Michael A Popular Books

Michael A Biography & Facts

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Known as the "King of Pop", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. During his four-decade career, his contributions to music, dance, and fashion, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture. Jackson influenced artists across many music genres. Through stage and video performances, he popularized complicated street dance moves such as the moonwalk, which he named, as well as the robot. The eighth child of the Jackson family, Jackson made his public debut in 1964 with his older brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon as a member of the Jackson 5 (later known as the Jacksons). Jackson began his solo career in 1971 while at Motown Records. He became a solo star with his 1979 album Off the Wall. His music videos, including those for "Beat It", "Billie Jean", and "Thriller" from his 1982 album Thriller, are credited with breaking racial barriers and transforming the medium into an art form and promotional tool. He helped propel the success of MTV and continued to innovate with the videos for his subsequent albums: Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991), HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995), and Invincible (2001). Thriller became the best-selling album of all time, while Bad was the first album to produce five US Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles.From the late 1980s, Jackson became a figure of controversy and speculation due to his changing appearance, relationships, behavior, and lifestyle. In 1993, he was accused of sexually abusing the child of a family friend. The lawsuit was settled out of civil court; Jackson was not indicted due to lack of evidence. In 2005, he was tried and acquitted of further child sexual abuse allegations and several other charges. The FBI found no evidence of criminal conduct by Jackson in either case. In 2009, while he was preparing for a series of comeback concerts, This Is It, Jackson died from an overdose of propofol administered by his personal physician, Conrad Murray, who was convicted in 2011 of involuntary manslaughter for his involvement in Jackson's death. His death triggered reactions around the world, creating unprecedented surges of internet traffic and a spike in sales of his music. Jackson's televised memorial service, held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, was estimated to have been viewed by more than 2.5 billion people. Jackson is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with sales estimated around 500 million records worldwide. He had 13 Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles (fourth highest of any artist in the Hot 100 era) and was the first artist to have a top-ten single on the Billboard Hot 100 in five different decades. His honors include 15 Grammy Awards, six Brit Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and 39 Guinness World Records, including the "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time". Jackson's inductions include the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (twice), the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Dance Hall of Fame (making him the only recording artist to be inducted) and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame. Life and career Early life and the Jackson 5 (1958–1975) Michael Joseph Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, on August 29, 1958. He was the eighth of ten children in the Jackson family, a working-class African-American family living in a two-bedroom house on Jackson Street. His mother, Katherine Esther Jackson (née Scruse), played clarinet and piano, had aspired to be a country-and-western performer, and worked part-time at Sears. She was a Jehovah's Witness. His father, Joseph Walter "Joe" Jackson, a former boxer, was a crane operator at US Steel and played guitar with a local rhythm and blues band, the Falcons, to supplement the family's income. Joe's great-grandfather, July "Jack" Gale, was a US Army scout; family lore held that he was also a Native American medicine man. Michael grew up with three sisters (Rebbie, La Toya, and Janet) and five brothers (Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Randy). A sixth brother, Marlon's twin Brandon, died shortly after birth.In 1964, Michael and Marlon joined the Jackson Brothers — a band formed by their father which included Jackie, Tito and Jermaine — as backup musicians playing congas and tambourine. Michael said his father told him he had a "fat nose", and physically and emotionally abused him during rehearsals. He recalled that Joe often sat in a chair with a belt in his hand as he and his siblings rehearsed, ready to punish any mistakes. Joe acknowledged that he regularly whipped Michael. Katherine said that although whipping came to be considered abuse, it was a common way to discipline children when Michael was growing up. Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon denied that their father was abusive and said that the whippings, which had a deeper impact on Michael because he was younger, kept them disciplined and out of trouble. Michael said that during his youth he was lonely and isolated.Later in 1965, Michael began sharing lead vocals with Jermaine, and the group's name was changed to the Jackson 5. In 1965, the group won a talent show; Michael performed the dance to Robert Parker's 1965 song "Barefootin'" and sang the Temptations' "My Girl". From 1966 to 1968, the Jacksons 5 toured the Midwest; they frequently played at a string of black clubs known as the Chitlin' Circuit as the opening act for artists such as Sam & Dave, the O'Jays, Gladys Knight and Etta James. The Jackson 5 also performed at clubs and cocktail lounges, where striptease shows were featured, and at local auditoriums and high school dances. In August 1967, while touring the East Coast, they won a weekly amateur night concert at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. The Jackson 5 recorded several songs for a Gary record label, Steeltown Records; their first single, "Big Boy", was released in 1968. Bobby Taylor of Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers brought the Jackson 5 to Motown after they opened for Taylor at Chicago's Regal Theater in 1968. Taylor produced some of their early Motown recordings, including a version of "Who's Lovin' You". After signing with Motown, the Jackson family relocated to Los Angeles. In 1969, Motown executives decided Diana Ross should introduce the Jackson 5 to the public — partly to bolster her career in television — sending off what was considered Motown's last product of its "production line". The Jackson 5 made their first television appearance in 1969 in the Miss Black America pageant, performing a cover of "It's Your Thing". Rolling Stone later described the young Michael as "a prodigy" with "overwhelming musical gifts" who "quickly emerged as the main draw and lead singer".In January 1970, "I Want You Back" became the first Jackson 5 song to reach number one on the US Billboard Hot 100; it stayed there for four weeks. Three more s.... Discover the Michael A popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Michael A books.

