How I Helped O.J. Get Away With Murder: The Shocking Inside Story of Violence, Loyalty, Regret, and Remorse

by Mike Gilbert

O.J. Simpson's sports agent and confidant describes his relationship with the football star, how he defended and lied for Simpson, and how Simpson confessed to him that he had killed Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, History, Memoir, Audiobook, Biography Memoir

232 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

We've all heard the saying "If you lay down with dogs, you're gonna get fleas" Well another saying describes the author of How I Helped O.J. Get Away With Murder, "You are the company you keep"

Mike Gilbert was the sports agent and confidant of (acquitted) DOUBLE MURDERER O.J. Simpson. He apparently always knew O.J. did it (allegedly), he says O.J. confessed (allegedly), he helped O.J. hide money and other valuables from the Goldman's, he told O.J. not to take his arthritis meds so "the glove" wouldn't fit. He was a great friend to a truly despicable human being (allegedly).

I had planned on giving this book two stars before I even read it. I assumed I wouldn't like it. I assumed Mike Gilbert would make a lot of excuses and try to make himself look good. I was wrong. Mike Gilbert is a scumbag and he knows it. As I said in one of my updates he refers to Women's Groups and Anti-Domestic Violence groups as feminazis. He repeatedly gushes about how great a guy he thinks Mark Fuhrman is. He admits he never liked Nicole Brown and places some of the blame for the murders on her. Basically as I said before Mike Gilbert is a scumbag and overall horrible human being but at least he knows it.

I've read several books about The O.J. Case but this was the first book to talk about O.J.'s life after the case. If I had to explain O.J.'s life post acquittal it would be Bizarre. He did drugs, hung out with lowlifes(like his self), was a horrible father, and he beat the shit out of his girlfriends. This book stops at O.J.'s armed robbery arrest and Mike Gilbert seems to think that O.J. will beat the charge (he doesn't). Mike Gilbert ends his book with a wish that Ron and Nicole will forgive him. I know that if I were them I would tell Mike Gilbert to BURN IN HELL!

No recommendation.

[Liz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reeeeeeeally not sure why I read this. Let's go with the "I'm a lawyer and am interested in all true crime stories" excuse. I'm glad I got this at the library and didn't spend any money on it. I need a shower.

[Eric Bjerke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most interesting thing about this book are the sections that describe how it was that O.J. was acquited of double murder when everyone in the world knew he did it except for the stupidest people on the face of this earth: that jury (and, it seemed by the coverage, some of the media).

He told how they had absolutely no case at all: The prosecution "had the motive, evidence, witnesses, and science on their side. We had nothing." He tells how, as someone who helped develop strategy and give advice, they manipulated everything and their sole hope was to cast doubt in the mind of the jurers.

I thought that I could loathe the "Dream Team" defense team no more strongly than I already did, but this book gave me more ammunition. When the jurers took a tour of Simpson's Rockingham residence, they changed the photos on the wall to black people so the black jurers would feel that O.J. were one of them. It was disgusting.

Oh, it was also disgusting the lengths they went to making sure that he didn't pay his civil suit.

Mike Gilbert went from a child who idolized O.J. to a man who ended up working for him and then becoming one of his closest friends and defenders. Gilbert has an interesting take when people ask him how he could be a friend to such a cad as O.J.: "I won't judge a man by what he did on the worst day of his life." It took him a long while, but Gilbert finally did judge Simpson based on the many years he defended him since that fateful day.

I may be naive, but I believe that Gilbert really does have remorse about his part in the O.J. coverup. I would have been happier if he was donating all proceeds for the book to the Goldman family.

GiandhUnfortunanson hen

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This showed up in my Little Free Library the day after I finished watching the Netflix series on the OJ trial. Still mystified by how Simpson was acquitted from crimes he so obviously committed, I picked it up and started reading. The book was a good exercise for my imagination - attempting to put myself in the author's shoes and understand why he thought and behaved the way that he did.

