To Norma Jeane with Love, Jimmie [Paperback]

Jim Dougherty (Author), LC Van Savage (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2001

I guess more words have been written about my first wife, my beloved Norma Jeane Baker, than perhaps have been written about a great many other people who have become famous. Even after she became Marilyn Monroe, and long after her death, the words keep coming and coming. They'll never stop. Sometimes the words liken Norma Jeane to a caterpillar becoming a beautiful and fragile butterfly, but that's not true. Norma Jeane was always a butterfly. She was beautiful all of her life, within and without. During our courtship and marriage I never stopped loving to be with her, to stare at her, to laugh with and love her. We had a wonderful, joyful marriage. But in the end, it was not enough for Norma Jeane. Like all beautiful butterflies, she had to fly away. The difference between the millions of other words written and the ones within this book is simple; mine are not conjecture. Mine are not research. My words are true because I was there. I had the honor and privilege to have lived the experience. The words in this book are all true, because Norma Jeane Baker was my wife.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

I guess more words have been written about my first wife, my beloved Norma Jeane Baker, than perhaps have been written about a great many other people who have become famous.

Even after she became Marilyn Monroe, and long after her death, the words keep coming and coming. They'll never stop.

Sometimes the words liken Norma Jeane to a caterpillar becoming a beautiful and fragile butterfly, but that's not true.

Norma Jeane was always a butterfly. She was beautiful all of her life, within and without. During our courtship and marriage I never stopped loving to be with her, to stare at her, to laugh with and love her. We had a wonderful, joyful marriage.

But in the end, it was not enough for Norma Jeane. Like all beautiful butterflies, she had to fly away.

The difference between the millions of other words written and the ones within this book is simple; mine are not conjecture. Mine are not research. My words are true because I was there.

I had the honor and privilege to have lived the experience. The words in this book are all true, because Norma Jeane Baker was my wife. --- Jim Dougherty

About the Author

James Dougherty was the first husband of Norma Jeane Baker, later known as the famous actress, Marilyn Monroe.

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: BeachHouse Books (January 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888725516
• ISBN-13: 978-1888725513
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #841,879 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #90 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( M ) > Monroe, Marilyn

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intimate , personal, story of Marilyns early years, September 4, 2003

By 

Heidi (ga United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Norma Jeane with Love, Jimmie (Paperback)

I'm a huge Marilyn collector/fan and have read many books about her life. This is one of the best books from someone who really knew her, along with the book "My Sister Marilyn". This is her first husbands story. It is touching and sad as well as being a tribute to a beautiful person that Marilyn/Norman Jean was. I read things in this book I've never heard before about Marilyns early years and It was easy to read and very enjoyable, It's a must for any fan.I'm so greatful to "Jim" for sharing his story!

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To Norma Jeane With Love, Jimmie ~Review~, March 14, 2001

By 

Anna (Anoka, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Norma Jeane with Love, Jimmie (Paperback)

This fabulous book, written by Marilyn Monroe's first husband, Jim Dougherty, is touching! It is sad and funny at the same time! Jim Dougherty has only the best things to say about Marilyn (then Norma Jeane).

This book is very detailed, and lets you get to know and understand the life of Norma Jeane better, so that you become very fascinated with her!

I've never read a better book written about either MM or NJ! If you don't have this, book, I highly recommend that you buy it!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Early Monroe, February 26, 2006

By 

Samantha Glasser "Maliejandra" (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: To Norma Jeane with Love, Jimmie (Paperback)

Jim Dougherty was the first husband of Miss Marilyn Monroe, sex symbol, child-like actress, and film obsession. There are literally hundreds of books about the Hollywood goddess, but very few have real insight into her early life before entering films. Thankfully, Dougherty wrote and published this book before he died, throwing the rabid fans of his first wife some fresh material.

There are countless stories published here, about how Dougherty and Monroe met and married, their life together, and their demise. He describes Marilyn's love for their puppy dog, for cooking food like peas and carrots, and her knack for impressing men. He even mentions their sex life, but refuses to go into great detail out of respect.

The book is in no particular order and tends to skip around a lot. It also repeats itself many times which makes it a little harder to read than a more professional book, but the stories are valuable and interesting.