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Peaches and Daddy: A Story of the Roaring 20s, the Birth of Tabloid Media, and the Courtship that Captured the Hearts and Imaginations of the American Public
Thirty-seven days later, amid blaring headlines announcing the event and with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in close pursuit, they were married. Within ten months they would begin a courtroom drama that would blow their impassioned saga into a national scandal. Their 1920s romance sent riptides across the moral landscape of America for years to come. Peaches and Daddy vividly recounts the amazing and improbable romance, marriage, and ultimate legal battle for separation of this publicity-craving Manhattan couple in America’s “Era of Wonderful Nonsense.” Their story is one of dysfunction and remarkable excess; yet at the time, the lurid details of their brief courtship and marriage captured the imagination of the American public like no other story of its day. The affair propelled them into the headlines for a magical moment in time; their legacy is one of an enduring contribution to the sometimes almost mad history of the country.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published October 2, 2008
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114 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 28, 2024
Peaches and Daddy were the hottest news on the street in the mid 1920s. Daddy Browning was a 51 year old NYC real estate mogul and Peaches Heenan was a 16 year old on the look-out for a better life style, i.e.; money and position. If their story wasn't so sordid it would be funny.......but the public flocked to the couple, taking sides and turning them into celebrities. In modern times, Mr. Browning would be arrested for pedophilia and Peaches would be placed in a home for wayward girls. Instead, they married and became the center of a media frenzy, much of which they initiated themselves.
This is a quick read and holds the reader's interest if only because of the baseness of the situation. Needless to say, it turns out badly for all concerned and became yesterday's headlines. You couldn't make this stuff up!!!!
This is a quick read and holds the reader's interest if only because of the baseness of the situation. Needless to say, it turns out badly for all concerned and became yesterday's headlines. You couldn't make this stuff up!!!!
August 13, 2019
He was a wildly successful Manhattan real estate mogul. He slapped his name onto all his properties. He tore through the town's nightspots with flocks of beautiful young women. Almost more than he loved real estate, he loved to see his name in the tabloid headlines. He sometimes acted as his own press agent, calling in tips to the newspapers on where he was going to be that night, and with whom. He was a germophobe, and he had hideously tacky taste in interior design.
She was a 16 year old girl who was determined to marry him.
His name was Edward "Daddy" Browning. Her name was Frances "Peaches" Heenan. They got married and they got divorced in 1925.
They pretty much were the first "tabloid frenzy", a story that wouldn't die but only gained more readers as more was written about them.
This is a 100% true story.
She was a 16 year old girl who was determined to marry him.
His name was Edward "Daddy" Browning. Her name was Frances "Peaches" Heenan. They got married and they got divorced in 1925.
They pretty much were the first "tabloid frenzy", a story that wouldn't die but only gained more readers as more was written about them.
This is a 100% true story.
July 7, 2021
I have been interested in the decade of the 1920's since middle school, I think because that's when I learned that I was born on the anniversary of "Black Tuesday", the day the American Stock Market crashed. That explains why I had heard of Peaches & Daddy Browning, and thought it might be interesting to learn a bit more of what they were all about. Alas, they weren't really that interesting. This book is another one that comes under the heading "It has the makings of an interesting magazine article" but not an entire book. Neither party turned out to have any deeply absorbing substance or story, either before their marriage, during, or after it.
Frances "Peaches" Heenan was 15 years old when she met and married Edward "Daddy" Browning, a 51-year-old millionaire, man-about-town (New York), and publicity hound. Based on what is written in the book, it seems as if Peaches married for money and publicity, and Daddy married just for the publicity. It didn't seem as if love was ever involved. They both seem daft and of course the marriage failed after several months of constant media coverage. This story does show that the whole "15 minutes of fame" thing has been going on at least since there has been newspapers or other media (and Town Criers?), and that there are a lot of folks out there - then as well as now - who will glom on to whatever ridiculous, salacious, or outrageous doings are thrown at them. Peaches and Daddy were super famous for marrying and divorcing in 1926-1927, and now no one (except enthusiasts of the 1920's like me) know who they are.
The book was really well-researched and decently written, but, given that there was really no "there" there, it seemed kind of a waste. Also - and I admit these are quibbles - the author on more than one occasion used the word "fowl" when he meant "foul", and "ruckus" when he meant "raucus". Sorry, that's what editors and proofreaders are for, to catch those mistakes so I don't have to.
