Jonathan HernandezThe Truth About Aaron: My Journey to Understand My Brother

Just finished reading The Truth about Aaron: a sad, tragic story about a beautiful, young, extremely talented man you should have lived a great lifeWhat I realized reading Aaron’s story, is how huge a mistake it is to walk into any situation with preconceived judgment, to just believe the worse about someone just because people are saying that so and so is bad, and not try to find out for yourself to form your own opinion about something or someone regardless of what is being sensationalized out thereAaron was alone with his struggles and adversities from a very young age, he had a loving brother in Jonathan but they were only 3 yrs apart whitch made his older brother also a child, hence unable to provide any real help. I could feel Jonathan’s love for his brother, his regrets, his sorrrow in each page, it’s a very touching, devastating story, he had to divulged things that couldn’t be easy for him but I understand that he had to, that’s the only way that he could show how heavily burdened and tormented his brother wasI was just home from the hospital with my now 5yr old son, when I saw Aaron being escorted out of his house into the police squad car to never be free again, to never come home again, I remember being very sad for him and for Odin, and I followed his story from then onMy takeaway from this book is to never take joy in anyone’s demise you never know what people are going through, Aaron was very sick and he didn’t have a support system, every adult in his life failed him, the schools, the coaches, the New England Patriots hanged him out to dry at the first sign of trouble when they had every opportunity to have helped him before things took such a down turn, but used him insteadGreat job Jonathan, I’m so very sorry for your lost.RIP Aaron God bless you darling, no judgment just love 💕 always

I started reading this book and couldn't put it down. Jonathon was truthful about his brother's changing personality, the struggles he had and the wrong people he chose to be friends with. He was truthful about their upbringing, his Dad's violent temper and the struggles him and Aaron had growing up. Very sad, but very realistic, at least with me. I have never been able to wrap my head around why Aaron would do the things he did. After reading this book, I understand a little better what CTE did to this young man. I'm not excusing at all what he did but I do believe CTE played a big role in what happened.I actually cried when I read what Jonathon did at seeing his dead brother for the first time. A brother he loved, who was his best friend growing up, a brother he still loves despite all that happened with Aaron.This was one of the best and saddest books I have read in a long time. I hope all the families, including Aaron's, may someday find peace. Thank you Jonathon for helping me to better understand who Aaron was.This book was far better then the book Jose Baez wrote. Even though it was a good read for me, I came away with the impression that Baez truly never spent that much time with Aaron. I didn't feel he knew him as much as he would like the public to think he did.

In a style that’s simple and achingly raw, Jonathan Hernandez tells the story of his brother and best friend, Aaron. He doesn’t try to canonize Aaron or make excuses for his behavior, he simply lays out the story of a great athlete and loving kid brother whose downfall came fast and deadly. Along the way, Mr. Hernandez mixes everyday family stories with painful revelations about beatings from an otherwise loving father who died suddenly when Aaron was a teenager, Aaron’s years’ long molestation by a male babysitter, his drug use, poor choices in friends, off-the-chart CTE numbers and self-hatred due to his secret homosexuality. As a writer myself, I admire the way Mr. Hernandez takes a story we all know the ending of and tells it so compellingly that I flew through it in one sitting while dreading every new development. Mr. Hernandez also isn’t afraid to turn the mirror on himself, admitting his own shortcomings, making us feel the pain he felt during the ordeal and wondering, more than once, whether there was more he could have done to save his brother. Mr. Hernandez says one of the main reasons he wrote The Truth About Aaron was to encourage people in pain to seek help. I hope that happens, because in my opinion, it took a lot of courage to write this book.

Gives the reader a good sense of sig. events in his life, impact of , etc. The family dysfunction pre high school was sad. I got the impression there was even more but was leftout, maybe that's for the best as what was written was just heartbreaking. Agree with others there is a certain amount of self exoneration, understandable but not necessary. It is hard to know what is going on when communication breaks down within a family. At times it is a family story, at times it felt like jerry springer, and at times there are scenes out of Goodfellas, Definitely wanted to know more about how that came to be. What was really going on at his other residences, how did he come to align himself with that. The last few chapters felt rushed, I am sure there is more information , but respect for the brother to write any of this within just a year or so of it happening, must have been so painful.

I have watched every documentary and read most books about Aaron Hernandez and Jonathan's book is by far the best one. He truly paints a picture of the two brothers growing up and the ups and downs they each faced. I felt emotional while reading Jonathan's words, you can tell losing his brother was the hardest thing he had to face. We get little glimpses of how Aaron was as a child, a teen, through college years up until the NFL and the tragic murders. Do yourself and favor and purchase this one, you will not regret it.

Amazing book. Having followed the story of Aaron Hernandez after watching the Netflix series I found this to be an amazing insight into his life and the turbulent childhood and upbringing he had. DJ is very honest and its not a one sided story as a book by his brother could have been. Really well written and compelling. I would also recommend the warrior podcast about the case and the amazon prime series which I found better and more balanced than the sensationalism of the netflix special.

Chapters are a bit all over the place but understandable considering this is a very emotional account. Credit Mr Hernandez for coming forward with a lot of personal stories.Great read

This book arrived the next from when I ordered it. Really enjoyed reading it but also made me feel emotional as it was so personal and raw. Definitely worth a read.

All I can say is this is a book I couldn’t put down as I felt the raw emotion of the ups and downs they went through and love Jonathan has for his brother Aaron is beyond words, I was in tears at certain points in the book as it hit me what they had to go through. Fantastic but tearful book.

Great book.