By O. J. Simpson I Want to Tell You (1st First Edition) [Audio Cassette]

by O.J. Simpson

The author shares his thoughts on his life with Nicole Brown Simpson, his children, the media, the judicial system, spouse abuse, religion, racism, and his innocence of the murder of his wife.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Biography, Memoir, Autobiography

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Former American football player and actor.

Mostly known for being the head suspect of a double-murder including his ex-wife.

In 2007, Simpson was arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada, and charged with armed robbery and kidnapping. He was granted parole on July 20, 2017, and then was granted early release from his parole by the Nevada Division of Parole and Probation in 2021.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book made me gag.

For example:
"Dear O.J.
Hi! I am 12 years old and I am a fan of yours. I hope you will accept this letter to add to your other million or so. I don't think you killed Nicole or Ronald. Even if you did, I would still be your fan and so would my mom because everyone makes mistakes." (pg 48)

Killing your wife and an innocent guy in a violent rage is okay because "everyone makes mistakes"?
This book made me sick.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest I have not read a single word of this book. I only give this a "five" for humor and shock value. In the fall of 2008, I noticed about twenty copies of this book sitting in the cut-out bin at Barnes and Noble for 50 cents a piece, or something. So I bought the entire stock, and had fun giving them all away to friends as Christmas presents, with the pricetags still attached. Best Xmas ever!

[Sandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Obviously, much has changed and been uncovered since early 1995 when this book was published. I remember seeing it pop up in the bookstores, long before the verdict was announced. I remember sitting in utter shock on my couch, staring in disbelief at the television screen that let me see live into the L.A. courthouse. I've read a couple of books about the trial and the events of June 1994, and I am to this day convinced of this man's guilt.

No, I haven't read or purchased this particular book, nor will I ever touch it. OJ Simpson is right where he belongs - in jail. Which is, honestly, too nice a place for this vicious killer. Read the police reports to see how savagely Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman were killed. Read the coroner's reports to see how much rage the killer expressed when he killed them not once but multiple times over.

I hope he burns in hell.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 1 out of 5]

Total waste of time- trust me. I picked this up at Goodwill (which is a GREAT place to search for books as I just recently learned!) so really I paid only 25 cents for it but I'm upset I spent that to be honest. This was so blatantly full of lies it was silly. Just plain sill really. I read If I Did It a few months or a year back and I sort of figured this would be kind of similiar but it wasn't. Not that If I Did It was all that great but....Anyway, this was written by someone who supposedly interviewed O.J. in the beginning of his incarceration and then proceeded to write down what he said "word for word". I have a hard time believing that any of that stuff actually came from his mouth, it's much more likely in my opinion that someone who was hired to care about his image spewed this crap to the author. I'm surprised it was even published but I guess it explains why I'd never heard of it before!

[R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Orenthal is the New Blue

Inspired by my reading of "Brentwood Notebook" in Douglas Coupland's Polaroids from the Dead I decided to finally read this book which had been resting on the house's bookshelves for at least the last ten years.

Now, I'm of two minds about O.J. and his involvement in the crime, the murders of Nicole and Ron. Sure, he could've done it. He was jealous and trying to rebuild a life with the mother of his children and, lo and behold, she's getting rides home from this gigolo waiter. He snapped. Well, he planned and then snapped. We often forget that O.J. had had some SEAL knife-swinging training due to his involvement in a never-aired TV pilot about frog-men. Or, it could've been the work of a different jealous lover of Nicole's. Or a husband whom had (also?) been cuckolded by Ron. Or it was somewhere in between: a maniac fan of O.J.'s could've decided to release his hero from the bonds of cuckoldry, O.J. could've half-heartedly hired hit-men to keep the status quo, a nearby neighbor infatuated with Nicole could've done it. Mob payback for gambling debts. Time-traveling Jack the Ripper. Point is, we don't know.

This book was written for two reasons: to answer some letters that had flooded in after the arrest and to raise money for the defense. There were two raggedy pigeons flapping here, and why not? Why not one 199-page stone to take care of things?

[Melanie Stevens · Rating 1 out of 5]

This has to be the weirdest book I have ever read. I already knew the outcome of the trial but it seemed as if O.J was being fake and vague while writing this. It made me believe even more that he is guilty rather than innocent. He never really did answer any solid questions he just rambled on for 200 pages. I am definitely not impressed with this book at all.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! If ever someone was trying to convince the public he "did it" - this book convinced me! Simpson would have been better off never writing this book, especially for those who were teetering between guilty/not guilty.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

To me, he was just digging himself into an even deeper hole with this book.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so awesome. Really, it's pure, transcendental hilarity

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

El sucko. Nuff said.

[Raindog308 · Rating 1 out of 5]

This rating is strictly a rating on the book itself.