Mike Gilbert was OJ's agent, his main job was to sell autographs and sports memorabilia. Not giving a damn about sports or celebrities myself, I was amazed to hear that this is apparently a very busy, fancy job. Gilbert was one of many people who had a parasitic relationship with Simpson and were absolutely addicted to the money and fame he provided for them. Hearing about this dynamic made me sick (especially concerning Nicole Brown's family, who failed to protect her throughout her abusive relationship with OJ because of it), but helped me to understand the extent of resources that were ready to cover up for OJ after he committed the murders. Gilbert called it loyalty, but it was greed. The book sheds light on how the egoism of one person can spread to others and ultimately create a perfect storm of depravity.

It's somewhat satisfying to know that Gilbert now regrets his involvement with the cover-up, and realizes that he bears some guilt for sitting idly by and watching OJ abuse his wife for years. He acknowledges that her murder started long before the night that OJ slit her throat, and that he was one of many people who looked the other way. He writes, "He (OJ) did it. But he couldn't have done it without us." He also recognizes, to his own shame, that Ron Goldman (whose family Gilbert criticized and basically stole from for years by hiding OJ's wealth) is the only person who had the courage to stand up to OJ and do the right thing. Ron gave his life in an attempt to protect a battered woman, while Gilbert wasn't even willing to risk his paycheck.

[Meowbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who tried very hard to let the whole OJ trial circus pass him by back in the 90s, I felt I needed someone to give me a retrospective look on the whole thing, and especially to add some context and nuance. This book did it for me.

Mike Gilbert is particularly credible as the narrator of this version of events. He doesn't come out looking particularly noble, but he does seem human, as do all the people he talks about. In their idiosynchratic ways, each player in the OJ saga reveals their vulnerabilities when the bad stuff goes down. Gilbert's revelations about the impact on OJ's inner circle and the frequent Sophie's Choices they had to make was exactly what I came for.

I particularly think this book is suited to those who have a deep interest in the underlying psychology of what drives people to make the choices they do in their lives. The final chapter ("Reflections") was worth the entire price of this book in this regard. In this chapter, I got to see very clearly that Gilbert has been transformed by his experiences and learned a lot about human nature, especially about the perils of judging others.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing earthshattering is revealed. I found that the author was believable, but the nagging suspicion that he profited from the information shared was w/me the whole time I read. Gilbert does seem to be somewhat sorry for his actions & does admit what he did was tied to profit. The writing was fine. Gilbert's chapter on what he believed really happened to Ron Goldman & Nicole Brown Simpson didn't really hold any surprises, but I found the timelines & OJ's actions compelling. Mike Gilbert may be right in his assumptions.

The main theme I found in this book is regret. I believe that even OJ probably at some level feels regret that one act of rage has affected so many people for so long a time. It has affected a whole country, Nicole's & OJ's children,family & friends of all involved, belief that the legal system can provide justice at least some of them, and the sports industry. I think that the only redemption of the whole OJ story is that we as a people need to look at some very important issues: domestic violence, sports hero worship & responsibility, the sports industry, profit from sensational murders & victimization, & the legal system.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting insider take on how the Simpson case progressed the way it did - less about the courtroom, more about the personal aspects of it.

[Dylan Hennig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously a really sad story, but to get this perspective of the whole scenario made for a really interesting read. A lot of surprising stuff went on behind the scenes here that I was not really aware of…really a complicated, and sad story

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

This case has always fascinated me because I think Simpson killed both Nicole and Ron. Gilbert’s account of how the Dream Team used psychological tactics (which probably happens more often than not) on the jury and other manipulations puts the pieces together for me on how Simpson got away with it. However, it is extremely off putting and irritating that Nicole’s family (and insert friends here too) were so enamored by the money side of things that they didn’t do anything to save her. They encouraged her to stay with him. Had someone stepped in sooner help there might have been a difference outcome. I also wish Gilbert would have gotten a conscience earlier on instead of helping the Dream Team save Simpson’s sorry butt. Extremely interesting read but is everything Gilbert says true? No one knows. I’m just glad that I was able to pick this up in the Audible Plus Catalog so I didn’t actually spend credits or money on it. I do believe enough people have made enough money from these deaths.

