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Of particular note are
the two chapters entitled, "The Morass of Michael Jackson's Finances"
and "Flypaper: Sticky Lawsuits & Such." There is a lot of
information available about Michael Jackson but there are a lot of myths
surrounding his financial empire and the state of it at the time of his
death. Jackson's financial empire was vast and complex with 100%
interest in 13 different companies and 50% partnerships in Sony/ATV
Music Publishing LLC and Sycamore Valley Ranch Company LLC (Neverland)
and 7 other companies including, "Cirque Jackson I.P. LLC." He was asset
rich but cash deprived in the last years of his life with a financial
empire so vast that it was difficult to manage. These two chapters
describe "the totality of the people, the web of intrigue, and the
sinister machinations involved in Michael Jackson's financial affairs
during the last years of his life."
 With
her background in Clinical Psychology, Dr. Moriarty explores in a very
compassionate and understanding way, the extraordinary life that Michael
Jackson led. In the chapter "Bizarre Behavior," the concept that
"bizarre behavior is normal in bizarre circumstances" is explored as it
relates to Michael Jackson. "The author humbly and respectfully offers
psychological analysis of some of Michael's primary personality
characteristics and behavioral patterns." "As a genius and a man apart
from all others, he fashioned his own path." He was an abused child and
lost much of his childhood to hard work as the main attraction in the
family entertainment business. For much of his life, due to his
accomplishments and level of fame, he was lonely and isolated living as
if an animal in a cage. Over most of his life, he was the victim of
betrayal on a regular basis. Brilliant with a child-like innocent heart,
Jackson never publicly voiced his disapproval of those who betrayed
him. Dr. Moriarty offers some good analysis on Michael Jackson's coping
skills that were developed throughout his extraordinary life and his
three biggest mistakes.
This is one of the firsts
book to address the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray who was convicted of the
involuntary manslaughter of Michael Jackson. There is an entire chapter
devoted to this difficult subject entitled, "The Unwanted Chapter:
Conrad Murray." The media again tried to portray Michael Jackson in a
negative way and this chapter, in addition to the trial transcripts and
video of the televised trial, stand as testaments to what really
happened during Murray's trial in October of 2011 despite media
portrayal.
There are chapters on the
1993 allegations and the subsequent insurance settlement and the 2005
trial. While some of the facts in these chapters could have been
researched more thoroughly, the analysis of Michael Jackson's emotional
state and the relationship established with his Attorneys, Thomas
Mesereau and Susan Yu, are an important part of his story. His
subsequent leaving of Neverland to travel the world is also chronicled
in this book.
 For
those well-versed in Michael Jackson's artistic accomplishments, there
may also be some accuracies that could have benefited from more editing.
However, these do not take away from the intent of the book as a whole.
The author also attempts to explore Michael's legacy in the "The Legacy
of Michael Jackson." In it she says, "Michael Jackson's legacy will be
full, rich, and multi-dimensional. It will expand across time. It will
bloom like a beautiful flower. Hopefully, it will metamorphose into a
softer, gentler thing as the years pass and the truth about Michael
Jackson pervades our cultural environment. Other countries are ahead of
the United States in this evolutionary process, but we can catch up..."
and we can.
Dr. Moriarty ends with
"we feel that, in the end, Michael Jackson knew that he was loved. We
cling to that belief." And in Michael's words, "It's all for L.O.V.E."
MJTruthNow highly
recommends this book by Dr. Moriarty. Two additional reviews, one by
Lauren Trainor of the MJ Tribute Portrait and one by Rev. Barbara
Kauffman of InnerMichael.com can be found at these links:
MJ Tribute Portrait Review:
www.mjtributeportrait.com/defendingaking
InnerMichael.com Review:
www.innermichael.com/defendingAKing
Thomas Mesereau had this
to say about Defending A King. "If you want an eye-opening portrayal of
the real Michael Jackson - delivered in a rare blend of disclosure,
respect, insight, and passion - this is it!"
Rev. Catherine Gross on
her radio program "Places In The Heart" invited Dr. Moriarty to be her
guest. The link to the radio broadcast can be found here:
Blogtalkradio/DrMoriarty
Dr. Karen Moriarty's Defending A King - His Life & Legacy website gives more information about the book and how to purchase it.
www.defendingaking.com
Link to book on Amazon.com
www.amazon.com/defendingaking
Barnes and Noble e-book link and more reviews:
www.barnesandnoble.com/defendingaking
Michael Jackson said, "Lies run sprints but the truth runs marathons."
This book is just one more step in that marathon toward the truth.
MJTruthNow
www.MJTruthNow.com | 
Dr.
Moriarty, a licensed Clinical Psychologist, while always a fan of his
music found herself horrified at Michael Jackson's treatment by law
enforcement and the media in the last 16 years of his life. She could
not even bear to watch the trial in 2005. Profoundly affected by his
death in 2009, she began the journey toward writing this book. Dr.
Moriarty spoke with many people that actually knew Michael Jackson. She
began by speaking with the men who were the Michael Jackson family's
bodyguards while they were living in Las Vegas prior to making the move
to Los Angeles for the "This Is It" rehearsals. She also spoke with
Thomas, Mesereau, Larry Nimmer, David Nordahl, Reverend June Gatlin,
among others, and has the support of Susan Yu.
The
book is broken down into a variety of chapters that explore different
aspects of Michael's life including his accomplishments as an artist and
entertainer, his philanthropic endeavors, his relationship with his
fans, his relationship with his parents and siblings, and what was
perhaps the most important role of his life, that of being a father to
his three children. Though there will be little that is new in many of
these chapters for those who have extensively studied Michael Jackson
and his life, they are worth reading and give information all in one
place for those with less knowledge or those just getting to know the
real Michael Jackson, not the caricature portrayed by the media. 
