 Other books about Madonna 's life and career had been based on previously published material , but Taraborrelli 's biography was the product of research spanning a decade and includes exclusive interviews with Madonna 's close friends , business associates , family members , and her father , Tony Ciccone . These interviews were conducted by the author himself , as well as his team of private investigators . Taraborrelli also interviewed Madonna over the course of years , and often drew from his first @-@ hand experiences while writing the book . Madonna : An Intimate Biography received a mixed response from critics . Some considered it a compelling piece on Madonna 's life , while others thought Taraborrelli 's writing was unprofessional . Despite the mixed response the book was a commercial success , and became a bestseller in the United Kingdom . 