[Andrew Galbreath · Rating 3 out of 5]

This trashy-but-good-for-what-it-is book was exactly what I expected; thankfully it makes no pretense to be anything else. To have the words of someone in O.J.’s inner circle was very interesting to me. It’s a fast, easy read that doesn’t overstay its welcome. It reads more like a confession or a long magazine article than a book, and that’s a good thing. It includes interesting details like coming up with the idea for Simpson to stop taking his arthritis medication so that his hands would swell up and the gloves wouldn’t fit during the infamous courtroom incident, and O.J. confessing to the murders in private to the author. It’s honest, even insightful at parts, and utterly sickening.

There’s little value here for anyone who doesn’t have an abiding interest in the trial. Get it from the library like I did and don’t spend any money on it. Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I need to take a shower.

[Dionne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably the best book I have read so far on the O.J. case. Mike Gilbert appears to be very genuine and remorseful for the part he played in aiding O.J. He offers unique insight into what really happened since he was so close to O.J. I highly recommend it if you have any interest in the case.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an eye-opener!
Basically, in O.J.'s own words, he said to Mike, "If she (Nicole) hadn't opened that door with a knife in her hand, she'd still be alive." Sounds like a slam-dunk confession to me.

Here is a conversation Mike and O.J. had in jail. This was regarding the upcoming, infamous, trying on of the glove.
Mike: "O.J., what happens when you don't take your arthritis medicine?"
O.J.: "My hands hurt like hell, why?"
Mike: "What else happens?"
O.J.: " They swell up."
Mike: "Exactly. O.J., why don't you stop taking your arthritis medicine?"

Obviously, we all know the glove didn't fit. In Cochran's own words "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit." And that's what the jury did.

This book is a must-have for all O.J. true crime fans.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like quite a few others I have become re-immersed in the O.J. trial through the FX Networks’ The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. I remember watching as a kid and seeing all the articles posted in the National Enquirer (my Grama loved the tabloids). I have been watching a lot of documentaries online (so much so that I am having a hard time finding ones I have not watched, I think I basically need to be watching the full length of the trial at this point) as well as trial highlights and interviews with O.J. A month ago I ended up reading O.J. Simpson’s “If I Did It“, which is essentially a confession. I suppose you could argue that since he calls that certain chapter a hypothetical that it is fiction…

In one interview I had watched, Ruby Wax is talking to O.J.’s Sports Agent a man called Mike Gilbert. I had never heard of him until this interview and I will admit he intrigued me. Most interviews and documentaries did not have his friends, which Gilbert calls himself, (unless it was from the Dream Team) on record. I then ended up stumbling across this book and was hooked once I started reading.

The book gives a lot of details about how he helped O.J. while he was in jail. He brought him hundreds of items to autograph in order to sell to make money. According to him O.J. passed a note through a lawyer that said they could be raking in the money by doing this and it was true! They found creative ways to bring in various merchandise for Simpson to sign. Was captivating to read how they managed this and even after the civil suit how Gilbert helped hide property from the Goldman’s to ensure they did not get as much.

This was definitely more of a behind the scenes character study type of book then a trial study, which I enjoyed. Not sure if all is true, like with these types of books so much is perspective, but I do think the vast majority is legit. And since O.J. himself has been quoted and documented saying he would not give the Goldman’s a dime Gilbert’s assistance does fit. Plus, Gilbert incriminates himself so much in this that I doubt he’d be willing to do so if the facts were not true.

If you have been watching the series on FX I recommend this book. Mike Gilbert was in O.J.’s close circle and stuck by him through both trials and for years after. It mentions O.J.’s arrest in Las Vegas and some facts from the night of June 12, 1994 and Gilbert’s take on what happened. It was a quick read but in the way where you were getting lots of info and could not put the book down, or at least I couldn’t!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a lot of true crime. I always take what I read with a grain of salt, especially when I think the person writing it is just trying to capitalize on another person's misfortune. And most of the time, I can tell when the author has used a ghostwriter, which I feel takes away from the authenticity of the book.

