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| Through the Storm: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World |
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List Price: $24.99
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Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
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Average Customer Rating:   
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Binding: Kindle Edition
Dewey Decimal Number: 920
Format: Kindle Book
Label: Thomas Nelson
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 272
Publication Date: 2008-09-16
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: 2008-09-16
Studio: Thomas Nelson
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Editorial Reviews:
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We all want our children to succeed. What happens when they do? Britney Spears wanted to sing ever since she was a little girl. But the years of sacrifices, auditions, performances, albums, fame, and paparazzi left the little Louisiana family swept up and spun around, and nothing turned out the way anyone ever imagined or wanted. Now Lynne shares the inside story of the Spears family as only a mother can. Through the Storm takes readers outside the narrow orbit of the Hollywood glitterati. Lynne shares how fame forever changed their family; her regrets letting managers, agents, and record companies direct the lives of her children; the challenges that shaped Lynne and Jamie's failed marriage and how they affected Bryan, Britney, and Jamie Lynn; the startling events that led to Britney's breakdown; the aftermath of Jamie Lynn's pregnancy; and how the family has tried pulling together to recapture a sense of hope and purpose. Through the Storm, says Lynne, is "the story of one simple Southern woman whose family got caught in a tornado called fame, and who is still trying to sort through the debris scattered all over her life in the aftermath. It's who I am, warts and all, with some true confessions that took a long time to get up the nerve to discuss."
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Unexpected delight
Comment: "Through the Storm" by Lynne Spears
I was sweetly surprised that I very much enjoyed reading Lynne's Story!
I did not intend to enjoy reading Lynne Spear's book, "Through the Storm". Like others I expected a sort of tell all Mother, writing a book to make money off the sensationalism that surrounds her daughters Jamie Lynn and Brittney Jean Spears.
First, let me say that I was immediately taken in by Lynne's story. I connected with her in such a way through reading her book that I believe we could have been close friends. I found her to be authentically desirous of telling the story of her life not to exploit her children but to leave a written legacy about their lives growing up for them and their children. She felt that if she didn't write this story the paparazzi and tabloids would have.
Lynne's sister died young and I think this placed the passion in Lynne to get her story in writing.
Her story could have come from any woman living in a small town in the south in the mid to late 70s. She is a good storyteller, I was captivated and enjoyed learning of her meeting Jamie and falling for him. Lynne explains that it was during their first year of marriage that she truly fell in love with Jamie. Lynne has a great mind for remembering the details and between she and her co- Author, Lorilee Craker, the story was so well written that I looked forward to getting onto the next chapter. With each chapter clearly defining a particular period or event in the lives of the Spear's family.
And in the early years of her marriage Lynne did not spend any extra amount of time sharing details of Brittney or Jamie Lynn over their older brother Bryan James Spears. Just as any other Mother would share her memoirs. There were chapters of her life that dealt with one child being born and their needs and then the next child and then 10 years later the last. So nearly a third of the way through the book I was only enjoying the story of a young family with three children.
Also Jamie's battle with the bottle was a difficulty that Lynn shares about with heart-felt honesty as she talks about "the other woman in their lives". She often spoke of the fact that when Jamie was sober, they lead the best years of their lives. They would invite friends over and Jamie was the best at putting on a crawfish boil. He had the recipe loved by all and was charming and delightful. I felt transported inside of the Spears household; I was watching first hand how Lynne would hold on to the good times when things were bad. Lynne shared how she felt she was completely into the role of Jamie's co-enabler regarding his drinking. During periods of Jamie's drinking Lynne doesn't spare the effect that she knew this was all having on her children. Some wonderful memories and some deeply wounding memories are shared.
Lynne was passionate about being a mother. It was clearly evident that Lynne loved her children so much. When she became pregnant with her third child after Brittney was nearly 10 years old, I was excited for her as she so quickly became joyous about the prospect of having another precious baby in her arms.
Later when Lynne becomes a Grandmother ultimately to three little children. She clearly loves these little ones too. I connected on a personal level there as well because her grand kids refer to her as MeMaw and this is what my Grandchildren have chosen to call me!
Lynne includes some serious times in her life too, an especially traumatic time when Bryan became seriously ill after suffering a seizure. And the time some young boys on bicycles pulled out in front of Lynne's vehichle when she was driving her brother to the emergency room. One of these boys was killed when Lynne hit him. (I cannot imagine enduring just this one storm and getting through -how difficult this must have been for her)
Other deep emotional crisis's she endured when her Momma died at a fairly young age after suffering with rheumatoid arthritis and from the effects of the drugs she had to take to deal with the condition. The steroids she needed ultimately turned her bones to mush and she had to have surgery from which she never fully recovered. They think she suffered small stokes during the surgery. She was so very close to Lynne and all three of her children. This was a huge emotional storm in itself.
