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Moonwalk

by Michael Jackson

4.19 · rating details · 652 ratings · 127 reviews

The #1 New York Times bestseller! Michael Jackson’s one and only autobiography – his life, in his words.

With original Foreword by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, a new Introduction by Motown founder Berry Gordy, and an Afterword by Michael Jackson’s editor and publisher, Shaye Areheart.

“I’ve always wanted to be able to tell stories, you know, stories that came from my soul. ...moreThe #1 New York Times bestseller! Michael Jackson’s one and only autobiography – his life, in his words.

With original Foreword by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, a new Introduction by Motown founder Berry Gordy, and an Afterword by Michael Jackson’s editor and publisher, Shaye Areheart.

“I’ve always wanted to be able to tell stories, you know, stories that came from my soul. I’d like to sit by a fire and tell people stories – make them see pictures, make them cry and laugh, take them anywhere emotionally with something as deceptively simple as words. I’d like to tell tales to move their souls and transform them. I’ve always wanted to be able to do that. Imagine how the great writers must feel, knowing they have that power. I sometimes feel I could do it. It’s something I’d like to develop. In a way, songwriting uses the same skills, creates the emotional highs and lows, but the story is a sketch. It’s quicksilver. There are very few books written on the art of storytelling, how to grip listeners, how to get a group of people together and amuse them. No costumes, no makeup, no nothing, just you and your voice, and your powerful ability to take them anywhere, to transform their lives, if only for minutes.” –Michael Jackson, in Moonwalk

From the 1988 edition:

Megastar Michael Jackson’s singularly brilliant career and intensely private lifestyle have become a magnificent obsession for millions of rock fans and celebrity watchers throughout the world. His double-platinum singles rocket to the top of the music charts with a velocity equaled only by the inevitable accompaniment of wild rumors about his eccentric personal life. Now for the first time, Michael Jackson breaks the fiercely guarded barrier of silence that has surrounded him in a remarkably candid and courageous book — Moonwalk.

In this intimate and often moving personal account of Michael Jackson’s public and private life, he recalls a childhood that was both harsh and joyful but always formidable. Michael and his brothers played amateur music shows and seamy Chicago strip joints until Motown’s corporate image makers turned the Jackson 5 into worldwide superstars. Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 have combined sales of over 200 million albums. He talks about the happy prankster days of his youth, traveling with his brothers, and of his sometimes difficult relationships with his family over the years. He speaks candidly about the inspiration behind his music, his mesmerizing dance moves, and the compulsive drive to create that has made him one of the biggest stars in the music business and a legend in his own time. The Guinness Book of World Records lists Thriller as the biggest-selling-album of all time.

In Moonwalk, Michael Jackson shares his personal feelings about some of his most public friends…friends like Diana Ross, Berry Gordy, Quincy Jones, Paul McCartney, Fred Astaire, Marlon Brando, and Katharine Hepburn. He talks openly about the crushing isolation of his fame, of his first love, of his plastic surgery, and of his wholly exceptional career and the often bizarre and unfair rumors that have surrounded it.

Illustrated with rare photographs from Jackson family albums and Michael’s personal photographic archives, as well as a drawing done by Michael exclusively for this book, Moonwalk is a memorable journey to the very heart and soul of a modern musical genius.(less)

Hardcover, 320 pages

Published October 27th 2010 by Harmony (first published February 1st 1988)

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Aug 11, 2011

Ana Rusness-petersen added it · review of another edition

Wonderful book! I savored every moment, and wish it was much longer, more detailed, and at least as thick as some of the BIOgraphies about him. It's one of the few books I actually felt stress about reading and understanding each and every word that was written - partly because of how much I paid to get my hands on this rare gem, and partly because it's one of the very few first-hand resources on Michael Jackson. Almost everything else is tainted by the perspective of someone who is writing ABOU...more

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Aug 09, 2011

Michelle Ng added it · review of another edition

When this book was published in 1988 I was only 11 years old. 20 years later I read this book, after the author has gone to heaven. I'm glad that this book exists. I'm glad that Michael eventually agreed for the book to be printed after a last minute hesitation about it.

