Norma Jean

by Fred Lawrence Guiles

Book Overview

This is the first and foremost in-depth biography written about Marilyn Monroe after her death. The book sets the record straight from primary sources as to just what happened to the most provocative... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0491004729
• ISBN13: 9780491004725
• Release Date: January 1969
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.21 lbs.

Customer Reviews

The REAL Marilyn Monroe

I purchased the paperback in the mid 1970's, now the book is in tatters. So I bought this copy, which is excellent. Guiles book is the only biography dealing with the REAL woman. What I found interesting was her family's history of mental illness. I wish it could have delt with her grandmother more, Della Monroe. I felt she would have been the picture of Marilyn, if she had survived. Her mother, Gladys was the spitting image of her daughter, as was her 'sister' Berniece. But Marilyn was very talented--in fact when I saw, LADIES IN THE CHORUS, I was blown away by her singing. This girl has got "real" talent and can act like nothing I've ever seen,(DON'T BOTHER TO KNOCK, 1952). Toward the end of her life, mental illness was destroying her life, along with severe alcoholism. But, I can't help but feel, that she was taken advantage of, especially by the Kennedys. I don't believe she killed herself, she had too much to live for, but it is possible that because of her involvement with the President and his brother, her life was in grave danger. People cared about Marilyn and still do. She left a unique collection of work. No one could ever replace her.

Norma Jean

The first thing that struck me was the numerous personal photographs in the center of the book, including the calender page of 'golden girl'. When I had time to read, I picked it up and started, from then on unable to put it down [as an avid reader this is a HUGE compliment to the writer]. I was to finish the almost 400 pages in less than 3 days. It was the BEST biography I have EVER read. It is a classic, heart wrenching tale about the personal struggles of a beautiful and sensitive woman. I am now a HUGE fan of hers, and I feel honored to have had a glimpse into her soul [through this book]. Also, the book is beautiful looking, with a simple gold script Norma Jean on the hard cover, hot pink inside the covers, beautifully haunting images in the center.I can't imagine finding another biography of her that can even come close to comparing. It changed my life.