It truly is a 1-star book. First, it's incredibly fake. Lawrence Schiller admitted he made up many of the questions and wrote many of the answers. If you have seen the hand-written version of Simpson's suicide note (not the one cleaned up for the press), you'll know Simpson is "semi-literate" to quote Jeffrey Toobin. There's no way he wrote these answers.

Second, the questions Schiller made up are often preposterous. E.g., "Everyone is focusing on the alleged abuse you inflicted on your ex-wife. No one has mentioned the abuse she inflicted on you." Give us a break.

And finally, Schiller's answers are a boring recitations of sterile pieties. This book was a (successful) attempt to cash in the last remnant of Simpson's pre-trial fame and goodwill.

The only significant part of this book is in one of its final chapters Simpson says he's sure the truth about the murders "lies somewhere in the world of Faye Resnick". Schiller later said he threw that line in almost as an afterthought. But watch any Simpson interview and he'll quote it word-for-word.

[Melissa Dawn vh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well alot of people Must think I was crazy for first off even reading this book. I was born in 1991 so I m missed the O.j Trail or some of it. I see now on tv and Im not sure what to have believed. I read it and I have to say If you After reading it your impression or verdict might have changed because mine did totally. The book anserwed every question of mine that needed to be anserwed. I also liked the fact that the book put letters to O.J that were actually read and sent to him during his time in Jail.. Overall I would liked the book & would onyl recomend it to those Are interested and have any questions that would need to be anserwed :)

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

It would be more entertaining if he included more hatemail. This might not be the right book for the people who believe he did it ( and care about it ), I can imagine they get riled up reading this. That also explains the low reviews for this book, most true crime readers are women who like to judge people. I give it an extra star just because of that.

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lot's of people believe in him..lots don't now he is jail--

[C.C. Rising · Rating 1 out of 5]

Zero, in fact.

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book itself isn't bad, the controversy behind this book (and OJ's other ones) is the reason it's rated so poorly.

[Tim Pearson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was…really bad.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting insight into his mind during this time period

[Cheryl Durham · Rating 2 out of 5]

First, let me say that I didn't purchase this book to find out the particulars about the strategy for his legal defense. Like millions of Americans I watched the Bronco chase on the freeway. For the life of me I'm still trying to figure out...why...but nowhere else but Tinseltown.

I purchased the book for several reasons. Namely, I watched the The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. Parts of it captivated me; other parts, I believe, could have been edited. The parts that captivated me left me wanting other answers. Secondly, I was hoping to read about the true friendship he had with Robert Kardashian and I wanted to learn more about the manner in which Lawrence Schiller would present OJ. Each above listed person had a long and personal relationship with him.

The book spent little time looking at the legal teams battling to convict or acquit the football legend of double homicide. That wasn't the essence of the writing. The essence behind the writing was to respond to the many letters that had been written to O J while incarcerated in LA.

I enjoyed the writing style of Mr. Schiller. The writer didn't appear to be slanted or jaded. I particularly loved reading about the feeling that consumed him upon entering the jail. The writer really painted the picture without being really derogatory. I think, without a doubt, it was very difficult for the writer to remain poised. It was also during those times when he felt for the confined.....felt for his friend.

I did not find out much about the relationship with Robert Kardasian. I did find out more about his beloved mother. Ironically, as the story was told...the many checks he sent her had not been cashed. Reportedly she rested on the fact that many athletes had gone broke and she figured he'd need it. That was very foretelling...because he would need it. I also enjoyed reading about the visits from Rosie Grier (who has had his tragedies but has a newfound faith in God and his promises).

I was amazed, for reasons that I will keep to myself, about him bringing up racism. That's a card he could have kept to himself. Up to this point, his dating, lifestyle and living, had afforded him to be an African American of "privilege." I still recall the Hertz rental commercial. I recall the play with the Buffalo Bills and the San Francisco 49ers and the induction into the NFL Hall of Fame. I remember the opportunity given to him as an announcer and the many benefits his talents had afforded him and his loved ones. Do I think there were never episodes of racism? No, I am not that naive. I just think that to reflect at this time....was a shot below the belt. I think he was reminded.....that the same system that elevates you...can also bring you back to reality.

Whether the chaotic mini series, LAPD investigation, questionable jury decision or his take.....the jury spoke...reasonable doubt. I'm still lost on the reasons for the writing. It was a quick and easy ready. If for no other reason...it gave a glimpse into others in his personal life. Also, it revealed that if people on death row can get letters of support....why not him....

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

I recently read If I Did It, O.J.'s "hypothetical pseudo-confession" (check my page for that review), and was stunned when I came across this book in the return bin at work. I couldn't believe that, after all the hype and outrage that surrounded the release of If I Did It, I'd never heard of the book O.J. "wrote" (through 22 hours of interviews with a ghostwriter) during the trial. So, I picked it up and read it over the course of an evening.

