Here comes another way to jump on the cash-cow that is Michael Jackson. After Netflix, this new release is yet another media product revisiting his story from a commercial angle.
A new book released by Historic Newspapers offers fans a unique journey through the career and life of Michael Jackson through authentic articles published by the Los Angeles Times since 1971.
The British company specializes in archive collections built from original newspaper reports and now turns its attention to the King of Pop with a deluxe volume retracing decades of headlines, reviews, interviews and historical moments surrounding Michael Jackson and the Jackson family.
According to the publisher, the book follows Michael’s incredible rise from child prodigy with the Jackson 5 to worldwide superstardom. Readers can revisit major milestones including the release of legendary albums such as Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad and Dangerous, the historic Motown 25 performance and the birth of the moonwalk phenomenon, record-breaking tours, Grammy Awards, and his collaborations with.
The collection also explores the intense media attention that surrounded Michael throughout his life, including coverage of Neverland Ranch, changes in his public image, the planned “This Is It” concerts in London before his passing in 2009, and the worldwide tributes that followed.
One of the main attractions of the book is its personalisation options. Fans can customise the cover design and add a name and personal message, making it a collector’s item or a unique gift for longtime admirers of Michael Jackson.
The hardcover edition is printed in the United Kingdom and contains more than 140 pages in a large-format presentation. Historic Newspapers also notes that the book reproduces articles from digitised newspaper archives, meaning some imperfections in print quality may appear. The publication is unofficial but licensed through the original newspaper publisher.
While this release is certainly an interesting historical archive for collectors and researchers, it may not be an essential purchase for every fan. Over the years, the Los Angeles Times published many articles that were far from kind toward Michael Jackson, particularly during the most controversial periods of his life. Some fans may therefore feel conflicted about owning a collection that also preserves some of the more negative narratives surrounding him.
It is also worth noting that the Los Angeles Times was among the media outlets criticized by many fans following the release of the recent Michael Jackson biopic film released last month, with debates once again emerging over the newspaper’s historical treatment of the artist.
Still, as a historical document, the book offers an interesting look at how one of the world’s most famous entertainers was covered by mainstream American media across nearly four decades. Whether viewed as a collector’s item, a media time capsule, or a controversial archive, the publication reflects the extraordinary and often complicated relationship between Michael Jackson and the press.
You can purchase this HERE for around £60.
Thank you to MJFrance for the original news on this product.