Best Seller Michael A Books of 2024

  • Fire and Fury synopsis, comments

    Fire and Fury

    Michael Wolff

    #1 New York Times BestsellerWith extraordinary access to the West Wing, Michael Wolff reveals what happened behindthescenes in the first nine months of the most controversial presi...

  • 10th Anniversary synopsis, comments

    10th Anniversary

    James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

    Secrets. Lies. Murder. In this pulsepounding Women's Murder Club novel, mysteries and lives unravel.Detective Lindsay Boxer's longawaited wedding celebration becomes a distant memo...

  • Act of War synopsis, comments

    Act of War

    Brad Thor

    The #1 New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Brad Thor delivers his most frightening and pulsepounding thriller ever!After a CIA agent mysteriously dies over...

  • The Gods of Guilt synopsis, comments

    The Gods of Guilt

    Michael Connelly

    INSPIRATION FOR THE ORIGINAL SERIES THE LINCOLN LAWYER – THE #1 TV SHOW ON NETFLIXDefense attorney Mickey Haller is forced to bend the law until it breaks when he is hired to defen...

  • Hidden Order synopsis, comments

    Hidden Order

    Brad Thor

    #1 New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Brad Thor returns with his hottest and most actionpacked thriller yet!The most secretive organization in America ope...

  • The Drop synopsis, comments

    The Drop

    Michael Connelly

    In his fierce search for a new case, Detective Harry Bosch discovers a killer hiding behind suspicious DNA evidence and a political conspiracy that could destroy the Los Angeles P...

  • Kill Alex Cross synopsis, comments

    Kill Alex Cross

    James Patterson

    With relentless danger around every corner, Detective Alex Cross is hunting down a kidnapper . . . but only if someone powerful doesn't kill him first.The President's son and daugh...

  • The Secret synopsis, comments

    The Secret

    Rhonda Byrne

    The worldwide bestselling phenomenon that has helped millions tap the power of the law that governs all our lives to createintentionally and effortlesslya joyful life.In 2006, a gr...

  • Red War synopsis, comments

    Red War

    Vince Flynn & Kyle Mills

    This instant #1 New York Times bestseller and “modern technothriller” (New York Journal of Books) follows covert operative Mitch Rapp in a terrifying race to stop Russia’s gravely ...

  • Two Kinds of Truth synopsis, comments

    Two Kinds of Truth

    Michael Connelly

    Exiled from the LAPD, Harry Bosch must clear his name, uncover a ring of prescription drug abuse, and outwit a clever killer before it's too late.Harry Bosch, exiled from the LAPD,...

  • The Lions of Lucerne synopsis, comments

    The Lions of Lucerne

    Brad Thor

    In his daring and chilling first novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Brad Thor draws us into a sinister labyrinth of political intrigue and international terrorism, serving...

  • Full Black synopsis, comments

    Full Black

    Brad Thor

    #1 New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Brad Thor brings his darkest and most intriguing thriller yeta terrifying story of espionage and betrayalbrilliantly...

  • The Last Man synopsis, comments

    The Last Man

    Vince Flynn

    #1 New York Times bestselling author Vince Flynn “has never been better” (The Providence Journal) in this highoctane thriller following Mitch Rapp as he searches for a missing CIA ...

  • Today I Am Mad synopsis, comments

    Today I Am Mad

    Michael Gordon

    Kids feel emotions in big ways! Here's a great story for helping kids manage their feelings. Help children learn to identify and regulate th...

