Before You Judge Me

The Triumph and Tragedy of Michael Jackson's Last Days

By: Tavis Smiley, David Ritz

Narrated by: Leo Coltrane

Length: 5 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

A powerful chronicle of the 16 weeks leading up to King of Pop Michael Jackson's death

Michael Jackson's final months were like the rest of his short and legendary life: filled with deep lows and soaring highs, a constant hunt for privacy, and the pressure and fame that made him socially fragile and almost - ultimately - unable to live.

With the insight and compassion that he brought to his best-selling telling of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s final year, Tavis Smiley provides a glimpse into the superstar's life in this emotional, honest, yet celebratory audiobook. Listeners will witness Jackson's campaign to recharge his career - hiring and firing managers and advisors, turning to and away from family members, fighting depression and drug dependency - while his one goal remained: to mount the most spectacular series of shows the world had ever seen. Before You Judge Me is a humanizing look at Jackson's last days.

©2016 Tavis Smiley and David Ritz (P)2016 Hachette Audio

This was a wonderful book.

It succeeded in its mission to reconnect us to Michael. Even here in 2017 I still teared up in hearing of his passing. Thank you for giving us some background of the greatest artist of all time

Underwhelming

To be fair, and Tavis speaks to this in the afterward, the distance between Michael and us makes the production of a quality biography of him near impossible. I enjoyed the book it it didn't really further inform my opinion of him. However, and thankfully, I do think the details of the book are true.

Before you Judge me Try hard to Love me!!

The narrator was excellent. Level of writing is absolutely amazing. Like a song we listen and leave the flow of words sliding in our ears.

The book gives us an overall picture of what may had happened during MJ last days and the madness of MJ end of life.

Wonderfully written insight into Mj final days

Absolutely love this book in the insight it provided into Michael's real data day situation here situation he had to be dealing with in his mind and soul prior to his untimely death.

Beautiful book

Continued to be impressed by Tavis Smiley's writing. Loved 'Death of a King', 'My Journey with Maya', and loved this one as well.

A good book.

Truly enjoyable book. I listened to it twice and each time get a different view. Although a sad story in whole, I can't help but love the way Tavis Smiley and David Ritz gave Michael Jackson's story a peaceful dignaty that shines in they're mutual respect for Michael. Other authors want to relish in his misfortune, but you two brought a sense of reflection good and bad. I love that.

Review

I loved this book, I could feel the emotional side of Michael as Tavis describes him in different parts of the book. I grew up listening to them and my heart still aches when I think of how he ended up. Thank you Tavis for this beautiful book.

Facing Our Demons...

The title is so very appropriate and Tavis has done another superb job in grappling with the complexities of another icons last days leading up to their death. I felt MJs pain and was forced to reflect on my own demons that drive me and so many of us. They force us to wear so many different mAsks that don't just take on the shape of drugs but sex work abuse
Etc. Well worth the read.... and I love the ending....

Eye opening Insight

I enjoyed this audio book which exposed me to things about Michael that I did not know. I have a much better understanding of his personality and challenges.

Just Okay!

I could feel the author's affection for MJ, but kept wondering how he knew what Michael waz thinking all the time. Good book. but I still think the bodyguard's book is better, because they were actually with him almost until the final 2-3 weeks. If THEY had been with him, he would still be alive. RIP MJ! You are missed!