My Friend Michael: An Ordinary Friendship with an Extraordinary Man [ハードカバー]

I started reading this book expecting to dislike Frank Cascio. I assumed he was just trying to make money off his supposed "friendship" with Michael Jackson. I almost decided against the book when I read newspaper articles about it. I'm glad I didn't. This book ended up being absolutely fascinating.

Can you imagine being a teenager and having Michael Jackson over to your house for dinner? Can you imagine going to school every day, listening to all of your friends talking about Michael Jackson, and knowing that he's actually sitting on the couch in your living room waiting for you to get home? Not quite sure how Frank managed to stay quiet all of these years. I can assure you that if Michael Jackson had been over to my house, the entire school would have known about it.

This book is filled with cute anecdotes and stories. Things like Frank and Michael feeding Starburst candies to the elephants at Neverland. Walking around Times Square late at night, with a disguised Michael, while a street performer did a Moonwalk before them. Late night stories about Madonna trying to seduce Michael. Stories like these seem to give insight into Michael as we've never seen him before. (Personally, I never would have guessed that Michael's shyness would be the source of so much of his behavior.)

The book talks a bit about the charges against Michael and some drug use, but that's definitely not the focus. This is a book about an unusual relationship. Why did the King of Pop feel most comfortable with a family in suburban New Jersey? This man seemingly had it all, yet it seems that the Cascios were able to provide with him with a sense of peace that he didn't feel anywhere else. When times were tough, they seemed to be first ones to have his back. To me, it seems like this book is Frank's attempt to continue protecting Michael just as he did when Michael was alive. He managed to let me, for a few hours, forget all about the media circus and remember the man that made me want to make the world a better place - and dance all over my parents' house.

** Note: Do not let the people that haven't bought or read the book but gave negative reviews because they hate the Cascio family affect your decision to buy. Read the reviews from people that have bought and read the book.

Before I go into details, there's something that everyone should understand about this book. As Frank mentions in the prologue this book is about Michael Jackson - the man and not Michael Jackson - the King of Pop. This book is about the decades long friendship - with ups and downs- Michael and Frank had. Also realize that Frank has a different perception of Michael than we all do. To Frank Cascio , Michael Jackson is the person that he met as a kid without knowing who he was, who turned to a person that helped with his homework, to a father figure and then a friend; a friend that he laughed, worked, cried, shared and even argued at times.

As a long time fan I have also read almost every single book, article, magazine (and even court documents) and watched every documentary, news show etc about Michael. So as I was already knowledgeable about most things, many of the books and documentaries (including recent releases such as Jermaine Jackson's book) didn't offer much "new" stuff to me. I knew them all and they even became boring (how many times do we need to hear the Motown story, honestly?). Frank's book was refreshing in this regard. Although we all know the main events, the details mentioned in the book are new and make it an interesting read. That alone made me satisfied with my purchase.

The time period when Frank was a child is perhaps the most fun part of the book. Frank details his experiences with Michael and they are all inspiring to say the least. They will surely put a smile on your face. Frank also tells about Chandlers and paints the picture of a jealous father going after Michael. During the time period when Frank worked (officially or unofficially) for Michael, their relationship evolved to be a lot more closer, well due to the fact that Frank now was an adult and what Michael shared with an adult versus a child obviously was different and Frank was spending a lot more time with Michael. From this time period the book details 1999 bridge accident, recording of Invincible, Heal the Kids charitable efforts, troubles with Sony, MTV award fiasco, Living with Michael Jackson documentary, the rebuttal video, MJ Private home movies and Arvizos. In this part Frank once again wonderfully portrays the calculated effort of Janet Arvizo and shows how the second allegations were again nothing but a money grab attempt. Final part details the after second allegations, the trial, the falling out and the making up they experienced.

Frank doesn't write the book in an ultimate indisputable truth format, on the contrary he writes what Michael told him, what he believed, what other people said etc. He clearly identifies what is his opinion. As the reader you are left to your own devices to make up your mind to believe whatever you want. I liked this a lot.

Although drugs are mentioned in the book, don't let the media quotes trick you to believe that it's all the book about. Actually it's a very small part. Frank clearly states that Michael wasn't junkie and he was in terrible physical and emotional pain. Frank mainly blames doctors for not solving Michael's issues and simply prescribing him drugs.

Some fans called this book depressing. It has its funny moments and moments that you can't help but smile to the antics of Michael we all know and love but at times it's also sad. I believe this to be expected as it covers 1993 allegations, 1999 bridge fall, 2001 Sony Events, 2003 allegations and 2005 trial. Simply put: those weren't happy times and it's impossible for the book to be cheery about such topics.

Invasion of Michael's privacy was also been a concern for the fans but honestly I haven't seen reason for such concerns. Most of the book is about the details of the public business and life events of Michael that we all know. Little mentions of Michael's attraction to women or his temporary issues wasn't alarming to me.

What was the best parts of the book?

- Michael Jackson the father as always a wonderful thing to read. Michael was also a father to Cascio kids and Omer. His interactions with his kids make you feel happy and love him more. That parts of the book was the one that most stood out actually. I believe that might be the strongest point this book makes.

- Michael Jackson the teacher is also unbelievable. His life lessons to Cascios and his kids, his love for the books, his philosophy is a must must must read for every Michael Jackson fan.

- Frank's first hand witness account of Chandlers and Arvizos is also very valuable information for all and hopefully will help to change the misconceptions about Michael.

In the end you'll laugh (such as : peach cobbler, candy loving animals, Mr. Donald Duck, Gary the driver, Michael choosing what to wear, Michael's pranks), you'll fall in love with Michael again(such as: Michael's interactions with his children and his love of education) and you'll get sad (such as allegations, how media treated Michael). Overall it's a good read that I recommend to everyone. Just realize it's about Michael Jackson the man, not Michael Jackson the superstar or Michael Jackson the perfect saint.

Frank's book is an indepth account of his experience with Michael Jackson and their relationship over the last 25 years. This is the closest account to Michael Jackson that the world will now know. With this account, it is important to understand that Frank is sharing his personal story about Michael Jackson in an unedited fashion to provide insight into the world of Michael Jackson that only a few are privy too. Frank's book is an easy read with many interesting sub-stories. It encompasses the exciting part of Michael's life as well as the difficult times. All in all a good read. Anyone looking for the closest account to Michael Jackson, consider reading Frank's book.