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Rating: 
Summary: Sleazy fun
Review: I read LaToya's memoir a couple of years ago but to this day I remember the sleazy fun of reading her dirty laundry. One creepy side comment is the passage about getting trapped in Phil Spector's house. In light of his recent trouble, it is chilling to think about.
Rating: 
Summary: LaToya: Fact or Fiction?
Review: I read this book when it first came out, in the early 90's, and was fascinated by it then, at the inside peep at one of Pop Music's most famous families! The Jackson's are rich, they are black, and have more #1 and platinum records between them than any other family in the Pop Music business, (The Jackson 5, Michael and Janet) and have been around forever, it seems! Any and all of this makes us interested in what their lives are really like. I was and still am interestred in their story, and it is still developing. LaToya's book gives us an insider's view to the beginning. I believe her story, it is very convincing. Other facts that I have read backs up most of what she says in her book. Joseph is not shown in a good light, but Katherine is, as well as Michael and the rest of her siblings. One thing this book will do is leave you with a feeling of sympathy for not only LaToya, but all of the Jackson children, and bring home the fact that having oodles of money and being rich as King Midas does not necessarily bring happiness. I really enjoyed this book and would like an update on LaToya in the present. In some ways, she is the most interesting of all the Jackson's, because she is the most mysterious of the clan and not heard of much at all today. She is in every way as interesting as Michael and she is an absolutely beautiful Lady!
Rating:
Summary: La Toya--The Butterfly Has Been Released!
Review: La Toya did what many people today wish they could: reveal, and then heal from an abusive relationship(s). She opened the gates of the Jackson's homes in Gary, Indiana and at Hayvenhurst in CA for the world to see. This very informative book shed light on the hidden, the quiet or even the most beautiful Jackson of them all. In it 'Toy, Toy' (a name she hates to be called) reveals the family struggles with abusive parents, her relationship with her siblings and their spouses, the life in captivity behind the gates of their CA mansion, her meeting of her manager and then husband Jack Gordon and...Playboy. Even a botched kidnap attempt is addressed.Michael, the prodigal son, is portrayed in a wonderful light, as he should be. They shared very special times growing up and Toya displays each of them. Michael was ordered by the elders at the Witness to NEVER speak to Toya again because she missed (in their opinion) too many meetings. This left Michael sobbing on Janet's bed, when Toya came in, he ran into Janet's bathroom bawling! He also supported Toya against her brother's wives (wives can be so cruel) and supported her when her PLAYBOY PICTORIAL came out. Joseph Jackson, the family patriarch, is portrayed as twisted and evil, and as an ogre who delighted in the suffering of his family. In Michael's live interview with Oprah Winfrey, he claimed that even in his late 30's he's still afraid of 'Joseph'. He confessed to Oprah that he even regurgitates when 'Joseph' comes by for a visit. La Toya gives much; much more details into the horrors they all faced. La Toya was badly beaten by the hands of her father at a very young age and was left bleeding on the bathroom floor whilst her brothers walked over her, much to afraid to offer any support. He threatened to throw her out of a window repeatedly for just asking a simple question. Katherine Jackson, the family matriarch, is certainly... some piece of work. A devout Witness, she raised her family, especially La Toya and Michael, to be very spiritual and was Toya's very best friend. When the Jackson 5 was busy with their careers, it was Toya and baby Janet who kept Mama busy. But as you read, she too could be as, if not more wicked than Joseph. Delve into the part when EVEN Joseph confronts Kate about her treatment of Toya regarding medication Kate knows could kill her!!!...SHOCKING! There are two very different (jekyll--and-- hyde) sides to Kate, which Toya talks in detail about. Abused herself by Joseph's womanizing and keeping a second 'FAMILY' right down the road, their was little she could do to stop the abuse of her children...or could she Hmmmm...?
I praise Toya and Romanowski for bringing this book to light simply because of the courage it took. Going up against the Jackson's, even if you are one, must have been frightening. Writing this part of the book must have been so painful for her. Whilst other young girls were becoming women, Toya was still a 'little girl' beside her 'mommy'. She never went on dates because of all the publicity it would garner and never mentioned having ANY boyfriends or many friends. You truly get a sense of her innocence-how could she not be growing up to sheltered-and so shackled. La Toya also discusses Jermaine's attitudes towards Michael's success and Jermaine's decision not the leave Motown (which was disaster for him.) She also talks about the brother who received the worst treatment from 'Joseph'--the first-born-Jackie. Toya says that Jackie would only stop bye the house if he KNOWS 'Joseph' is not there and would leave immediately if 'daddy' came back. Toya once asked Katherine why Joseph treated Jackie so terribly. Katherine replied "Joe just never liked him." Sad isn't it? This book gives an excellent insight into the most intriguing music family around told by one of it's most intriguing members...pick it up today.
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