People Tribute to Michael Jackson
Written: Aug 15 '09 (Updated Aug 15 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: People has a fair, balance between good and not so good aspects of MJ's life.
Cons: Script is most dribble.
The Bottom Line: Of the many tributes to Michael Jackson, People presents both the possitive and negative aspects of his life and great photography.
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| keithpruitt's Full Review: Time, Inc - People Tribute Remembering Michael 195... |
There have been a number of memorial books issued in soft cover since the death of Michael Jackson. Previously the Time tribute was reviewed (http://www.epinions.com/review/content_479566401156) and this reader is finding many of these that are coming off the press to be fairly thorough and engaging. People Tribute: Remembering Michael 1958-2009 was one of the early ones released by Time Inc. Cutler Durkee with the photographic genius of Chris Dougherty has pieced together a great mosaic in photography of the life of the King of Pop. At 96 pages and containing 117 photographs the book uses the archives of Time/ Life and many of the pictures are those already used in the Time tribute previously mentioned. Many of the photos are time marked in People Magazine style and all have some sort of caption describing them.
People Tribute: Remembering Michael is divided into 11 sections. These sections are not chronological but rather thematic. Section one is entitled Gallery. These 31 pages are photos from various points of his life and seem to give snippets of a very engaging artist. Included are short tabs to the pictures describing Michael through the voice of others who have been influenced by Jackson's life.
The second section Superstar looks at the skyrocketing career that propelled Jackson to super stardom. This section begins a longer engagement of text in the book. These 10 pages merely talk about how Michael soared to stardom after the 1983 Motown moon walk. The section is rather lightweight information, and is mostly dribble.
Famous Friends gives a pictorial journal of all the people Michael hung with through the years. Included are the necessary historical photos of Michael and Princess Diana, Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, President and Mrs. Reagan, Macaulay Culkin, Elizabeth Taylor, Andy Warhol, Chuck Berry, Britney Spears, Diana Ross, and James Brown.
The section entitled Growing Up details the early life of MJ. Replete with more personal photos of Michael and the family, the writers sketch the early years from age 5 until he began recording successfully as a solo act.
While some of the other tributes are side stepping the controversial aspects of Jackson's life, People Tribute: Remembering Michael even has three sections dedicated to the controversial. Things Get Weird speaks of Michael's more eccentric behaviors including the famous picture of Jackson in the hyperbaric chamber. (The picture seems very weird now because it is like Michael is in a glass coffin.) Is that You? Looks at how his appearance changed through the years chronicling with photos the metamorphosis. The section On Trial looks at the impact the various accusations had on him personally and psychologically. They look briefly at the two child molestation allegations and MJ's reaction to them.
Neverland provides a mostly pictorial look inside the palatial confines of Neverland. Included are art pieces he commissioned of himself in various role plays as though he were an actor in costume. The section also includes pictures of some of the pieces that were in the auction that was canceled after his death.
Family Man looks at the unusual relationships MJ sustained through his life including his marriage to Elvis' daughter. The section also takes up his marriage to Debbie Rowe and the birth of the three children. There is an interesting family reunion picture of the Jackson family from 2003 that includes the young man who some are now claiming to be Jackson's first son actually holding blanket and standing next to Jackson.
In the final major section A Sudden Loss People examines the world reaction to Jackson's sudden death. From Paris to Beirut, from Los Angeles to Harlem people around the world spontaneously mourned the loss of the King of Pop.
Final Thoughts
Of the many tributes released quickly after Jackson's untimely death, People Tribute: Remembering Michael is fairly balanced with equal effort in looking at all aspects of his controversial life. Jackson was a giant in music; perhaps, Michael Jackson was simply the greatest entertainer to ever live, as was stated by Berry Gordy at the funeral. This tribute is one that collectors will certainly want to obtain. Its balance treatment is historically satisfying with remarkable photography. While not intended as a biography, the People Tribute does a commendable job of partitioning his life into thematic groupings giving us a total picture of Michael that is unique and helpful in understanding his complicated life.
Recommended:
Yes
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