Untouchable

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would suggest this and in particular to fans of Michael. A mixture of endearing and troubling chronicles of his life which help to better understand his life and problems.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Untouchable?

The battles with his family in particular his brothers were eye opening and sad. And the sheer greed of everyone around Michael.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not really. It's rather long and sometimes quite heavy with the facts and numbers. Definitely easier to digest in sittings.

Any additional comments?

It first read like a gossip column but through perseverance, it began to delve a lot deeper and I'm glad I stuck it out.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Brilliant insight - the best biography written about MJ I have read

It’s a very long audio however so we’ll narrated and told. Gives you a whirlwind tour on Everything about Michael Jackson and more! Thoroughly enjoyed it.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Worth a Read ..

Truly memorable account of Michael Jackson, his children, siblings and parents. The heartache his family caused Michael Jackson, is unquestionable and despicable.
Whether you're a fan or not a fairly balanced, brilliant autobiography.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Good

Pretty good and very detailed. Could be a bit confusing as there are huge sections dealing with different layers and legalities but I suppose there had to be considering this kind of thing became such a big part of the Michael Jackson story

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Compelling and entertaining - but accurate?

First thing to get on the table - Michael Jackson fans can be as crazy as their idol was. No doubt about that. He was so iconic - like very few others have been, Elvis is the obvious comparison - and both men had their share of crazy fans who would/will hear no wrong.

Did Michael Jackson do wrong things in his life? Yes, of course he did. He wasn't a saint. His list of controversies include his money, his private relationships, his business relationships, his family, his skin colour, his use of prescription drugs, his children, whether he did or did not abuse children, his relationship with the media, his plastic surgery - wow - the list continues. Anyone who thinks that he strolled through all of these issues without doing wrong to anyone and whilst maintaining a position only as a victim of exploitation - they're wilfully determined to deny the truth of the man.

This book comes across as being balanced. At times it paints a picture of a likeable human being and you can't help but think - 'how could this man find a well adjusted adult condition in his life, after what he went through?'. At other times the book is unflinching and presents the reader with compelling evidence of where Michael Jackson lied to the world, his fans, the media - and probably himself. The overall impression that I've been left with is that Michael Jackson was thoroughly untrustworthy - sometimes telling barefaced lies, sometimes telling people what they wanted to hear, and often hiding from himself.

The book doesn't shy away from the ugliness that surrounded Michael Jackson's genius. It isn't determined to press the reader into drawing specific conclusions either - particularly on the issue of whether he was or was not a child abuser. I find this refreshing. This isn't a monochromatic telling of his life - it is vivid, it has colour and it has personality. At times it is geniunely shocking. At times your heart goes out to Jackson, and at times you will find him incredibly deplorable.

The accuracy of the book? I can't say. The author is detailed and corroborates and references himself meticulously, but I haven't checked his sources. I have read other reviews that suggest that Jackson was significantly misquoted by the author at significant points. In the section where it tells of the 'Life Time Achievement Award' given to Jackson in London, where Jarvis Cocker took to the stage in protest, Sullivan is definitely misleading though:

He suggests that Cocker mounted the stage, interrupted the performance, and mimed a fart at Jackson. Sullivan states that afterwards British pop culture was enraptured with Cocker for the protest and he became a icon.

The truth is that Cocker had been a brit pop icon for some years, and if anything, at the time he was on the way out of the public eye. He didn't mime a fart at Jackon, he struck a characteristic pose that was part of his well known, slightly nerdish but stylised act. Afterwards people did applaud Jarvic Cocker, but he wasn't hoisted onto anyone's shoulders. Sullivan references Noel Gallagher (from Oasis) who apparently said that Cocker should've got a knighthood from the palace - I've no doubt that Gallagher did say that - but it's a throw away sarcastic northern comment, not a genuine endorsement for an honour. Neither Jarvis Cocker nor Noel Gallgher would be likely to bother with the British Honours system anyway.

So this moment gave me the idea that, as compelling as the book it, and as clear and transparent as it appears to be - no matter how well researched it seems to be - it is still a prism though which you're looking at a profoundly post-modern icon - and there is always going to be some measure of discolouration and inaccuracy as a result.

Over all, if you're a fan, if you simply curious, if you're someone who loves biographies (as I am) - yes, I would recommend this. It is entertaining and you'll enjoy it.

If you're one of those people who takes to the internet in tears for St. Michael Jackson - don't bother, this is not what you're looking for. Cloud cuckoo land is somewhere else.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

11 people found this helpful

comprehensive, illuminating

engrossing and well-narrated. it gives a superbly in-depth view of the life of MJ. brilliant

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Depending on your appetite this is perfect

For some this monster of a book might get a bit boring, detailing all the ins and outs of every conversation ever had by Michael Jackson and the people around him. But for me this was scintillating. The narration is terrible but weirdly compelling once you adjust to it. I had previously enjoyed Michael Jackson the magic and the madness by j randy tarabarelli which is a more classical approach to biography. That book really encompasses the excitement and crazyness around MJ. This book however deals more with the last miserable decade and life gone wrong angle whilst also shining a light on past glories. For me what makes this book so engaging is that it really illustrates the vipers nest that was Michael's advisor's and the ravenous clamour for money from his own family who saw Michael like an Atm machine. Joe's shadowy figure constantly circles at the margins like an indestructible parasite. John Branca emerges as part spiderman part green goblin.. A man who is as slippery as he is charming. If it wasn't for the appalling antics of jermayne, randy, Janet and Rebbie, you'd have to call Branca a villain. As it is he comes off as some kind of priest simply trying to keep check on his filthy, lying, corrosive, grotesque flock that is so toxic it can turn on itself and eat its own flesh. Having said that he is now a very very very very rich priest so one does have to question his virtues. The one exception is thome thome who comes off very well. Poor guy. Ultimately this book is a fascinating and tragic insight into how the biggest genius in the history of pop music was brought down by the pack of dogs preying on him and his own misguided delusions. I came away loving michael jackson even more. He was a one off.. Troubled but also so far off the scale in terms of his talent that it is impossible not to fall under his spell. I believe in his total innocence of all accused crimes, with the exception of his own vainglorious destruction of his own life. It was fame. It was drugs. It was his own blood that savaged him.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

All you wanted to know about Michael Jackson

Where does Untouchable rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Pretty near the top - a compelling story of his life and death. The story of a dysfunctional family (the Jacksons), greed, ambition, betrayal, lies and manipulation.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Michael Jackson, the book's subject, because it's essentially all about him.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Enjoy isn't the right word, it's mostly quite disturbing.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

His untimely death.

Any additional comments?

Some of it is a bit 'fact filled' but on the whole a well read and researched book on the king of pop'.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Michael Jackson

This was my first audiobook I've ever listen to. I very much enjoy riding my bike exercising while listening to the Michael Jackson. I found the book very informative giving a large understanding of his life. For any Michael Jackson fan this is a must. Crispin

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Almost too fantastic to believe!

A biography of Michael Jackson that summarises his life but focussed on his last 4-years, this a triumph of forensic research told like a thriller…

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!