When I first heard Jermaine was writing a book about his brother Michael, I was turned off by the idea. Brother or not, I'd heard about so many upcoming MJ books, it felt like yet another person jumping on the bandwagon trying to make a fast buck off the deceased.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
Jermaine writes with such passion and eloquence, it's clear he wrote this book for all the right reasons: to honor his brother, to share his deep love for him, and to protect his younger sibling, like any good big brother should. I've fancied myself a writer my entire life, and while I'm certainly no New York Times Bestseller, I've learned enough to know you can't write half-truths with this much passion and sincerity. It just isn't possible. Jermaine's love for Michael, and his burning desire to set the record straight, bleeds off every page of this book; (or in my case, oozes off the screen of my Kindle for Android app! ;-D )
I think part of my initial negative reaction toward Jermaine's book was that I wasn't sure if it would be truthful, or just another Jackson Family media spin. We all know how masterful they are at using the media for their own commercial gain; we've seen them do it better than anyone for decades. So I think I had more than a little cynicism toward this book right from the get-go; and I'm sure I'm not the only one. But in all fairness to Jermaine, who of us would take the time to write such an in-depth and personal memoir knowing they'll be highly criticized for it? Would you share your family memories under the same circumstances? For what? The privilege of being raked over the coals for it? For me, that in itself speaks to Jermaine's sincerity. It would be easier for him to just save these memories for himself and forgo the attacks that will undoubtedly follow. Instead, I'm pleased to say Jermaine is quite generous and forthcoming in sharing such personal and clearly cherished memories.
This is a very intimate look at one of the worlds most famous icons, but more than that, it's a memoir of love from big brother to little brother, and in the process, we the readers are given an insight to MJ on a level that perhaps no other author is qualified to offer. I imagine that writing this book was highly cathartic for Jermaine, though I doubt it will offer much solace or closure given Michael's tragic and untimely death, and pending trial.
I remember Jermaine telling Larry King that he wished he could have died instead of Michael; that the world needed him more, and as his big brother, he felt he had failed his younger sibling in some way. At the time, I didn't quite believe Jermaine; it just seemed like the right thing to say for television. But after reading this book, I get the sense that his words to Larry King were genuine and heartfelt. It's clear that Jermaine does feel he failed his little brother, and wishes he could turn back time and make it right. Perhaps this book is his best effort in accomplishing just that. To paraphrase MJ from Jermaine's book: 'lies run in sprints, while the truth runs in marathons.' It's clear Jermaine has picked up the torch and ran with it.
I recently bought an Android tablet and got Amazon's free Kindle app for it; the combo is so great, that it inspired me to get back into novels like this again after a decade long lapse (I pretty much just read technical or 'how-to' type books.) I was looking for something good to get me started, and MJ has been on my mind a lot lately. I'd just finished reading his memoir,
Moonwalk, and nice as it was to read his own words, the book was abrupt and fell a little flat, so I was looking for something more. Browsing the plethora of MJ books out there, I just wasn't finding anything that fit what I wanted -- one was too salacious, the other too gushing, the next overly simplistic, another still focused on nothing but the pedophilia trials -- I had no clue what I was looking for, I just knew none of these were it.
Frustrated, and itching to play with my new Android tablet, I bought LaToya's book,
Starting Over, on a whim. I've always looked at LaToya as the dysfunctional one of the Jackson clan, but she made me fall in love with her during her stint on Celebrity Apprentice; that cute giggle and the purity of her love for Michael couldn't help but win me over. I was enjoying the read and the tales of abuse made me understand her better since it paralleled my childhood, but it still wasn't quite what I was looking for...
That's when I stumbled upon Jermaine's book for the second time, only this time, it was finished and soon to be released. Amazon, in their infinite wisdom, recommended it to me which convinced me to take a second look. In reading the description, all the unspoken requirements I felt in my heart seemed present enough that I was willing to push my cynicism aside and give Jermaine a chance and pre-ordered my copy.
And I'm so glad I did.
I'd just settled in with my tablet last night and was about to continue with LaToya's book when I noticed my Kindle App had downloaded my pre-order of Jermaine's new book. Thanks Amazon for delivering it early; just after 9pm Pacific Time the night before its official release! (Maybe they release their e-books according to East coast time?)
No disrespect to LaToya, but I was so enthralled by Jermaine's writing right from page one, that I completely forgot about her book and was instantly captivated by Jermaine's. I couldn't put it down and read the entire thing in pretty much one sitting; all the while wishing I could tear myself away and savor the experience because I didn't want it to end too quickly. I guess I'll just have to read it again!
I'm so pleasantly surprised by Jermaine's candor and eloquence, that I feel silly for prejudging him to begin with. Shame on me; I pride myself on being open minded, yet I had literally judged this book by its cover and almost wrote it off as mere opportunism. Jermaine speaks lovingly about the early years, with candor about Michael personally, and with the venom and protectiveness any older sibling would naturally have for a younger sibling being railroaded by the masses. With all the 'King of Pop' hoopla, it's easy to forget Michael was just a human being, like the rest of us; he felt, loved, hurt, made mistakes, and yes -- even sang, danced, entertained, and made great music too. He was truly a special and unique man. Like Michael's children, Jermaine reminds us of Michael's earthly mortality.
Bottom Line: If you're a Michael fan of any age or magnitude; from bumbling fanatic to casual connoisseur, then you'll probably really enjoy this book. If you're a cynic or 'hater,' then I have to wonder why you're even here, reading this in the first place? I'm no Elvis fan, but I don't begrudge anyone who is, nor do I feel compelled to criticize others for it. I should be so lucky to have a brother like Jermaine; by contrast, my family figured out how to cut me out of what little inheritance my mother tried to leave me.
Thank you, Jermaine, for sharing so many intimate and personal memories with us. "You Are Not Alone" is the perfect title for this book, and so long as we have Michael's music, we'll never be without him. Michael was not only blessed with once in a lifetime talent, but a kind and big-hearted brother to match in Jermaine.