Frances "Peaches" Heenan was 15 years old when she met and married Edward "Daddy" Browning, a 51-year-old millionaire, man-about-town (New York), and publicity hound. Based on what is written in the book, it seems as if Peaches married for money and publicity, and Daddy married just for the publicity. It didn't seem as if love was ever involved. They both seem daft and of course the marriage failed after several months of constant media coverage. This story does show that the whole "15 minutes of fame" thing has been going on at least since there has been newspapers or other media (and Town Criers?), and that there are a lot of folks out there - then as well as now - who will glom on to whatever ridiculous, salacious, or outrageous doings are thrown at them. Peaches and Daddy were super famous for marrying and divorcing in 1926-1927, and now no one (except enthusiasts of the 1920's like me) know who they are.
The book was really well-researched and decently written, but, given that there was really no "there" there, it seemed kind of a waste. Also - and I admit these are quibbles - the author on more than one occasion used the word "fowl" when he meant "foul", and "ruckus" when he meant "raucus". Sorry, that's what editors and proofreaders are for, to catch those mistakes so I don't have to.
May 2, 2009
This true story of the 1920s was totally fascinating. I'd like the Coen brothers to make a film of it, please. But it was so awkwardly written that I kept being pulled out of the events. Perhaps after reading so many contemporary newspaper accounts this hyperbolic, florid style felt right to the author. I didn't dig it.
Also, the book seemed to have been copyedited by a spellcheck program. I know I'm being nit-picky, but here are some examples (there were more):
I was really excited to learn about a Jazz Age scandal that was new to me. But I lost a little faith in the whole thing when, on page 14, Greenburg mentions that "Fatty Arbuckle stood accused of the...death of a party guest in his home." Everyone (well, everyone with weird interests that correspond with mine) knows that the infamous party that effectively ended Fatty Arbuckle's career was held at the St. Francis hotel in San Francisco, not his home.
Still, I finished the book gladly, eager to find out the entire bizarre story of Peaches and Daddy.
Also, the book seemed to have been copyedited by a spellcheck program. I know I'm being nit-picky, but here are some examples (there were more):
Browning's problems seemed to multiple by the hour (p 88)
Browning had come home in a fowl frame of mind (p 241)
She peaked in the mirror (p 243)
The shear breadth of Browing's pending estate (p 313)
I was really excited to learn about a Jazz Age scandal that was new to me. But I lost a little faith in the whole thing when, on page 14, Greenburg mentions that "Fatty Arbuckle stood accused of the...death of a party guest in his home." Everyone (well, everyone with weird interests that correspond with mine) knows that the infamous party that effectively ended Fatty Arbuckle's career was held at the St. Francis hotel in San Francisco, not his home.
Still, I finished the book gladly, eager to find out the entire bizarre story of Peaches and Daddy.
August 21, 2008
A pet African honking gander, hints of a cuddle cult, Calvin Coolidge in the Adirondacks, a dying Rudolph Valentino, and the High Priestess of Oom who espouses sexuality as a form of religious experience...
Who knew?
Who knew?
November 18, 2022
Social Media’s Loud Birth
This is a story we all know. Poor young girl meets rich old man and Love Blooms. (Ahem). There are so many warning signs in this piece of non-fiction that it should come with alerts.
Like I said- you probably already know the story. The REAL story here is the media. The wealth of the “husband” pretty much guaranteed stories in the newspapers of the day, and they sure took off. At first a Love Story (he wants to marry a 16 year old poor girl and change her Life!), then a story of just how much the homely girl can spend and show off to crowds, and lastly, of course, the craziness of the End. In this day in age most of us could probably see it coming from a long way off. The thing to remember is that this WASN’T this day in age.
I could feel somewhat sorry for the girl. Sixteen is a very young age. Her exposure to the ugliness of stardom was nil, and this must have seemed like a dream come true. I say somewhat because there were a good deal of shenanigans that both she and her mother engaged in so that she could have her cake and eat it to.
I felt less than zero empathy for the rich older guy buying young girls.
It’s a good book and it shows that although we are ninety years forward, the power and manipulation of some of the faithless “news” entities show we are still, in many ways, back in the early 1920s.
This is a story we all know. Poor young girl meets rich old man and Love Blooms. (Ahem). There are so many warning signs in this piece of non-fiction that it should come with alerts.
Like I said- you probably already know the story. The REAL story here is the media. The wealth of the “husband” pretty much guaranteed stories in the newspapers of the day, and they sure took off. At first a Love Story (he wants to marry a 16 year old poor girl and change her Life!), then a story of just how much the homely girl can spend and show off to crowds, and lastly, of course, the craziness of the End. In this day in age most of us could probably see it coming from a long way off. The thing to remember is that this WASN’T this day in age.
I could feel somewhat sorry for the girl. Sixteen is a very young age. Her exposure to the ugliness of stardom was nil, and this must have seemed like a dream come true. I say somewhat because there were a good deal of shenanigans that both she and her mother engaged in so that she could have her cake and eat it to.
I felt less than zero empathy for the rich older guy buying young girls.
