My Friend Michael audiobook

I think by now everybody on planet earth knows that there was more to Michael Jackson than what was presented in the media. In fact, the media pretty much hammered and hounded him into seclusion, which although he was responsible for some of the media circus, he can never be blamed for the cruelty that was exacted on his personal integrity in the name of shock value. Frank Cascio, a kid who grew up with Michael and went on to become his business manager - but ultimately a literal brother to Michael - tells his story of growing up with the most famous entertainer in history. First off, I want to say that I think it was a big mistake to begin the book with the acknowledgment that he was a "white liar' or had a tendency to omit the truth or, as he said it, 'choose my words carefully.' That right away made me think, 'great. another book about Michael Jackson in which we wonder if the author is telling the truth or not.' But I was wrong. This Frank Cascio seems like an honest, decent guy who really cared about Michael and he did not, in any way, exploit his friendship with the man or defame him. He talked about Michael's positivity, his commitment, his ability to be a wonderful father and of course, their amazing friendship that endured for over 20 years. Frank was a man whose entire world revolved around Michael Jackson from the time he was 4 years old. And while this might be deemed unhealthy in some people's eyes, I would venture to say that Frank Cascio learned far more about life by living, by traveling the world, by dealing with difficult problems up front at an early age, than by doing anything else. Michael Jackson gave him a marvelous gift. Frank Cascio learned a lot from him...and I think we can ALL learn from Michael. While he may have had his eccentricities and certainly his share of problems, it would do the world a lot of good to bring the same kind of creativity, vision and empathy to our lives that he did. The world would be a better place.

Of all the biographies out there on Michael Jackson this one definitely feels the most honest. Many biographies tend to be marred with exact dates, footnotes, endnotes, quotes from third parties and opinions from the biographer who never knew his subject. Most biographers view the people they are writing about as subjects or meal tickets. There isn't much heart that goes into writing and as a result their work becomes stale and textbook. Frank Cascio, a close assistant, adviser, and friend, managed to write from his heart about Michael Jackson the person and not Michael Jackson the pop icon. It is very clear from the first few pages in this book that the story ahead will be blunt and honest. I can't say with 100 percent certainty that everything he writes is the way everything happened ( I didn't know MJ personally, you're shocked), but I have no reason or proof to suggest otherwise. This book spans the entire life of Frank Cascio up until the present and Michael Jackson's life from just after he created "Bad" and began working on "Dangerous".The book details how Michael was a second father, mentor, and best friend to Frank. Michael taught him important life and business lessons. When Frank became older he became Michael's personal assistant and most trusted advisor. Frank's life was Michael's life. Any questions you have ever had about Michael Jackson's drug use, kids, wives, sexuality, proposed pedophilia, or eccentric behavior are answered in this book. At it's core this a Thank You letter to a best friend. If you are a fan you will L.O.V.E. this book. If you are someone on the fence about Michael you will Love this book. If you like lists with three things in them, then this book is for you.

** spoiler alert ** Here's my review from my bookstagram @peacewithbooksI finished this audiobook today and man, what a heartbreaker 😭. I had a heavy heart throughout the whole journey.Frank Cascio was first introduced to Michael when he was only five years old and was around Michael his whole life, until Michael died in 2009. Frank takes us through the happy moments, but also through the sad moments. Like when Michael started to develop an addiction for painkillers and how it turned for the worse in the early 2000s. Frank takes us through the times when him and his family came to Neverland multiple times and how it basically became his home when he started to work for Michael when he got older. Neverland sounds like a fun place, a place I would've enjoyed and with me many others. It's a shame the media made him feel unsafe at a place where he was supposed to feel safe. The last part of the book zooms into the heavy allegations against Michael around 2004/2005. It's a shame how Michael started to lose trust in people, even that he started to believe the lies people made up about Frank. People within Michael's team made stories up about Frank, which Michael believed, and how Frank had to do everything in his power to defend himself.It's a book that makes you cry, but love Michael at the same time. You also start to understand Michael through Frank's eyes. I knew I was up for a ride, I just wasn't aware it would be this heavy 😭😭😭

