In late December 2008, New York Times bestselling author Ian Halperin told the world that Michael Jackson had only six months to live. His investigations into Jackson's failing health made headlines around the globe. Six months later, the King of Pop was dead.
Whatever the final autopsy results reveal, it was greed that killed Michael Jackson. Friends and associates paint a tragic picture of the last years and days of his life as Jackson made desperate attempts to prepare for the planned concert series at London's O2 Arena in July 2009. These shows would have earned millions for the singer and his entourage, but he could never have completed them, not mentally and not physically.
Michael knew it and his advisers knew it. Anyone who caught even a fleeting glimpse of the frail old man hiding beneath the costumes and cosmetics would have understood that the London tour was madness. Why did it happen this way? After an intense five-year investigation, Halperin uncovers the real story of Michael Jackson's final years, a suspenseful and surprising thriller.
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"Halperin wrote a great book about Kurt Cobain's murder, so I was very interested to get his take on Jackson. Basically, he says Michael was falsely accused of the criminal sexual conduct and produces a great account of Chandler and Arviso's weak cases."
— Gay (4 out of 5 stars)
Four-time Audie Award nominee Richard Allen narrates in a confident journalistic style.
— Library Journal Audio Review" No idea how accurate it is, but it is certainly a quick and compelling read. Especially since it is written by someone who started the book determined to bring Michael Jackson down and prove what a pervert he is, and by the end of his journey, seems to feel fairly confidently that the reports and accusations of molestation were basically lies told for extortion. "
— MAP, 2/16/2014" an honest definition of what sensationalism LOOKS LIKE "
— Gregory, 2/12/2014" Well, ok, it was fun to read this book, if only for the anticipation of perhaps there would be something new and exciting in it... There wasn't, unless you count the author's allegations that Michael Jackson came on to him at their first meeting and that he (MJ) had numerous male lovers coming in and out of Neverland... And that he had wild passionate sex with Lisa Marie... in fact, sex was the main part of that relationship... Hmmm... Ok, this is not impossible, but somehow I just don't see it. And of course Jackson is no longer here to confirm or deny this (my feeling is that he would deny). The book has a few good moments, but not enough to make them memorable and not enough to give it more than 2 stars... My advice? If you are interested in Jackson, then by all means read it, but don't expect too much, and don't pay for it - just get it at the library... "
— Helen, 1/26/2014" Not the character assignation I expected but rather more sympathetic to the strange final years of Michael Jackson. The book is more a collection of potentially good subject matter that needed further work as it clearly suffered by the rushed publication date. Not only some of the chapters not fully flushed out it was clear more work could have been completed on the sources as there are too many unnamed quotes etc. Grammatical errors are frequent and regardless of the requirement to get this book out quick the proof reading must have been missed. Even with all this said the book to present some interesting evidence as to what might have happened over the final years. I expected there will be heavily revised and updated book in later years that will be both a better read and more informative. "
— Anthony, 1/11/2014" I will never read this book again...it was right when they said for adults. "
— Shanedra, 1/10/2014" Absolute trash! The author is gay so makes up that MJ was gay. He "says" he talked to his gay lovers and that MJ snuck out at night in Vegas dressed as a women. His timeline doesn't even make sense. Just more lies about the Kind of Pop even after he is gone. Shameful! "
— Theresa, 1/3/2014" I learned why Lisa Presley may have married Michael Jackson, but other than that, I was disappointed by this book. The author claimed to be an investigative journalist who was focusing on Jackson's last years but he had very knowledge of the singer's life. "
— Kathy, 12/29/2013" Mostly speculation. Don't waste your time/money. "
— Dustin, 12/28/2013" Michael Jackson's final year up to his death. "
— Weezy805, 12/26/2013" This book is crap really! He talks about his sexuality as if he was Michael WTH?! You know if you really want a good deep book, read "Michael Jackson: The Magic the Madness the Whole Story" that is an amazing book its way deeper and i promise you wont want to stop reading! :) "
— Alondra, 4/15/2013" I find this biography to be very opinionated, maybe even slightly bias. It really discourages me from finishing it! I haven't picked it up in months... "
— Abby, 11/1/2012" This book confirmed what I pretty much already knew, I felt so bad for him and through it all I felt his pain. No matter what I'll always miss this true and wonderful genius... R.I.P Michael Jackson. "
— Fredericka, 7/25/2012" Total tabloid garbage.... I hate that I paid for this book and gave money to this "author." Please don't waste your time as there is little fact in this book. "
— Mocbazemore, 6/13/2012" I don't think it's possible to put what I learned from this book into two sentences, but I read it in one day. Diane Diamond is dumb. "
— Victoria, 6/6/2012" Interesting. One will never really know the truth. This book may have changed my views on the King of Pop. "
— Amy, 5/9/2012" yes, I actually read this. it was the beach! "
— Corinne, 4/16/2012" I just couldn't help myself. I was on vacation. "
— Wendy, 12/11/2011" I liked it,but jjust to let you know the last part is not for kids.:D "
— Sam, 11/22/2011" NOt sensationalist, really a documentary on the trials . very interestin "
— Pauline, 4/30/2011" An investigator's look into the life of the King of Pop towards the end of his life. "
— Hashim, 4/3/2011" I think it was an ok bool but it was great because i found out more about michael jackson. i loved it i thout it was exasperatingly fun. wow. "
— Le-li, 2/23/2011" Absolute trash! The author is gay so makes up that MJ was gay. He "says" he talked to his gay lovers and that MJ snuck out at night in Vegas dressed as a women. His timeline doesn't even make sense. Just more lies about the Kind of Pop even after he is gone. Shameful! "
— Theresa, 2/5/2011" i personally didnot enjoy this book. i feel that it down graded Michael and many peiople around him <br/> "
— Glenda, 12/6/2010" I will never read this book again...it was right when they said for adults. "
— Shanedra, 10/29/2010" I find this biography to be very opinionated, maybe even slightly bias. It really discourages me from finishing it! I haven't picked it up in months... "
— Abby, 3/23/2010" The first book to completely exonerate Michael Jackson of recent allegations... "
— Transit, 2/11/2010Ian Halperin is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael and Love & Death: The Murder of Kurt Cobain, among other works. Specializing in undercover investigations, he has appeared on hundreds of media outlets around the world, including Today, Dateline, The Howard Stern Show, CNN, CBS’s The Early Show, Entertainment Tonight, Inside Edition, the New Yorker, the New York Post, Billboard, the BBC, Paris Match, and the London Daily Mail. Halperin is also an acclaimed documentary filmmaker and a former co-winner of Rolling Stone magazine’s College Journalism Award. He has given talks about Hollywood and the music industry as a keynote speaker at many colleges and universities. His blog, ianundercover.com, is one of the world’s leading websites about pop culture.
Richard Allen is an accomplished and respected theatrical actor whose work includes Ragtime and PBS’ Great Performances: Play On! His voice can be heard on numerous television and radio productions, as well as the animated series Jumanji. Allen is also the winner of seven AudioFile Earphones Awards.