Around this time Lynne does get in to sharing how she was involved with getting little Brittney to dance classes and competitions. Much like you would be hauling your son around to basketball practice and basketball games. Little Brittney excelled in performing: Singing and dancing from a very young age. Lynne had no idea where this might lead Brittney. She is just living one day at a time helping Brittney move towards her dreams. Lynne felt fortunate that Brittney was doing so well and wanted to facilitate her as well as any Mother would. I did not get the opinion that Lynne ever felt caught up in the whole stage Mom thing. In fact I think she says later on in the book that she wished she had maintained a more "hands on approach" towards the advice Brittney was getting etc. Feeling that maybe she could have at least kept Brittney around the right people.
I loved feeling like I was getting to know Lynne's friends who became the family support team on the long time periods when Lynne was in New York while Brittney was in school studying and doing some shows. These ladies kept the home front up. They later became skilled at dealing with the relentless paparazzi on behalf of the family. They should themselves a constant reliable support system for Lynne. She credits this to living in a small town. Somehow the people who have known you for your entire life are more prone to really be there for you when the times get tough.
Later in the book Lynne deals with death of her sister Sandra, who dies after a long battle with cancer. Lynne and the kids were especially close to Sandra. I came to realize that her death had a big impact on Brittney's behavior as a young adult. Grief is hard enough on adults. It would be nice if children could be spared. But of course this affected them all deeply. Indeed Brittney suffered quite a lot of emotional grief for such a young woman. Lynne does a great job of sharing how she felt each of the children were affected by the great heights and deep lows this family experienced.
Like I said at the beginning of my review. This is a Mother's book. It is from her perspective a written record of their lives as a family.
But Above all else, "Through the Storm" is a testament to the grace and love of our Lord Jesus and His transforming power.
As a Christian myself... I am so encouraged. By knowing of Brittney's solid Christian upbringing and the Christian body guard who cared for her (and may still) even to the point of a precious Christian woman who lives with Brittney to help with housework etc. God is protecting this young and talented lady. I feel confident that she will ultimately sing for the Lord. Certainly when Brittney comes through her "storm" and chooses to use all of her experiences for the kingdom of God she will have a profound testimony of our Lord's love and protection towards her.
There are so many facets to this 211-page book. I think these things:
You will really enjoy your time reading it.
You will learn things about Lynne Spears and her life that you'd
Never known or considered.
I believe you will come away feeling endeared towards this woman who has weathered some big Storms yet remains steadfast in her faith. You will see a woman of great sincerity and faith.
You'll very likely be reminded of how deep a Mother's love can be taken down and instead of relenting only grows deeper.
Thomas Nelson Publishers, thank -you for allowing me the opportunity have this book to read. In exchange for my agreement to blog about it good or bad.
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Walking in another's shoes
Comment: I think i speak for millions of people who are tired of the Spears family being in the tabloids day in and day out.
I am not a Britney fan but like so many others have become a pseudo expert due to it being shoved down my throat daily. I am SO over it.
I absolutely understand Lynne's desire to right this book. This woman has been to hell and back. Nobody can judge this woman or this family. This woman is brave and courageous, airing her family's troubles so that some healing can take place. She is no stage mother and everyone can say, 'if this was me i would have done this', but we are always filled with wisdom when we critique anothers life. This family dealt the best way they could with alcoholism, fame, divorce and all the raw human emotion that goes hand in hand with these events. This woman did the best she could for her children while living with her husband in the throes of addiction. She seems to have been the very backbone of this family and yet she is condemned time and time again. Where is our compassion? And as for her other daughter Jamie Lynn i have to say on her pregnancy - so what??? i really cannot see what the fuss is. Children are a blessing no matter when they arrive. We need to re-remember that mothers and their children are sacred and that if this has happened to Jamie Lynne then that is her life's path. Some people are just made to be mother's early. Leave this family to unfold its path. I hope one day Britney thanks her mother for shouldering her pain while she couldn't because that's exactly what this woman has done. She's no stage mother, but hell she's practically a saint for the ordeals she has been through. It's interesting that as a society we still hold the mother so accountable without giving her children the responsibility or the father. This woman is not their rescuer - she is a human being. you go Lynne !!! Congrats on remaining so classy in such turmoil. It speaks volumes about you.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Stormy Life for Sure
Comment: I just finished reading "Through the Storm---A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World" by Lynn Spears. Lynn is the mother of Brian, Britney and Jamie Lynn Spears. I must say it was a very interesting read and was one which opened my eyes to the `real' world of the entertainment business in our country.
