A comprehensive, in-depth
portrayal
of Michael Jackson that
includes
his last mysterious years, Defending a
King~His Life & Legacy
reveals new
information and unique
insights into this "king of a man."
Reviewed
by Alice D. for Readers Favorite,
January 2012
Rating:
5 Stars
"Defending
a King: His Life & Legacy" will leave the
reader in a different place at its ending.
Even readers who are indifferent to Michael
Jackson will be true fans at the end of this
book. Author Karen Moriarty takes the
reader step by step into Michael Jackson's life
and career, convincingly conveying his great
musical genius and his inability to deal with
the sycophants and cheats who attached
themselves to him. As the "King of Pop", his
ability to write brilliant songs and dance to
their beat could not be matched by anyone else
in the music business. But this great talent
also made Michael Jackson inept in business
dealings. Dr. Moriarty tells of how people who
worked for Michael Jackson stole from him right
and left. Dr. Moriarty also tells honestly of
how Michael never recovered from the horrors of
the Neverland 2005 trial and covers his tragic
death at the hands of Conrad Murray. Michael was
overwhelmed by the lawsuits that came at him
incessantly and only wished to have a good
night's sleep. Instead, filled with a deadly
drug, he died. It becomes clear to the reader
that Michael Jackson was a first rate father to
his three children, but despite being surrounded
by people, he was a lonely, lonely man. Dr.
Moriarty speculates that Michael Jackson might
have lived if he'd had someone nearby who truly
cared about him. She tells that, of his
immediate family, he was close only to his
mother. Sad!
"Defending
a King" is one of those rare books that will
touch the reader's mind and heart. It deserves
a wide readership for it is well-written and
tells of a Michael Jackson who gave thousands
to charity work around the world, who would
sit with gravely ill children to comfort them,
who was loved by leaders like Nelson Mandela
for the good deeds Michael felt he was on this
earth to accomplish. Too bad that
most people think of Michael Jackson as a
bizarre person, associating him and his estate
Neverland with perversion. Gifted, good and
otherworldly? Yes, Michael Jackson most
definitely was.
Mary Singer, St. Petersburg, FL, January 2012
THE BEST book available on Michael
Jackson! I have collected shelves of books on
& about him through the years & many
more since his death, but this one is by far
the best! Dr. Moriarty has made him a
man, not just a name or a performer & I hope
that thousands will buy this book and read it. EVERY
Michael Jackson fan needs to read this
fantastic book. It will open your eyes, make
you think, make you cry and make you smile.
Divinity in Motion, “divinityinmotion,” PA,
January 2012
… I trust Michael's followers completely when it
comes to recommendations of what to buy, and
alerts of what not to buy in anything related to
Michael in print.... For those who have it
[Defending A King ~ His Life & Legacy] I
suggest buying another copy of this book and
donating it to your local library....
I believe donating to a library is a great way
to educate a large number of people, both
children and adults for a long time to come.
Countless people could benefit from this simple
act. You can also ask your library to acquire
this book, but to guarantee that the library
gets it you can give it to them. Michael's truth
must be spread, and we are living his legacy,
and it is up to us to enforce that the truth of
who Michael is gets told. Michael said himself,
“It starts with us, and it starts right now.”
Cyberstorm, January 2012
Dr. Moriarty's portrayal of Michael
Jackson's life is thorough and I especially
appreciate how she put his seemingly odd
behavior into perspective, showing him to be a
kind and loving parent, just that life threw
him into “bizarre circumstances.”
I
believe you'll find this very informative, and
even includes an Epilogue about the death and
trial of his doctor.
Iladybug, Irene M., January 2012
… BRILLIANT!! This book is a must read
for all of Michael's fans around the world,
and for readers who will discover the unique
person he truly was.
I cried
for the world's loss … you will too. Great book:
read it!!!
Ekta R. Garg, “Book Ends,” The Write Edge, for
Bookpleasures.com, January 2012
… Throughout the book Moriarty uses events and
examples from Jackson's life to stress a
succinct point made by Thomas Mesereau,
Jackson's lawyer during [his] trial...: “Michael
Jackson was vulnerable, gullible,
impressionable, and naïve. To Michael's great
credit, he believed he could change the world
with kindness, but, tragically, he was too
generous to too many people.”
…
From the opening lines of her tribute,
Moriarty uses her book exactly as the title
indicates: she sets out to defend Jackson's
seemingly eccentric traits and what some
perceived during his lifetime as odd behavior....
His bizarre behavior fit his bizarre life
circumstances, she says, and no matter how
people perceived his behavior there was nothing
unseemly or sordid about it.
Moriarty's
loyalty clearly shines through as does her
earnest desire to give Michael Jackson fans
and detractors a just depiction of Jackson's
life....
This
reviewer recommends this book first and foremost
for those Michael Jackson fans who have a long
association with the singer....
