Cold Sweat: My Father James Brown and Me

by Yamma Brown, Robin Gaby Fisher

Being the child of a global superstar is never easy, but being the daughter of the “Hardest Working Man in Show Business”—that’s a category unto itself. Like every little girl, Yamma Brown wanted her father’s attention, but fame, drugs, jail, and the complicated women in James Brown’s life set the stage for an uncommon childhood. She got caught in the same trap as her mother, doing things in her adult life and troubled marriage that, as a child, she’d promised herself she’d never do. The struggles she went through, both as a child and as an adult, make for a gripping read and, in the end, a profound examination of the nature of celebrity, violence, and survival. Though packed with celebrity appearances ranging from Michael Jackson to Al Sharpton, Cold Sweat ultimately focuses on an everyday issue faced by millions of women—domestic violence—and in this book Yamma faces it in an honest and powerfully moving way.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent sensational memorial tribute to the "Godfather of Soul" James Brown (1933-2006) by his youngest daughter Dr. Yamma Brown (YB) with his second wife Deidre Jenkins (m. 1970-1981). Dr. Brown with Robin Gaby Fisher also reveal an unflinching, shocking, look at the effects of domestic abuse and violence, raising awareness of its devastating effects on marriage and family life; the cycle too often repeated from one generation to the next.

There is no doubt of the tremendous influence and legacy of icon James Brown on popular music. At the start of James Brown's career, a strict ban on alcohol and drugs for his preforming entourage was observed. By the 1980's this had drastically changed, as Brown's life became tabloid fodder, stories relating to his substance abuse and domestic abuse/violence were covered in every media outlet from California to New York. YB was deeply saddened and embarrassed following these developments especially while in high school, and haunted/troubled by recalled memories of Brown beating her own mother, which led to her parents divorce. Brown often wore colored glasses in interviews to hide his glassy eyed, strung out appearance. In 1991 Brown was released after serving a 26 month sentence involving domestic violence. In 1993 Brown received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to modern music, he lived and settled in his home located in Beech Island, S.C.

YB had an understanding and related to the life of Lisa Marie Presley, not wanting to be an entertainer/performer, instead preferring to live on her own terms. In May of 1997, she graduated from the Mercer University School of Pharmacy in Atlanta, GA. YB was the first member of her family to earn a PhD. After YB marriage to Darren Lumar, a business man and a former professional football player, the couple enjoyed a lavish lifestyle and were blessed with two beautiful children. Although YB earned a high salary, and enjoyed the privilege that followed wealth and prestige, their homes went into foreclosure and things were not as they seemed.

Dr. Brown was stunned and heartbroken to realize her marriage was following the same pattern as her parents! Lumar wasn't the exemplary business man he claimed to be, his clients were outraged to be obviously conned out of their savings and investments. Their marriage and life together was based on lies, betrayal, and falsehoods. After her father's death, their marriage quickly unraveled, the authorities were called, and charges filed concerning domestic violence. Many terrible and brutal situations occurred. Eventually YB bravely rose above it all, moving in the direction of a genuinely happy and healthier life for herself and family. There are pages of wonderful family photos. Many thanks to Dr. Brown for sharing her moving inspirational story with others.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would have never guess she had a PhD with the way this was written. Did she not have to write a dissertation?

[Janet Richards · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this to get some insight into how a battered wife thinks. There was a story of the abuse, lightly covered, but not a lot of insight. The insight that was provided was probably unintentional - her description of her dad's other wives (versus her mom) is natural, but said a lot in terms of how a man can be supported in a decision to abuse women.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully open, honest and informative. Nonstop reading. Gives an up-close and very personal journey into the life of James Brown. Very good read! Couldn't put it down..
This book is a must-read for fans of the Godfather of Soul

[Nandi Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following up on my current read of all things James Brown is the new book written by his daughter Yamma Brown.