This book, however, resonated strongly with me. I could feel the author's pain, his sorrow, and his ultimate guilt. He tells the inside story of what went on away from the eyes of the media, and he doesn't hesitate to reveal long kept secrets. While that would ordinarily sicken me, it's clear that this book is a needed purging for Gilbert; a man who bottled up the sordid secrets of a killer for over a decade.

For years Mike Gilbert was OJ's most loyal supporter and trusted friend, until the glitter chipped away, revealing the tarnished underbelly of the man he had idolized. In astonishing detail, Gilbert takes us from the jail cell, to the court room, to Simpson's once beloved estate... filling in the details of what went on in OJ's inner circle: a place far away, protected from the cameras and the tabloids.

While Gilbert is quick to share OJ's faults, admissions, and confidences, he also doesn't hesitate to point to his own errors and mistakes. With candor and grace he takes full responsibility for his passive role in Nicole's death and apologizes with great sorrow to the Brown and Goldman families. While Gilbert may not have wielded the knife that ultimately ended the life of two people, he explains how he helped the dream team come up with the strategy that led to one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in American history: the not guilty verdict in Simpson vs the State of California. He also explains how his own passiveness - and that of all of those in OJ's circle - ultimately led to the death of Brown and Goldman. Because, as he says, they all sat idly by, counting their money, while they knew that Simpson was beating up his wife - that he was capable of killing her. And they did nothing.

Gilbert's account is raw, painful, and touching. It is, in this writer's opinion, the book that OJ should have written. Gilbert is not afraid to accept blame and only seeks forgiveness. I only hope the Brown and Goldman families are able to give it to him.

[RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN · Rating 1 out of 5]

RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: “**EXTRA! **EXTRA! ** “HEY O.J. YOU CAN STOP GOING TO THE GOLF COURSE TO LOOK FOR A MURDERER!”
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There doesn’t seem to be anything published in the last fourteen years regarding the O.J. Simpson double murder case that doesn’t come across as being coated in sleaze, debauchery, or simply self-serving. This book written by Mike Gilbert fits directly into that mold with the additional feel of a “Sybil-like” multiple-personality disorder suffered by the author. After reading this book my feelings are even stronger than they were before I read this book, that there was no possible benefit to humanity by publishing this. Prior to the release of this book I had pledged to never put a penny in the hands of any of the people involved with Simpson either in the crime or the cover-up. You’re probably asking how can that be so if I bought this book? Ah-ha! Good question! And here is where the multiple-personalities regarding integrity and lack of same by the author and publisher. On the inside book cover “jacket” it states: “PROCEEDS FROM THIS BOOK ARE GOING TO THE “MARCH OF DIMES” AND TO SEVERAL OTHER CHARITIES WITH WHICH GILBERT HAS LONG BEEN ASSOCIATED.” That is why I took a chance buying this book, because I figured in the worst set of circumstances at least “ALL” of my money would go to charity…. BUT!! When I got home, I noticed that at the bottom of the back of the cover, a small black square similar to the warning on a pack of cigarettes states: “A PORTION OF AUTHOR PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THIS BOOK WILL BE DONATED TO THE “MARCH OF DIMES” AND OTHER SELECTED CHARITIES.” Well which is it? All... or a portion? And if it’s a portion how much?? Now with that bad taste in my mouth and the stench that goes with being mislead, I will now share with “possible” readers the personality and loyalty swings of the author.
Gilbert throughout the book boasts over and over how O.J. was his idol growing up and how he absolutely loves O.J., and it was tantamount to gospel, that O.J.’s inner circle should be loyal at all costs, and anyone trying to hurt O.J. by whatever means, such as the poor mourning Goldman’s, were the enemy. The author lambasts former friend Ron Shipp as “the first Judas.” Shipp’s crime was that he told the truth. I feel this would be a good place to go back in time and share with the potential reader how Gilbert got O.J. as a client, and how he treats the friend in this book that arranged it.
Gilbert’s first big client was former Oakland Raider and Kansas City Chief Hall of Famer Marcus Allen. Marcus’s mentor and friend was O.J. Simpson. Since Gilbert was always… and I mean always telling anyone within earshot how much he idolized Simpson since he was a kid, Marcus arranged an introduction and O.J. became a client. So the reward Marcus gets from Gilbert is to be constantly harangued throughout this book, and in addition to baring all his dirty laundry, the author also summarizes that if it wasn’t for Marcus there probably wouldn’t have been a double murder on June 12, 1994. He starts off my saying: “part of my job for Marcus included creating smokescreens that allowed him to more easily cheat on his lovely wife, Kathryn. I would leave false messages on his answering machine at his request-asking him to appear in fictional contexts, to give him an alibi and cover for his trysts with other women.” I ask the potential reader: Why is this necessary to bring up 14-20 years later? Then the author decides to pour some sleaze on himself by saying: “Pretty soon, I became an illusion myself. I started cheating on my own wife, even though I loved her more than anything in the world.” Another personality of the author, which I’ll call the WALTER-MITTY-SYNDROME” starts to emerge where he by inflection, starts to include himself as part of the “Dream-Team” legal defense by saying: “Here’s how we manipulated it… “First of all, we leaked the information about the sock… “And we kept going: a sock has four sides… “We then launched a seething attack on the man who collected the vial of O.J.’s blood… All of these “We’s” are just from one page!
Gilbert beats his chest with enormous pride when he relates how he spearheaded the operation to screw the Goldman’s and Brown’s out of property that was legally theirs from the civil settlement. They worked all night taking possessions out of the Rockingham house and later out of other residences in other parts of the country to beat the movers coming for the belongings. Yet by the end of the book Gilbert says how much he wants to apologize to the Goldman’s. One of the more distasteful claims by the author, and there are so many, it’s hard to choose which ones to highlight in this review, is the fact that during Simpson’s ENTIRE incarceration in jail he was signing autographs, clear up to the day of the verdict. “Business was booming. In fact, business had never been so good. He was signing footballs, jersey, posters, lithographs, serigraphs, movie scripts-you name it, he signed it. It’s hard to calculate exactly how much we made during O.J.’s incarceration, but it was probably in excess of $3,000,000.00.”
The author’s loathsome mea culpa is, “WE KNEW HE WAS SPIRALING DOWNWARD, WE KNEW HE WAS IN TROUBLE, ESPECIALLY IN THE DAYS RIGHT BEFORE THE MURDERS. I SOMETIMES FEEL AS IF HIS CIRCLE OF FRIENDS UNDERSTOOD THIS, UNDERSTOOD THAT O.J. WAS A *VICTIM OF SOMETHING OUTSIDE HIS CONTROL*, BUT THAT HE COULD NEVER ADMIT IT, PARTIALLY BECAUSE O.J. DOESN’T LOSE CONTROL. HE’S O.J., REMEMBER?”
In summary, not only do I feel there was no reason to publish this book, I also feel there should have been no pictures included. Why would a person (Gilbert) who is now pleading for forgiveness want to print pictures with his buddy O.J. smiling with his arm around him? Why would a Father want a picture of his son with O.J. pretending to choke him? Perhaps the most repulsive picture is of O.J. giving Nicole a Christmas present of a fur coat and a handful of “stacks” of hundred dollar bills. Gilbert owes an apology to more than the Goldman’s, he owes it to society as a whole.
Last but not least, if the author had any integrity at all he would give the entire amount of income from this book to charity and have it legally documented.

[Ron Chmielowiec · Rating 1 out of 5]

Regrets?

