The essays in The Resistible Demise of Michael Jackson consummately demonstrate that writing on popular culture can be both thoughtful and heartfelt. The contributors, who include accomplished music critics as well as renowned theorists, are some of the most astute and eloquent writers on pop today. The collection is made up of new essays written in the wake of Jackson’s death, and includes Barney Hoskyns’ classic NME piece written at the time of Thriller , and contributions from Ian Penman, David Stubbs, Paul Lester, and Chris Roberts.