[jes nemo · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this account was an insightful look into life with a public figure behind the curtain there were elements of narrative that were somewhat disturbing. Clearly, Brown was a very troubled man and the history of his treatment of women was a glaring issue. The author makes this history clear though an aspect that was difficult for me was the disparity of compassion she felt towards various survivors. Some women were victims while others she appears to excuse her father's behavior just based on personal ire. The fact stands there is no excuse for Brown's behavior and yet his daughter does not afford that same sympathy to everyone, despite being a victim: having witnessed her father's behavior as well as her own experiences in her own marriage. That latter experience did not give her the grace and wisdom to feel compassion towards Brown's later significant others that were not her mother. I understand it can be painful but I find it fair to point this out since she is the one who put her perspective out in the public eye.

Despite this, the book is valuable for the discussion it raises and how society perceives abusers such as Brown, especially as a public figure. Me Too has addressed some of these issues in current days, and has raised new issues in light of it, such as unfounded accusations destroying lives and careers as well as how we still embrace celebrities of generations past despite their sordid backgrounds because those histories were not conveyed on a 24/7 news cycle.

This book is valid for anyone who is studying any of these subjects to evaluate as a case study, albeit with the knowing lens of subjectivity of the author.

[David Ward · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cold Sweat: My Father James Brown and Me by Yamma Brown (Chicago Review Press 2014) (Biography) (3705).

Had I not read the title, I would never have known that this was purported to be a book about the legendary Godfather of Soul Mister James Brown. Yamma Brown is James Brown’s daughter, but James is only tangentially involved in Yamma Brown’s tale. Make no mistake, this is purely and simply Yamma Brown’s story, and she is NOT HAPPY.

At little more than halfway through this narrative, James Brown abruptly died. From that point forward, readers are treated to a rant / discussion of all the things that have gone wrong in the author’s life. In Yamma Brown’s telling, her problems are all - and always - somebody else’s fault.

On the plus side, this is an easily readable tale. Other than one laugh-out-loud typo which was used to describe Yamma Brown’s ex-husband, the book was efficiently edited.

On the other hand, casual readers (like me) did not select this book to hear a recitation of all of the axes-to-grind of one of James Brown’s many progeny.

I purchased a used HB copy of this volume in like-new condition for $2.50 from McKay’s Books on 11/11/22.

My rating: 6/10, finished 12/22/22 (3705).

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[Verna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brave, honest memoir by the daughter of James Brown the iconic, superstar singer. I have read several books about the issue of domestic violence by the people who suffered through it. This book is straight- forward and does not lie about the problem. People who grow up seeing one parent abuse the other parent, invariably have troubles in their own relationships. Yamma Brown is no exception to that fact. In a pattern followed by many girls who witnessed their mothers being beaten by their fathers, she also marries an abusive man. It is not until she confronts her own beliefs about her famous father is she able to change and break away from the cycle of abuse. I am so glad she did. I applaud her intelligence and courage in putting forth the truth about domestic violence in this important book. The fact that she does it with so much love and for empathy for both of the deceased abusers in her life is heart-warming and remarkable to say the least.

[Charlinia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author goes into great detail about her life as one of James Brown's daughters and how life was with him. She also details exactly why it took 3 months to bury her father. I enjoyed reading most of this book, but the parts where the author kept accepting abuse, lies, and manipulation from her husband irked me so bad! She went through unnecessary shame, evictions, and abuse for reasons I couldn't tell from reading the book. Definitely not a book I'd say is a must-read.

[Nd · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sad story of the devastation of cyclical intergenerational abuse. Written in 2014, Yamma Brown was moving toward a healing of sorts. I certainly hope by this time she has been able to put some of this behind her and that it did not continue with her offspring or those of other of her family members.

[Bosede Kumuyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book written by James brown's daughter Gamma. Just could not put it down. Read it over two evenings

[MsWilliamsWorld · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://soultrain.com/2014/10/24/qa-ya...