While I was hesitant to put a numerical review on If I Did It (again, see that review for why), I don't have any issues rating this low. It's not that it's poorly written or purposefully deceptive (after all, whether guilty or not, O.J. has always maintained his innocence, so seeing that here isn't really a surprise, nor would I say it's distorting facts any more than what you'd expect if you believe he's guilty). The problem I have with this book is how choked it is with sycophantic letters. The only really negative letters included are of the blatantly racist variety, censored of expletives. For a book that purports, according to the subtitle, to be O.J.'s "response to your letters, your messages, your questions" it lacks any real answers (If I Did It gives what I take to be a much more accurate depiction of his life with Nicole).

What makes I Want to Tell You interesting, and boosts it that extra star from being completely worthless, is the comparison of how he describes his relationship with Nicole, compared to the other book almost two decades later. Here, they lived in bliss, full of love for each other. There's none of the accusations of her mistreatment or neglect of the children, none of the depictions of her as an unstable, coked-out near-psychotic that practically drove him to kill her. In fact, he goes out of his way to describe how great a mother she was. In the entire book, he takes a single jab at her, saying "she blamed other people for her problems when she was unhappy" (pg 25).

Like If I Did It, I can't recommend anyone purchase this book. It's not worth it. I can't even recommend anyone read this unless they're interested enough in the case to have already read If I Did It. Any lingering doubts you have about his ego or duplicity from reading the other book, this one will erase. It's impossible to read both and not see that, in one or the other, he's lying at some point. That alone makes it a worthwhile read for a single evening. Just don't waste money on it. Get it from your local library.

(And seriously, you've got to wonder about the mental health of some of these people sending positive letters to O.J. - not so much the kids, but definitely with the adults. In that way, it's kind of fascinating, like the groupies that sent love letters to Charles Manson or Ted Bundy.)

[Logan Gifford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book for $1 at a local CVS Pharmacy. as a Las Vegas local I thought it would be interesting to take a look at the original trial that he faced although I was not alive when the verdict was reached. with an interest in law I wanted to learn about Nicole Brown's death as I toured the Clark County Detention Center. having been born in enough time to witness his last case at Palace Station I was interested to get his perspective on Nicole's death. the contents of the book came off as a bit fake. the letters themselves were very entertaining to read and get the nation's perspective on this case. I did not realize the historical significance of this book and the fact that it paid for Johnny Cochran. I am considering writing OJ as I am a history major and I want to fully understand his side of the case before he dies. interesting read nonetheless although I wish there was more two his commentary on the letters even though it was written mid-trial

[Sarah Crowe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Now, I love a self-indulgent book full of obssessive fan letters to a formerly popular celebrity as much as the next gal [seriously, read "Letters to John Glenn," omg, "Letters to John Glenn" which is all about actual letters to the astronaut John Glenn, is such a beautiful book. A 6-year-old wrote a prayer to him! I cannot even fathom that level of devotion]! But this book just doesn't do it for me.

First of all, if these are O.J.'s fans, then *yawn*, i'm better off without any. he goes on and on about the amount of fan mail he got and even talks about a spare jail cell full of his fan mail (which by the way, is that for real?!), yet the letters are soooo boring. They're all like, "Oh my goodness, O.J., I know you are innocent. I just want to pray for your family."

What? Who cares? Try again, O.J. This book is crap and you know it!

[Tanya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this for the semi-charmed kind of life summer 2012 reading challenge. It is for the category, a book I have heard bad things about. The reason bad things were said aboutnthis is that it was written while OJ was still incarcerated. I was interested to hear more about the impact the trial was having on his children. That question wasn't reall covered much in the book, but I found it an interesting read. I will just take this as his version of the truth. He has already been judged by jurors and I won't comment on that.

[Lana The Real Lost Mermaid · Rating 1 out of 5]

POS writes a POS
that is all ...

[Jibran]

hi

[Mario]

A 200 page nightmare tour through Crazyville.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rushed but fascinating.

[Gualju · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very awesome.

[Emmah Handlon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just okay. If I'm being completely honest it was a little boring. I ended up reading the whole thing, but it was really just him talking about his experience while he was held in custody. He shares a lottt of letters he got in the mail. Most of them are saying how he didn't do it and that they're praying for him. He also shares some that were just flat-out racist, and rude remarks toward him. He also dives in a bit on how depressed he was throughout this time in his life, along with how the media made him look. I think the book was just another way for people to feel bad for him and to show sympathy for him.

[Nina Ive · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has been knocking about on my Dads shelves for decades, I felt like taking a look. Because it was before the trial, it doesnt go into any detail about what happened, but it does give an OJ Simpson point of view of his background and relationship with Nicole and his family. The letters he recieved were fascinating. I'm ready to watch the documentary now.