Deliver Us from Temptation: The Tragic and Shocking Story of the Temptations and Motown

I just read a borrowed library copy of the book. I originally read it for the Motown dirt (being very interested in Motown history). But as I read further I began to feel very sorry for the lives of Eddie Kendricks, Dennis Edwards and David Ruffin. These men were put on a revolving door of the group and when basically kicked to the curb (by their own faults or for standing up against Motown's business practices) had to depend on their entire survival on performing day in and day out!! Even at the expense of their health, not being around family as much and countless women and drug 'temptations' they individually dealt with. Mr. Turner's book gave you an inside profound perspective of the three men's personalities, behavior and drama. Aspects I believe that in Otis Williams movie version of his tell all book that makes them out to be the difficult troublesome bad guys and doesn't go into much detail and makes himself out to be the "revered saint" of sorts. I definitely learned from this book to not put all your eggs in one basket and to make sure that in your life you are able to branch out and do different things and not be overly dependent on one major thing just to survive on a day to day basis!! Also anyone who is going into the music industry should also read this book as a valuable learning lesson to realize the industry is 90% business and 10% show and you betta learn the business side REALLY GOOD OR YOU ARE GONNA GET [messed] OVER. It is a shame to see that Edwards, Ruffin and Kendricks spent their graying years bitter, resentful and not getting over the past yet relished in the "star status" treatment they were given when they toured and as they struggled to perform for their livelihood!! Because sadly as the author states that is all they knew how to do was to put on the star role and they were groomed to do that when they were with Motown (and not taught about anything else).

I believe this book more than any other I have heard or seen regarding the Temptations. As suspected, this book showed another side of Otis, although great in his own right, he did some lowdown stuff too. Thanks Tony for showing another side of the Tempts.

Like many viewers after seeing the television movie I wanted to know more about the group and the individual members. I thank Mr Turner for the information that he gave but I also feel that Mr Turner, like Mr Gordy, used the Temptations for his own personal gains. Overall, the book was informative and entertaining and I am in search of the book to own.