I love the book. There're many photos of Michael himself and with the people he loved and adored. There's one picture of himself that he drew , which are precious for me, a big fan. On the hard cover, Michael's signature printed...more

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Aug 10, 2011

David Loveland rated it

· review of another edition

I am a massive Michael Jackson fan, and I love hearing his story in his own words. His publishers rejected the first draft of the book because it was not scandalous enough, and so this was the first time he revealed the childhood beatings he experienced, which undoubtedly contributed to the person who he became (not the freak people say he is, but the wonderful, loving humanitarian (but of course, I'm biased!)) It also contains some interesting passages regarding how he strongly opposed the drug...more

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Jul 14, 2010

Jayla Velez rated it

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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Nov 15, 2009

Irfan rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: advisory

Moonwalk is an amazing and very descriptive story of Michael Jackson's life prior to and up until 1985. Throughout the book, Jackson talks about his struggles as a growing famous teenager. He acknowledges that fame isn't what it all seems to be. In fact, he would love to trade places with anyone at anytime. He exaggerates on the point that because of his fame, his life is not what he wanted it to be. Growing up with an abusive father, with no friends and absolutely no independence makes him love...more

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Aug 07, 2009

Sheila rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: people wanting to know more about MIchael Jackson

Recommended to Sheila by: I have looked for it for years, and finaly found it

I enjoyed reading Michael's words about his life up until 1985, which is where the book ended. I didn't want it to end, I wanted to read more about his life after that, but unfortunately, he did not write another book. Moonwalk describes his early life and his feelings of insecurity on a personal level and told of his father's heavy-handed discipline. He talked about not being able to have friends his own age unless they were in show business because all the other people he met, treated him like...moreI enjoyed reading Michael's words about his life up until 1985, which is where the book ended. I didn't want it to end, I wanted to read more about his life after that, but unfortunately, he did not write another book. Moonwalk describes his early life and his feelings of insecurity on a personal level and told of his father's heavy-handed discipline. He talked about not being able to have friends his own age unless they were in show business because all the other people he met, treated him like a celebrity -- always grabbing at him and wanting something other than friendship.

Michael spent a lot of time alone, but he spent it wisely by perfecting his dancing and song writing skills which brought the world his wonderful music decade after decade. He discusses his changing appearance, skin conditions, and religion in his own words, which makes it easy reading for those who did not know much about him, and provides interesting tidbits that some who adore him did not know.

Moonwalk is Michael's story of hard work, long days, and a wish to find someone he could trust to care about him as a human instead of as a performer or celebrity. However, this book is far from sad; to the contrary, Moonwalk shows Michael coming into his own as a young person and as a legend in his own time. He talks about his dreams and how many of them had already come true by the early 1980s. He tells of his desire to help sick and poor children, and the world environment at large. His studio time was spent perfecting every song that was released and talks about songs he felt were not good enough to put on an album. I can't help but wonder how many of them are out there on tape somewhere.

The language he uses in this book shows his gentle spirit yet strong determination to succeed in getting his story out to the public. At the time this book was written, Michael had already been in several movies, won multiple awards for the Jackson 5 and his solo efforts, and had revolutionized the music video industry. He was at the right place at the right time and became a superstar.

He talked about the media pursuing him and the paparrazi shadowing his every move. He admitted to crying when he was sad or lonely, and to testing songs by singing bits to his sister, Janet. He was a perfectionist and it showed in his work.

Michael Jackson never gave up: even when the press was mean, even when he felt alone, even when his fans wouldn't let him get a night's sleep, even when he was mobbed, even when some records did worse than others, even when he was hurt. His determination, belief in himself, and his religion got him through hard times...and some of them were pretty darn hard.

What I loved about this book was that I could almost hear his soft voice reading the book to me. I could hear the excitement he felt when things had gone well and the desperation for a friend when things had gone wrong. Michael was a truly gifted singer, dancer, song writer, and producer and the world will never see another man like him.

The saddest part of this book is knowing that he had it all and yet was still searching for himself and a single person that loved Michael, the man. He had confidence in his abilities, but could never truly trust. Of course, he had managers and such, but what I mean, is someone he could spend time with as a human being -- I don't think he found that until his children were born. His physical being will be missed by many, but his music lives on.(less)

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Aug 05, 2009

Kris rated it

· review of another edition

I picked up this Michael Jackson autobiography from the library a few weeks after his untimely death. It's a light, breezy read, and I enjoyed the opportunity to get to know a little bit about the man in his own words.

