I recently had listened to a podcast about Marjorie Merriweather Post so when I saw this title on NetGalley I was very excited. This book was a great fictional adaptation of the facts of Mrs. Post's life. Allison Pataki has artfully taken her research into Mrs. Post and expanded it into a beautiful work for historical fiction. It almost reads as a biography with fictional dialog. And although the dialog is made up, it feels true to life. Mrs. Post was a wonderful woman who lived her life not only indulging herself, but taking care of the world around her. The author wonderfully illustrated this by not only talking about her gorgeous houses, her amazing wardrobe and all the grand parties she attended, but also included details like the canteen she started during the great depression and the hospitals she opened both during the Great War and in Palm Beach. I thoroughly enjoyed The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post and if I could give it more than 5 stars I would.

Synopsis:

<i> "Marjorie’s extraordinary journey began gluing cereal boxes in her father’s barn as a young girl. No one could have predicted that C.W. Post’s Cereal Company would grow into the General Foods empire and reshape the American way of life, with Marjorie as its heiress and leading lady. Not content to stay in her prescribed roles of high-society wife, mother, and hostess, Marjorie dared to demand more, making history in the process. Before turning thirty she amassed millions, becoming the wealthiest woman in the United States. But it was her life-force, advocacy, passion, and adventurous spirit that led to her stunning legacy." </i>

When I lived in the Washington, DC area, I first heard Marjorie's name in connection with the Merriweather Post Pavilion, an outdoor music venue in Columbia, Maryland. Then I learned of her father, C.W. Post from the History Channel show, <i>The Food that Built America</i>. I was intrigued to learn more about the Post family and author Allison Pataki's book did not disappoint. This book reads more like non-fiction. It was so well researched that I needed to occasionally double-check to make sure it was fiction!

The book begins in 1891, with the Post family, down-on-their-luck, in Battle Creek, Michigan. In 1895, her father C.W. Post founded the Postum Cereal Company and when he died in 1914, Marjorie was the wealthiest woman in the United States.She remained director of the company until 1958. She expanded the business and acquired other American food companies such as Hellmann's Mayonnaise, Jell-O, Baker's Chocolate, Log Cabin, Hostess, Kool-Aid, Tang, Maxwell House and many more. In 1929, Postum Cereal Company was renamed General Foods Corporation. We've all eaten one of their products.

Pataki delves into Marjorie's four doomed marriages and her three beloved daughters.

Marjorie was a philanthropist, socialite, wife of the ambassador to the Soviet Union and Belgium (1937-39), museum collector and so much more. She even offered her spectacular Palm Beach home, Mar-a-Lago, built in the 1920s to the federal government to be used as a winter White House. We know what happened to that!

In addition to her business success, Ms. Post gave generously of both her time and money. She said, "My wealth would have been a burden on my soul if I did not find ways to share it with others."

I highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will be released 15 Feb 2022.

"Colby, you've known me long enough. I'm not going to let anyone knock me down for too long. I'll always get back up to go another round."

FIVE STARS for Allison Pataki's forthcoming novel, THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST, out wherever books are sold on March 1st, 2022.

As the title suggests, this book reimagines the many lives of Marjorie Merriweather Post. She was a daughter, a wife, a mother, a heiress, a trailblazer, and a force. Marjorie was the heiress of General Foods Company, but she was more than just a pretty face. She was involved in the development of the brand as well as it's expansion that has led General Mills to be the household name it is today. She was a woman before her time, making history of one of the very first woman to run a major company. But what Marjorie had in business sense, she lacked in romantic sense as she navigated FOUR marriages throughout her lifetime. It seems there was never a dull moment in Marjorie Post's lifetime.

This novel was biographical historical fiction at it's finest. I knew very little about Marjorie before opening this book and I walked away with a deep respect for the leading lady. I loved the history that ran parallel to the story line and loved the appearances of many historic figures. I couldn't get enough of this book. It was well written, captivating, and shined a light on a hidden figure in our nation's history. This was my first novel by Allison Pataki, but it will not be my last.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for an advanced copy of THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST by Allison Pataki in exchange for an honest review.

