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Jonathan Hernandez
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The Truth About Aaron: My Journey to Understand My Brother Kindle Edition

by Jonathan Hernandez (Author), Lars Anderson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,089 ratings
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Aaron Hernandez’s brother recounts the NFL star’s troubled life and murder conviction: “Gripping . . . a sobering, inside look at a modern American tragedy.” —Library Journal

To football fans, Aaron Hernandez was a superstar in the making. A standout at the University of Florida, he helped the Gators win the national title in 2008. In his second full season wih the New England Patriots, he and Rob Gronkowski set records for touchdowns and yardage, and with Tom Brady, led New England to Super Bowl XLVI in 2012. But Aaron’s NFL career ended as quickly as it began.

On June 26, 2013, he was arrested at his North Attleboro home, charged with the murder of Odin Lloyd, and released by the Patriots. Convicted of first-degree murder, Aaron was sentenced to life without parole. On May 15, 2014, while on trial for Lloyd’s murder, Aaron was indicted for two more murders. Five days after being acquitted for those murders, he committed suicide in his jail cell. Aaron Hernandez was twenty-seven years old.

In this clear-eyed, emotionally devastating biography—a family memoir combining football and true crime—Jonathan (formerly known by his nickname DJ) Hernandez speaks out fully for the first time about the brother he knew. Jonathan draws on his own recollections as well as thousands of pages of prison letters and other sources to give us a full portrait of a star athlete and troubled young man who would become a murderer, and the darkness that consumed him.

Jonathan does not portray Aaron as a victim; he does not lay the blame for his crimes on his illness. He speaks openly about Aaron’s talent, his sexuality, his crimes and incarceration, and the CTE that ravaged him—scientists found that upon his death, Aaron had the brain of a sixty-seven-year old suffering from the same condition. The Truth About Aaron is a shocking and moving account of promise, tragedy, and loss—of one man’s descent into rage and violence, as told by the person who was closer to him than anyone else.

“The most powerful book I have read in a long time.” —Tyler Perry

“The impact of Aaron’s life and death on Jonathan is described with both unblinking honesty and profound compassion. Sports fans and cultural historians will find this a gripping cautionary tale about fame, fortune, and football.” —Library Journal
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  1. Print length
    190 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Harper
  4. Publication date
    October 30, 2018
  5. File size
    13.1 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The most powerful book I have read in a long time. I had to put it down several times because of the raw emotion. Jonathan humanizes his brother in a way that only he could. It’s such a powerful read." — Tyler Perry

About the Author

Jonathan Hernandez was a starting quarterback at Bristol Central High School, where he was named the Connecticut’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 2003. He went on to play at the University of Connecticut, where he became a 2x team captain and earned his Master’s degree in educational psychology. He later had coaching stints at Brown University (2011), The University of Miami (2012) and The University of Iowa (2013-14). He is currently the head coach at Ledyard High School in Ledyard, Connecticut.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B079RC9T36
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper; Illustrated edition (October 30, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 30, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 13.1 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 190 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,089 ratings

About the author

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Jonathan Hernandez

Jonathan Hernandez

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Jonathan Hernandez was born in Bristol, Connecticut and attended Bristol Central High School where he was named Connecticut's Football Gatorade Player of the Year in 2003. He went on to play at the University of Connecticut, where he became a two-time team captain and earned a master's degree in educational psychology. He later had coaching stints at Brown University , the University of Miami, and the University of Iowa. He resigned as the head coach at Ledyard High School in Ledyard, Connecticut in 2018 to pursue a career in writing. He currently lives in Florida with his wife and two children.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
1,089 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-written and compelling. They describe the story as heartfelt, touching, and emotional. Readers appreciate the honest and truthful account of Aaron Hernandez's life. The book provides insightful details and explains the human experience at a micro level. While some find it hard to put down, others mention editorial errors and timeline jumps.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
ReadabilityHeartfelt storyAuthenticityInformation qualityRawnessPacing
80 customers mention "Readability"80 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They appreciate the author's perspective and depiction of events in his life. The book provides a good sense of the events and impact on Aaron's life. Readers also mention that the book has a lot of information and emotion.

"...I couldn't put my Kindle down. Jonathan tells the story so well and with so much respect for all involved...." Read more

"...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...." Read more

"...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..." Read more

"I enjoyed this book and was stunned by all of the troubling events in Aaron’s early life...." Read more

38 customers mention "Heartfelt story"29 positive9 negative

Customers find the story emotional and heartbreaking. They say it's a touching tribute to their brother. The book is described as heartfelt, raw, and real. Readers mention that the book contains personal and shocking information about Aaron. Overall, they describe it as one of the best and saddest books they have read in a long time.

"...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...." Read more

"...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..." Read more

"I found the book to be very emotionally joyful, painful and, as complete as it could be...." Read more

"...I have the information I needed. Beautifully written, straight from the heart. I'd recommend this book to a true open minded football..." Read more

20 customers mention "Authenticity"20 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's honesty and raw emotion in the book. They find the story relatable and unbiased, portraying Aaron's upbringing and struggles. Readers also mention that the book offers shocking information about Aaron.

