The Temptations (African American Achievers) [Paperback]

Ted Cox (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up?While chronicling the development of the top-selling musical group, Cox also sheds light on the history of Motown records and the company's influence on the careers of many African-American musicians in the '60s. In a basically conversational though not consistently objective tone, the author explains how the group got together and stresses the struggles, frustrations, and discipline involved in reaching stardom. He also talks about the group's decline caused by drug and ego problems. Despite gradual change in performers, however, the group managed to continue and become significant in the history of recent popular music. A good selection where there is a demand for such information.?Renee Steinberg, Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Chelsea House Publications; illustrated edition edition (July 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791025888
• ISBN-13: 978-0791025888
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,616,053 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ted Knows The Tempts, January 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Temptations (African American Achievers) (Paperback)

After the Nov. '98 TV Movie 'The Temptations', I was starving for more. I had questions such as what really, that the movie didn't and couldn't reveal, drove Paul to commit suicide? Did anybody marry besides Paul and Otis? How true to actual events was the movie? Because no way did I believe David showed up at their shows and snatched the mic from Dennis like he did in the movie and shocked everybody that I know who viewed it. But Ted Cox set the record straight for me and opened my eyes to the Tempts I guess none of us ever knew. Needless to say due to my five star rating, all of my questions were answered. Especially about Paul. I connected with him in the movie and because he died so young there aren't as many pictures available of him as the others. So when the book had several wonderful pictures of the group in the early years I was really pleased with my purchase. As a matter of fact, it was full of great pictures from the beginning to the present. I read it in a day and although it was very informative and did it's job as a book, after I finished I wanted to see some old videos of some of the performances mentioned in the book. I would love to know how I can obtain videos of the Motown TV Special 'T.C.B.' (Takin' Care of Business), 'The Temptations Show' and their performance on 'The Ed Sullivan Show'. Although saddened by the deaths of David, Eddie and Melvin, my heart goes out to Paul and especially the family he left behind. I wonder what they are doing now. My hat is off to Otis, the epitome of endurance and I truly believe that as long as you live, the Tempts live manifested in the flesh and in our hearts forever until Jesus comes back. Job well done Ted and thanks for the additional info in the back of the book.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVED IT, February 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Temptations (African American Achievers) (Paperback)

Ever since the movie "The Temptations" came out, I was hooked on them. I've liked them before but not how I am now. The book was excellent, I have a clear idea of how everything started and how they were personally. They were a group that was meant to be. The 5 guys that played the Temptations in the movie were Phenomenal, they moved, sung & had sex appeal just like the original temptations. I enjoyed the movie as well as the book. I couldnt put it down.!!

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Tempts' story, from another point of view, November 12, 2002

By 

The Fancy One "blackprincess" (Westchester County, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Temptations (African American Achievers) (Paperback)

For a book that is geared towards juvenile readers, this book about the Temptations is well written, candid and refreshing. Adults who are fans of the group will also appreciate it, so don't let the fact that it's a book for kids discourage you from sitting down and reading it. For a long time, the only book you could get solely on the topic of the Temptations was the Otis Williams'-penned book, which I found to be somewhat biased. It was Otis' book on which the popular miniseries about this group was based, so if you were dissatisfied with that book AND the movie, read this book instead.

Ted Cox's offering about this Motown supergroup was far more impartial, and therefore you get a better scope of just what was going on in the group from all sides instead of from just one perspective. This book also has more detail about the professional lives of David Ruffin, Eddie Kendrick, and Dennis Edwards in the years after they left the Tempts. Highly recommended, plus great photos!