It seems that Jackson actually did write Moonwalk, rather than following common celebrity practice and hiring a ghostwriter. The prose is conversational, and it makes the whole book feel wonderfully personal: more like a series of letters or journal entries than a bo...more

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Aug 02, 2009

Awallens rated it

· review of another edition

The pop singer Michael Jackson breaks the barrier of silence that has surrounded his private life. He recalls a childhood that was both harsh and joyful,
the transformation of the Jackson Five into worldwide stardom, his sometimes difficult relationships with his family, and the inspiration and drive behind
his music. He also talks about show-business friends such as Diana Ross, Paul McCartney, Fred Astaire and Marlon Brando, and about his decision to have
extensive plastic surger...more

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Apr 04, 2011

Mello rated it

· review of another edition

People often call this book sugarcoated. I beg to differ. In fact, I think that if you're too stupid to read a book about somebody's life without expecting constant scandals and juicy scoops, you should just put down the book and walk the other way. The author had a story to tell, and he told it. He told it well, and I see no problem with that.

I'm not bashing those who didn't like the book. I'm only saying that you should never come into a book about a person and call it sugarcoated ju...more

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Jan 09, 2011

Eleanore rated it

· review of another edition

My rating of this one is clearly biased by (a) loving Michael Jackson, and (b) this being his one and only autobiography. Naturally it is, as the majority of high-profile celebrity memoirs are, partly ghost-written, but less so than you might expect (there are, in fact, audio recordings floating around out there on YouTube, of Michael dictating much of the content within this book to the author who compiled the material for it over the course of a few years, his friend Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis...more

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Jul 23, 2009

Jaye rated it

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Recommends it for: Everyone

Although written in 1988, this autobiography gives a very clear picture of the man behind the mask in his own words. Michael Jackson speaks of his childhood, his great love of music, film, animals and mankind. It may be two decades old, but it does get the reader inside Jackson's head, giving one a greater understanding of his thought processes in regard to his music and how he made it work, how hard he worked at it and the brilliance behind the scenes.

There is an unequivocal innocen...more

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Jul 21, 2009

Carolyn rated it

· review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I can't get over how jumbled and poorly written this book is -- much like his life in many ways. Poor Jackie O for having to edit this (I read somewhere she was the main editor on the book). He comes off as so self-righteous, that I don't know how he maintained popularity after this book was written. The foreshadowing to his plastic surgery/kids obsession is eery too. This part also freaked me out:

Often in the past performers have been tragic figures. A lot of the truly great peo...more

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Jul 05, 2011

Emily rated it

I really enjoyed Michael's autobiography. Though it obviously isn't the most skillful writing or a shining piece of literature, it was a highly interesting and engaging look into Michael's life and psyche.

I feel an enormous amount of sympathy for this talented and troubled musical genius. In this book, it is so clear that Michael was a massively kind and caring individual, whose heart was certainly in the right place.

Like I said, the writing's not great. Prose, transition...more

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Jun 26, 2011

Michelle rated it

· review of another edition

I really enjoyed reading this. I have been a fan of Michael Jackson ever since I was a little kid. He is one of my idols and I admire him for his kindness and his will to bring joy into other people's lives. This book, I believe, makes him seem like more of a human being. I think that many people view celebrities as cartoon characters. Especially Michael Jackson. This book reveals things about his life without being too revealing. He was still able to keep some intimate details private, which I ...more

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Jun 26, 2009

Kim rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: biographies-memoirs

On my way to the library yesterday, I heard the sad news about Michael Jackson's passing. I borrowed this book and read it last night. He was an incredibly talented person who was forced into the public eye at a very young age. I think many people misunderstood him. This book was written by him when he was 29 years old. At one point in the book he said that he already felt like he was 80 because he had been working so hard for most of his life (beginning when he was only five). Every singl...more

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Apr 05, 2011

Christy rated it

· review of another edition

I love book - I love the author. This is without a doubt the BEST book I've read & I've read many. I have always felt I could relate to MJ & feel his heart, but after reading this, I feel it even more. All it took was reading the first sentence of this book & I knew I HAD to read it. The first few lines describe MJ perfectly. He was truly loving & caring... something special & I find it heartbreaking that it took him dying for some people to realize that. “Moonwalk” goes deep into the very hear...more

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Feb 18, 2011

Puneri rated it

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Shelves: autobiography-biography

Michael Jackson, a legend who lived a dream. MJ's autobiography is perfectly titled "Moonwalk", the walk he made so famous. This book became more special to me after the King of Pop made an unexpected exit. We all know that he had a very difficult childhood but Moonwalk takes a funny and positive view of MJ's life. His childlike nature is truly reflected in the book. His emotions and thoughts and ups and downs take the reader into his life and form a deeper bond with the reader. Perhap...more

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Sep 23, 2008

Ashti rated it

· review of another edition

I love Michael Jackson and i love this book!!!
I read it a very longtime ago and fell in love with MJ all over again and i'm still falling for him!!!

