Temptations

Rating:
Summary: Fiiiiiiinaly
Review: After searching hell and high water, I finally got my hands on this book---it's not the hardcover, but who cares. I noticed in some of the other reviews that people were asking where they could find a copy---check your public library; that's where I finally got a hold of a copy. I was not disappointed. I was pleased with the way Otis told the story; he didn't make himself out to be the good guy. I purchased the movie several months ago and I watch a portion of it every night--my sixteen year old daughter thinks I'm crazy. After reading the book I got a somewhat better feel of the torment Paul was going through. I just wish that someway, somehow he could have been helped. When he sang, you could almost hear him pleading for help. His death was such a tragic lose of talent and life. Almost everyone seems to think that David Ruffin was the greatest singer of all time. He could blow alright, however, I recently purchased the "With a Lot O' Soul" cd and the last song on it is "Don't Send Me Away" led by Otis. It blew me away. It's one of those songs we used to slow dance to in the basement of someones home at a party. Otis' voice is so clear with an angelic quality---no riffs, no screaming. If you've heard it before, but not in awhile; I'd suggest listening to it again, if you've not heard it you might want to get it--I think you'll be glad you did. In February, the Temptations will be coming to my home town to do a concert. I've got my tickets and can hardly wait. Even though it's not the original line up, I'm just as excited. As long as Otis is singing, they will still be "The Temptations".

Rating:
Summary: The movie is great, but READ THE BOOK!
Review: Folks, the miniseries was terrific entertainment (I highly recommend it!), but don't think for a minute that it is an accurate reflection of Otis's book. The miniseries took a LOT of artistic license with Otis's book.

Even with all the inaccuracies, I still love the miniseries. Get it on DVD. But also read the book to get a real feel for what they went through.

(For instance, the scene at the end where Otis and Blue visit Momma Rose's for dinner and Blue goes to the kitchen to get the short ribs, never to return alive is COMPLETELY CONTRIVED. Never happened.)

Rating:
Summary: Disgusted with Otis
Review: I love this book and I am grateful that Otis Williams wrote it. But I strongly suggest to all Motown fans to do your own research and read other books because things don't add up with Otis's version of the Temptations. I am not calling the man a liar because I admire him and I think he believes his own story, but I feel that he's trying to add importance to himself by taking away from David, Paul (my favorite), Eddie, Dennis and even Melvin. I didn't like the way he protrayed any of them. Yes, its true that David, Paul, Dennis and Eddie had both ego and personal problems, but I am sure that Otis had his demons too. In fact, from what I hear he wasn't the best person either. But he doesn't show that side to you in his book. The only bad thing he admits to is cheating on his wife and at times, I felt like he was bragging about his relationships with certain women. Although he was kinder to his friend Melvin, he protrayed Melvin as a follower and not a leader. I wonder why? One of the most disturbing tales in his book is about Paul's drinking problem. Its true that he had a problem, but Otis doesn't really talk about Paul's bout with Sickle Cell which made his problem even worst. Also Paul's "suicide" his rather strange and things don't add up (but do the research). I also found it odd that he didn't talk alot about how Berry G. ran Motown and why alot of the artists lived terrible lives after their Motown's glory years and why most died broke. By now, everyone knows that Berry was a cheat, but Otis seems to forgive him more than he forgives his brothers. Part of the reason why they died so young has something to do with Berry. Now, I am not blaming Berry for everything. I have read books that put all the blame on Berry (which I don't agree with), but its doesn't take an expert to realize that the Motown story is mostly sad. We will never hear David, Paul, Eddie, and Melvin's side of the story...and that is why you shouldn't take this book as 100% fact. Maybe the still living Dennis will write his own version. Excellent book, but not perfect.

Rating:
Summary: More Tempting Than Before!!
Review: I purchased "Temptations" by Otis Williams and Patricia Romanowski when the book was first released back in 1988. I loved it because finally the tale of one of my favorite musical groups had been told. Then, in 1998, I saw the miniseries based on the book that I had read back in 1988. Now, if you want to know the real story, you have to read the book. The miniseries does give you the bases of the story, but the books gives you all of the story. I recently purchased the updated version of the book with the addition of Chapter 10. FOLKS, stop paying those outlandish prices for the 1988 version, and get the updated version. It has the entire book, plus the addition of a new chapter. Thank you Otis for giving us the last 14 years of the Temptations' story in the new updated version. It made me sad and happy all in those pages of Chapter 10. Now, if in the next 14 years you decide to add a Chapter 11, I am there.Haha! I recommend the updated version to everyone out there who wants to know the story. GOD bless you, Otis Williams.

