KATE GOSSELIN: How She Fooled The World: The Rise And Fall Of A Reality TV Queen

I have admittedly been interested in the Gosselins for nearly five years, and this book probably gives the most in-depth look into their lives that I've found. I think it's clear that Hoffman did have Kate's journals and personal information, and I believe that he is a credible and accurate source in delivering factual information. All of his claims line-up with the timelines and storylines seen on the show and in the tabloids, and it's seems likely that he corroborated the information before printing it.I strongly suspect that Jon Gosselin was Hoffman's number one aid in collecting personal and confidential information for this publication.While it seems most likely that this book was written for financial gain and as a comeuppance against Kate on Jon's behalf, I'll give Hoffman the benefit of the doubt for a minute that he put this project together for altruistic reasons, like protecting the kids from "Kate's abuse," as he claims. Even if he is trying to help the kids though, he loses editorial credibility for me by never admitting to his own role in perpetuating the nightmare in which the kids have become accustomed to living. He was one of the men who stalked eight children under the age of eight, day in and day out, for at least an entire summer. It's interesting to me that he has so much venom for Kate yet seems to be completely oblivious of his own part in hurting the family... (like I don't know, publishing someone's private journals as a book...?!).On that note, I was watching an episode of Arthur with my daughter yesterday and the entire episode was about Arthur finding a journal and keeping it private because it was the "right thing to do"....just saying. Yes, I'm equally at fault for reading the book, but at least I acknowledge my negative behavior whereas Hoffman seems to literally think he's solving an injustice by stalking a woman and printing years of her innerthoughts and whereabouts for everyone to ponder. Anyway...While I did find the factual information interesting, I was completely put-off by Hoffman's personal opinions and his constant need to talk about his own amazing job as a parent (unlike Kate who is a monster with no redemption). This guy references how wonderful he is as a dad no less than fifty times. In every chapter, it seems, he finds a reason to pat himself on the back as a wonderful role model and perfect father. Kate should be home with her kids instead of on Dancing with the Stars or tanning, but it's perfectly reasonable for Hoffman to avoid his kids while waiting in the Giant supermarket parking lot (which he says he did hundreds of times) to find out how many carts Kate walks out with. This strikes me as a double standard and pathetic.On the note of double standards, Hoffman says that the paparazzi sometimes "crossed the line" in covering the kids (sitting outside their house and treating them like zoo animals), but they were "just doing their jobs." Ok, so it's fine for these strangers (including Hoffman) to make a buck off the kids' lives but it's horrific for Kate to do the same? Again, no one in this story is without blame, and it's unfortunate that the author is completely unable to admit to any of his own wrongdoings (gee... sounds like Kate).Hoffman's claim that the kids hated the process of filming and didn't have a relationship with the film crew, yet they loved the paparazzi, is laughable to me. If the kids didn't want to be filmed (which I have no problem believing), I wholeheartedly surmise this preference extended to all people who gawked at them behind the lens. I agree that Kate has not made good choices as a mother, and I agree that forcing the kids to film took a toll on them, but I disagree completely that Kate is the only one at fault in this scenario. It's Kate, it's Jon, it's the paparazzi (INCLUDING Hoffman), it's the viewers and readers, it's the network, it's the magazines, it's everyone. And yes, Kate and Jon need to accept the brunt of this debacle as parents of these children, but for every grown man who stood outside the family's home for an entire year... that's on you buddy.Another opinon of Hoffman's that I take issue with is that Jon is a perfectly loving parent who tried to do everything right in spite of Kate. Come. On.Yes, I'm sure the kids called Jon to pick them up during Kate's custody. I'm also sure they called Kate during Jon's custody. This back and forth, pinning one parent against another, is exactly what kids do during a divorce situation. If the kids were truly being abused, as Hoffman claims, then I find Jon even more culpable than Kate as the parent who witnessed this abuse but did nothing to stop it or to get his children out of harm's way. Hoffman describes all the horrible things Kate has said to the children over the years, but there is also plenty of TLC footage that shows Jon screaming at them to "SHUT YOUR MOUTHS!" or "NOT ANOTHER SOUND.". Kate and Jon both have volatile personalities, and I don't think EITHER of them should get a free pass for screaming at each other or the kids.The final point that I'd like to address is Hoffman's outrage over Kate getting "free" stuff from the network or from sponsors, adding that the viewers were duped. It might be true that the viewers didn't understand what was going on, but this is naivete on the part of the viewers, not Kate getting special perks that are atypical for people on TV.First, celebrities get free stuff all the time. Kate started out as a "normal" mom, but she became a celebrity when her show took off. Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz, Oprah Winfrey, all people who have a lot of money, are also people who get a ton of free stuff. These perks are part of having a career in entertainment. It might seem unfair but it's how it goes. Sure maybe Kate didn't have a reason to have a career in entertainment, but the fact is that she did have that career.Second, reality stars who share their "real" lives on television all get free things as part of their "daily lives." The Duggars received substantial help from the network in finishing construction on their house, and you don't think that Jim Bob foots the bill for his entire family to travel to Israel, China, England etc, do you? This is all covered by TLC. It's because of Kate's attitude that people have a problem with her receiving these benefits. Far fewer people seem to begrudge the Duggars of similar perks.The same protocol is in place for the "rich" ladies on the Real Housewives. When Ramona Singer "invites" her friends to a private island in the Caribbean, Bravo is the one signing the credit card slip, NOT the "talent." For anyone who is outraged that Kate got free clothes, trips etc, you should know this is the industry standard in reality TV. All the shows have a shooting schedule and a plan. NO show turns up to "film your life," except maybe The Real World.Lastly, Kate honestly didn't make THAT much money from this show. I know that seems crazy to say, but her tax return of $1.9million is chump change in the land of television stars. Yes, it's more than most "normal" people will ever make, but the profiteers who were really rolling in the dollar signs on the backs of the Gosselin family were the network executives and anyone with profit participation at TLC. They made a FORTUNE off that show. It seems fair to me that if someone else is making money off the Gosselins, so too should the Gosselins. Again, I'm not trying to imply that anyone should make money off children, but if someone does, it'd be nice to think it's their own family and not just some guy in a suit at the polo lounge in LA.As someone who admits to watching the show and being interested in the family, I implore you to not stare at the kids or take their pictures if you see them in public. Treating them like normal people is the only way to undo even a small piece of what's been done to them. This is a perfect storm of "reality TV gone wrong," and we can only hope for a positive outcome for the eight unsuspecting humans at the center of it.

