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4th out of 18 books
—
23 voters
Marilyn Monroe
Barbara Leaming's Marilyn Monroe is a complex, sympathetic portrait that will forever change the way we view the most enduring icon of America 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 ti...more
Paperback, 480 pages
Published
February 29th 2000
by Three Rivers Press
(first published October 20th 1998)
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This was an interesting and detailed account of Marilyn's career in Hollywood (rather than her earlier life). The information is taken largely from primary texts and the information is incredibly detailed. The result is a retelling of events that occurred and an insight into the reasoning behind the events.
Even if you haven't seen a Marilyn Monroe movie, you know who she was and you are familiar with the iconic image from the movie The Seven Year Itch (white halter dress getup). The name is syno...more
Even if you haven't seen a Marilyn Monroe movie, you know who she was and you are familiar with the iconic image from the movie The Seven Year Itch (white halter dress getup). The name is syno...more
Interesting not so much because of the person that was Norma Jean whatever, since she was a troubled kid and then became an even more troubled adult with a particular way of being very effective (if affected too?) on screen, but because the story of Monroe also makes a wonderful look at the film and theater world of the late 40's thru the early 1960's as the studio system hit the 'high and beautiful' wave before it broke and rolled back. So many people and films: Billy Wilder, Jane Russell, Howa...more
A twentieth century icon whose life remains fascinating and endlessly mysterious, even more than forty years after her death, "Marilyn Monroe" still grabs our attention as no other star of her time.
In Leaming's portrait (published in 1998), I learned a lot that I hadn't gleaned from any other tome about this captivating star. One thing remains true through all the books on the subject, however: Marilyn had a sad and lonely childhood; struggled in her adulthood; and died tragically, still chasing...more
In Leaming's portrait (published in 1998), I learned a lot that I hadn't gleaned from any other tome about this captivating star. One thing remains true through all the books on the subject, however: Marilyn had a sad and lonely childhood; struggled in her adulthood; and died tragically, still chasing...more
Well written but very heavily reliant on published texts rather than original research, this one is sympathetic to Dr Greenson, the Commie (allegedly according to others) shrink. Seems to believe Marilyn uncomplicatedly committed suicide and makes literally no reference to the conspiracies or the (even I am semi-convinced) at the very least ambiguous last-day events and autopsy reports. However, taking her relationship with Arthur Miller as its central point, I do feel that this biog gets closer...more
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...more
May 25, 2009
nine
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
not just marilyn monroe fans but anyone who wants a brilliant read.
Recommended to nine by:
a magazine.
this is the book that took me away from my own psycho-traumatic experiences in life and helped me to understand, escape and focus more on the aspect of cognitive psychology and how the past has definitive effects on various personas. i read this book not because it was, "marilyn monroe's story!" but because of the way author barbara leaming had told her story: living through the eyes of the one who lived it at the time. from this book, i learned how to be more empathetic in certain situations, a...more
I think I learned a lot more about Arthur Miller reading this book. Rather horrid that he based not one but two plays on his life with two of his wives. Very calculating and I think his decision was conscious.I also learned more about her motivation in engineering her career rise to a modicrum of respect and her plunge into the party scene with the Kennedy/Sinatra that marked her period of deep depression and self loathing. It was a good read but not a great read.
It's very detailed about Marilyn Monroe's life. Some of the writing is kinda dry, but overall, it was worse plugging through. Marilyn had to fight a lot of personal demons. Men used her; and sometimes she used them. Like Judy Garland, I was sad to see how Hollywood used Barbiturates and other drugs to keep their young actors "up" for shots and "downers" to get them to relax or sleep.
I've always been somewhat fascinated and curious about Marilyn. What a tragic figure. She was doomed from the start and struggled every step of the way, so unlike the image projected to the public during her rise to fame. It's almost the case that her death was merciful. The author does an excellent job presenting the truth of who Marilyn really was.
Jul 31, 2011
Annette
added it
A brilliant biography! Objective but with a lot of sympathy. Her life, tragically doomed from the beginning, constantly searching for love and respect and destructive to everything and everyone she got close - and most of all - to herself. " ... like a candle in the wind, never knowing who to cling to when the rain set in ..." Most recommendable!
What a sad story. She was so beautiful and so troubled at the same time. She just wanted to be happy and couldn't find it. Loved the pictures in this book too.
Just not the best Marilyn Monroe biography out there. I have tons because I am a huge fan of hers, but this would be on the bottom of my list.
Pretty good book. has an interesting interperatation of MM's motives and it shines light on the casting couch culture of old Hollywood.
Dec 17, 2008
Cleolinda
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
nonfiction,
biography
A really lovely, poignant biography of a woman who became an icon, perhaps at the expense of her own happiness.
Jun 01, 2009
Graceann
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Arthur Miller Fans
Shelves:
biography
Please see my detailed review at Amazon Graceann's "Marilyn Monroe" Review"
I go on at *great* length as to my problems with this biography. It is really the Arthur Miller story - it starts with their first meeting in 1951 and finishes with his staging of After the Fall in 1964. Her face sells the book, but it's really a bait and switch. Read the Amazon review to see what I mean.
I go on at *great* length as to my problems with this biography. It is really the Arthur Miller story - it starts with their first meeting in 1951 and finishes with his staging of After the Fall in 1964. Her face sells the book, but it's really a bait and switch. Read the Amazon review to see what I mean.
totally loved it, give you insight of Hollywood scene as much as Marilyn's life
Thorough, well-researched and organized. A great insight into an icon.
Oct 10, 2012
Shunda Gilliam
is currently reading it
I love you Marilyn you inspired me a lot...
Excellent. Best-ever bio of her.
An interesting read on an icon.
Sep 05, 2011
Ashley
marked it as to-read
i want to read this really bad!!!!
Detailed and fascinating.
A competent biography but often overly simplistic.
sigh.....
sad
I read this book in 9th grade. We had to do a book report on a biography and I chose to read about the life of Miss Marilyn Monroe. This book is incredible - it does an excellent job of giving readers a peek at the heart and soul of one of Hollywood's most famous leading ladies. If you're interested in the life of Marilyn Monroe, in old Hollywood or if you just enjoy biographies in general, I really recommend this read!
People just don't get tired of hearing about Marilyn - this book was very good.
A good biography
Sad and tragic. There is a ton about the guys at Twentieth and Fox concerning Marilyn's acting career. Barbara Leaming is pretty engaging, it took me a while to get through and was dry at times, but I ended up really liking it at the end. If you don't have a vested interest in Marilyn Monroe, however, it may be even harder to get through. Meh. I liked it.
I can not say enough how much I loved this biography! It was very factual, and well researched; in fact this author brings up many of the false perceptions and rumors about Marily and debunks them with good old fashioned researched proof. I have never felt sorrier for another human being as I felt for Marilyn Monroe after reading this book.
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“Marilyn, for her part, focused on what was driving Arthur away. She spoke of the monster inside her. By that she seems to have meant the rage that was in sharp contrast to the shyness and sweetness she tended to project. In the beginning, Marilyn said, Arthur had perceived her as a victim, beautiful and innocent. She tried to be those things for him. When inevitably the monster disclosed itself, Miller was shocked and disappointed. He started to pull back.”
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