"...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...." Read more

"...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..." Read more

"This book lets you see Aaron as a person and struggles he faced. He wasn't just someone who had everything and threw it away because he didn't care...." Read more

"...The truth is finally told, unlike his fiancé on Dr. Phil who told what she wanted to be the truth and simply was not...." Read more

11 customers mention "Information quality"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and informative. It explains the human experience at a micro level, including struggles like family, athletics, fame, and mental health. Readers feel empathy and joy as they read about Aaron's life struggles.

"This book lets you see Aaron as a person and struggles he faced. He wasn't just someone who had everything and threw it away because he didn't care...." Read more

"This book includes so much information...." Read more

"...Im so happy i read this book...it really reveals the human experience at a micro level and the struggles inside a human being...." Read more

"...I've laughed, cried, felt helpless, smiled, felt empathic, felt joy, and also felt pain and sorrow...." Read more

6 customers mention "Rawness"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's straightforward writing style.

"In a style that’s simple and achingly raw, Jonathan Hernandez tells the story of his brother and best friend, Aaron...." Read more

"This book was so raw and honest!..." Read more

"Heartbreaking, raw, and real. Very well written. I read it in one night because I couldn't stop...." Read more

"Very raw and straight from the heart. I loved the truth told in this book about Aaron by D. Heart breaking outcome. This is a great read...." Read more

6 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book. Some found it engaging and hard to put down, while others mentioned issues with timeline jumps and feeling rushed in the last few chapters.

"This was a great book and hard to put down. It took a lot of courage for Jonathan Hernandez to write...." Read more

"...My one issue with this book, and it’s a somewhat minor issue - the timeline issues...." Read more

"I opened this book and could NOT Put it Down. Read the entirety, as did my fiancé in a day...." Read more

"...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..." Read more

Emotional Roller Coaster
5 out of 5 stars
Emotional Roller Coaster
This book is definitely one I keep close to me. It is not only an emotional roller coaster but it is a heart breaking journey. I really had to put the book aside a couple of times to focus because my stomach was turning. I never wanted to feel like this reading this but I did. If you do read it be prepared for heart break. 💔
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Saira
    5.0 out of 5 stars So freaking good.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I read the book in 3 days. I couldn't put my Kindle down. Jonathan tells the story so well and with so much respect for all involved. He had every right to set the story straight on Aaron. The story is heartbreaking. What do you do when someone you love, your sibling at that, commits an unthinkable crime? Do you stop loving and supporting them? Do you act like they don't exist? Or do you move heaven and earth to figure out what went wrong? Aaron's story is a cautionary tale.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Special K
    5.0 out of 5 stars It is the truth about Aaron Hernandez
    Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    60 people found this helpful
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  • Will Fuller
    5.0 out of 5 stars The saddest thing in life is wasted talent
    Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    92 people found this helpful
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  • TimTim11
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, Quick Read. BUT....
    Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed this book and was stunned by all of the troubling events in Aaron’s early life. I appreciate DJ being willing to share all of this information and would certainly recommend this book for those looking for more information on Aaron Hernandez.
    My one issue with this book, and it’s a somewhat minor issue - the timeline issues. This book jumps back and forth in different parts of time, and that’s fine. However, there are a couple of places where no matter how many times I read it, I couldn’t make sense of the timing. Something was off. The best example, without giving any specific spoilers, is the last few chapters when the events towards the end of 2015 through the first few months of 2017 are described. This issue didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the book, but if you try to sort out the timing of the last few chapters, it’ll make your head spin.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Sarah Nesheiwat
    5.0 out of 5 stars Emotional Roller Coaster
    Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book is definitely one I keep close to me. It is not only an emotional roller coaster but it is a heart breaking journey. I really had to put the book aside a couple of times to focus because my stomach was turning. I never wanted to feel like this reading this but I did. If you do read it be prepared for heart break. 💔
    Customer image
    Sarah Nesheiwat
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Emotional Roller Coaster

    Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2024
    This book is definitely one I keep close to me. It is not only an emotional roller coaster but it is a heart breaking journey. I really had to put the book aside a couple of times to focus because my stomach was turning. I never wanted to feel like this reading this but I did. If you do read it be prepared for heart break. 💔
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    4 people found this helpful
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  • SG!
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good Read
    Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    13 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Tyra Armstrong
    5.0 out of 5 stars great book
    Reviewed in Canada on December 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I ordered this book after reading another book written by his lawyer. This book gave even more in site to Aaron's life and the relationship between him and his brother. I recommend reading this if your interested in Aaron's life.
    Report
  • Flymate
    5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking
    Reviewed in Germany on March 1, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Just Breathtaking... in Germany we say: I habe Hühnerpelle
    Report
  • Miss O V Edwards
    5.0 out of 5 stars Emotional and raw
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 28, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    Report
  • Daniel
    5.0 out of 5 stars Aconsejable 100%
    Reviewed in Spain on February 4, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Muy buen libro , realmente emocionante y bien redactado
    Report
  • muthaphukka
    5.0 out of 5 stars アメフトファン、ペイトリオッツファンなら手に取ってみるべき
    Reviewed in Japan on November 8, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    著者はこの本の中でアーロン・ヘルナンデスを身内だからとひいきして描写しようとしていません。タイトル通り真実を伝えようとしていることが文章からわかります。
    同じアメフト界のスーパースターで殺人事件を起こしたOJとは事情が違ったという事が良くわかりました。
    グロンカウスキーと最強のTEコンビを組んでいた時代が懐かしく思われます。
    One person found this helpful
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