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Goddess

The Secret Lives of Marilyn Monroe

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Goddess

Written by: Anthony Summers
Narrated by: Donna Postel
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Marilyn Monroe, born to deprivation and a series of foster homes, became an acting legend of the 20th century. She married famous men, Joe DiMaggio and playwright Arthur Miller, and her many lovers included President John F. Kennedy. Her death, at 36, is a mystery that remains unsolved to this day.

Anthony Summers interviewed 600 people for this book, which reveals unknown truths, some funny, some very sad, about this brilliant but troubled woman. First to gain access to the files of Monroe's last psychiatrist, he throws light on Monroe's troubled psyche and her addiction to medications. He establishes once and for all that she was intimately involved with John and Robert Kennedy, who probably covered up the circumstances of her death.

©1985 Anthony Summers (P)2017 Tantor Entertainment & Celebrities Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV Women Celebrity Entertainment Funny
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What the critics say

“A remarkable performance…. The ghost of Marilyn Monroe cries out in these pages." ( New York Times)
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I always admired Marilyn Monroe, but never actually knew her life story, I wasn’t surprised as what the story told, as it seems to be what I was expecting. I feel really sorry about the end, and that she never really got to live out the rest of her life, but I love the story and even more loved her life. It hits home as the struggles with mental health are very difficult. It was a great read. I think the person reading it was a little underwhelming, but, none the less, the story was captivating, and really showed that era and how sometimes everyone can be intertwined without even knowing it.

What a woman

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Always interesting; closes yet yo what is believed to have happened. In my opinion. Learned more than I have in past books.

Always Interesting

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For the majority of the book, Anthony Summers impressed me with the depth of research he used to feed this linear exploration of the life of Norma Jeane Mortenson/Marilyn Monroe. Excerpts from other biographies, direct interviews with friends & colleagues, and quotes from Monroe herself lend an air of authenticity to the work.
Less fortunately, Summers too often interjected his own opinions into the narrative (coming back to her promiscuity over and over, for example) and occasionally demonstrated awkward wording (grammatically spot-on but klunky).
In toto, I settled on an "acceptable" assessment of the book - even after the descent into the conspiracy theory rabbit hole.

Reader Donna Postel similarly turned in an "adequate" performance throughout. Don't get me wrong.. her diction, timbre, cadence, timing, voice-acting, and tone are creditable - her MM impression is even commendable - but no more praiseworthy a narration than what any other professional could have provided.

Altogether, 'Goddess: The Secret Lives Of Marilyn Monroe' rates 7 stars out of 10. It's a diverting listen if you can get it - as I did - as a 'Plus' selection.. but spend your Credit elsewhere should they ask for one.

ATTN PRODUCERS: An appended PDF with the photographs displayed in the text version of this book would improve the product markedly


[NOTE: The final ⅓ of the book is the biggest selling point for 'Goddess' (and a good reason for you to buy it).. but is essentially non-corroborated allegation after non-corroborated allegation. Summers builds a strong circumstantial case for a cover-up of affairs with the Kennedys, but the assertion that the Mafia had evidence is pretty clearly speculation, imo]

Serviceable Biography

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Meticulously researched and well written, this is a compulsive listen about a fascinating woman. I thought the narrator was fantastic!

Tragic and compelling

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