NONFICTION

Elizabeth and Michael: The Queen of Hollywood, the King of Pop; A Love Story

by Donald Bogle
Atria. Aug. 2016. 400p. notes. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781451676976. $26; ebk. ISBN 9781451676990. BIOG
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Elizabeth Taylor (1932–2011) and Michael Jackson (1958–2009), two of the most recognizable stars in the world, shared an unusual and compelling friendship. Film historian Bogle (cinema studies, New York Univ.; Africana studies, Univ. of Pennsylvania; Dorothy Dandridge) brings this relationship to light. In parallel narration, Bogle traces both stars' paths to the limelight and finds them remarkably similar; both were child stars, driven by unflinching and unyielding parents, and the biggest stars of their artistic disciplines before they reached their 20s. It was Taylor who convinced Jackson to finally check himself into rehab for prescription drug addiction; it was Jackson who hosted Taylor's seventh wedding at his Neverland Ranch in 1991. The author does a thorough job of shedding light on this remarkable pairing.
VERDICT Bogle's obvious fandom leaks into the narrative, perhaps pulling some punches in what is otherwise a bubbly, touching tribute to the queen of Hollywood and the king of pop. Fans of Jackson and Taylor will likely adore this book. [See Prepub Alert, 2/8/16.]
Reviewed by Tyler Hixson, Library Journal , Jul 01, 2016
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