There’s something about Michael Jackson, like an inexplicable magic or a curious fascination. There’s the man and his music but then there’s also this mess of stories, truth, and lies. There’s a cultural narrative here that even 10+ years after his death seems relevant. There’s something both expansive and intimate at the same time. It’s like a groundless reality of art, wonder, and joy equally mixed with disillusionment, pain, and paranoia. Frank’s book is all of this. There’s something so raw and human. You can feel the intensity and veracity of Frank’s relationship with MJ. You feel the magic and enchantment alongside the very real pain and devastation. However, there are wisps of moments that felt untrue. I don’t know if it matters, but there’s just the smallest hesitation in my mind that this is all exactly as Frank says it is. I’m not sure if it’s Frank himself or just the genre of MJ biography that makes me feel suspicious. Regardless, this feels like a real glimpse into the wounded genius—the imperfect human—that was Michael Jackson by someone whom genuinely cared for him.

My Friend MichaelI always like Michael Jackson... have for many years. I seemed to have had some understanding of what his life may have been like growing up having missed his childhood. To me, it made sense. Some child actors grow up having drug and alcohol problems. Michael had morals and he shared his love with children... the ones he couldn't grow up and play with. With his popularity, he built his own world be could safely live in and enjoy watching and interacting with children. I never looked at Michael as a pedophile... nothing close. He was fulfilling his needs of his inside child. Sadly so many people didn't understand him. I love his music, watching his performances when I can. I love and will always miss him. I'm happy to have read the author's first hand experiences and relationships along with his own family with Michael. Thank you, Frank.

I did really love this book! It's really hard to find a book about Michael Jackson that tells his story from this point of view. Usually, it's written by a family member or someone who didn't know him at all, and it's really refreshing to see this side of Michael, although his long time fans most likely already know this side slightly. I did find it puzzling though, that Frank decided it was a good idea to introduce Michael to pot, eventhough he knew his battles with addiction in other areas. Maybe it's just me.Some other good books to read, that might provide a rounded perspective on Michael life and personality are:"You Are Not Alone" by Jermaine Jackson"The Michael Jackson Conspiracy" by Aprodite Jones, and"Starting Over" by LaToya Jackson.

I never really knew much about Michael Jackson the man besides the typical media headlines and hype that surrounded him in the 1990s and beyond. But my husband and I went to the Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas and it made me super interested to learn more about him. So I got this book and was sooooo happy I did! I really appreciated that Frank Cascio shared such precious memories of someone so dear to his heart and allowed us an insider’s look into what Michael Jackson was really like as a person. I learned that he was kind, fascinating, misunderstood, and an extraordinary human being. I also loved finding out what Neverland Ranch was really like. I know I’m a little late getting on the band wagon, but I am such a big Michael Jackson fan now!

Intimate & Insightful Look at Michael The writing is not the best I've encountered,but he tells the story in an endearingly authenticated way. I like the fact we see what he was like behind the public persona and bad traits and all, disproving the notion that all MJ supporters view him like he's an untouchable god. The more I read about him, the more I'm convinced the media (hungry for their next celebrity victim and scoop) and racist LAPD/Sneddon totally set him up and had it in for him.

Leggendo questo libro non si può far altro che pensare quale persona fantastica Michael Jackson fosse, proprio per questo dovrebbero leggerlo tutti, non solo i fan. Frank Cascio ha condiviso delle bellissime storie, che talvolta ti strappano un sorriso, altre una lacrima. Commovente ed emozionante dalla prima pagina fino all'ultima.

I absolutely loved this book! It was a complete rollercoaster of emotion but overall very heart warming and genuine. The Cascios were almost Michael’s escape from his stardom to being a normal, family man.

Must readGreat read and gives a you a better understanding of MJ . I loved it. Definitely a must read. Thank you Frank sharing your relationship with the world. Your story upheld his legacy, it was honest and at the same time gave the world a true insight into his world.

9/10

I loved this book for bringing MJ to life in a whole new way

I love Michael Jackson and I loved reading this story