Rating:
Summary: A Big Fan from Old School!
Review: I read the first edition of this book(in "88"). I borrowed it from the Library.Read it in four days, it was so informative on
life within the group and I loved the pictures. Wished there were
more of them. Being grown in the sixties, you know, I know of them.

I broughtjust about all of their 45's(smiles) and quite a few of
their albums,and now cd's. My loves were David and Eddie.
Otis's account of the group is one that he lived, whether we
like it or, we have to respect him as a living monument to the
group."REALITY CHECK," AS ONE REVIEWER SAID, Otis has a right to
have some bitternes.He put a lot of heart, sweat and tears into
keeping the group together. I also have the dvd of them and the
"Standing In The Shadow of Motown dvd, the Funk Brothers Band's
story, behind Motown's Music. I recomend this one too. Read other
performer's story about Motown for more history.I'll buy this book, for my self and WILL read it. If you don't buy, get it from
the library. God bless you Otis! you must be doing something right!I saw Their Movie, but the book is actuall.

Rating:
Summary: A Big Fan from Old School!
Review: I read the first edition of this book(in "88"). I borrowed it from the Library.Read it in four days, it was so informative on
life within the group and I loved the pictures. Wished there were
more of them. Being grown in the sixties, you know, I know of them.

I broughtjust about all of their 45's(smiles) and quite a few of
their albums,and now cd's. My loves were David and Eddie.
Otis's account of the group is one that he lived, whether we
like it or, we have to respect him as a living monument to the
group."REALITY CHECK," AS ONE REVIEWER SAID, Otis has a right to
have some bitternes.He put a lot of heart, sweat and tears into
keeping the group together. I also have the dvd of them and the
"Standing In The Shadow of Motown dvd, the Funk Brothers Band's
story, behind Motown's Music. I recomend this one too. Read other
performer's story about Motown for more history.I'll buy this book, for my self and WILL read it. If you don't buy, get it from
the library. God bless you Otis! you must be doing something right!I saw Their Movie, but the book is actuall.

Rating:
Summary: ONLY 1/5 OF THE TRUTH
Review: IF YOU PUT ALL 5 GUYS TOGETHER YOU WOULD GET 5 DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE SAME STORY. THE REAL TRUTH IS THEY STARTED OUT TOGETHER WITH THE SAME GOAL, TO BE TOGETHER, SING TOGETHER AND STAY TOGETHER. IN THE END, THEY WILL AGAIN ALL 5 BE TOGETHER. REMEMBER THE OLD SAYING !MORE MONEY, MORE PROBLEMS! FROM SOMEONE WHO WAS THERE IN THE BEGINNING BEFORE THEY EVER HAD A "HIT".

Rating:
Summary: Otis Williams shame on you
Review: Otis Williams is a class act as author of this book. I don't care what anyone says, the Temptations were men of style, class, and talent. At least their lyrics are appropriate descriptions of women's beauty and brains ('You've got a smile so bright, you know you could've been a candle,...'), which is much better than the degrading things women are called in today's songs. These men could sing circles around today's R&B groups.
Williams is honest about the faults of his fellow Temptations (including himself), yet touchingly respectful of their legacy. I admire his work ethic, loyalty to the group, and refusal to continue taking garbage from Berry Gordy and demanding respect for the group. The Temptations have survived as a group mainly because of his and the late Melvin Franklin's tenacity and perseverance. As one of their famous songs says, may they 'keep on walking, and don't look back'!

Rating:
Summary: Classic Temptation Fan
Review: Read the book, saw the movie. Otis has memories that have probably been clouded with the passage of time. I do remember watching Eddie and Dennis Edwards on Donny Simpson's BET show a number of years ago shortly after Otis' book was first published. Donny asked Eddie about Otis' memories of Paul's spirit visiting him one night and the subsequent discussion Otis had with Eddie regarding Paul's spirit. Not only had Eddie not read the book, Eddie said the conversation with Otis never took place. If Paul's spirit was to have visited anyone, it would have been Eddie given that they had been best friends since childhood and Eddie named his son after Paul. Just food for thought.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent story!
Review: This paints a picture of the Temptations from the eyes of Otis Williams, group leader and sole survivor of the original Temptations. He was very candid for this book, holding back nothing and unapologetically telling it like it is. This group had its share of ups and downs, but throught it all, he still gave props to "his brothers". An excellent read and the pictures are great as well!