Michael Jackson: Body and Soul: An Illustrated Biography

Sam Coghlan was Deputy Director and Senior Consultant of the Thames Ontario Library Service Board, Southwestern Ontario.

The dedication states: “This is a book written for the fans of Michael Jackson.” It succeeds admirably as a fan’s souvenir, yet it offers much more. This is an excellent book for the novice to the Michael Jackson phenomenon — for the three-quarters of the earth’s population who are as yet uninitiated in the appeal of his unparalleled superstardom.

A biography is presented, consisting not only of facts, but including an intelligent and interesting analysis of the growth of Michael Jackson’s talent as he rose from the ranks of the Jackson 5 to become a record-breaking solo record maker. Geoff Brown looks seriously at the contexts within which Michael grew — his family (his father, Joe Jackson, has been a constant force) and the entire world of black soul music from the concert world to the assembly-line recording studios of Motown. In-depth, academic analyses are not here — the biography has the relative superficiality of a Rolling Stone article — but the issues are at least raised and in a provocative manner.

The inner person of Michael Jackson cannot be presented in a book of this size or format, especially as we learn that Michael Jackson has grown insular and somewhat frightened, apparently moving into a world resembling fantasy, as a reaction against the hardships of living a very public life. At the same time he is said to be an exceptional businessman. The apparent inconsistencies cannot be explained, but it is to the author’s credit that they are brought to our attention.

The photographs contribute, several times being sufficiently close to the relevant text to punctuate the author’s claim (e.g., regarding Jackson’s alleged facial surgery). Also, the book’s subject is not perpetually presented in various poses; there are some good poster-type photos for the fans, but other people are amply presented.

This book certainly cannot be accused of hitchhiking on a superstar’s band-wagon. It is a readable, interesting, thoughtful, and tasteful introductory biography.