Sad, pathetic, no moral compass, greed, no regard for the value of human life. These are just a few of the thoughts running through my mind. How dare you think for a second that the children of Nicole and the Goldman's should forgive you. You have regrets that will torture you for the rest of your life. That is your punishment and the burden you bear. Forgiveness comes by doing something positive for those people. All your clever ways to make money, you should be able to come up with something to give them their due. But no, undoubtedly it won't happen. Find the courage to do something positive. The proceeds for this book for example. How about giving back to those families and her children. After all, you helped him get away with murders that the world always knew he committed. Shame on you!

[Lori Courville · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book is interesting it left me wondering if this was just another person jumping on the oj money train...was this written out of pure remorse and confession or because peaked curiosity equals money... I still don't know what to believe

[Ritarose · Rating 1 out of 5]

Watched the OJ documentary on ESPN, so thought I'd try one of the books by one of the major players. This is trash. Continually explaining how much he loved OJ, but in 2008, he needs to write a book to explain himself? Blah.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, just made me believe even more that he did it. What a sick man to help someone get away with murder.

[Alex Peck · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's weird reading a book by a terrible person, who also knows he's a terrible person

[Patrick Cannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this book out from my public library only because I wanted to know the real truth about what happened that night. I've never heard of Mike Gilbert but I was willing to give his book a read. I found out that he was an insider, someone who lived the case , the ordeal, the trial, and the media circus surrounding the trial. Outsiders can only speculate but Mike doesn't have to speculate because he was in OJ's inner circle. His words and feelings about what he did struck me as sincere and heartfelt. The story is cohesive. It follows a flow from the time he idolized OJ to the time he parted company. The saga of OJ Simpson shows that wealth and fame can create there own morality. When you have wealth and fame there are no standards. Why live to please God when wealth and fame can get you what you want? We saw this with the Kennedys and we see it with OJ . Mike in the book made that very clear. When Mike appeared on Dr. Phil's show there were those present, including Fred Goldman and his daughter, who severely doubted that Mike was truly remorseful for his actions in getting OJ off. I can't judge someone else's sincerity but I personally believe that he was sincere in his remorse. Can people turn a negative past into a positive future? Let's face it. All of us have said and done things we regret. I know I have and so have others. St. Paul once persecuted the church. Mike Warnke was once a Satanist. And Charles "Tex" Watson was a member of the Manson family. In the years since his conviction he has become an ordained pastor and has founded the Christian web-site aboundinglove.org. Oh and for all you reviewers and readers who think that Mike is just cashing-in on this tragedy with his book., Mike states on the inside jacket of the book that ALL proceeds from his book sales will go to the March of Dimes and other like charities. So there!

[Peter Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished reading Jeffrey Toobin's exhaustively researched book about the Simpson case before reading this. By comparison, this is a much lighter look at the behind the scenes with OJ Simpson. By lighter, I mean not as exhaustively detailed as Toobin's book. It is a very dark look at a fallen hero, written by someone who was close to Simpson through it all.

I'm not sure I completely buy his claims that the glove didn't fit at the trial because of his advice to OJ about stopping his arthritis medicine. He has no proof that OJ actually did it, for one thing. For another, there are many accounts about the causes of the gloves not fitting when OJ tried them on in front of the jury (he was required to wear latex gloves under them, they had shrunk due to dried blood, they were already designed to fit tightly, etc). Gilbert may have suggested OJ stop taking his medication and that may have been a factor, but I don't believe it was the only factor.

This is as much a confession as OJ's book I Did It is. Gilbert even refutes some of the claims OJ made in his book. I'm more inclined to believe Gilbert because he seems like a more reliable source than OJ is. As Gilbert claims in this book, OJ is usually always looking out for himself and will lie to make that happen. I get the sense that Gilbert is really ashamed of what he did to help OJ and is really trying to atone for his actions. That makes him a more reliable source. I read reviews claiming that he's just cashing in on the OJ Simpson spectacle, but I don't think that's the case. For one thing, on the cover of the book it says that profits from the book sales will be given to charities of the author's choosing. Secondly, is there really money to be made after 14 years? Yes, this book was released when OJ was facing the trial that would finally land him in jail. Some might find the timing of the book suspect.

But I believe Gilbert that he's just trying to own up to his mistakes.