I look forward to sharing this historical fiction novel with our blog audience and will keep it as a contender for a book club pick for future months for our organization's book club.

This book was entertaining and informative. I had heard of Marjorie Post but knew nothing about her. As a kid she helped make the cereal and helped labeling the boxes. As an adult she made some innovative choices that really helped the company do well. She is the one who found Birdseye frozen foods and brought them into the company later called General Foods. It was eye opening that in that time period, because she was a woman, she wasn’t able to sit on the company board, but rather had to have her husbands do it for her. For all her wealth she was unlucky in love, having 4 husbands.

Great historical fiction that really draws you into her life.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read this book very interesting book.

REVIEW: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Author: Allison Pataki
Genre: Historical Fiction

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this novel prior to publication! What a treat!! Wow! Wow! Wow! To think, I knew NOTHING about Marjorie Post before I read this novel, blows my mind. These are the stories young children need to be learning in school! Unfortunately, stories such as hers are hidden from society, and we lack the women role models we need to see to break societal norms and expectations. What an indomitable spirit to successfully navigate all she encountered in her life! I have been truly changed by this novel and and by spending the last few days getting to know the incredible woman, Marjorie Post!! I highly recommend this book with a side of Grape-Nuts!! (Which remains my favorite cereal to date btw!)

I adore historical fiction and this book was no exception. This was such a fascinating story and so beautifully written. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC. She had such an incredible and vivd life and this book was so well researched and was executed beautifully. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys history and stories on incredible women.

Though she really only lived one life, Marjorie Post lived it magnificently. I really like Allison Pataki"s approach to historical fiction and I was enchanted by this novel about the life of Marjorie Merriweather Post, the heiress to the Post Cereal Company and owner of General Foods. It was like watching an old episode of "The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous". It was a ringside seat to the lives of the east coast elite during the 1900s.

Lauded as "Marjorie the Magnificent" and "America"s Most Fabulous Hostess" Marjorie Post became an icon as a savvy business woman and philanthropist. She was worth millions of dollars before she was thirty and married and divorced four times in her life. There were seasons of decadence beyond imagination followed by times of grief and sadness. While facing the challenges of The Great War, The Great Depression, and WWII, Marjorie was always very generous and worked hard to improve the lives of others. She was a gracious hostess, a good friend and a champion for women. Historical fiction fans will want to add this book to their TBR list.

My sincere thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC ebook. Publication date: February 15, 2022.

Having just finished this book, I almost don't have words to describe it. I knew nothing of Marjorie going in, had never heard anything of her, and I do read a lot of historical books. First let me say how well this was written. I have not read this author before, but definitely will again. Sometimes it is hard to keep interest going in a memoir type book, but she did a great job in keeping me wanting to learn more. I plan to do research online to further my knowledge about her life.

Without giving too much away, I was so impressed by Marjorie Post. She entertained presidents, high ranking government officials around the world, royalty and stars. She sailed the seas and made astute business decisions in a time most women were at home. I feel she was a visionary ahead of her time, even if she had to fight to have her ideas heard by the men surrounding her. She was a mother that loved her girls deeply, but very unlucky in the men she chose to love. She gave so much to so many, and treated her hundreds of staff and employees like family. I learned so much about her, and our history also. I certainly recommend this book! Thanks Netgalley for the chance to read it.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC of the book.

What a magnificent read! I have read almost everything that Allison Pataki has published and this may be one of my favorites. Before reading this book, I had a cursory knowledge about Marjorie Post, only that she once owned Mar a Lago. Now, I have wonderful anecdotes to pepper future conversations and never realized the influence through the many lives she led.

The author is able to bring the reader right into the action and there was. never a dull moment. I cannot wait to see what historical figure Allison Pataki takes on next!