Let me preface my review by saying that if you are looking for a tell-all expose' on the lives of Lynn Spears' two youngest daughters, then you will be very disappointed. If you are looking for an amazing story of a woman who found herself constantly having her faith put to the test and keeping that faith, then I believe you will be encouraged by this book.
To say I feel for Lynn Spears would be an understatement. Not only has she had to battle the public transgressions of her two famous daughters; but, she has had quite a few personal struggles which were never captured on a photographer's camera...her marriage, her upbringing, sickness in her family, etc. Yet, through it all, she repeatedly gives God the credit and the glory for keeping her `sane' in a rather insane whirlwind of a life. I think you will have your eyes opened and your heart challenged as you read this book.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Through The Storrm a Painful Read
Comment: One thing Through The Storm is not is a book on parenting, so get off that dead horse right now. It's more a mother's explanation of her family, albeit her very notable family. Mrs. Spears recounts her life and marriage and, as you might imagine, the birth and raising of her children. She touches on the large moments in their lives, but keeps the focus on her perceptions and reactions to the events. To its credit, Through the Storm is not a Tell-All in disguise, and it does offer a perspective of events that I suspect is absent from the frantic reporting on the Spears family. And yet, the book is still very much about Britney Spears and, to a lesser extent, Jamie Lynn.
The story is, in essence, both inspiring and tragic. A young woman from very humble beginnings ends up with a daughter whose talent changes all their lives, and not always for the better. There is indeed a dark side to what was a fairy-tale rise to fame. As to any claims that Mrs. Spears pushed Britney into her career, I can only say that long before Mrs. Spears attempts to address the issue, it was plain to me that Britney Spears was one of those children who did not need to be pushed. There are simply kids who are like that. From an early age, they burn with passion, whether it be for writing, football, science, or, even, singing. Given what she had on her hands, Mrs. Spears did a remarkable job.
That said, I had a lot of trouble getting through this book. It was often painfully difficult to read. Thankfully, it's not very long (206 pages). This book offers no personal insight whatsoever, no sense that its author has thought deeply about anything. It's written in such a simplistic manner that by the end of chapter one I wanted to tear out my eyeballs. That didn't change until the final two chapters, which were quite riveting despite there being massive logical gaps in the narrative.
There's no meat to this story. It's vapidly written and even more vapidly told. If Mrs. Spears has anything but superficial insight into herself or her children, it's not presented in these pages. Both girls are held up as idealized, sparkly and numbingly saccharine Stepford-esque daughters. You'd think her children were nothing but sweetness and light during their entire childhoods. And how could that be? They grew up in a house with an alcoholic father, where money was tight and their mother was doing whatever it took to keep them together financially and spiritually. Everyone involved in such a family pays a price, fame or no fame. And that's without the incredible stress of Britney's notoriety.
Through the Storm< offers a perspective missing from the sensationalized reports of the Spears family, but unless you don't mind reading a book written at a fourth-grade level, this is a pass.
Customer Rating:
Summary: For the busy parent
Comment: I admit that at first I was unsure if I wanted to review this book. I'm not one to get caught up in all the silliness and absurdity that grows out of our societies unhealthy obsession with all things celebrity. But I would have to be either dead or extremely oblivious to not have at least heard of Lynne Spears.
I'm generally a trusting person- skepticism would not be listed by people who know me as a defining characteristic. However, I do employ a health dose of doubt for things like tabloids or gossip e-mails, and especially for talking heads on TV. So after seeing the medias handling of Lynne Spears- and especially after hearing Bill O'Reilly call her a pinhead- I knew I had to hear from Lynne herself.
Thankfully my curiosity was rewarded with a heartfelt and engrossing read. This book is no literary masterpiece, but it is a graceful, dignified memoir from the heart of a mother.
At times, Spears can come across as a bit defensive- but who wouldn't be in her position? These moments are far outweighed by her honest investigation into her own responsibility as a mother. The result is a much needed warning for parents of today: its easy to get wrapped up in the busy-ness of your children (soccer, singing, dance, etc.), but take the time to really be connected to your children and provide a place for them to be truly grounded.
This book is not for everyone- it can tend toward syrupy sweet naivete- but it is perfect for its target audience of soccer (hockey?) moms, and, yes, even for the concerned father of a beautiful baby girl.
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