My only wish is that there had been more meat to everything. There are some surprising revelations, but sometimes the narrative seems to be skimming a bit. Granted, that might just be due to my reading Toobin's fact-packed book right before this.

I have no doubt, though, that OJ Simpson did in fact kill Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman.

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

OJ’s agent comes to grips with his conscience…

The 1995 trial of OJ Simpson for the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman has been hashed and re-hashed in any number of books by those involved. Guilt or innocence is not at question in this book.

This is the story of a man who had a friend named OJ Simpson. He worked closely with Simpson on a daily basis, organizing OJ’s personal appearances, autograph signing, and so forth. Gilbert admits that he believed OJ guilty, and states that he believes OJ said as much to him when questioned.

This is the story of a man willing to do anything to help his friend because he loved OJ. It wasn’t that he wished to be cruel or spiteful, he was helping a friend.

The systematic removal of valuables from OJ’s Brentwood home before they could be seized to help pay the judgments against OJ in the Civil Case that went against him is frankly discussed. In few places does Gilbert fail to disclose the frauds he was part of creating. He names names and confesses to any number of tricks and illusions used to hide assets, and he gives a possible reason that the gloves didn’t fit that also involved trickery.

In the end, Mike Gilbert ended his friendship with a man that he truly admired and even hero-worshipped when it became clear that that man no longer existed. He ends with apologies to the Brown and Goldman families. All told, it is a rather sordid tale but frankly and openly related.

I give the book five stars!

Quoth the Raven…

[Laurie Hoppe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 3.5 star read. I was undeniably fascinated by Gilbert's story. He effectively took us into Simpson's world before/during/after the trial, and it must have felt like living in a terrarium. Self-contained, sealed-off, controlled. What happens when your compassion and loyalty toward your friend clashes with common sense and common decency? It's a painful dilemma, made worse by the isolation of being in the Rockingham world, and I can see how his moral compass could become miscalibrated.

But for all that Gilbert professes to have gained new perspective and to be sorry for behavior, I'm not buying it. He's such a judgmental man. He takes swipes at Fred Goldman for not settling with OJ in the wrongful death suit against Ron, for saying "it's not about the money" when Gilbert believed it was. He takes swipes against Susan Rufo, Ron Goldman's birth mother, for having the temerity to take part in the suit even though she wasn't there for Ron's growing up. Um ... Mr. Gilbert? Didn't you begin the book by describing a similar relationship with your own mother? Would you deny her the same right if something happened to you? He's beyond dismissive of Christie Prody, OJ's long-time lover in Florida, as though she somehow led the Juice into a life of debauchery. Sure, it's the woman's fault. Even though it was Gilbert who negotiated a deal for a sex tape of OJ and Prody. Again, I acknowledge that he apologizes to all these people at the end of his book but it rings hollow.

I appreciate Mr. Gilbert's unique and compelling story, but I don't like him.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike Gilbert, OJ's agent, writes a cathartic, self-reflective take on his version of the murders, trial, and OJ's post-trial life. Throughout the beginning half of the book, Gilbert hangs OJ's confession in front of you as a shameless page-turner. So what is this great confession?

OJ says he *did* go to Nicole's that night, but he did *not* bring a knife. He claims Nicole brought a knife to the door when she answered. And his big reveal? "If Nicole hadn't brought a knife to the door, she would still be alive."

Maybe this sounds like a confession to you, but much like all other evidence in this case, it proves more questions than answers: Why would OJ have gloves and a knit cap if he didn't plan on killing Nicole that night? Why would he make sure Kato saw him (the McDonald's trip) if he didn't need an alibi? Also, why would Nicole answer the door with a knife? OJ had beaten her several times before, did she think he couldn't overpower her and harm her with the knife?

Gilbert does give many behind the scenes looks throughout the trial- mainly dealing with OJ sports paraphernalia (his job). And in the days after the trial, he shed light on OJ's new life and how narcissistic Juice drove away all his remaining friends. (Shock.)