An outstanding read about an outstanding woman. I am a big fan of the author but this is my favorite book of hers yet. I didn't know anything about Marjorie Post but I absolutely came to know and admire her here. A brilliant mind for business, A loving and caring mother, A devoted daughter and the worlds best hostess. She couldn't seem to find the love she was looking for but she seemed to find she didn't need it. You have to read this book! Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publishers for an e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST-ALLISON PATAKI

Well, this book which will not available until 9/2022, is certainly filled with beautifully described jewels, mansions and parties. I received this to my Kindle for the purpose of review.

Marjorie Merriweather Post was the only child C.W. Post of the Post Cereal/General Foods conglomerate. The only job she had a minimum wage, I might add, was gluing cereal boxes for her father's business in an old barn in Battle Creek, Michigan. Budgie, Dad's name for her, was very attached to her father and followed him with a good business head and an ethic of hard work. For those of you who can remember POSTUM-coffee alternative was their second created item. The first being GRAPE NUTS.......They were making the cereal themselves and Marjorie never drink coffee, only her Postum.

Marjorie had a brilliant mind. Father always taught her to think ahead and not allow anyone to discourage her in her efforts as a lady. At 16 Marjorie met husband one, Edward Close, she convinced Dad to allow her to marry......she had two children with him.

Husband two, E. F. Hutton. It appeared a match made in heaven. They had one daughter. Sadly Marjorie again found herself divorced. Marjorie was a woman of loyalty and she expected loyalty.

Husband three, Joe Davies, was well known politician in Washington D.C. that Marjorie had met while married to E. F. Hutton. She lived in Moscow for a time with Joe while he served as the Russian Ambassador under Franklin Roosevelt. She was very definitely in love with each one and each one had her heart for a period of time.

Husband four, Herbert May, Westinghouse Air Brake Executive was afraid of flying so Mr. May purchased an airplane as well as hired people to maintain the plane and two pilots. He was the shortest marriage for her and she actually set up a trust for him after divorcing him.

Mrs. Merriweather Post had a great business head......but not one for discernment of men. E. F. Hutton was the longest and the most wealthy.

Interesting story and hard to even imagine all the wealth and opulent living. Mrs. Post was very generous with her money and quite the philanthropist starting a hospital in France during WWI. Building multiple hospitals, allowing her 300+ foot yacht to transport soldiers after the war and funding the Red Cross. She was generous to military veterans and their families. She operated soup kitchens during the depression.

Interesting story-she and E.F. Hutton built Mar-a-Lago. Her peaceful retreat in Florida was built in 1927. It took two years to build. Mrs. Post gave it to Florida as a retreat but they gave it back to her due to the high cost of maintaining the enormous property. The Federal Government was also offered the beautiful estate but they too turned it down. After sitting empty for four years, Mar-a-Lago was purchased by Donald J. Trump and became the Florida White House during his presidency.

I enjoyed the book and found it quite intriguing. She was a great lady with a generous heart and business head as well.



#NetGalley #Goodreads #The Magnificent Life of Marjorie Merriweather Post

Historical novels can be tricky in terms of facts and nuances. This particular book was unusual because it is written in the first person, as if Marjorie Merriweather Post, penned it herself.

If only part of this “memoir,” is true, she was a woman ahead of her time and we women owe her our gratitude. I knew enough about her before reading. She was the only child of C.W. Post who revolutionized breakfast with the introduction of Grape Nuts and Postum. Her father was a singular, self-made man, emotional with a definitive philosophy. He was a problem solver with tremendous ambition who wanted to help people while he made his large fortune.

Pataki takes us through Marjorie’s tenuous childhood with her mother, her education, intellect, ambition and her four marriages and three daughters. She was always comparatively rich, but much of her enormous fortune came through her cunning, intellect and the objective to make lives better for many Americans. She accomplished much of her goals when women could not vote or serve on the Board of Directors of a company she owned! She was smarter than most men, more innovative and she used her riches to make quick decisions and minimize her few failures.

