Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed: New edition: revised and expanded (Brief Histories (Paperback))

My Disclaimer:I purchased this book. I am providing an honest review for which I am receiving no compensation of any kind. All opinions are fully my own.~ Judi E. Easley for Blue Cat ReviewMy Review: ✭✭✭I have never read any of Ms. Morgan’s other works on Marilyn, but this one is well researched. The biography itself is the first 72% of the book. Then remembrances are another 2%. The references are 12% of the book. An in-depth index takes up 12%. Then the photos take the last 2% of the book. She has talked to people who have never been spoken to before, especially about Marilyn’s early years.She uses a tone that seems like straight-up reportage sometimes and a novel at others. But I guess that’s life. There is significant information and the pace moves it along fairly quickly. Two things bothered me about this book. One is everything seemed to have the same importance. Nothing was stressed or highlighted more than anything else. Almost like a monotone. A bit mind-numbing I found.The other thing was the address book aspect. I wanted to get out a map and some map pins and mark every address she mentioned. I was tempted to go back and count how many addresses were mentioned in the book!It seemed to be a thorough look into Marilyn’s early years and the relationships from those years. The later years that had been much more publicized, were not covered as deeply and seemed to almost be just touched on. After all the detail and addresses of the earlier parts, the ending was tied up fairly quickly. The Kennedy and Sinatra involvements were downplayed, I felt. Overall, it showed a woman who was totally unprepared for the life she stumbled into and just tried to handle it as best she could.This is not the bio I would recommend for someone who hasn’t read anything about Marilyn Monroe before, but as a secondary read, it’s fine.

I have been a Monroe fan since 1953 (How To Marry A Millionaire) and a collector since 1959 (Some Like It Hot). I make it a point to buy every book published and released on Marilyn, and find that this newest addition to the collection is among the best. Ms. Morgan is obviously a great fan of Marilyn having researched this book for many years before putting it all down on paper. Compared to some other authors who splash some facts mixed with speculation and rumor and rush out a new "expose", Michelle Morgan went the extra distance to find people who knew Marilyn and can add their insights to the Marilyn canon.I was especially taken with the reminiscences of George Chakiris who appeared in the "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" number in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I've told people for years that he was in that number but no one believed me. Can you imagine the thrill of working on that scene?And the photos are not to be believed. Why has it taken so many years for some of these to surface when hundreds of previous authors have interviewed Marilyn's family and friends? This is an amazing accomplishment and I am very thankful to Ms. Morgan for her tenacity and endurance in getting this book put together. The book has a luscious jacket, is very heavy (so no reading on the subway on the way to work) and comes with a bookmark ribbon so you don't have to try and read this all in one sitting. Though that certainly is a temptation.Personally, I flipped out by her "Sources" section where she lists all of the documents that she used in researching for this book. I was especially floored by the listing of magazine and newspaper references. I have many unmarked clippings from old movie magazines and can now update my log with the date or writer or source name that I didn't have before. And the "Sources" section also provides a listing of documents that I can add to my "want list".Kudos to Michelle Morgan for a crowning achievement.

It's obvious the author has done extensive research on the " subject ". However she gets lost in far too many unecessary details and throws names after names which ads to the confusion. Also, it does not appear that she is familiar with Los Angeles. The City has many streets by the same name and since Ms Morgan does not specify areas, thes readers ( those familiar with LA ) again get cinfused. The later part of MM's life seems rushed. Not enough time is spent on what happened at the Cal Neva Lodge. and the " dificulties " during the filming of " The misfits " when way too much " writing " is spent on the early years of MM's life. It's obvious Ms Morgan loves Marilyn, but then again who doesn't. Ms Monroe as delightful as she was could be very difficult at times and the author seems to lack objectivity there. Also not enough is written about Monroe's demise, but then agai this would fill an other very large book. Having read Many books on the " subject " and met a few people that were part of Monroe's inner rcircle, I give her 3 stars for her research.

This was ordered for my daughter as a Christmas present. She has already started reading it, although she is not one for reading much. So far she has loved it, and says it gives information that she had not known before.

There are a few b/w pics of her before her fame that I've never seen anywhere (& I have 30 books).But it's thin on stunning colour pics if that's what you are after. (I was, 50's make up/fashion is my thing as well as Marilyn)

ok

nicely written , really pulls you into her world

Great book in good condition.Fast delivery and good price.