Elizabeth Michelle Billeaudeaux, Author of An
Angel Among Us, January 2012
I am very grateful to Dr. Moriarty for writing
such a detailed book about ... Michael! Whether
or not you are a fan, this book will give you
a much better idea of what his life was
like.... There were a few times I had to stop
reading and dry my eyes before continuing....
This book is a gift to our community, and a
must read for the entire world.
Thank-you so much Dr. Moriarty....
From his endorsement of Defending A King ~ His
Life & Legacy, Attorney Thomas A. Mesereau,
Jr.:
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!
Luke R.
5 out of 5 stars WOW! THIS MJ BOOK
DESERVES 6 STARS! February 11, 2012
When considering the myriad of books, articles
and television programs that have been released
since Michael's passing, some people may wonder
if there's anything new or compelling left to be
said about his well-chronicled, remarkable life.
Well, I can assure you that Defending A
King ~ His Life & Legacy will give readers
something unique: a never-before-told, inside
story of what daily life was really like for
the world's most famous person. What Michael
referred to as his "life in a fishbowl" will
seem like an understatement when you've
finished reading this exceptional book.
I
was extremely impressed with the depth and
breadth of Dr. Karen Moriarty's research.
She supports her positions thoroughly and
thoughtfully in each of the 19 chapters. An
emphasis on firsthand sources--including
security staff and professional associates--adds
a great deal of credibility throughout.
Additionally, I thought the book did an
excellent job of clearing up the lies and
misinformation repeatedly spread by the
self-serving media.
Writing
from a psychologist's perspective, Dr. Moriarty
effectively describes the "why" behind the
"what" regarding Michael's decisions, both as a
public figure and as a father. Conclusions are
grounded in psychological theory, presented at
an accessible level. It was particularly
interesting to learn about concepts such as
compartmentalization and situational demand. I
came away with a better appreciation of how
Michael Jackson was uniquely human, just like
the rest of us....
The
numerous examples given of Michael's random acts
of kindness--often done anonymously--were both
surprising and uplifting. I think the assertion
that Michael was someone, "...with a heart as
big as his talent" says it best.
I
highly recommend this book for anyone. You'll
learn more about the global icon and legend,
while also realizing more about the man. Michael
Jackson changed history, and his influence is
all around us. His one-of-a-kind life is worth
understanding.
Littlemoose. 5 stars: A Book for All
Ages, February 11, 2012
As a senior citizen my idea of the King of Pop
was Sinatra. My perception of Michael Jackson
was built on media critics, video clips, and
news of lawsuits. Dr. Karen Moriarty's biography
has provided an amazing narrative of this
remarkable entertainer and human being. Her
detailed description of his life has totally
changed the stereotype of a globally famous
celebrity. A great read.
Debolina Raja Gupta (Mumbai, India),
Bookpleasures.com, February 2012
… I am so so fascinated by this book.... Even if
you have … managed to remain a non-fan of MJ …,
this reading and subsequent understanding of MJ
the man will make you an instant fan.... It was an
emotional roller coaster for me. I must … give
full credit to Dr. Karen Moriarty for her detailed
research and for being able to provide more than
enough proof against all those allegations that MJ
has faced over the years.
Susan Brookes (United Kingdom), March 2012
I LOVED each and EVERY chapter of [this] book....
Love and respect for “Our King” shines
through in each and every word written....
My only regret is that Michael is not here
in person to witness this Wonderful, Comprehensive
and Positive Read for himself. It is so
refreshing.... A “Glorious” Read
– thousands believing the worst WILL now know the
Truth that he was a caring parent, uniquely
talented and devoted philanthropist persecuted his
entire life for simply being different....
He gave us HOPE....
Lauren Trainor, The Jam Cafe (Michael
Jackson Tribute Portrait Online Magazine),
February 2012
This is a lovely book … to be shared with family,
friends and others who may not be aware of who
Michael really was and why he continues to inspire
and affect so many people, and it provides
accurate and reliable evidence vindicating an
always innocent man. All of it positive,
compassionate and affirming, Karen has painted a
beautiful picture of Michael the person, father,
humanitarian, artist, friend and trusting human
being. A substantial part of this book looks
closely at the years following 2005.... Dr. Moriarty explores Michael's coping
mechanisms, his ability to compartmentalize, his
decisions and behavior that may appear to be
different and strange to others yet finally
understood to be creative, fluid and
self-preserving.... Karen
explores the question: Has there ever been a
cultural figure as paradoxical as Michael
Jackson?… Dig deeper into Michael's soul
through the pages opened to you and the promise is
you will come away with an appreciation and
profound gratefulness to have lived in his
time.... Closing the back cover, it is difficult
not to see Michael in his totality, told from a
place of understanding, love and truth....
I hope you decide to enter Michael's world
through Karen's words and insight. She hopes
we can cherish him even more.
Most
of these excerpts are from "Customer Reviews"
on amazon.com.
Thank you to Zita Ost of HeyZ Radio for
her interview on "