Pataki tries to be even-handed to defend Marjorie when she was wrong. Of course, one of her most famous homes was Mar-a-Lago. Ms. Post intended it to be available for U.S. government, possibly a Winter White House. Well, we know how that turned out. Marjorie’s triumphs as a humanitarian are well-noted. The author wrote an excellent compilation of Marjorie Post’s work as a philanthropic, charitable American.

My gratitude to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for this pre-published book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Emotional Truths about Marjorie Merriweather Post

I think my favorite part of this book were Marjorie's early years, before she became rich, and the time she spent with her father building up the Post company. This is a mostly enjoyable read of a woman's life and certainly illustrates the point that money doesn't buy happiness (Ugh E.F. Hutton--you suck).. The only part I wished I could have seen more of was how Marjorie was forced to acquire business savvy, especially when it came to the Bird's Eye acquisition and the development into General Foods. But on the whole, this was very well done.

Spending most of my life in Michigan, you hear all about Cereal City, USA, aka Battle Creek, but I knew nothing about Marjorie Merriweather Post, until reading this book. Marjorie was a fascinating person and this book was a fantastic read. Marjorie had four marriages throughout her life but that’s only the start of the fascinating life she lead. This book follows her life from childhood through her death, showing her life as a child and as she traditions to being a mother and continuing the family business. She was a fantastic philanthropist, a brilliant strategic woman and a historian. The part that made my mouth drop was the purchase of Birdseye - a courage move in 1929 for $22 million. I throughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.

I went into this knowing very little about Marjorie Merriweather Post and feel like I learned a lot about her. However, it was challenging for me to discern what was fact and what was fiction in this book. I think that the issue comes with writing a historical fiction novel about a real person. This was a fun read as Marjorie's life encompassed so many historical events. I enjoyed this book but would only recommend it if you are willing to do a bit of side-googling.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me an ARC copy of this in exchange for my honest feedback.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC to review!
Rating (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being excellent)
Quality of writing: 4
Pace: 3
Plot development: 4
Characters: 3
Enjoyability: 3
Ease of Reading: 3

Overall rating: 3 out of 5

One of the best types of this 'historical fiction' genre. Pataki has done her homework well and we really get a good feel for Miss Post's life and times. I knew very little about her before reading this book and so many things about her and her life were truly fascinating. Her marriages , her philanthropic work, her collection of rare art. All of this make it a very good story, told in a straightforward, well written style. I recommend this to those who enjoy reading historical fiction and women in industry .

Thank you to Net Galley and Ballentine Books for allowing me to review this book for my honest opinion.
I enjoy a good historical book, and this one did not disappoint! I knew nothing of Marjorie Post before picking up this book. I enjoyed reading about her life as a girl, growing into womanhood, in a world that a woman was not able to excel as they should.
This book gave you great insite, not only to Ms. Post's life, but to what was happening in the world at the time. You got to see the progression from the girl that toasted the grain to the woman who ran the empire, although not until many, many years later. I was amazed at all the philanthropic work that she did, both domestic and abroad. The description of her gowns, jewels and especially the treasured items she obtained in Russia were on point. I love when a book can give you such a description that you can see them in your mind. This book kept me turning pages to see what was going to happen with her next.

What a wonderful story about a woman who used her wealth to make the world a better place. This is a must read novel about Marjorie Post, heiress to C. W. Post company, who had incredible wealth but was unable to find true love. Despite 4 unhappy marriages, Marjorie continues to do good in the world through her philanthropy. Prior to reading this advanced copy, I had never heard of Marjorie and her contributions to America through business, politics, and her goodwill to humanity. This is a must read and should be put on your TBR list if you like historical novels about strong women.

This is a well-researched and interesting historical novel.

Going into the book, I really didn't know much about Marjorie Post. I applaud Pataki for the clever story idea and appreciate how her smart research and crisp writing bring Ms. Post to life.

When I say the writing is "crisp," what I mean is that it's not overdone. Sometimes historical novels can drown in purple prose and overblown description. Thankfully, Pataki does not fall into this trap.

The overall story feels slightly superficial and I grew a bit tired of all the lavish parties. However, by the end, we see the full picture of this remarkable woman and the good she accomplished.