and revealing, it carries the hallmarks of all of Taraborrelli's best-sellers: impeccable research, brilliant storytelling and definitive documentation.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

"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 henomenal 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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

J. Randy Taraborrelli is the author of ten books including the international bestsellers Madonna: An Intimate Biography, Once Upon a Time: The Story of Princess Grace, Prince Rainier and Their Family, Call Her Miss Ross and Sinatra: The Man and the Myth. He has also written for The Times and the Daily Mail.

Product Details

• Paperback: 704 pages
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan (June 4, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0330420054
• ISBN-13: 978-0330420051
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #888,724 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #94 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( J ) > Jackson, Michael

More About the Author

J. RANDY TARABORRELLI is the author of 16 biographies, many of them New York Times' best sellers, including "Call Her Miss Ross," "Sinatra - Behind the Legend," "Madonna - An Intimate Biography," "Jackie, Ethel, Joan - Women of Camelot" and "Elizabeth." His most recent New York Times' best sellers include "Michael Jackson - The Magic, The Madness, The Whole Story." (2009) and "The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe" (also 2009). He is presently at work on his 17th book.

Taraborrelli is known as the foremost authority on Michael Jackson. He interviewed him and his family members countless times and has written more than one hundred articles about him. When Michael Jackson turned eighteen, Taraborrelli was there to report the story with an exclusive interview. As he did when Michael turned 21. And then 30. When Michael recorded "Thriller," Taraborrelli was in the studio. The author also reported on his first marriage to Lisa Marie Presley and his second to Debbie Rowe, the mother of two of his children. Taraborrelli landed the first interview when Jackson settled molestation charges against him in 1993 and was in the courtroom every day when Michael Jackson was on trial for child molestation ten years later. He anchored Michael Jackson's memorial service with Katie Courice in 2009.

J. Randy Taraborrelli is also a CBS News analyst.

The author lives in Encino, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eccentric but not Evil, May 22, 2008

By 

C. Clough - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness (Paperback)

I loved this book. I read it so fast and it's a thick book. I recently read "Be Careful who you Love". And it was so obviously biased and tabloid cheap- it left a really bad taste in my mouth. People have labeled that one un-biased ok not true for sure.

This author has a lot more legitimate interviews and a lot more compassion. But he is also real about how Michael is eccentric he has played the victim role a lot rather than take hold of his life.

What I discovered and found most shocking really was Michael and Lisa Marie really had something sexual and honest for a minute. The truth as the author puts it really is stranger than fiction. They really did love each other.

I think Michael has been through a tedious three ring circus of a life. He has been through hell really. At the end of the day at least he has been able to maintain compassion, believe in God, Love his children his fans and despite everything his family. Personally I believe it to be his best attribute.

I thought the book was very fair. Read it if you are interested in the truth about Mr. Jackson.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engrossing and very convincing., April 28, 2003

By 

D. Mok (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness (Mass Market Paperback)

Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness is pretty sensationalistic. Then again, so is the star who's the focal point of this book. J. Randy Taraborelli's notorious biography of Michael Jackson is very well written, with plenty of sources and documentation to support its assertions as well as an authorative tone of investigative journalism which really leads me to believe that what it describes is true.

Some of the book's most interesting points are about Michael and the Jackson siblings' relationship to Joe and Katharine Jackson. Taraborelli's thesis about the domination of Katharine Jackson over the Jackson children is fascinating stuff, as is his probe into the relationship between the two superstars, Michael and Janet. His analysis of Michael Jackson's music is also detailed and convincing, and he has many small anecdotal touches which add immensely to the flavour and make this book a very fast read indeed. Examples include a fan of the Jackson 5 who was allegedly seduced by Jackie Jackson; a secretary who claimed she was beaten up by Katharine and Janet Jackson; and a Soul Train dancer who may have taught Jackson his signature "Moonwalk" move but says that Jackson's version is not really a "Moonwalk".

I only have one criticism of this book, which is directed at the final few paragraphs of this book where Taraborelli steps out of objective mode and tries to state his thesis about how Michael Jackson became who he is. I felt that he had made his points well and clear before this without having to moralize about it. Nevertheless, it's a small flaw in what is otherwise a highly engaging biographical work. I've been hoping that Taraborelli would add some new chapters which would cover the turbulent decade in Jackson's career since this book's publication -- the Dangerous album, HIStory, "Scream", Blood on the Dance Floor, the marriage to Lisa Marie Presley...given his authority and smart writing, Taraborelli's observations and research into this material would be essential reading. But it's never too late, and one can always hope...

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unputdownable, July 28, 2004

By 

lulu "lulu" (Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness (Turtleback)

A riveting read in the typical conversational style of Taraborrelli. I zipped through it in about 1 week and couldn't put it down.

It details Jackson's early life to the present day and you definitely get an excellent interpretation of how the crazy success of his youth, coupled with difficult family relationships shaped the man and his actions today.

It is certainly testimony to the destructive nature of phenomenal wealth on a family, where greed seems to be the prime motivator even though they do love each other also. I suppose every family's dynamics are different and even difficult and the Jacksons have certainly lived theirs in the spotlight.

Taraborelli gives a very good insight into Jackson's character and you begin to understand some of the choices good and bad that he has made and is still making in his life. He is someone who has rarely experienced the word "NO" and this is obvious in his approach to situations - giving a very good impression of a belligerent teenager at times.

It's good to see photos as well, cause you can do a chronology of the changes made through plastic surgery and see finally the devastation of his face today. It is very sad, especially when you see photos of him in 1983-1984 when he was musically and physically insurmontable.

Unfortunately the way Jackson has chosen to live his life has overshadowed the incredibile musical legacy and sometimes I tend to forget what an important contributor he has been to our times.

Definitely a book for anyone who is interested in the ordinary and extraordinary - very well written - the style is only eclipsed by the subject matter - the Enigma that is Michael Jackson