by Ian Halperin
First published 2018
In December 2008, bestselling author Ian Halperin made a shocking prediction: Michael Jackson had only six months to live. His investigations into the pop star's deteriorating health grabbed worldwide attention. Six months later, Jackson was dead. Through five years of intense research, Halperin exposes what really killed the King of Pop. Greed drove those around Jackson to push him toward the planned London O2 Arena concerts in July 2009, despite knowing he could never complete them. Friends and associates reveal how Jackson desperately tried to prepare for shows that would have earned millions for his entourage. The frail man beneath the costumes and makeup was mentally and physically incapable of performing. Everyone close to him understood this truth, yet the tour moved forward anyway. Halperin uncovers the real story behind Jackson's final years, revealing the tragic circumstances that led to his death.
Genres: biography, 20th-century, non-fiction, music, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: celebrity-downfall, investigative-journalism
Period: 2000s, 2010s
370 pages · Hardcover · Book on Demand Ltd.
Content warnings: addiction, mental-illness