• Untouchable

  • The Strange Life and Tragic Death of Michael Jackson
  • By: Randall Sullivan
  • Narrated by: Mel Foster
  • Length: 28 hrs and 30 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (139 ratings)

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Untouchable  By  cover art

Untouchable

By: Randall Sullivan
Narrated by: Mel Foster
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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.

What listeners say about Untouchable

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Don't expect a definitive biography

Any additional comments?

Expected a comprehensive bio of the king of pop. Instead, the author emphasizes the final few years of Jackson's life. Lots of details about his finances. Surprisingly, Jackson's early years and his music get a lesser treatment. The whole story has a tabloid feel to it with lots of lurid details.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

One of my best listen to audiobooks

If you could sum up Untouchable in three words, what would they be?

Very interesting listen.

What did you like best about this story?

I thought I knew most of MJ life history and his music. But after listening to this autobiography I found out there are a lot about his other side that wasn't written.

Which character – as performed by Mel Foster – was your favorite?

MJ

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

I missed Michael Jackson and his music.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

MJ and Untouchable - Star Performances

Being a fan of MJ since his beginnings, I found this book answered all of the questions. MJ was a complex human being, a brilliant man and performer, and the sum of his past. This book was incredible and sad and I could not stop listening. If anyone has based their own opinion on MJ from news sources - push the biased, tabloid opinions aside and try this book first. His family let him down and so did people he considered friends. I hope MJ finds peace now.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

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.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

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.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Too Long!

What did you love best about Untouchable?

Good insight into the God-awful childhood experiences which shaped Michael Jackson. I felt sorry for Jackson, and could certainly understand his erratic, extravagant behavior.

Would you be willing to try another book from Randall Sullivan? Why or why not?

Maybe.

Any additional comments?

This book was divided into four units, making it about two units too long. I tired of listening to various iterations of the same selfishness and infighting among family and the host of vultures who worked for Jackson, after the star had died. Evidently Jackson had very few people in his life who cared for him as a person more than the wealth they could get from being his "friend." Sad.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

THE BEST and absolute DEFINITIVE biopic of MJ!

Where does Untouchable rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I love bios and memoirs especially of fascinating characters. There is no disputing that Michael Jackson was and is one of the most polarizing and fascinating characters to grace the world stage. Therefore, I would rank this bio in my top 3 I've ever listened to in my life.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Untouchable?

The amount of research that went into this bio must have been an insanely staggering task. This has to be one of the most complicated studies of any human being as Michael and his life story is one of the most complicated stories of our time. Therefore, the most memorable thing about this listen was the absolute shocking amount of information contained within.

What does Mel Foster bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Reading this book, especially much of the court and legal dramas, could get quite dry. I wouldn't want to read this book. No way.

Any additional comments?

This is, no doubt, THE bio if you are interested in Michael Jackson. It remains objective and strictly sticks to the facts. It does not paint Michael in a negative light. It points out his extreme eccentric nature, flaws, his positives, and everything else in between that made him such an amazing figure in American history. What struck me and disgusted me was the extremely disgusting and dysfunctional nature of his ENTIRE family. The entire Jackson clan, with the exception of his children and his Mother Katherine, are the epitome of evil. And, of course, there were a slew of other characters that would weasel their way into Michael's life whom were deplorable souls destined for karmic h*ll fire for how they sought to take advantage of him as a, virtual, ATM machine. This book has it all. 5 Stars / Excellent. I only took one star off for the narration as much of it gets a bit monotone but I don't see any other way the reader would have communicated such an ENOURMOUS amount of information any other way. The narrator does do a good job of changing his voice to highlight dialogue from the massive cast of characters he has to deal with within this book but some may find it doesn't have enough character. I found it to be easy to listen to and would not let it turn you away from the listen. Worth every penny / credit.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

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.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

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.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

false information about Michael Jackson

I did not like the way the narrator make my voice sound like cuz I was not how his voice sounded like you could have just talk normal second of all there was a lot of inconsistencies pertaining to Michael he was not a drug addict that is it absolutely false I know for a fact I will explain how I know it's personal and private and I'm not allowed to speak upon it. I do like the book but I do not like how safe. Him as an addict and I don't know there's just a lot in there that is incorrect but I did like the book because I love Michael Jackson always have always will he is a legend a kind loving person he is not a pedophile he is not a drug addict I have a lot more to say I think I'll come back to it later.

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