All in all, it was telling, it was insightful, it wasn't as Juicy (haha, get it?) as the title would make a shelf-peruser believe.

[Vince Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you could sum up How I Helped O. J. Get Away with Murder in three words, what would they be?
Honest, insightful, sickening
What did you like best about this story?
The story of events from June 12, 1994 to 2006 to include Gilbert's immediate thought that OJ committed the murders, Tricks used in court to get OJ off, how terrible Marcia Clark was as a prosecutor, OJ's confession to Gilbert, and OJ slowly losing his wealth, way of life, and prized possessions.
If you could give How I Helped O. J. Get Away with Murder a new subtitle, what would it be?
I wouldn't, the title says it all.
Any additional comments?
I believe most of what the author wrote, but I think there is some omission as to why he decided to no longer befriend OJ. I think it was only after the author realized OJ was costing him money and he found there was no longer value in OJ as a person, but value in OJ memorabilia, that he decided to cut ties with OJ. I also think it is interesting relating the robbery OJ went to jail for that the Author believed OJ thought he was going to be there. Given OJ's violent past, I wonder if OJ went to commit another murder and only changed it to robbery when OJ discovered it wasn't the author that had the memorabilia.

[Kellie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight to what went on behind the scenes before, during and after the murders. I like how Mike Gilbert shares his remorse and confirms the real O J as we all suspected. Great and intriguing read.

I was in Brentwood a couple of months ago and went by Nicole Brown Simpson's condo on Bundy. It brought back many memories of watching the trial and the devastation I felt when he was acquitted. This resurrected my curiosity in the trial. I wanted to know if anything new had developed since that day in June 1994. I have enjoyed reading all of these different books with different information and accounts. I highly recommend all of these books related to O J and the murders if you are as curious as I am. It will settle many lingering thoughts and I do believe things worked out as they were suppose too. O J spent his life protecting his image only to destroy it and the lives of his children.

[Jacque]

I listened to this audiobook because it was short and free on audible. What a ride. So strange to hear from a former friend of OJ admit how they all helped him hide his assets from the victims' families so they couldn't sell it to get the money they were owed from the judgement in the civil suit. And how all his friends and associates let him act pretty much how he wanted to all the time without ever checking his ego or shitty behavior. I guess it's nice that SOMEONE from that shady group came out to tell everyone how shitty OJ was, even to people he claimed to like. Definitely an interesting read for anyone that has interest in OJ, his life, the trials, and how he made a sharp turn into a total dirtbag after the civil suit and losing his house. What a waste of life. Such an angry, unrepentant man until the very end.

[Adam Stein · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is there to say about a book that's 20 years old.

There's a pretty good accounting of how O.J. managed to avoid being convicted of murder and the various tricks used to confuse the jury, as well as how they hit assets from the Brown and Goldman families.

The key takeaway is that not only is O.J. a troubled, horrible person but he surrounded himself with terrible people or at least naive people who were easily taken in by his charm, which sadly includes Nicole Brown.

Perhaps the best part of the book is a relatively well researched explanation of what actually happened that night and what happened in the aftermath with various evidence. Of course there's some speculation and outright guessing -- there are no witnesses to the double murder -- but it feels pretty accurate. Worth a read if you're curious about the details all these years later (I was). Not particularly a good book otherwise.

[Cristabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mike describe como fue su representante y el perro faldero de OJ desde que lo conocio. Da una creible historia de como ocurrieron los asesinatos, que el fue el que propuso que el OJ no tomara su medicina para la artritis para que sus manos se hincharan y el guante no le quedara. Tambien describe que paso durante el juicio civil, donde al OJ lo despeluncharon de todo lo que tenia. Segun el Mike siente remordimiento, pero ese tipo es un sucio, sin valores. OJ es un asesino y un corriente que tuvo la suerte de ser famoso. Mato a su hija disque ahogada en una alberca, le puso el cuerno a su mujer embarazada, le encanta la palabra f**k y convive con gente de dudosa procedencia. Que bueno que termino en la carcel.