I should first off state that I am not a Kate Gosselin fan. While I admit that I did watch her show for the first few seasons and based on what I have seen of her behavior on various television programs, she's not someone I would look up to as a role model. Many of us, myself included, have large families just like her and have managed to raise them (on one salary no less!) without resorting to reality television to pick up the bills. Frankly, she complains too much.Okay, disclaimer done, now on to the review. I purchased the first edition of this ebook when it came out two years ago and still have it on my Kindle. When I heard a second edition was coming out, I decided to purchase it as well so I could compare them. The second edition has definitely been edited and flows much more smoothly. Mr. Hoffman does a good job at paraphrasing the content he had originally published verbatim in the first edition and he has added additional information as well. I find I have to read this in small chunks so I can digest the information being shared as there is a lot of it. Overall, it's a rather tragic look at the negative effects of instant fame and wealth and how that led to this family's sad disintegration.Several reviewers on Amazon have stated that there issue is that Mr. Hoffman is just stating his opinion and doesn't back any of it up. Owning the first edition, I can share that he did indeed publish all the contracts, emails, diary entries, etc. the first time around, which is one of the reasons the book was initially pulled during it's first release. One thing I noted when Discovery and Ms. Gosselin were filing their lawsuits against Mr. Hoffman two years ago was that at no time did either party sue Mr. Hoffman for libel, i.e. false statements. The issue at hand was that Mr. Hoffman had published confidential information in the forms of the contracts, emails, and, according to Ms. Gosselin, entries from her personal diary. Ms. Gosselin never denied that the entries did not come from her personal diary only that he used them without her permission. Just something to consider when reading this second edition.As for the content of the book, I find it disturbing and, if true, I feel very sorry for those 8 children. I don't find it outside the realm of probability that Ms. Gosselin has emotionally, verbally and physically abused her children and animals - she clearly did so on camera to her husband. Again, based on nothing more than what I witnessed on "the realest reality show out there. What you see is what you get." (Ms. Gosselin's words during various interviews), Ms. Gosselin appears to have at best several issues with needing to be in control no matter what as well as a belief that having things and money will make you happy and fulfilled in this life and a need to be the center of attention. At worst, Mr. Hoffman's statement that she has bipolar disorder and refuses to even acknowledge that as truth let alone take medication to control it is true, which is very sad for all those involved, especially her children.She clearly has cut out people in her life - her parents, her siblings, her ex-husband, and friends such as Beth Carson, whom she wrote a book with - because "they don't know how to help her", which I believe is Kate speak for "They called me out on my behavior and choices and I didn't like it so I got rid of them". I find this the saddest thing of all. On her recent special, she claimed to cry behind closed doors because her life is so hard. I would submit to Ms. Gosselin the notion that perhaps if she repaired these relationships she's "cut out" of her life, she might have more of a support system in place to help her with her family and her own needs. She should also consider therapy to help her learn to co-parent more effectively with her ex-husband, Jon.If nothing else, I would hope that Ms. Gosselin would watch her recent special and realize that her children were sending a very clear message that they don't want to film anymore, that she would take that to heart and decide to pursue a career in the entertainment industry based on her own talents and merits without involving her children.When all is said and done, it's well worth the $8 I paid for the re-release and I do recommend the book, as well as the book by Polly Kahl, to learn more about the effect of reality tv on everyday people. There are some spelling and grammatical errors, but honestly I see that in a lot of books I purchase these days. I blame the reliance on spell & grammar check by the editors, personally. I wouldn't let that keep you from buying the book.

I didn't actually mean to buy this but pressed "read" thinking I could look inside book...but apparently that meant I'd bought it!! So I downloaded Kindle to read...and what a waste of time!! Don't bother! It's full of copied documents of various contracts Ms G had with the tv company etc....copies of e mails back and forth...very boring. Pages and pages where I just swipe onto the next waiting for something interesting to read.Save your money!

If this book is a true account it is very disturbing. Ms Gosselin is an absolute bitch of the highest order. She is an abusive bully and does not deserve to have eight lovely kids. I can only hope Jon gets full custody when she gets found out for mistreating them. No wonder they hate going back to HER after staying with Jon to get more beatings. I will never watch her programme again. Nasty person.

have watched all episodes on tv, and was absolutely astounded by revelations in book ,am still reading with great interest.

After watching the programme, I absoutely beleive this account of Kate Gosselin.

Brilliant book I couldn't put it down!