  • The Lincoln Lawyer synopsis, comments

    The Lincoln Lawyer

    Michael Connelly

    INSPIRATION FOR THE ORIGINAL SERIES THE LINCOLN LAWYER – THE #1 TV SHOW ON NETFLIXThe bestselling legal thriller has charismatic defense attorney Mickey Haller taking on a slamdunk...

  • Invisible synopsis, comments

    Invisible

    James Patterson & David Ellis

    Read the #1 New York Times bestselling thriller Invisible, then continue the series with Unsolved. Everyone thinks Emmy Dockery is crazy. Obsessed with finding the link between h...

  • 12th of Never synopsis, comments

    12th of Never

    James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

    It's finally time! Detective Lindsay Boxer is in laborwhile two killers are on the loose.Lindsay Boxer's beautiful baby is born! But after only a week at home with her new daughter...

  • Merry Christmas, Alex Cross synopsis, comments

    Merry Christmas, Alex Cross

    James Patterson

    On Christmas Eve, Alex Cross must risk everything to solve a mystery and stop a hostage situation from spiraling out of control.It's Christmas Eve and Detective Alex Cross has been...

  • American Assassin synopsis, comments

    American Assassin

    Vince Flynn

    In #1 New York Times bestselling author Vince Flynn’s explosive and “captivating” (Glenn Beck) thriller, witness the young Mitch Rapp as he takes on his first assignment.Mitch Rapp...

  • Enemy of the State synopsis, comments

    Enemy of the State

    Vince Flynn & Kyle Mills

    “In the world of blackop thrillers, Mitch Rapp continues to be among the best of the best” (Booklist, starred review), and he returns in the #1 New York Times bestselling series al...

  • The Reversal synopsis, comments

    The Reversal

    Michael Connelly

    INSPIRATION FOR THE ORIGINAL SERIES THE LINCOLN LAWYER – THE #1 TV SHOW ON NETFLIXThe stakes have never been higher: when DNA evidence frees a sadistic killer, defense attorney Mic...

  • I, Michael Bennett synopsis, comments

    I, Michael Bennett

    James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

    Police officers shot . . . judges murdered . . . and Detective Michael Bennett is the killer's next target.Detective Michael Bennett arrests an infamous Mexican crime lord in a dea...

  • Order to Kill synopsis, comments

    Order to Kill

    Vince Flynn & Kyle Mills

    In the next thrilling novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling Mitch Rapp series, the antiterrorism operative heads to Pakistan to confront a mortal threat he may not be prepared...

  • Black List synopsis, comments

    Black List

    Brad Thor

    #1 New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Brad Thor returns with his most explosive thriller ever. Somewhere deep inside the United States government is a clo...

  • The Survivor synopsis, comments

    The Survivor

    Vince Flynn & Kyle Mills

    The #1 New York Times bestselling novel that picks up where the “tight, right, and dynamite” (Star Tribune, Minneapolis) The Last Man left off, The Survivor is a noholdsbarred race...

  • Cross My Heart synopsis, comments

    Cross My Heart

    James Patterson

    The stakes are higher than ever for Alex Cross as he faces his most personal enemy yet: a criminal who threatens his family.Detective Alex Cross is a family man at heart: nothing m...

  • Alex Cross, Run synopsis, comments

    Alex Cross, Run

    James Patterson

    If Alex Cross stops running, he will die . . . three serial killers are on the loose, and they want revenge.Detective Alex Cross arrests renowned plastic surgeon Elijah Creem for s...

  • Code of Conduct synopsis, comments

    Code of Conduct

    Brad Thor

    “Thor tops himself again and again.” Bookreporter “Feels like the TV show 24 on the page.” Associated Press #1 New York Times bestselling author Brad Thor presents his greatest thr...

  • Kill Shot synopsis, comments

    Kill Shot

    Vince Flynn

    #1 internationally bestselling author Vince Flynn delivers the young, hungry, and lethal Mitch Rapp at the onset of his career as a CIA superagent.In the year since the CIA trained...

  • Backlash synopsis, comments

    Backlash

    Brad Thor

    “Raw emotion, nonstop action, and relentless pacing makes Backlash another onenight read from Brad Thor.” The Real Book Spy#1 New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling ...

  • Transfer of Power synopsis, comments

    Transfer of Power

    Vince Flynn

    This “rollercoaster, edgeofyourseat thriller” (StarTribune, Minneapolis) in the #1 New York Times bestselling Mitch Rapp series follows the CIA’s top operative as he must stop a ma...

