From that Day in 2009, Dr. Karen Moriarty has been immersed in the world of Michael Jackson. EVERYTHING had changed. It was a cataclysmic, life-transforming experience....
Now involved in Facebook and other social media, with nearly 20,000 followers – Michael Jackson fans – Dr. Moriarty has turned her full-time endeavor to defending and advancing Michael Jackson’s legacy all around the globe. She has become friends with some of the people who were closest to Michael. "My most cherished memory is giving my book about Michael to his daughter Paris in front of her father's childhood home in Gary, Indiana. She beamed a smile and promised to share it with Michael's beloved mother Katherine, Paris's grandmother and guardian. Wow! Such a thrilling and fulfilling event for me...."
Before 2009, Karen Moriarty worked as a teacher of English and writing, counselor, administrator, and consultant in public schools, a chief human resources officer, and a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice. She earned advanced degrees, including her Doctorate, from Northern Illinois University.
Defending A King ~ His Life & Legacy is an intimate and disclosing portrayal of Michael Jackson, with previously undisclosed information and unique insights regarding this "king of a man." Because his goodness was unknown and/or ignored before his passing, this volume needs to be affixed to the legacy of MJ's genius and his greatness. Dr. Moriarty leads her reader through the maze of stunningly bizarre circumstances in which Michael lived and struggled, through his private joys and sufferings as a real human being ... a transcendent man. Michael Jackson's last four years, mysterious and protected from public view, are now highlighted and explained in this probing, empathic, and straightforward portrayal. Readers will learn the real story....
Baby Richard: A Four-Year-Old Comes Home, published in 2003, was Dr. Moriarty's first book, written because it was "an epic story that had to be told."
Karen is married to Dr. Robert V. Moriarty, also a licensed clinical psychologist and former president of a community college and of a private graduate school.
A lifelong lover of all animals, Karen has traveled to many countries in pursuit of observing their native wildlife. Her “second home” is now Kenya, where she has embarked on photo safaris eight times since 2006. There Karen visits her adopted orphan elephant Panda, who resides at the Voi Stockade of the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. In Kenya, Maasai tribal elders have conferred on her the honor of being named “Nasha,” which means “blessing” in their native language.
Karen and Robert reside with their feline companion, Billy Gene, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
An insightful account of a famous legal battle of a parent trying to regain custody of his son from the perspective of the child’s psychologist. The Baby Richard case evokes emotions on both sides of the adoption issue. Regardless which side of the issue you are on (if you have an opinion), this book provides first hand information on the Baby Richard case that is informative and enlightening, something the news media did not provide at the time. I highly recommend this book.
As the author of this comprehensive book about the media-saturated Baby Richard case from the mid-nineties, I am pleased that the untold story of Danny [Baby Richard] and his biological parents finally "saw the light of day." My serving as the psychologist/therapist for the child and his beleaguered parents, Otto and Daniela, changed my life in many ways. It was cathartic for me to tell my own story, along with the Kirchners', and a relief to disclose all aspects of this unique and amazing story. With Otto and Daniela's full permission, urging, and support, I succeeded in presenting all of the significant elements of the "epic" Baby Richard saga -- emotional, social, legal, parental, familial, therapeutic, and cultural. The Baby Richard story, from which we can still learn so much today, cannot be found, in its entirety, anywhere except in this book. Autographed copies of this book are available from me: Dr. Karen M. Moriarty, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082.
This is a very thorough and interesting account of the famous, media-hyped failed adoption case in the Chicago area during the '90s. The behind-the-scenes portrayal of events is fascinating! A 5-star book!
5 stars on this book's quality, depth, comprehensiveness, compassion, and an expansive range of information. Very interesting and educational. Baby Richard can be read on a number of levels and from a variety of points of view. Highly recommended.
It's refreshing and fascinating to read the "other side" of this failed adoption case in which the media favored and even championed the adoptive parents across years of extensive and intensive coverage. Very eye-opening!