Marilyn Monroe
by Barbara Leaming
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Description
Barbara Leaming's Marilyn Monroe is a complex, sympathetic portrait that will totally change the way we view the most enduring icon of American sexuality. To those who think they have heard all there is to hear about Marilyn Monroe, think again. Leaming's book tells a brand-new tale of sexual, psychological, and political intrigue of the highest order. Told for the first time in all its complexity, this is a compelling portrait of a woman at the center of a drama with immensely high stakes, show more a drama in which the other players are some of the most fascinating characters from the world's of movies, theater, and politics. It is a book that shines a bright light on one of the most tumultuous, frightening, and exciting periods in American culture. Basing her research on new interviews and on thousands of primary documents, including revealing letters by Arthur Miller, Elia Kazan, John Huston, Laurence Olivier, Tennessee Williams, Darryl Zanuck, Marilyn's psychiatrist Dr. Ralph Greenson, and many others, Leaming has reconstructed the tangles of betrayal in Marilyn's life. For the first time, a master storyteller has put together all of the pieces and told Marilyn's story with the intensity and drama it so richly deserves. At the heart of this book is a sexual triangle and a riveting story of betrayal that has never been told before. You will come away filled with new respect for Marilyn's incredible courage, dignity, and loyalty, and an overwhelming sense of tragedy after witnessing Marilyn, powerless to overcome her demons, move inexorably to her own final, terrible betrayal of herself. Marilyn Monroe is a book that will make you think--and will break your heart. "From the Hardcover edition." show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
For not really knowing anything about this star other than her name and, of course, the famous grate photo and the "happy birthday Mr. President". I even knew about Madonna's video that copied her (pink dress, diamonds...YOU KNOW THE ONE :D) I thought this was an interesting bio. I was amazed to see just how much she fought to be a star, to act and how unsure and scared she was. She always seemed to show everyone how strong she was, but as the book points out, it was all just acting. And she was pretty good at it.
But, I thought the book got a little bogged down in the details. It started to feel a lot like "and then this happened and then this and then this". I started to disconnect with her story and just think "c'mon, get on with it." show more
I'm glad I read it though, very interesting story. show less
But, I thought the book got a little bogged down in the details. It started to feel a lot like "and then this happened and then this and then this". I started to disconnect with her story and just think "c'mon, get on with it." show more
I'm glad I read it though, very interesting story. show less
This is an extremely detailed account of Marilyn Monroe's life. Having known very little about her, I found it interesting, even though at times the writing was dry and almost textbook like. A great source for anyone wanting the backstory of her movies.
A really lovely, poignant biography of a woman who became an icon, perhaps at the expense of her own happiness.
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Author Information
17+ Works 1,775 Members
Barbara Leaming is the author of numerous biographies including Churchill Defiant, Katharine Hepburn, and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis: The Untold Story. Her articles have appeared in several publications including New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, and the Times of London. (Bowker Author Biography)
Common Knowledge
- People/Characters
- Marilyn Monroe
- Original language
- English
Classifications
- Genres
- Biography & Memoir, Nonfiction, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 791.43028092 — Arts & recreation Recreation, sports, and performing arts Public performances Motion pictures, radio, television, podcasting Motion pictures Standard subdivisions Acting and performance Standard subdivisions History, geographic treatment, biography Biography
- LCC
- PN2287 .M69 .L34 — Language and Literature Literature (General) Literature (General) Drama Dramatic representation. The theater Special regions or countries
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 280
- Popularity
- 114,596
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (3.69)
- Languages
- Czech, English, German
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 12
- ASINs
- 2
