Customer Reviews

Legend: The Life and Death of Marilyn Monroe

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I seem to have read the Marilyn Monroe biograhpies backward, because so many of the ones I've already read (including Norman Mailer's, Gloria Steinem's, and Barbara Leaming's) used Guiles' _Legend_ (or his first Marilyn book, _Norma Jean_) as a reference and guide. This book is truly incredible for its in-depth look into a confusing, tragic life; especially since Marilyn often embellished her past.

I especially enjoyed Guiles' treatment of her decline. He never judged; he was sympathetic and kind about her lateness, dependence on drugs, and occasional fits of bitchiness. Unlike other biographers, Guiles didn't place all that much emphasis on her barbituate addiction, which I felt was kind of refreshing. Her death was handled eloquently, steering the reader toward a suicide verdict, carefully negating other reports.

I have only a couple of minor complaints; I think if I could I would give the book 4 1/2 stars. Twice near the beginning of his biography, Guiles points out that Marilyn was "not naturally pretty." He said it about Norma Jeane when she was starting to model, and again about Marilyn after some of her plastic surgery. How could he say that? It just seems like an odd statement to make about the greatest sex symbol of all time, especially because of her vulnerable, luminous quality. Also, regarding her marriage to Jim Dougherty, it seemed that Guiles took every word Jim said as gospel, when he would have as much reason as Marilyn to embellish that situation to his benefit (and no more proof than she had, and of course when Jim wrote his book, she was already dead).

On the whole, this is the best book on Marilyn Monroe, comparable only with Donald Spoto's biography. I recommend it to all readers, not simply people who are already Marilyn fans.

Awesome! I loved every page, I read with a desire! This book had so much information on Marilyn Monroe it was scary. It gives the 411 on all her stories and how she came to be-and die- one of the most glamourus women in Amercan Culture ever! The devine Ms. M's fairy tale started out by chance, and gives light on how Marilyn really was and how she came to be. I would recomend this book to everyone!

I am Marilyn fan and I have read a few books this one was okay it was more focused on her movies but it was okay still my favorites, I recommend for Marilyn fans are the best one is from Barbara Leaming it was a gift from my sister very good book with GREAT pictures,then Marilyn Monroe Confidential by Lena Pepitone and William Stadiem and finally "My story" by Andrea Dworkin.

Great book about such a beautiful woman who had a difficult life from day 1. This books provides alot of insight into Marilyn's life. I highly recommend it.

This was one of the first books I'd read on MM, wish it had been my first. Guiles does not use gossip and sensationalism, I like that. He gives the reader the person behind the myth, portrayed with the respect she deserves. It was written pre-Slatzer and Carmen, so you don't have them muddying the facts of Marilyn's life and death. I just recently recommended this to someone looking for a good first book to read on Marilyn.
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Mr. Guiles again gives an in-depth and touching, personal, human side in his biography of Marilyn Monroe. I highly recommend this book, and all his Hollywood biographies to anyone who wants to learn about the story behind the famous and beautiful faces on the silver screen.

Here i am mother by nancy miracle is the only uncensored story of the human behind the image Mr. Guiles tells the same old story and never researched beyond the newspapers but he tried i suppose the only person who knows and is able to reveal the copyrighted story is her daughter nancy miracle a playwright and member of the dramatists guild