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Jul 27, 2011

Sabrina rated it

· review of another edition

I simply devoured this book. I is a re-issue of the 1988 publication and it was like reading a personal letter, spoken in his words and with his voice.

It might seem strange that I felt like reading Michael Jackson's book could make me a better runner, but it really did. He admonishes us to be the best at everything we do. One of the first quotes is from Thomas Jefferson who said something of the effect: When you want to discover something, read up on it as much as you can. Become a stu...more

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Feb 07, 2010

Carmaletta Hilton rated it

· review of another edition

This book was difficult to read. There were lots of times where I had to stop and put it down, because I just had to let that moment sink it. Reading this book, you know that he didn't see his life (and death) turning out as they did. There's such a difference between the Michael that wrote Moonwalk and the Michael that passed away last year.

It was also hard reading about his childhood. The way he would put things gave a sense that he was caught between denial and realization. ...more

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Jul 09, 2011

Tiffani rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Michael Jackson fans

I am a huge fan of Michael Jackson and I knew pretty much his whole life before I even had this book in my collection. I decided to get it one day, and I read it within a couple days after purchasing it. It is an easy read, easy to follow, and shows an insight into what Michael felt of his life and he shares some personal stories. Although the controversy is still years to come, it shows his struggles with who he is and how the tabloids treated him after the "Thriller" days.

...more

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Jan 31, 2010

Sherri rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 2010-book-list, i-own

I really enjoyed this book. It was nice to get a peek into the life of Michael Jackson that we normally don't know about. I just wish it would have been a more recent book so we can get what he was feeling now a days, before he died.

I love and have always loved Michael and his music. He will truely be the King Of Pop forever!!! While I wasn't even born when most of the events in this book take place it's nice to see what kind of childhood he had, even if it wasn't the best with all t...more

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Aug 18, 2009

Athena Braun rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: michael-jackson, favorites

I really enjoyed reading this book. It explained so many things about him I didn't know. Why did he wear surgical masks? What kind of surgery did he really have? Did he have girlfriends? The media was so relentless to him. On page 96 he explains it quite well"Remember, the press is a business-sometimes at the expense of accuracy, fairness & even the truth." If you want to know the man M.J. truly was you have to read this book!! He was truly an amazing man!!!! The saddest part though is...more

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Apr 16, 2010

Lindsey Anne rated it

· review of another edition

This book is simply amazing. It gives you an incredible insight into Michaels life. He becomes a whole new person to you, he is not anything that the media makes him seem. you learn about the person that he is isndie, not just the performer. this book really helps the reader understand why michael was the way he was. his childhood...or lack there of is a main section of the book. also, you travel with him from his parents wedding to his inredible peak of his music career. everyone should read th...more

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Oct 26, 2009

Elise rated it

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Shelves: non-fiction

This is the one autobiography Michael Jackson actually wrote himself, and it gives a look into his musical process and a bit of insight into his internal world. I don't know what other to say, than he was an incredible genius. The way in which he describes how he creates music, what his songs mean to him is simply mind blowing. For example, in this passage:

"'Everybody' is more playful than 'Off the Wall' dance tunes, with Mike McKinney propelling it like a plane turning and bear...more

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Aug 02, 2011

Kerry Hennigan rated it

· review of another edition

This is a sweet, uncomplicated look at the real Michael Jackson, written when he was still in his 20s. Very refreshing and easy reading, based on comprehensive interviews which were written up and then vetted by Michael. It's tragic that his later years have largely been written about by people who knew him only via the tabloid trash - which they have merely perpetuated, or in some cases freshly fabricated. Michael at 50 could have written a fantastic follow-up to this. His passing is an unp...more

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Dec 12, 2011

Bigsna rated it

· review of another edition

A simple and straightforward book written by MJ himself in a conversational style that almost feels like he is narrating it to you.
Not a very personal book - considering that it is a memoir - but it is a great read on the journey he has been on in becoming the world's most iconic music artist ever.
Especially interesting was how he describes many milestones in detail, from growing up under a strict regime as a child artist, to the making of his videos to the stories that went on behind ...more

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Nov 19, 2009

Vicki added it · review of another edition

This book was written in 1988 so it did not include the last 20 years of Michael's life. But, even then he already had a been pegged "Wacko" by the media. In this book he offers his explanation for 'behavior' in an attempt to show his 'human side' and how hurt he was by the negative press. I might be a little biased because I was an still am a big MJ fan. I, personally believe his true legacy is the beautiful music he left behind, his showmanship and his genuine love of humanity.

