Moonwalk
1988
- biography
- biography & autobiography
- nonfiction
- rock musicians
- singers
- jackson, michael, 1958-2009
- singers, biography
- african american musicians
- african american singers
The story
Michael Jackson's one and only autobiography: the King of Pop in his own words.Moonwalk is the only book about his life that Michael Jackson ever wrote. It chronicles his humble beginnings in the Midwest, his early days with the Jackson 5, and his unprecedented solo success. Giving absolutely unrivalled insight into the King of Pop's life, it details his songwriting process for hits like Beat It, Rock With You, Billie Jean, and We Are the World; describes how he developed his signature dance style, including the Moon Walk; and opens the door to his very private personal relationships with his family, including sister Janet, and stars like Diana Ross, Berry Gordy, Marlon Brando, Quincy Jones, Paul McCartney, and Brooke Shields. At the time of its original publication in 1988, MOONWALK broke the fiercely guarded barrier of silence that surrounded Michael Jackson. Candidly and courageously, Jackson talks openly about his wholly exceptional career and the crushing isolation of his fame, as well as the unfair rumors that have surrounded it. MOONWALK is illustrated with rare photographs from Jackson family albums and Michael's personal photographic archives, as well as a drawing done by Michael exclusively for the book. It reveals and celebrates, as no other book can, the life of this exceptional and beloved musician.
What it’s like
Reflective and intimate on the page, with the voice of a performer talking straight to the reader: direct, sometimes boyish, often candid about shyness and the strangeness of fame. Photographs from family albums and a drawing by the author give the book a scrapbook quality, so reading it feels like flipping through a private archive of studio sessions, Midwestern childhood homes, and tour-bus afternoons. The mood is warm and self-examining, with a steady undercurrent of loneliness that rises when he writes about isolation and the rumours that trailed him. The rhythm is conversational and episodic rather than linear, moving between memories of the Jackson 5, the making of hit records, and encounters with figures like Brando and McCartney. Intensity is low: there is no violence or sexual content, though the tone turns heavy in places as he describes pressure and being misread. Best for readers who want to hear a music legend's own voice, curious about the craft behind the songs, or fans wanting an intimate, unpolished companion for a slow weekend read.
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