Product Description

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 surgery. The book is illustrated with family photographs.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1795440 in Books
• Published on: 1992-08-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

About the Author
MICHAEL JACKSON was the undisputed King of Pop and has been called "the greatest entertainer who ever lived."

SHAYE AREHEART was, along with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Michael Jackson's original editor.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
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.

I think I have a goody-goody image in the press and I hate that, but it’s hard to fight because I don’t normally talk about myself. I am a shy person. It’s true. I don’t like giving interviews or appearing on talk shows. When Doubleday approached me about doing this book, I was interested in being able to talk about how I feel in a book that would be mine – my words and my voice. I hope it will help clear up some misconceptions.

Everybody has many facets to them and I’m no different. When I’m in public, I often feel shy and reserved. Obviously, I feel differently away from the glare of cameras and staring people. My friends, my close associates, know there’s another Michael that I find it difficult to present in the outlandish “public” situations I often find myself in.

It’s different when I’m onstage, however. When I perform, I lose myself. I’m in total control of that stage. I don’t think about anything. I know what I want to do from the moment I step out there and I love every minute of it. I’m actually relaxed onstage. Totally relaxed. It’s nice. I feel relaxed in a studio too. I know whether something feels right. If it doesn’t, I know how to fix it. Everything has to be in place and if it is you feel good, you feel fulfilled. People used to underestimate my ability as a songwriter. They didn’t think of me as a songwriter, so when I started coming up with songs, they’d look at me like: “Who really wrote that?” I don’t know what they must have thought – that I had someone back in the garage who was writing them for me? But time cleared up those misconceptions. You always have to prove yourself to people and so many of them don’t want to believe. I’ve heard tales of Walt Disney going from studio to studio when he first started out, trying to sell his work unsuccessfully and being turned down. When he was finally given a chance, everyone thought he was the greatest thing that ever happened.

Sometimes when you’re treated unfairly it makes you stronger and more determined. Slavery was a terrible thing, but when black people in America finally got out from under the crushing system they were stronger. They knew what it was to have your spirit crippled by people who are controlling your life. They were never going to let that happen again. I admire that kind of strength. People who have it take a stand and put their blood and soul into what they believe.

I believe performers should try to be strong as an example to their audiences. It’s staggering what a person can do if they only try. If you’re under pressure, play off that pressure and use it to advantage to make whatever you’re doing better. Performers owe it to people to be strong and fair.

Often in the past performers have been tragic figures. A lot of truly great people have suffered or died because of pressure or drugs, especially liquor. It’s so sad. You feel cheated as a fan that you didn’t get to watch them evolve as they grew older. One can’t help but wondering what performances Marilyn Monroe would have put in or what Jimi Hendrix might have done in the 1980s.

A lot of celebrities say they don’t want their children to go into show business. I can understand their feelings, but I don’t agree with them. If I had a son or daughter, I’d say, ”By all means, be my guest. Step right in there. If you want to do it, do it.”

To me, nothing is more important than making people happy, giving them a release from their problems and worries, helping them to lighten their load. I want them to walk away from a performance I’ve done saying, ”That was great. I want to go back again. I had a great time.” To me, that’s what it’s all about. That’s wonderful. That’s why I don’t understand when some celebrities say they don’t want their kids in the business.

I think they say that because they’ve been hurt themselves. I can understand that. I’ve been there too.

Customer Reviews

Moon Walk - A must read autobiography
For all those people who choose to believe the crap that's written about Michael Jackson, I suggest you all take a look inside yourselves. This book Moonwalk is a a wonderful book giving Michael's point of view of his rise to fame, his family, and his relationships. This book was written in 1988, several years prior to the madness that surrounded him. I'm insulted that the people who are selling this book are actually selling it for 1 cent! That is ultimate disrespect for a person who has given us so much joy and great music for 40 years of his life. He deserves to be seen as a human being, not the freak that the media and the American public make him out to be! This other book that the so called critic is recommending "Be Careful Who You Love" is just another smear campaign. It's bad enough this man's life has been in shambles the past few years. But all the public wants to do is to continue to beat him into the ground until their's nothing left. Michael Jackson is simply a man who has tried all his life to help others. Now he's being crucified because of the lies of some very greedy people. Try reading all the facts before you continue to judge someone.

Moonwalk-Michael Jackson
I've had this book in my possession since 1988, I read it back then and I just read it again cover to cover in one sitting, it took me 5 hours and it was worth it. The book is a good read because it helps you to understand the mind of MJ and especially in light of his recent and tragic passing, the read was also sad and telling. He talks of his insecurities, the lack of closeness with his father, his embarrassing moments etc. What I gathered from this book was he was a highly sensitive and gentle nature. He will be truly missed. A must read for any die hard fan.

THE BEST!!!
If you're a Michael Jackson fan, you'll love this! First of all; it's written by Michael himself!!! He has told some golden memories, good and bad things that have happened to him. I found some new things I didn't have a clue before... he has written such a cute things, and there were so beautiful text that I just cried many times while reading!!! I kept thinking "Michael has said this to himself... these are his own words" :) So, I really recommend this book to anyone who is even a little bit interested in the King of Pop (by the way, it's NOT self-proclaimed KoP!!!!)