MJJ Tribute website - Books by Michael
Michael Jackson had a personal library containing over 10,000 books spread across his properties at Neverland Ranch and his family's Hayvenhurst estate. "I love to read. I wish I could advise more people to read. There's a whole new world in books. If you can't afford to travel, you travel mentally through reading. You can see anything and go any place you want to in reading." ~ Michael Jackson.
Michael himself officialy released two books. Moonwalk in 1988 en Dancing the Dream in 1992. In 2016 a book of his artworks is released in Japan and Germany. Though not by Michael himself we do consider this book official as it is all about his artwork that he has done with artist Brett Livingstone.
MOONWALK
Published in 1988, Moonwalk is the only official autobiography written by Michael Jackson. It chronicles his evolution from his humble midwest childhood and the Jackson 5 to his global success as a solo artist, addressing the crushing isolation of his fame. The memoir offers an intimate look into several key aspects of his life and career:
Musical Evolution: He describes his songwriting process for massive hits like "Beat It," "Billie Jean," and "We Are the World".
Dance & Performance: He explains how he developed his signature dance style, including how he perfected the iconic Moonwalk.
Personal Relationships: He opens up about his close bond with his sister Janet and his friendships with stars like Diana Ross, Quincy Jones, and Paul McCartney.The Price of Fame: Jackson candidly discusses his difficult relationship with his father, his desire for a normal childhood, and the relentless media scrutiny and rumors he faced.Fans generally consider the memoir to be a very authentic and historically significant look at his personal beliefs and his fierce dedication to his craft.
DANCING THE DREAM
Dancing the Dream (1992) is a deeply personal collection of 46 poems, essays, and reflections written by Michael Jackson that explores his spiritual view of the world, his artistic philosophy, and his humanitarian goals. Unlike his 1988 traditional autobiography Moonwalk, which focused on his career and rise to fame, Jackson described Dancing the Dream as "more autobiographical" because it came directly from his heart and inner thoughts rather than addressing celebrity gossip. Published by Doubleday seven months after his Dangerous album, the 148-page book features a specific multimedia format.
Core Themes: The book serves as a verbal expression of the concepts Jackson usually communicated through his music and choreography. The text focuses on several recurring ideals:
The Power of Children: Jackson emphasizes the spiritual innocence, bliss, and wisdom of youth, advocating that adults must reconnect with the "magical child" inside themselves.
Global Humanitarianism: The essays and poems advocate for world peace, the eradication of world hunger, and compassion for the homeless and victims of AIDS.
Environmentalism and Animals: Jackson reflects on the destruction of planet Earth and explicitly highlights the plight of endangered species, such as the noble elephant.
Spiritual Connection: The writings outline his belief that trust, love, and faith are the true foundation stones of a meaningful life. He describes his musical process as stepping into a flowing river and listening to the universe.
Writings: It consists of approximately 28 essays and reflections alongside 17 poems.
Artwork and Photos: It contains roughly 100 color and black-and-white photographs of Jackson, many of which were previously unreleased, alongside drawings and paintings from his private collection.
The book is dedicated to his mother, Katherine Jackson, and his friend, spiritual author Dr. Deepak Chopra. It features an introduction penned by actress Elizabeth Taylor.
Artwork by Michael Jackson
Artworks of Michael Jackson is a posthumous memorial book published in Japan and Germany that compiles 130 original drawings and sketches created by Michael himself. Away from the spotlight, Michael used drawing as a private visual journal to explore his imagination.
Imaginative Landscapes & Architecture: He spent hours sketching highly detailed, fantasy-inspired structures, ornate palace gates, grand entrances, and buildings inspired by places like Buckingham Palace and the White House.
Portraits of Public Figures: Sketches of famous world figures, including a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II which he drew to express his friendship and love for the United Kingdom
Pop Culture & Fantasy: Drawings heavily influenced by classic Walt Disney characters, historic figures, and dream-like fantasy imagery filled with symbolism.
Self-Portraits & Reflections: Deeply personal sketches of himself, alongside handwritten notes, poems, and lyrics that frequently touched on themes of childhood, intense loneliness, and his desire to be understood by the world.
Books on Michael by Others
Here you'll find a small selection of a few books on Michael Jackson that are worth reading...
The Magic, the Madness by Randy Taraborelli
Originally published in 1991, the book was significantly updated, expanded, and re-released in August 2009, to cover his entire lifespan. Taraborrelli possessed a unique advantage as a biographer as he met Michael when they were both teenagers and maintained close, personal access to the singer and the Jackson family for over 30 years.
The King of Pop & I by Aileen Medalla
The book details Medalla's three-year journey (from 2005 to 2008) working as the private, traveling homeschool teacher for Michael Jackson's three children. The book functions as a travel memoir, tracking her journeys with the Jackson family across Bahrain, Europe, Asia, and the United States. Medalla shares a rare, personal perspective to show who Michael Jackson was behind the tabloid headlines, portraying him as a down-to-earth human being, a deeply caring father, and an inherently kind boss.
Conspiracy by Aphredite Jones
Michael Jackson Conspiracy is a 2007 investigative true-crime book by journalist Aphrodite Jones that provides a detailed, behind-the-scenes look at the 2005 Michael Jackson trial. The book serves as a powerful critique of mainstream media. Jones argues that news outlets collectively abandoned journalistic integrity to distort, dehumanize, and sensationalize the trial for ratings and profit
The Jacksons my family by Katherine Jackson
My Family, The Jacksons published in 1990 is an autobiography by Michael Jackson's mother, the matriarch of the famous musical family. The book provides an insider's perspective on raising her nine children in a cramped home in Gary, Indiana, and witnessing their dramatic rise to global superstardom.
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MJ & Books
Michael's library spanned a wide
range of genres, including psychology,
history, literature, philosophy,
and early civilizations.
Michael was huge on books. He
even tought his children that
books are knowledge and that
knowledge is power. So if his
kids wanted 3 toys, he made
them read 3 books.
Michael Jackson was also a massive
fan of comic books. In the 1990s,
he tried to buy Marvel Comics,
when the company was struggling
financially. Taj Jackson said that
Michael had discussions with Stan
Lee about acquiring the brand,
though the deal never materialized.
