Jennifer Mc read and liked Irene's review of The Michael Jackson Tapes: A Tragic Icon Reveals His Soul in Intimate Conversation:

"I suspect many hardcore MJ fans may not like this book, but it should be considered in the proper context. This book is not a love letter to a celebrity but an account of a spiritual/religious leader's interaction with, friendship with and thoughts a...more I suspect many hardcore MJ fans may not like this book, but it should be considered in the proper context. This book is not a love letter to a celebrity but an account of a spiritual/religious leader's interaction with, friendship with and thoughts about a man who happened to be a celebrity. Many of the questions Boteach asks are leading, many pages peppered with Boteach's personal interjections, wishes and opinions; many of the conversations deal with religion and approaches to morality that I don't share. Further, Boteach isn't a fantastic writer. He doesn't really need to be. What I liked about the book was that it was an interesting and new look at the man whose story has been told so many times. I found it revealing and humanizing.(less) "

Jennifer Mc read and liked Ashley's review of The Michael Jackson Tapes: A Tragic Icon Reveals His Soul in Intimate Conversation:

"While there wasn’t much new information for Jackson fans in this book, the presentation was different. At times, it was easy to trick yourself into thinking you were there having a conversation with Michael yourself.

It was interesting t...more While there wasn’t much new information for Jackson fans in this book, the presentation was different. At times, it was easy to trick yourself into thinking you were there having a conversation with Michael yourself.

It was interesting to see the two distinct sides of Michael Jackson in his own words- that's what really sticks out to me...but then again, Boteach seemed to focus in on that pretty hard, so that could be why.


The book makes me angry, because despite the author’s constant explaining, I still don't understand how someone who was allegedly so close to Michael could just turn their back on him, even when Michael tried to get Boteach back in his life a couple of times after they stopped talking. I'm in no position to judge Rabbi Boteach, but he came across as lazy and self-righteous as opposed to someone who was genuinely worried about getting caught up in Michael's lifestyle. What's the point in having a strong belief system, and in having these incredibly strong, grounded friends around you if you're not willing to use those resources to help someone less fortunate?

Didn't Boteach have enough genuine friends surrounding him that if he had started to get sucked into Jackson's world, they could bring him back down to earth? Again, it just comes off like he was willing to try, up until the point where his self-control and morals were tested just the slightest bit. That, or it sounds to me like he might have just been hurt by the way he was treated by Michael. No one could blame him for walking away because Michael hurt him- afterall, they had once been so close and then Michael began distancing himself from Boteach & his causes. But then why didn't he go back to Michael when he reached out?


I got the impression that Michael was constantly reaching out to other people for help- basically screaming at them, but no one ever noticed or took him seriously. He was Michael Jackson- in his mind he couldn't admit that he needed help...but it really hit me when they were talking about Hitler. Boteach kept drilling into Michael's head that Hitler was too far gone to be saved- that no one could have done anything to help him. But Michael stood his ground, and kept insisting that all he needed was someone to talk to, someone to genuinely listen to him and try to help him understand where things went wrong.

And I realized that that was all Michael ever needed. Maybe hindsight is twenty-twenty, maybe you start looking for things once you know the outcome, but it really came off to me like he was begging Shmuley to not give up on him. Michael kept insisting that Hitler wasn't too far gone, because he wanted to believe that he wasn't too far gone either. He wanted to persuade Boteach to think that anyone can be saved at any point if you just try hard enough.

And in my opinion...no one tried hard enough.

Michael knew he was hard to live with- he admitted it many times in this very book! He all but told people it would be hell to try to get through to him- but he kept insisting that no one is ever too far gone. That sounds like nothing short of a cry for help. "It will be nearly impossible- but I'll never be too far gone- if you try hard enough, I'll come around. Don't give up on me."



All of that aside, I do believe Shmuley Boteach is a good man, and he had admirable intentions during his friendship with Michael. He's a wonderful poetic writer- he definitely has a way with words.



Great book, quick read, interesting insights…but it definitely leaves you feeling a bit depressed. It leaves you wanting more. It leaves you wanting the real thing- the real conversation between you and Michael. Michael Jackson was a profoundly intelligent man- deeply spiritual, and surprisingly philosophical, add in his tortured soul and incredible heart for others…a conversation with someone like that would have been interesting, to say the least! It's a conversation I envy.(less) "

Jennifer Mc read and liked William's review of Diana Ross:

"The author/biographer got his start as a writer for fanzines and it certainly shows in this book. The writing quality is sometimes pedestrian and he easily weaves back and forth from biography to hagiography. From critiqueing to cheerleading. With th...more The author/biographer got his start as a writer for fanzines and it certainly shows in this book. The writing quality is sometimes pedestrian and he easily weaves back and forth from biography to hagiography. From critiqueing to cheerleading. With those caveats I will say that I loved this book. Its a book that probably only those of a certain generation will. Those like me who grew up to a Motown soundtrack. And its queen D. Ross. Anytime a book can describe a song and the events that surrounded it and then have me singing those long forgotten lyrics in the shower the next day is a powerful book. Dredging up reels of Ed Sullivan, Flip Wilson, and Hootanny TV shows from the back of my mind. Love or hate D. Ross her place in history is undeniable. And what a life it is. If you like me start reading the book with generally negative feelings about her you are likely to be a tad more sympathetic by the end. (less) "