I'm Not Dancing Anymore

Terri, you did a beautiful job. I rented the book from the library and now I must own it. Your expresed yourself clearly about what it is like to have a famous person in your family. I know that Nicole was no angel and was even worse when she drank. I wondered how many people knew that she was under therapy for her temper. She pushed your uncle's buttons and one day she pushed to hard. It is just that simple. Just the things she would say to him about pushing a man around in a wheel chair one day. Well sweetheart that man that you are pushing around in that wheelchair made it possible for you to live the life that you did live. I will never understand this though, if she was oh so afraid of him, why did she go back to him?? He was doing very well with Paula until she wanted to come home, like some spoiled brat. Now I am not saying what happened to her should have happened to her; but I am saying that once you are divorced and have a one-half million dollar settlement plus child support, then you move clear across country. No but she had to stay up under O. J. For what love??? I don't think so.

When the OJ Simpson trial was being shown on television every night, I was about 12 years old, and never gave it my full attention. I was cognizant that most people thought that he had murdered his wife and her friend, but I didn't take the time to watch the happenings of the trial; it's just not a topic that will typically hold a 12 year old's attention. Now that I am 21, I am interested in knowing the facts as well as the skepticisms of the trial and murder. Terri Baker, (OJ Simpson's niece) did a great job of filling me in. Terri candidly informs her reader that OJ Simpson never really took up much time with his blood relatives. He preferred spending his leisure with Nicole Brown's family and his celebrity friends. On special occasions, the Simpson family would come together as a family, everyone except OJ. His visits were sporadic, and when he was around, his mind was somewhere else and everyone catered to his needs. She also says that the family had always put OJ on a pedestal, and no one ever confronted him with anything, even if they felt that he was doing something wrong. His money? Well, he made sure that he and Nicole lived lavishly, but he wasn't very generous with the Simpson family. In fact, they really didn't reap any financial benefits from OJ. OJ was physically abusive and very possessive of Nicole. The book states that there are recordings of Nicole calling the police because OJ had struck her. There are also photographs illustrating a battered Nicole. Terri was very vocal about the deaths of Nicole and Ron Goldman and the infamous "trial of the century." Although the Simpson was not very forthcoming with their feelings concerning the murders, Terri had a very difficult time coping. She was having problems at her job and eventually stopped working, and got heavy into alcohol. To this day, she is unsure if her Uncle committed those crimes, but it is something that will bother her for as long as she lives. She also let us know how spaced out her uncle was, namely during and after the trial. The day the verdict was announced, they threw a party at OJ's house, and someone congratulated him and asked him how it felt to be home, and he looked at them like they were insane. Terri also mentioned that during the trial, OJ had a very impassive look on his face which drew even more skepticism as to whether or not he is guilty. I really, really enjoyed this book and all it said about OJ and the lives of he and his family. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to become more knowledgeable of the trial of the century.

I thought this book was very good. Terri did not take sides in this book. she stood by her family even when she had doubts about her uncle. terri tells us over and over in the book how OJ has little to do with his family. I am glad to see that she saw this and was not blind like most of her family was. it is good to hear she has her life back on track. good book with lots of info about OJ and his family.

Terri ... You did an excellent job of describing the trauma and emotions involved. One thing that I had never thought about: what happens to the defendant's family. It is almost as they are guilty by association. Yet society does not provide anyone to help them thru the emotional trauma they must endure. A consolation: You do not have to be black to have an important member of your family do something reprehensible, humiliating, and illegal. I speak from experience. It happens in those 'superior' white families also. And how to they handle it? Just like your family did ... some better than others. By the way, the reason the police appeared to bungle things: they are as much in awe of the 'juice' as his family. Heros just DO NOT do things like that!

Terri Baker has the guts to tell the truth about her uncle, and her experiences at the criminal and civil trials. I've heard people comment that she should be loyal and stand by her uncle blindly because he's family. Where would we be if everyone did that? For instance, what if David Kaczynski had just kept his mouth shut so Ted could keep sending out his letter bombs? Terri took the right track in coming out and daring to speak the truth about her beliefs in her uncles probable guilt and her sympathy for the Brown and Goldman's. Hooray for you, Terri. Let's hope more of Simpsons's friends and relatives have the guts to tell ALL they know! I loved this book, and highly recommend it to everyone who has the nerve to see both sides! Terri is a very smart and beautiful lady, who dares to let America peek behind the facade of this famous family.