In the wake of Michael Jackson's death there have been many Michael Jackson tributes - including a handful in book form chronicling the late pop icon's life & times in the glare of the spotlight since he first sauntered onstage a naive young performer with the Jackson 5 decades ago
Just recently, a thick tome aptly titled - "The Official Michael Jackson Opus" - has hit the shelves at a handful of upscale bookstores around the country.
The book carries some weight - 38 pounds of it in fact - and is comprised of 404 pages of thrilling publicity stills sure to appeal to the most discerning die-hard Jackson fan.
According to the publishers, eighty-percent of the images have never been released before and or rarely seen the light of day.
The slick eye-catching publication is priced at a whopping $249.00.
Photo editor Deborah Wald pronounced Opus as a loving tribute to Jackson's legacy and work.
Opus highlights include four images of the superstar musician - copies of actual hand-painted portraits by artist Nate Giorgio - dashed off two weeks prior to Michael's death.
One chapter is dedicated to Michael's fashion sense and throws a spotlight on his innate sense of style which was world-renowned.
Producer Ken Kragen also contributed a copy of an original lyric sheet from "We Are the World to be included in the book (the original was signed by all the artists at the recording session on that auspicious occasion).
Apparently, the hit single was inspired by Jane Goodall (primatolgist) who urged that Michael write a song when he expressed an interest to "heal the world" on the occasion of her visit to Neverland ranch.
To historians and loving fans - a bevy of poignant shots of Michael taken during the course of his storied long-and-winding career - are probably of the most interest.
One photo captures an 11-year old Jackson signing an autograph in front of the Rolling Stones office in 1971 complete with Afro and dressed in Jackson 5 stage get-up.
A great Christmas gift idea for the loved one or friend in your life who had just about everything, 'til now.
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