In 1962 until her death in August of the same year, George Barris worked with Marilyn Monroe on collecting information for a biography. After thirty years, the conversations and the photographs taken during the last months of her life are published for the first time.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
46 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In the plethora of books out there written about and containing pictures of Marilyn Monroe, I feel that this collaboration between friend and photographer George Barris and Marilyn herself is truly special, and is as essential to own as _Legend_ by Guiles or the photography books of Bert Stern or Andre de Dienes. In some of the last pictures of her taken before her death, Marilyn is natural and luminescent, appearing happy, calm, and at home in her body.
The text is also highly interesting, containing the words of Marilyn herself as told to Barris. Like her ghost-written _My Story_, this book contains the fragments of Marilyn's life she saw fit to share at that time, and therefore captures her public mindset during the summer before her death more than anything I've read. For example: "When I was a small child, my fondest memories were being around my mother and her friends. It made me feel like we were one big happy family." And even sadder: "As far as I'm concerned, the happiest time of my life is now. There's a future, and I can't wait to get to it. It should be interesting." Barris' conclusion is that Monroe did not commit suicide, and reading her statements contained in this book, it's easy to see why. A beautiful representation of a beautiful woman (inside and out).
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Born Norma Jeane Mortensen on 1 June 1926 c.e. and died 4 August 1962 under conditions still not well known, the woman called Marilyn Monroe was the most famous individual in the world at the time of her death. She still well may be.
Any attempt to describe her career during her life, and the subsequent notoriety and attention to her image after her death, quickly becomes like describing the latest oil tanker, a study of superlatives. What is clear is that she was stunningly beautiful, quite intelligent, and rather troubled. However, much of the population of the United States is "rather troubled" and the vast majority do not commit suicide. Neither, believes Barris, did she, and nor do I.
This isn't a book on Marilyn Monroe's tragic death: it's a photo-essay centering on the last months of Monroe's life, a time when she was certainly in a state of change, but one in which she optimistically looked to the future. I suspect that is really Barris' motivation in publishing this collection, to establish that the memory of this woman, who he obviously had a great affinity with and affection for, should not be stigmatized as a suicide.
Although her life was taken from her at far too early an age, an age at which her best years were clearly ahead and which invites speculation on what she would have done in the decades to come-indeed,she might still be working, as Lauren Bacall still is and Tony Randall did up until December 2003-I think MM should be thought of as a success rather than a tragic victim.
These pictures are magnificent,a study in photographing people in general and women particularly, and technically astounding. The color images, almost certainly shot on the Kodachrome of the vintage, and thirty-some years old when the book was prepared for litho, have a lovely vintage tonality. A great model, a great photographer, great cameras and films, and some beautiful scenery in Southern California all add up to photos that would be worthwhile even if Marilyn had never been famous and were still alive baking cookies in Ohio.
Shortly, it will have been 42 years since Marilyn Monroe lost her life in her small house on Fifth Helena Drive. Nevertheless,she is still the most famous of all movie stars, and she will be remembered and recognized on film probably as long as our species exists. This book evokes her triumph and her loss-and ours-as well as a book can, and few readers will not be reduced to tears at some point while studying it. Ultimately, though, we all must visit the place where she so early went to, and few of us will have had her impact on the world. Thank you, Marilyn, and George Barris too, for letting us see this beautiful creature as, for so short a time, she was.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Marilyn was a wonderful person. She was kind, beautiful, funny, and even though many of you may not think this true, smart. She had an extremely clever mind and the kind of determinetion which is only found once in a million. This book says it all, about her cruel ordeals during her childhood and, even as an adult which she was strong enough to push through and to achieve her dream of being one of the greatest actresses in history. She was a very determind, intelligent young lady, who sadly was murdered at such a young age. This book of Marilyn's life in her own words could change your opinion of her completey, and you will love her even more. Thank you, George Barris for finally deciding to publish this book in the end.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A refreshing Marilyn book by someone who TRULY loved her!
This book gives an inside to the day to day person Marilyn was. Mr Barris loved her for that person, not the MM persona she put on. Read more
Published 1 month ago by T. M. Medlock
Wanted More...
Although it was not a bad book, I wanted more information about her life. She spends a lot of time talking about her career and how she became the superstar she was. Read more
Published 4 months ago by AveryG
BEST!
It came TWO DAYS earlier! Some of you might think it's just TWO days, but for me it is great! The item came in just SIX DAYS!!! Fast and in great condition!
Published 4 months ago by Cutiepiexox
great book!! Two thumbs up.
Gave this book as a gift to my brother. I asked him what he thought, he told me he was has only just started reading it and said it is an excellent book. Read more
Published 8 months ago by care bear
Marilyn: Her Life in Her Own Words
I enjoyed this book very much. It's a shame she had such a tragic life in the being and end. Beautiful person.
Published 9 months ago by Susan
Beautiful!
I love this book,because it was very informational and fun to read. the pictures are stunning of course. Read more
Published 16 months ago by MonroeFanatic
Gorgeous Pictures and Personal Thoughts of Marilyn
I wanted to share my view on this publication. The pictures are breathtaking. The truths and stories from the author and Marilyn were interesting and gave me a window of Marilyn... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Conyadoss
Good book
PROS Nice glimpse into Marilyn's life.
CONS This book is not the type of book you read more than once.
CONS This book is not the type of book you read more than once.
Published 17 months ago by Melody
Barris is good
She was such a beautiful talented person and Barris shows that,this is a beautiful book hat will enlighten you into her life with beautiful pictures.
Published 21 months ago by messr10
It Was Hollywood that Murdered Marilyn
I love this book and I think that anyone can relate to it. Also, I would rather get books from one of her friends who actually knew her, than someone who doesn't. Read more
Published 22 months ago by U. Restauro
Inside This Book
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
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Twentieth Century-Fox, Marilyn Monroe, Norma Jeane, Los Angeles, Aunt Grace, Arthur Miller, Miss Snively, New York, The Seven Year Itch, Santa Monica, Darryl Zanuck, Jim Dougherty, Johnny Hyde, Aunt Ana, Daily News, Ben Lyon, Something's Got, Columbia Pictures, Frank Sinatra, Betty Grable, United States, Ladies of the Chorus, Norman Mailer, Van Nuys, John Huston Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
asphalt jungle Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Twentieth Century-Fox, Marilyn Monroe, Norma Jeane, Los Angeles, Aunt Grace, Arthur Miller, Miss Snively, New York, The Seven Year Itch, Santa Monica, Darryl Zanuck, Jim Dougherty, Johnny Hyde, Aunt Ana, Daily News, Ben Lyon, Something's Got, Columbia Pictures, Frank Sinatra, Betty Grable, United States, Ladies of the Chorus, Norman Mailer, Van Nuys, John Huston Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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