Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I read this book because I wanted to know Michael Jackson the person, although it didn't feel right to pry this much into someone's private life. I wish I hadn't. I had read Shmuley's thoughts about MJ on his blog and knew what was coming, and indeed he didn't disappoint. Shmuley's writing is not so much a reflection of who Michael Jackson was, but more a reflection of how judgemental he himself can be. Instead of letting Michael speak for himself, he has to tack on his own interpretation to everything that Michael said and did. An interpretation that is judgemental, biased and sanctimonious to the extreme. He's so holier-than-thou, he even puts himself above the court of law! He delights in pointing out Michael's 'faults', and sees faults where there are none. I find it ironic that someone who always tried to see the good in others would seek help from a counsellor who always tries to find bad even in the good. This speaks more of Michael as one who always believed that there is good to be found in EVERYone. This is not megalomania, as Shmuley would put it. It is love. Something that Shmuley is sorely lacking. Michael said that people do evil because they had not known love as a child. If their hearts were filled with love, they would not feel the need to hurt others. Clearly, nobody loves Shmuley. He openly flogs Michael and uses Michael's 'failings' (at least in his mind) to illustrate his preachy "morality tales" of just what is wrong with society. (I wonder why he never writes about the morality of discussing other people's personal failings in public?) He even does this to some who are still living. If he gets a lawsuit out of this, he richly deserves it. Certainly there is a way to make a point without demeaning people like this. Crassness has achieved a new level. Extremely unbecoming, especially for one who calls himself a man of God. Above all, it disgusted me how he could make public something which was shared with him in confidence. He has not only ended his own career as a confessor, he has damaged the trust that people hold for the clergy and the counselling profession as a whole. Who knows if something you told your confessor might one day be blared out for the entire world to hear? Stripped naked and held up for the world to judge and ridicule? Leave a legacy to remind your children how you failed in life? Oh wait, it's not for the world to judge, because Shmuley has ALREADY judged and is asking you to part with your money to hear HIS judgement. Nice... Aren't counsellors supposed to listen without judging? And keep your discussions confidential? What's that sound? Oh, it's 30 pieces of silver tinkling. One could easily write another book using Shmuley's life to illustrate what is wrong with society. At the time of their conversations, Shmuley was working on writing Michael's speech at Oxford and a book for their child prioritisation initiative - a project to encourage parents to make time for their children. Michael mostly talked about children, childlike qualities and how adults can break their conditioning and become more childlike, to return to innocence. Shmuley used these conversations and some offhand comments for a whole other purpose instead. In their conversations, Shmuley does the bulk of the talking and puts many words into Michael's mouth. For example, he uses 80-100 words to ask one question, then Michael responds with just one: "Uh-huh." Shmuley does not interview - he gives his own views. This happens far more often than I can stand. If there is something good said by Michael, it is quickly obliterated by Shmuley's judgement and hubris. When discussing spiritual matters, it is quite pitiful to witness Shmuley's complete inability to grasp Michael's far more mature understanding. Naturally, he overcomes this with more hubris. In this book, you will learn more about Shmuley than Michael Jackson. There is nothing new at all in here for MJ fans. If you want to look into Michael's soul, read Dancing the Dream: Poems and Reflections and forget about this dreck. Shmuley's intent is clear to see. He is making a quick buck off his "dear friend". If you liked Bashir, you'll like Shmuley. If anything, this book gives an intimate view into the minds of hangers-on that Michael had suffer with his whole life - those who praise him to his face, then stab him in his back. Preferably while earning some money in the process. Don't buy this book and give this bloodsucker another penny!! (Read it for free - see comment #1.) If this really was Michael's idea from the start, why didn't Shmuley list Michael as co-author so that Michael's children can get half the proceeds? 'Nuff said! I truly regret reading this book because it's going to take a long time to clear my brain of all that filth. Michael's words are fine (if a tad dull), but Shmuley is insufferable. **UPDATE** I just watched Meredith Vieira's Dateline interview with Shmuley. This was interesting because there were three instances in which Shmuley clearly lied. The first was when the interviewer asked him, "Did you betray his confidence in any way by releasing the tapes now, after his death?" and he said, not with a very straight face, no. The second was when he said he ended their relationship because Michael completely lost interest in their philanthropic project. (The truth is that Michael dumped him because Shmuley stole money from the Heal the Kids Foundation.) The third was when she asked him where the profits were going. There was a distinct change in his body language and tone of voice in all three instances. You don't even have to read this book to know that Michael never wanted it this way. Shmuley has unwittingly made that clear himself.