It’s a good book and it shows that although we are ninety years forward, the power and manipulation of some of the faithless “news” entities show we are still, in many ways, back in the early 1920s.
November 16, 2017
Very just-the-facts-ma'am narrative, entirely chronological and mostly based on newspaper reports. This leads to some awkwardness, as when the author shoehorns in descriptions and background of yellow journalism, newspaper editors, etc., in places where it makes no sense. It does make for a fun, gossipy read, basically as though you're reading the newspapers as they come out with this stuff. However, it prevents the book from achieving any larger meaning. "Daddy" was a really, really creepy figure - he first adopted preteen girls, then sought to adopt a teenage girl, then adopted a "teenage" girl who turned out to be 21 (probably), then dated teenagers (whatever that means), then married a 15-year-old. This is all presented factually with no effort put into probing what the hell was actually going on there, and while, on the one hand, yes, we may never know, it would probably have been possible to get some insight - some GUESS - into what was happening if Greenberg had expanded his view beyond this particular case and into, I don't know, psychological research, or even just broader historical research. It's pretty clear that their contemporaries in the 1920s thought something was very, very wrong here, but there's no real investigation into WHY or what the common mores of the time actually WERE. And there are so many moments in this case that seem odd - as, for example, when Peaches and Daddy have an early date, and a (teenage) friend of Peaches' goes off with a district attorney and dies that night of "a previously unknown heart condition," and that is presented as what happened. Really? Really? That's what happened? I mean, maybe it was, but it just seems so questionable. I mean, wasn't cocaine a huge thing in party circles in the 1920's? But Greenberg simply presents the "fact" and moves on. Similarly the basics of the divorce trial are just presented as they happened - essentially, the retelling of a courtroom drama, with equal weight given to both sides - but Greenberg (and the reader) is not the judge. He doesn't HAVE to be completely impartial and balanced. Does he have no opinions on what might actually have happened? Interesting read, but definitely not a re-read.
April 8, 2018
So, I didn't finish this book despite how well it was written. The subject matter left a bad taste in my mouth for one major reason: the discussion of a minor who has been married to a man nearly three times her age all centered around how she was the seductress and in charge of the relationship, how she coerced a grown man into a marriage purely for the advantage of wealth.
To me, it doesn't really seem that way and it didn't even explore this realm of possibility. This man had been centered around gossip and suspicion concerning his obsession with teenaged girls for years but somehow she is the one at fault? I don't know, it's not something that sits well with me.
To me, it doesn't really seem that way and it didn't even explore this realm of possibility. This man had been centered around gossip and suspicion concerning his obsession with teenaged girls for years but somehow she is the one at fault? I don't know, it's not something that sits well with me.
April 2, 2018
In this time of social media, celebrities and reality tv, it's interesting to note that it's really not all that different than the past. People were enthralled or disgusted by what they read in their newspapers. The medium may have changed, but the adage holds true - the more things change, the more they stay the same.
August 4, 2017
★★★★★ story, ★★★ writing
October 23, 2017
Truly engaging and entertaining, not to mention outrageous! This is THE definitive story of the roaring 20s.
Read
January 27, 2022Very captivating story about the ridiculousness of the 1920 era.
March 22, 2022
This book probably offered me more information than I really needed about Daddy and Peaches but then again, it read well enough adn mercifully wasn't too long.
August 29, 2009
It is embarrassing to admit how quickly I ripped through this sensational study of America's fascination with the romance of a fifteen-year-old shopgirl and her fifty-one-year-old millionaire paramour and the rise of the tabloid. But that's the point, isn't it? Luckily, my trashy novel was disguised with photographs from the early twentieth century and therefore looked presentable.
Greenburg adds respectability to the whole undertaking - he thoroughly researched the era and pertinent contemporaries, and learning about the Comstock Act and New York censorship and divorce laws from the 1920's made me vindicated in picking this book up.
Matt didn't realize this was nonfiction until I told him Ed Sullivan had a job at one of the tabloids featured in the book.
Greenburg adds respectability to the whole undertaking - he thoroughly researched the era and pertinent contemporaries, and learning about the Comstock Act and New York censorship and divorce laws from the 1920's made me vindicated in picking this book up.
Matt didn't realize this was nonfiction until I told him Ed Sullivan had a job at one of the tabloids featured in the book.
December 22, 2008
A really interesting read. The story of the relationship and marriage between 15-year-old Frances "Peaches" Heenan and her 51-year-old husband Edward "Daddy" West Browning, is just a portion of the book. It also tackles the history of journalism, particularly the advent and popularity of tabloid journalism. You'll also get a history lesson on NYC in the roaring 20s and the legal system of the era. The book is really poorly edited ("fowl" was used instead of "foul" about 5 times), and sometimes the author goes off on a tangent and rambles a bit much, but he's an attorney so I'll give him a pass.
