Though some may find the premise of the Lives Cut Short series ghastly, this evenhanded and educational entry proves its worth. The text is wonderfully readable and focuses on the bigger events (the tours, the milestones, the trials), while sidebars on nearly every page delve into the myth and minutia that so frequently landed in tabloids. The chapter on his death—including speculation about his addictions, details on child custody, and the controversy regarding his burial—is surprisingly complete.