Marilyn Monroe is one of the most famous women who ever lived and it feels now as though we must have seen every picture of her ever taken. This book, however, includes some never before seen photos from childhood onwards, tending more towards more natural shots of her relaxing rather that just studio approved pictures or film stills and, along with the text, it gives a sense of Marilyn (a name she disliked, wishing she had just insisted on Jean Monroe) as a person rather than an icon. The text does not go into as much detail as longer biographies may but it gave a good outline of her life in some detail and the picture painted is very sympathetic and respectful.

I really enjoyed this book and it's an essential addition to the collection of anyone interested in the life of Marilyn Monroe.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the copy in return for an honest review.

#MarilynMonroe #NetGalley

Marilyn Monroe
1926 - 1962

There's magic in those numbers. And possibly the reason why the world never found "another Marilyn Monroe."

Magic is hard to duplicate.

There is much written on her, and I haven't read it all to draw comparisons. What I will say however is that this work by Jenna Glatzer is matter-of-fact and never comes across as lasvicious or intrusive at any point. The layout has enough white space around the images, lines, and margins making it easy on the eyes. Splashes of color and vintage black-and-white photos are juxtaposed well against the text which follows a strict chronological order. Chapters are arranged by year spans, with whimsical titles.

While this work expounds on the tragic instances in her life known to most - the orphanages, foster homes, exploitation, poverty, and reckless relationships, it also throws light on her generosity of spirit amidst seemingly unending adversity.

As the book comes to a close, there's a foreshadowing of the inevitable tragic end of a person underwater. The world's greatest cinema icon. Died alone. Found dead.

I liked the last photo chosen to close this title - a full-page B&W image of Marilyn pouting through semi-closed eyes. There is a certain wistful and bitter-sweet quality to it. You will see :-)

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

This is great! I think Marilyn is known for her outfits and I think the pictures do a great job at helping us visualize her life and learn more about her. There was lots of super interesting information about her life, and the storytelling and writing just made it so much better. A huge part of American society back then and now is our obsession with celebrities, and I think books like this one add to that culture and help us learn more about the little mysteries of Monroe’s life and almost feel like an insider. Definitely recommend!

Having read many of the Marilyn Monroe collections I never tire of them and always find something new and interesting to see, and this is another high quality collection full of unseen photographs and a fascinating look back at her life from beginning to end.

It's beautifully put together and the range of photographs is stunning - all the infamous and iconic pictures are included along with many I'd not seen anywhere else before so it was stunning to see them all alongside one another.

And with the photos come a chronological look back over her life, from where it started, how she persued fame, how fame treated her and then a look at her struggles, the downward spiral and her tragic end and the speculation that surrounded her death. It also features letters and reproductions of other mementoes of her life which really add to the quality of the collection. A real treasure for any Marilyn Monroe fan!!

What a beautiful book! What a moving tribute to Marilyn Monroe, a woman who still fascinates us over 30 years after her death. Author Jenna Glatzer presents a well-rounded portrait of Monroe, showing her at her best, her worst, and in between. She also provides a plethora of pictures, allowing us to have a visual of her ups and downs, her highs and lows.
While there are a few quotes that are quite poignant, I believe that Glatzer summed up the mystique of Marilyn Monroe best towards the end of the book: Monroe was 'insecure, needy, loving, passionate, ambitious' and that she 'represents qualities in each of us, and in people we love....there's something so heartbreaking...that the world's most everlasting star died alone...' She was and is a human conundrum, and her mysterious death only adds to that. No matter how much we think we know her, Marilyn Monroe will forever remain elusive, like a shooting star - fleetingly beautiful but never forgotten.
It is definitely a worthwhile read for any fan of Hollywood history.

Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing for this ARC, which was voluntarily read and reviewed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance readers copy of this book

I’m a big Marilyn Monroe fan - she stars in two of my favourite movies - Gentlemen Prefer z blondes and How To Marry millionaire

At approximately 200 pages, this book covers MM’s life from childhood to her early death, and includes some gorgeous photos

Marilyn Monroe is my favourite person of all time. This a great read with stunning photos. Perfect for any and all Marilyn fans

This is a book I didn’t want to finish. Indeed the final chapter was left by me for about 3 weeks.

