NEW BOOK: ‘The Dangerous Philosophies of Michael Jackson’

Here a new book to come in August 28th:

The Dangerous Philosophies of Michael Jackson: His Music, His Persona, and His Artistic Afterlife

An essential companion to Michael Jackson’s music, films, and books, this work offers 21 original, academic essays on all things Jackson—from film, music, and dance to fashion, culture, and literature.

Michael Jackson is the biggest-selling music artist ever. What qualities made him a star—and fuel his continuing influence?

Michael Jackson is regarded as one of the most important musicians of our time. Going well beyond the average celebrity biography, this comprehensive book looks at why that is true, offering insights into every facet of Jackson’s art, his life, and his artistic afterlife. It looks at the methods by which his work was created, presented, received, and appropriated, and discusses Jackson’s varied personas along with his public and private appearances, albums, conceptual art, short films, and dance, as well as his use of costume, makeup, and reinvention.

To help readers understand the phenomenon that was—and is—Michael Jackson, the book focuses on Jackson’s historical context through an analysis of his films, songs, and books, examining him as an artist and shedding light on the political and ideological debates that surrounded him. Not shying away from the controversial aspects of Jackson’s life and legacy, it also tackles questions of sexuality and racism, gender, and class, comparing Jackson to artists ranging from J. S. Bach to Andy Warhol. Through its examination of Jackson’s entire catalog, the work connects all the aspects of his art and life to exemplify—and explain—the performer’s unparalleled influence in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Features
• Takes a sophisticated, academic approach to understanding Jackson’s art and life, providing insights into his entire body of work from a perspective never before available outside of music/culture journals
• Concentrates on aspects of Jackson’s art that have not previously been researched, such as his use of costumes and clothing, his poetry, and his function as an auteur
• Includes a section focused on Jackson’s posthumous work and representation
• Connects with the study of literature, especially early modern English writings and, perhaps surprisingly, the works of William Shakespeare

Author Bio Expanded
Elizabeth Amisu, PGCE, MA, won the award for Highest Overall Mark in the Faculty of Creativity and Culture from Buckinghamshire New University (2008). She has seven years’ experience as a lecturer on English literature, English language, and film studies. Her academic research at King’s College London, done in conjunction with the British Library, focuses on high-status representations of black people in the work of Ben Jonson and William Shakespeare. Amisu was the first winner of the Silverwood Publishing Beat the Author competition and is the editor of the Michael Jackson Academic Studies online journal.

PRE-ORDER HERE

More information about Elizabeth Amisu HERE

More information about the book HERE

Podcast from Elizabeth Amisu HERE