I think it is simply impossible to write a 100% credible biography of anyone but oneself's which of course, is not a biography, but an autobiography
LOL! And in an autobiography to show what you want the others to know, and hide that you don't want to be known, so it is also a part of the "truth"
No matter what we read, we as MJ fans, are already set up right from the beginning to not believe. What can be believe? It's really difficult to tell. I see must people agree on trusting Aphrodite Jones, but I know many who don't. Some love Karen Fayes, others can stand up with her. Other friends think Taraborelli is THE writer, while most MJ fans don't buy a bit of his work.... not to mention Shmuley Boteach and similar "close friends"... Mrs. Jackson already has her book (about her family), but I doubt a book on MJ would be among her current priorities.... ever :mello:
And even when she could write the book, I see MJ fans claiming it is not accurate for the reasons already given in this thread, but also because some MJ fans simply don't trust any MJ relative either. I have even read harsh words against Katherine or Rebbie. I will of course NOT want a book by Jerm., and I doubt MJ fans would be pleased with any by LaToya. Janet maybe? Some say she hadn't spoken to MJ for 4 years before the last time they met, etc. Dame Elizabeth? Mac?
Michael Jackson is, in some ways, a mistery because he wanted to keep his private life just like that: private. And by doing so, the perfect scenario for the wildest especulations was set. We all protect our privacy. That's just normal. But when it comes to Mike, his will to protect his privacy was something weird. Why? Maybe because many "stars" do the opposite over and over again, sharing every single and meaningless detail of their lives in an attempt to get attention for that, and not for their work or talent (which many lack), so people expected MJ to do the same. MJ was a normal man in a sea of anormal stars, media and showbiz executives, so all of them decided to call him weird.
After so many years of lies about Michael Jackson... who can we really trust? I admit I am always scared to read any peace of information about Mike on the media, always afraid I will find another painful lie, stupid rumor or disrespectful names.
People could write about MJ musical milestones and achievements. Would that be a good biography? Or people might choose write about MJ's personal milestones... would that be a biography to trust? How could anyone tell for sure what were his feelings, thoughts and hopes, reactions and fears? I doubt this can be done accurately, but only by guessing or speculating. The result of that would be the
author's opinon on MJ.
I have read things mixing facts and speculation at many levels, such as "MJ love watching his cartoon, which shows his early narcissism" :mello: Fact (MJ mentioned this in Moonwalk) + speculating (opinion of the auther of MJ's Treasures). [not his exact words, but that's the idea].
A real biography should be well-balanced, stating both Ups and Downs of Michael, his rights and wrongs. And there we have another issue difficult to face, since every time we point some weak point of Mike some other fan gets upset and feels we are almost haters for not being able to "understand" this perfect soul. Michael was a perfectionist, but not perfect at all. He was a man and I am happy he was as human as any of us, with ups and downs. So a book that honest... would face rejection by some fans and love from others. There is also a big number of issues we
WANT to believe about Michael, because those are things we would love him (or even need him) to be, so we, at some point, don't want our eyes to be opened
(I am currently in this state, I admit it).
So I think there will be many biographies, even very well researched biographies, but our acceptance of such works will heavily depend on our own expectations and ideas about Michael and the information we would like to know. Some would rather his career, some others his personal life, but not so deep. Others would love knowing it "all" (as if that was ever possible at all...), some just want strange facts and fantasies.
I would always be doubtful of the motivations of the author. Why do you write this? To let the world know the "real" Michael? To "clean" his name? To please fans? To please haters? To cash on MJ's name? To get your 15 minutes of fame? To "tell the truth"? Were you that close to him? Did he trust you? What do you get by doing this? (appart from the money, obviously). That would also set my mind before even considering getting any book.
Maybe I could trust a book written by Paris or Prince. But again, these little angels don't know the whole truth about his wonderful father, since Mike was stolen from them too soon. However, they could be the ones to make a real and honest reseach about Mike, but for personal reasons, for their own sake, not for the world's sake. I am sure they will do it whether we know it or not. I would do it, for we need to know about our parents. And out of that, they could pick up some good material to share with us. Maybe that would be good to read.
Well, who knows.... sorry.... this was a testament