Untouchable

The Strange Life and Tragic Death of Michael Jackson

By: Randall Sullivan

Narrated by: Mel Foster

Length: 28 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Beginning with his final departure from Neverland, Untouchable takes listeners through Jackson's final four years, as he shuttled from California to the Middle East, Ireland, Asia, the East Coast, and Las Vegas, planning to recapture his wealth and reputation with a comeback album and a series of 50 mega-concerts, for which he was rehearsing until the day before his death. Sullivan also delves deep into Jackson's past, and the man that emerges is both naive and deeply cunning, a devoted father whose parenting decisions created an international outcry, a shrewd businessman whose successes blew up in his face and whose failures nearly brought down a megacorporation, and an inveterate narcissist who wanted more than anything a quiet, solitary, normal life.

Sullivan has never-before-reported information about Jackson's business dealings and the pedophilia allegations that irreparably marked his reputation. He had exclusive access to inner-circle figures, including Jackson's former attorney and business manager. The result is a remarkable portrait of Michael Jackson, a man of uncountable contradictions who continues to reign as the King of Pop.

©2012 Randall Sullivan (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

great book, very detailed

very deatiled account of Michael's success and family life. it was so detailed in fact, and brought in ALL of the players in his life, that it deemed almost chaotic just in its reading. definitely have to pay atten well to know who the players were. it just illustrates the confision surrounding his life. great book, well done, and seemed fairly balanced.

Extremely well organized and thoughtfully laid out

I have been a Michael Jackson fan since Jr high school when his first solo album came out. I never believed those that accused him of being a pedophile. After listening to this recording I now understand that he never had a chance. The entire Jackson clan was poisoned from an early age and as much as Micheal wanted to believe in others that was his ultimate down fall. It seemed like it was just impossible to know who to trust. In the end he gave us all his enduring legacy of music and the love behind it. I very much hope that Micheal is now resting in peace or at play like the childhood he so desperately deserved but never had.

Wonderful insight into the life of Michael Jackson

Would you listen to Untouchable again? Why?

This book might not please some hard core fans of Michael Jackson, because it highlights the true Michael Jackson. It sheds light on the great things that made Michael Jackson loved by many, as well as the dark parts of Michael Jackson that earned him the nickname "Wacko Jacko". This book leaves you feeling a bit of pity for the star because he always wanted a normal life but never attained it. At the same time it allows you to see that money cant cure loneliness or heartache. Loved the book, but at times it was a little slow going and was hard to keep track of all the key players in the Michael Jackson saga. If youre looking for the hard but necessary truth about Michael's life this is a must read.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Michael of course. He had so many facets to his personality and he had such a impact on everyone he met.

Have you listened to any of Mel Foster’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wanted to yes, but was unable to because it is a long book.

Tremendous look into the life of a gentle, kind, man.

I really enjoyed this book. The attention to detail and dates and people etc was impeccable. I found this biography heart wrenching and felt so sorry for the pain and injustice inflicted upon Michael Jackson by so many greedy dishonest, monsters. The parents who fabricated lies for the sake of greed and money. Unbelievably sad that such a gentle guy had to suffer at the hands of these perpetrators. Michael Jackson appeared very much to be well educated and bright. Sadly, the money grabbing entourage failed him financially and morally. I couldn’t put this book down. From start to finish it is so interesting. The author really did his homework and gave great information. The one annoying thing I found was when the narrator insisted on putting on terribly bad accents of people from other countries and of women as well. Pity he didn’t just read in his own voice for the whole thing.

It was very accurate.

It was kinda scary how accurate this was. He's missing a few things, and heavily downplayed the involvement of the cascios, Lisa marie and some of his other horriable handlers such as trudy and Ramon. But he wasn't there. This is as good as it gets after frank casinos, J. Randy Tarroburelli and the bodyguards books.

Narrator was hard to listen to

I'm sorry to say that the narrator is hard to listen to for me. His voice and way of speaking is to distracting for me personally, it took away from the story. Everything sounded the same.

Fill-In-The-Blanks

Get a complete story of the events that took place in MJ's life. The people who surrounded him and controlled him. How uninvolved, unaware, and uninformed MJ was of the aspects of his career that were so vital to his success and well-being. A very interesting story that sheds more light on the very reclusive Michael Jackson.

Deep, but narrow (by design)

Other reviewers have noted that this isn't a comprehensive biography. The author sets out to fill a gap: to write a thorough account of MJ's final years, financial entanglements, and the legal wrangling that occurred in the years immediately following his death. He succeeds in his mission, having unearthed exhaustive and sometimes exhausting detail.

I think a book like this serves a real historical purpose. Years down the road, scholars will want to understand what went on during this period, and Randall Sullivan had captured information that will be lost as memories fade, participants pass away, etc.

That being said, it's not for everyone. You are most likely to enjoy this book if you've already read a less specialized biography of MJ and want more detail, or if you're an attorney or financial professional who can digest some of the more obscure details in this book, or if you're particularly interested in MJs last years.

The writing is good, and the performance is excellent. Mel Foster helps the listener keep track of the bewildering cast of characters by providing each one with a characteristic voice. And he manages to evoke MJs speaking voice without sounding silly or disrespectful.

Recommended, as long as you know what you're getting into.

The narrator is destroying the experience

Very complicated book for someone that is not considered to have knowledge of Michael Jackson’s life and career. The book is jumping from one subject to another with no chronological order with the result of making it confusing for a listener. The narrator has the most annoying voice that he is using to overact the dialogues. The book also was reporting a lot of tabloid stories that were unnecessary and untrue. Overall though for someone that has knowledge of Michael Jackson's life and legacy is interested in certain areas. It seems that the writer did a lot of work. I wish was more accurate in some areas.

Wow, huh?, wtf, really?…

This was an amazing book. It made me question so many things and wonder about the true price of fame and worldly admiration. Sad. And yet I couldn’t get enough. Just mind blowing. Great narration.