The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe

by J. Randy Taraborrelli

Book Overview

From New York Times bestselling author J. Randy Taraborrelli comes the definitive biography of the most enduring icon in popular American culture. When Marilyn Monroe became famous in the 1950s, the world was told that her mother was either dead or simply not a part of her life. However, that was not true. In fact, her mentally ill mother was very much present in Marilyn's world and the complex family dynamic that unfolded behind the scenes is a story...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446580821
• ISBN13: 9780446580823
• Release Date: August 2009
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 560 Pages
• Weight: 1.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.1" x 5.9" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Marilyn Monroe. The woman to learn from.

Takes you deep into the life of Marilyn Monroe.

Missing cover

Bought this book because I had gotten it from the library and loved it. When I got it it was missing the dust jacket. I didn’t see that in the description and was very surprised when I got it

Offering newly discovered photos of Marilyn that have never been published

This story of the world-famous daughter handling a parent's paranoid schizophrenia provides a different survey of Marilyn Monroe and her family, including her mother, foster mother, and legal guardian. It reveals, for the first time, the identity of her real father and half-brother she never knew, her relationship with the Kennedys, and more offering newly discovered photos of Marilyn that have never been published, the most complete filmography in print, and detailed research. Highly recommended.

Best Biographer Writing Today.

J. Randy Taraborrelli is a master writer and a biographical genius. He embraces his subjects with both love and wisdom. People matter. Lives count. There is a depth to his perception of the meaning of life. His unique gift is in revealing the blossoms and the thorns with loving kindness. He crafts each paragraph with unmistakeable truth while coaxing new life from old details that kidnap the readers attention chapter after chapter. The enigma that was Marilyn Monroe unravels under his pen. We are brought into the intimate circle of those who really knew her and more importantly, we reach a different understanding about this screen goddess. J. Randy makes sure we experience the dark and the light judgement free. Marilyn Monroe was fascinating, alluring, irritating and could drive you mad in the exact moment that she could seduce you and bring you to your knees. J. Randy approaches her mystery with respect and candor. Through his mastery, she lives again in our minds and hearts as we are caught breathless by this book. J. Randy is an artist. His canvas is the printed page, but his medium is the human soul. If Viktor Frankl was searching for the meaning of Marilyn's life; J. Randy Taroborrelli has uncovered it. Read and relive the life of Marilyn Monroe and you'll understand a lot more of why she lived as she did, her rise to fame and the tragedy of her untimely death. It all makes perfect sense. Thank you Marilyn and thank you J. Randy. - kac young

Understanding Marilyn's Demons

I have read several biographies of Marilyn but this one really gave me an understanding of the childhood she endured and of the real mental illness prevelent in her family. It is not surprising that she was so addicted to drugs as she constantly self medicated to ease her pain and insecurity from being rejected by her mother and never even having a father. Really, it is amazing that she lived as long as she did. I do believe after reading the book and thinking about the research done by the author that her death was a deliberate suicide. This is a long book but I found it very interesting and recommend it to Marilyn's fans.

Think you know everything about Marilyn.....

As a huge fan of MM I thought I knew just about all there was to know about this fascinating lady, but Taraborrelli proved me wrong. Using fresh research, including some files recently released by the government, the author adds more color to the affair between Marilyn and President Kennedy, info supplied by an FBI agent who was documenting the affair at the time it occurred! He also interviewed many of the main players from Marilyn's world (many no longer with us) and he was able to review unpublished notes of reporters who covered Marilyn when she was alive. Taraborrelli `s extensive research pays off with one of the most insightful books on Marilyn ever produced. The reader learns of the role Marilyn's mother actually played in her life; I won't give anything away but it is much more extensive than the public ever knew. I was also shocked to learn of the depth of Marilyn's mental problems, I mean any one familiar with her life story knows she had issues, but I never suspected how sick she truly was. This is not just a rehash of old material and I highly recommend it to all interested in this icon's story. For more fascinating Marilyn Monroe reading, do check out "Misfits Country" Marilyn brought to life during the filming of her final movie.

A Complex Life

Marilyn Monroe was, without question, one of the most intriguingly beautiful women of the 20th century. Not only was she attractive, but she was deeply complex and had a sincere desire to become a great actress. "The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe" is an examination of her life from beginning to end, opening with an account of Marilyn's foster mother, Ida Bolender, and how Marilyn came to be a part of her family. The book then goes on to chronicle the histories of Marilyn's grandmother, Della; mother, Gladys; and finally the birth and childhood of Norma Jeane (Marilyn's birth name). The author's style of writing is uncomplicated and gives the reader a clear and honest portrait of the most sensual actress of our time. Some chapters are: *The Voices Return *Norma Jean in an Orphanage *Norma Jean Marries *Marilyn Tries To Meet Her "Father" *Joe DiMaggio *Marilyn's Rebellion *Sinatra *Arthur Miller *Why Marilyn Was Investigated By The FBI *Marilyn Is Committed *How Dare You Betray Me! *Kennedy Style *An Overdose Because of JFK? *many more chapters throughout this 576 page biography. (And there's always the question of whether Marilyn committed suicide, died of an unintended overdose, or was murdered. The book will give the reader solid clues into the mystery.) If you are a Monroe fan or just want an interesting read, this will probably be one the most talked about books of 2009. I enjoyed the book, and found out many things about Marilyn that I had not previously read by other writers.