Books about movies and film stars do not usually grip my imagination or grab my attention, demanding to be read.

I love motion pictures and have always enjoyed seeing newly released films or catching my favourite actors on the big screen at the cinema.

For me Marilyn Monroe was an enigma, one of the first of several stars who have died, under tragic circumstances. With a desire to learn more about the ‘real’ Marilyn I was drawn to this book.

I have learned a great deal in the process. Above all I have realised a lack of knowledge I have judged her image unfairly. The author has done a great deal of research and found testimony of friends and associates to build up a non-judgemental account of her life. From humble beginnings and early struggles to become an actress. Consequently it is clear that much of the demons and frailties surrounding her relationships and inability to present herself “ready” on set are understandable.

The book is worth getting for the well documented photographs which accompany it. But is the progressive and well written text that will remain with me longer.

Marilyn was a beautiful individual in her heart and towards others. For example GIs in Korea and children in general. As well as a beautiful model and actress which the many photos of her demonstrate.

But it is the parson this book has enabled me to see that means I would encourage others to read it for themselves. Certainly, I am less critical of her shortcomings and feel less comfortable in judging others based on headlines and media coverage.

I am grateful to this book on taking me on this journey. I feel it is unbiased and journalistically sound. It isn’t pulling punches or seeking to excuse but by seeking to tell the story it reveals information where the reader can decide.

I’ve studied Marilyn‘s life and read a few biographies on her life. If I knew someone who didn’t want to read a whole 500 page biography, this is a perfect alternative. The author gives us pictures that coincide with the stories and facts, which is helpful. The raw honesty into the good and the bad of Marilyn are supported by quotes of those who knew her. My favorite story was about Ella Fitzgerald (page 126). It was touching and humanized the iconic legend.

When you get the book, perhaps you'll be as struck as I was by the contrast between the smiling baby photo early on and the one chosen to end the book of a sexy but vulnerable looking Marilyn. That ability to be both was a secret I'm not sure even she knew how was done but it made men both lust after and want to protect her. The joy of the smiling baby seemed long gone.

I won't detail her story. The book blurb does an excellent job. Not only have there been many versions of it written, some originating from her, others the studios, others....who knows? I'll just say, it's all there and the photos do capture many of those mentioned in her life as well as some of the now legendary photos. I liked that the author presented the material in a largely straight-forward manner without getting lost in the controversy and conspiracy theories that so often take over stories about Monroe. In other words, while not ignoring the factual happenings, they weren't wallowed in, either. I did know that Monroe spent time in an orphanage, I'll note, but the author managed to convey the sense of being abandoned that this left in Monroe's soul, a feeling of not being loved or wanted that touched so many elements throughout her life.

So, overall, while a sad read, it's a satisfying read. The photos were obviously chosen with great care and fit the topic at hand well. Chapter titles give you a hint of what to expect in each section, such as "Bases Loaded", "We're All Afraid", and "Incomplete". I found that last one particularly saddening, gotta admit, as it so succinctly described her life. There's also a filmography and image credit section as well as one sharing info on the author. I tended to dawdle along, flipping back and forth between text and photos, frequently backtracking for another look at someone mentioned, but overall found it an easy, fairly quick read. Read at your own pace, it's worth it. Thank you #NetGalley and #QuartoPublishingGroup - #ChartwellBooks for allowing me this early peek.

This was an amazing biography of Marilyn’s life. I’ve read so many, but this was the shortest yet most thorough one I’ve ever read. What makes this book better than the rest are the photos. The photos are so large and life like, and there are so many. I really like how the photos are descriptive and placed throughout the book and coincide with the story being told on that page. It truly makes you feel like you’re living this life with her. The photos bring the story to life, and when the story ends, as Marilyn did, in 1962, you feel a piece of you has died as well. Her story ended way too soon. This author did a great job of acknowledging all theories about the cause of her death, but didn’t go into too much detail on any one theory. The author just leaves it up to the reader to believe in their own theory while mentioning how the police concluded their investigation. I also liked how the author acknowledged DiMaggio’s never ending devotion to her at the end. Which was the one thing that never wavered from the moment they met. Marilyn was so blessed to have been loved so dearly and deeply by that one man, no matter what. Everyone deserves a Joe DiMaggio…..