February 13, 2011
This book is badly organized, badly formatted, and riddled with spelling and grammar errors. I initially tried to keep track of the errors so I could cite specific examples, but the project soon became too labor intensive. There were errors on almost every page. The bibliographic citations and index suffer from the same issues. The whole book seems to have been slapped together and gives the impression that not a lot of care or effort were put into it.
As to the actual informational content, the author is more than happy to wallow in the various scandals, but draws no conclusions from them; he just dishes dirt for 352 pages. Personally, I need a shower now.
As to the actual informational content, the author is more than happy to wallow in the various scandals, but draws no conclusions from them; he just dishes dirt for 352 pages. Personally, I need a shower now.
July 29, 2011
Well, here we go, how could I not pick up this book, talk about tawdry! A 51 year old wealthy New York businessman marries a 15 year old high school drop out in 1926? A divorce starts just over a month later. A very interesting study of how to use the media, how the media used them and a visit to the crazy, hectic, excessive 1920s. And let's talk about the New York Graphic newspaper and their ""composographs,"" very interesting. This book was compiled well, great photographs, however, I felt parts were imparted well while others never got fleshed out. It followed a great outline that could have made a great book.
September 18, 2014
Great non-fiction read about the 1920's New York. A lot of great historical information and an over the top story of the birth of sensational/tabloid media (frankly apropos of all contemporary media sadly) over people's fascination with the bizarre and outlandish. "Daddy", who today would be a billionaire, had eccentric taste up to and including what probably was pedophilia. Lot's of great photos and nice comparisons. Definitely worth the time it takes to read. You probably will be shaking your head afterwards...I know I was. :) I can't believe he owned all of that prime New York real estate...which really saved him in the big stock market crash.
January 16, 2009
The writing is only serviceable but oh, the story! I can't get over the story, nor can I believe I've never heard of "Peaches and Daddy," since I studied the 1920s closely for a college honors project. Anyway, Peaches was a conniving, over-developed, 15-year-old flapper. Daddy was an ecentric, creepy, 50-year-old millionaire. And they got married. For about 10 months. Then they got divorced, in crazily entertaining, tabloid-sustaining style. The details are fascinating, especially for those of us interested in Progressive-era America.
April 12, 2011
A riotous pile of fuzz and feathers, just too-too. Hardly salacious by today's standards, yet utterly effervescent with eeky expozays, is this historical True Story of matrimonial miasma... How theatrically gratifying is the climactic courtroom spectacle, replete with "order in the court" gavel-bangings, faintings, weepings, gnashings of teeth, paid witnesses, snarky investigators, etc. Sobering high points include challenges to the first-amendment right to print titillating (and funny) tabloid photomontage.
December 20, 2008
Greenburg travels back to the 1920s and delves into the complicated 37 day whirlwind romance between Edward "Daddy" Browning and his marriage to fifteen-year-old Frances "Peaches" Heenan.
The book focuses a bit more on Browning, who provided non-stop trashy gossip, law suits, and chaos providing comparable dish and dirt in the tabloids that would intrigue the rags that are so ubiquitous still today.
The book was a fun read.
The book focuses a bit more on Browning, who provided non-stop trashy gossip, law suits, and chaos providing comparable dish and dirt in the tabloids that would intrigue the rags that are so ubiquitous still today.
The book was a fun read.
March 13, 2012
A great story held back by a lawyer writing in a lawyerly way. Daddy Browning was a millionaire with a penchant for helping young girls. He ended up marrying a buxom 16 year old named Peaches for a very short time. Their romance and divorce helped develop tabloid journalism and personified the "roaring twenties" to many.
I see a great movie in this not so great book.
I see a great movie in this not so great book.
October 17, 2008
An excellent historical novel about the scandalous affair in the 1920's, and the birth of tabloid journalism. Greenburg is an excellent story teller, and brings this true story to life. I'd highly recommend this book.
May 28, 2009
Peaches and Daddy have been largely forgotten. Their May-December marriage was a delicious scandal in the roaring twenties. My, how the definition of obscenity has changed since then! This book was a romp through a curious tidbit of history.
August 1, 2012
True story about a very old wealthy man who marries a very young lady (I can't remember exactly, but she was about 15 or 16, he late 60s). But the book gives you a good glimpse of the birth of tabloid journalism. If you like true stores and the roaring 20s, you'll enjoy this.
December 23, 2008
What a great, juicy read! Devoured this during a long car trip -- couldn't put it down! (Don't worry, I wasn't driving...)
June 22, 2012
A great story, but it could have done with some editing.
January 21, 2022
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13738417
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13738417
February 2, 2020
Fascinating read -- gotta love the 1920's!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews