The Real McCoy: The Untold Story Paperback – February 6, 2023

I enjoyed reading this book, it took me back to my teenage days when Ray’s nephew , Nate ( Jennifer’s son) was my best friend, and I worked at the Dune’s for awhile from 1979 till about 81’ mostly in the laundry room, which included picking up and delivering laundry (bedding) to and from the Zanzibar’s from time to time, but also painting and cleaning the windows, I even did some night time security there right after the Sweet Georgia Brown club opened, which after leaving my employment I joined the Army. I was close with the Rhodes family. and some of the McCoy’s, especially Uncle Ray. I met Bill, and their mother (Big Mamma) there at the Dunes, and ran some errands for Uncle Ray and Gus at times. Working for Gussie at the Dunes and ( can’t remember her husband’s name) was a real trip ( not in a great way). Fortunately she and her husband weren’t there all the time. But Uncle Ray was my inspiration to be an entrepreneur, and to this day I own a business and I credit that the Ray. I think the stories and memories detailed in this book filled in some blanks for me, but I have always and will always fondly remember David Ray McCoy, and will continue to be thankful for my encounter with him and his family in that segment of my life, may the Lord bless you sisters in your endeavors and grant you grace to do His will.

This book reads differently for me as a family member of the authors. I must offer my congratulations to my two gorgeous cousins for accomplishing this goal and becoming published authors.Now as far as my "review" of the book goes, first R.I.P. Great Uncle Ray I miss you more than words can express. To my beloved "Big Mama" I'm literally fighting back tears at the thought of how much I miss you. Thank you for being the absolute BEST Great Grandmother to me. Our bond was magical and I love you eternally!Again I repeat as a family member this book is a different experience for me. My grandmother Inell (McCoy) Pittman is one of my Great Uncle Ray's sisters. She was also a beloved Aunt to both of the authors.I read this book in one sitting and all I can say is "WHEW CHILE"! 😱 This book has something for everyone! Rather you're from Chicago and remember this era; a nosey gossiper; a Lisaraye fan; a curious reader; and so on and so forth, just be ready to "whew chile"! 😱This is the most neutral review of this book I can give. Again this book is based off of my family and people who I hold with the utmost regard and love. Some may disagree but for "me", this book is a"whew chile" and a "OMG, did they really spill that tea!"😱

There was a feed on Thursday Morning Roll about this book and I saw that I knew one of the authors is a fellow skater (that was a surprise, who knew). I immediately ordered it and received it on Valentine's Day, 2-14-23 and couldn't put the book down!This book gave me memories when I used to work at Orner, Shayne & Reizner real estate on Garfield back in the late 70's and early 80's. On the first of the month when rent was due a good looking man in a wheel chair dressed very sharp used to help people pay their rent. I didn't know at the time it was Ray McCoy. (It's a small world)Rather you leave in Chicago or not, this is an excellent book. You will find that this book has perseverance, success, strength, jealously, funny, sadness, dysfunctional, gold diggers, and deceit. In my opinion this would be a great movie in the making. Every two sides have a story and I'm glad this one is finally being heard. February is Black History month and this book is certainly equally yoked. I'm hoping someday that I can get my book signed by both authors! This is an awesome story. (smiling)

Hey how are you,I just read the book,girl yall did a Marvelous job,lot of questions were answered that I wanted to know. Our paths was destined to cross,when I saw that picture of your mom on that Cresent moon I damn near fell out I have picture of my dad with that same pose my parents are from N.O we went to school together and your aunt use to be our client you later became my parents neighbor and I your sister. Love you good job your daddy would be so proud.

Jelahn and Cynthia, these sisters did a awesome job writing and telling the true story about their father. He was the real McCoy. It is so sad that people have negative thoughts .I really enjoy reading this book and I know all of this is true,because I grew up with them from childhood, it’s about time they put it out there . you will always find some haters on you .but you know that’s life and it’s so SAD that some are family or maybe I shouldn’t say that but it’s true . GOOD JOB sisters . Love you. DENISE LOGAN

One thing about putting your thoughts on paper is the truth of your thoughts are revealed. This book seemed to be written for the sole purpose of shaming Lisaraye to the world and though it was just a one liner denouncing her relationship with Da Brat. Everything else was my daddy had money, everybody wanted his money, he was killed for his money and even in death it was all about the money. They made a comment that if their father was homeless would their other sister had come looking for him, but my question is if he was homeless what would the authors relationship had been? Because they did a lot of finger pointing at everyone else but as a reader that knows none of these people personally as much as they kept trying to put themselves and their mother up on a pedestal they couldn’t help but to keep falling off of it. Oh and their jealousy of Lisaraye was evident even before she became famous that jealousy ran deep

This book is not a biography about David Ray life it is simply memories of his daughters life which is find but it was misleading believing it was a biography.Nothing was in chronological order some things felt misplaced. The McCoy sisters made it seem like themselves and their mother were saints with no flaws unlike their other sisters and brother whom they pointed out all their flaws.

This book was about a man who lived a very complex and complicated life. Like many successful people, he overcame much adversity, while mastering the building of his business conglomerate. He was not without the love of his family first and foremost. This was his biggest success.