You Are Not Alone Michael: Through A Brother’s Eyes
Rating: 5/5
Behind all the misleading media headlines and features, Michael Jackson was a gentle soul, a true humanitarian who loved people from all walks of life. He was childlike in a sense, always enjoying a good laugh and prank, yet he was a great businessman. He was also a man with a strong faith in God. This according to older brother Erms, as Michael endearingly called him, who takes the reader into Michael’s world as seen “through a brother’s eyes.”
Jermaine Jackson loved his brother Michael and defended him many times from the onslaught of media scrutiny, media that weren’t always truthful, fair, or kind. Jermaine was particularly defensive of Michael, and rightfully so, as he wrote about the duplicity of British journalist Martin Bashir. He also blasts the tabloid-style nickname “Wacko Jacko.” Armed with truth and facts, Jermaine cites several instances where he sets the record straight and puts the media in their place. In one instance he got so infuriated that he called CNN and berated a biased, ill-informed host live on the air! Plus, he lays to rest the rumors surrounding the paternity of Prince, Paris, and Blanket, stating that they are in fact Michael’s biological children.
Jermaine describes what Michael was like as a child growing up in Gary, Indiana, and how talented he was even back then. I really enjoyed reading about their childhood, to which a great deal of this book is devoted. Understanding their childhood – their roots, relationships with their parents, what life was like inside their small, crowded, two-bedroom house – helps the reader better understand the real Michael Jackson, the events that shaped him into the person he was.
Learning how The Jackson 5 formed and became famous was truly fascinating as were the launchings of Jermaine and Michael’s subsequent solo careers. Michaels would achieve greater success, and Jermaine generously shares this journey with us, complete with all the excitement and thrills that accompanied it. Sadly, though, there were individuals in Michael’s circle who, unbeknownst to him, did not have his best interests at heart and went to great lengths to keep away his family members. Fortunately, they did not totally succeed in this regard, as the brotherly bonds remained strong.
Which brings me to another reason why I enjoyed this book… the emphasis on family. Jermaine stresses the love of family throughout its pages, and that is what Michael Jackson was first and foremost: family. Kudos, Jermaine, for making people remember this above all else. Your brother may have been a superstar known all over the world, but he was also family – a real person with real emotions, someone very much loved.
What a wonderful account of a brother through a brother’s eyes! There is something dynamic about a brother’s love and caring and I could feel the torture Jermaine felt at opting out of the group which was the catalyst for Michael to go off on his own. Without this the world may not have known the gifts that Michael had to offer. We got to see the Jackson magic and how they represent to us how we can realize our dreams if we dare to go after them. I appreciate the insight into the blood, sweat and tears necessary to be the best.
There seems to be a lot of books written about Michael, but none is quite as up close and personal as this one. I laughed especially at the “creamy legs” part and cried at the anguish Jermaine felt when Michael died. I felt he really wanted to be there for Mike. One thing I know for sure is that we all have to leave our body sooner or later. I am contented to know that Mike got to realize most of his dreams and be a “father ” even though it was cut short. He went out with a bang and will be remembered for a long time. Jermaine Jackson showed us it is not easy, but it is important to stick together for family is family. I highly recommend reading this book!
Natasha Pink
Michael Jackson Book Club Member
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I read this book in 2011, it has another cover, a photo of M J in black and white.
I love this book, we learn a lot of details.