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Sep 06, 2009

Katt rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: anyone

Recommended to Katt by: nobody

We have Jackie Onassis to thank for urging Jackson to write his autobiography in 1988 when he was 29 years old. I became fascinated with Jackson this year when he died and wanted to spend some time with him. This was well worth my time effort.

He is quintessential Michael Jackson throughout this book, his voice in writing his story as soft as his speaking voice. He answers all the big questions. The book pre-dates the sensational child molestation trials.

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Jan 09, 2012

kb rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-d-save-from-fire-flood

There is absolutely no valid excuse about putting off a book written by Michael Jackson himself, so I won't even try. I'm just happy I have redeemed myself to my fanaticism by finally finishing Moonwalk, which I have rated with five stars not because of its fine style of writing but because of its fine honesty. Regardless of the marketing shiz and the fact that practically everybody knows his life story in and out, could you just grasp the idea of The King of Pop himself opening his memory box a...more

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About Michael Jackson

Michael Joseph Jackson, often referred to as The King of Pop or MJ is an American musician and entertainer.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

The seventh child of the Jackson family, Michael Jackson debuted on the professional music scene at the age of eleven as a member of the Jacks...moreMichael Joseph Jackson, often referred to as The King of Pop or MJ is an American musician and entertainer.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

The seventh child of the Jackson family, Michael Jackson debuted on the professional music scene at the age of eleven as a member of the Jackson 5, and went on to become a pop icon as a solo artist. His successful career and controversial, enigmatic personal life have been a part of pop culture for almost four decades. Jackson has dominated pop music since the late 1970s, becoming the first black entertainer to amass a strong cross-over following on MTV with his revolutionary transformation of the music video as an art form and as a promotional tool. The popularity of videos aired on MTV such as "Beat It" and "Billie Jean" created a tremendous synergy that helped to put the relatively young channel "on the map" and Jackson continued to be a dominant figure on MTV with videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream". Jackson also popularized physically-complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk, that have redefined mainstream dance and entertainment. His distinctive style, dance moves, and vocals have influenced a whole generation of hip hop, pop, and R&B artists.

He has been cited as the "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time" by Guinness World Records, and holds the record for the best-selling album ever, Thriller, among 7 more guinness world records.

Michael Jackson has received thirteen Grammy Awards (eight on a single night in 1984) and two of his solo albums have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Jackson has charted thirteen #1 singles in the United States, more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era. In November 2006, the World Music Awards announced that Jackson had sold over 750 million units worldwide and given $300 million to charity, making Jackson one of the best-selling music artists and one of the most philanthropic performers of the 20th and 21st century. However, Jackson's controversial appearance and actions have damaged his reputation in the eyes of some of the public and album sales have been in decline since the mid 1990s.

From 1988 to 2005, Jackson lived on his Neverland Ranch property, where he built an amusement park and private zoo that was frequently attended by disadvantaged and terminally ill children. Rumors of sleepover parties received both negative media coverage and public attention after it was revealed that children had slept in his bed or bedroom. This first came to light when he was accused of child sexual abuse in 1993. Michael Jackson's relationship with children was brought into the spotlight again in 2003 when the TV documentary Living with Michael Jackson was broadcast. This resulted in Jackson being tried, and later acquitted, of more child molestation allegations and several other charges in 2005. After this, Jackson went on hiatus, traveling to countries such as Bahrain, before starting work on new material in Ireland. In early 2008, he released Thriller 25 (a special edition of the "Thriller" album), which was a commercial success selling nearly 1.5 million copies worldwide in seven weeks.(less)

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Quotes from Moonwalk

“We look high and low for God, but somehow He's not there. So we blame Him and tell ourselves that He must have forgotten us. Or else we decide that He left us long ago, if He was ever around."
"How strange," the little fish said, "to miss what is everywhere."
"Very strange," the old whale agreed. "Doesn't it remind you of fish who say they're thirsty?” — 23 people liked it

“I believe I'm one of the loneliest people in the world.” — 12 people liked it

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