  • Twelve Years a Slave synopsis, comments

    Twelve Years a Slave

    Solomon Northup

    The story that inspired the major motion picture, with an introduction by the bestselling author of Wench, Dolen PerkinsValdez, Twelve Years a Slave is a harrowing, vividly detaile...

  • 15th Affair synopsis, comments

    15th Affair

    James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

    When an alluring blonde with ties to the CIA disappears from a murder scene, Detective Lindsay Boxer turns to the Women's Murder Club to help her track down an elusive suspect: her...

  • Unlucky 13 synopsis, comments

    Unlucky 13

    James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

    The Women's Murder Club is stalked by a killer with nothing to lose. San Francisco Detective Lindsay Boxer is loving her life as a new mother. With an attentive husband, a job she ...

  • Sudden Death synopsis, comments

    Sudden Death

    Michael Balkind

    Reid Clark a pro golfer on the PGA tour; is also a hothead with a reputation for trouble. Reid receives a death threat right before teeing off on the final day of the Master's Tou...

  • 11th Hour synopsis, comments

    11th Hour

    James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

    Your best friend . . . or a vicious killer? You won't know until the 11th Hour.Lindsay Boxer is pregnant at last! But her work doesn't slow for a second. When millionaire Chaz Smit...

  • Free Fall synopsis, comments

    Free Fall

    Brad Thor

    The prelude to Hidden Order, Brad Thor's riveting and pulsepounding Scot Harvath thriller.Experience the suspense and thrills only Brad Thor can write in Free Fall, the shocking pr...

  • Foreign Agent synopsis, comments

    Foreign Agent

    Brad Thor

    “The best thriller of the year...an exciting and entertaining read.” The Washington Times“A topnotch thriller.” Bill O’ReillyFrom #1 New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bests...

  • 14th Deadly Sin synopsis, comments

    14th Deadly Sin

    James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

    With San Francisco under siege and every cop a suspect, the Women's Murder Club must risk their lives to save the cityand each other. With a beautiful baby daughter and a devoted h...

  • Hope to Die synopsis, comments

    Hope to Die

    James Patterson

    Detective Alex Cross is being stalked by a psychotic genius, forced to play the deadliest game of his career. Cross's familyhis loving wife Bree, the wise and lively Nana Mama, and...

  • The Skinny Little Dinosaur synopsis, comments

    The Skinny Little Dinosaur

    Michael Williams

    The Skinny Little Dinosaur is a sweet little dino tail for you to read to and interact with your child. An illustrated adventure where our Skinny Little Dinosaur meets new friends ...

  • The Late Show synopsis, comments

    The Late Show

    Michael Connelly

    In this first installment of the Renée Ballard series, #1 bestselling author Michael Connelly introduces a "complicated and driven" young detective fighting to prove herself on the...

  • Fear synopsis, comments

    Fear

    Bob Woodward

    OVER 2 MILLION COPIES SOLD RUNAWAY #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER SENSATIONAL #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER “Explosive.”The Washington Post “Devastating.”The New Yorker “Unprecedented....

  • The Wrong Side of Goodbye synopsis, comments

    The Wrong Side of Goodbye

    Michael Connelly

    In this #1 New York Times bestseller, California's newest private investigator, Detective Harry Bosch, must track down a missing heir while helping a police department connect the ...

  • The President Is Missing synopsis, comments

    The President Is Missing

    James Patterson & Bill Clinton

    Don't miss the #1 New York Times bestselling thriller from the world's bestselling author, James Patterson: an "undeniably gripping ride through the hidden passageways of power and...

  • The Third Option synopsis, comments

    The Third Option

    Vince Flynn

    From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of American Assassin comes a pulsepounding thriller that “is an old school spy story…updated with heavy helpings of international intr...

  • Fahrenheit 451 synopsis, comments

    Fahrenheit 451

    Ray Bradbury

    Ray Bradbury’s internationally acclaimed novel Fahrenheit 451 is a masterwork of twentiethcentury literature set in a bleak, dystopian future. Ray Bradbury’s internationally acclai...

  • The Light Between Oceans synopsis, comments

    The Light Between Oceans

    M.L. Stedman

    The yearslong New York Times bestseller and major motion picture from Spielberg’s Dreamworks is “irresistible…seductive…with a high concept plot that keeps you riveted from the fir...