Second Best Thing

Marilyn, JFK, and a Night to Remember

By: James L. Swanson

Narrated by: Arthur Morey

Length: 1 hr and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

President John F. Kennedy. Marilyn Monroe. A probing nonfiction short story that reconstructs an enchanting night in history by the New York Times bestselling author of Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer.

On the night of May 19, 1962, the marquee of the old Madison Square Garden boasted: “BEST THING TODAY...JOHN F. KENNEDY / 2ND BEST THING...MARILYN MONROE.”

Few things illustrate the magnetism of the Kennedy era like Marilyn Monroe co-headlining the President's massive birthday fundraiser, and suggestively crooning "Happy Birthday." But only a privileged few know what happened months earlier, when the two icons spent a weekend at a private summit hosted by Bing Crosby, and later, after the New York extravaganza, at the top secret, invitation-only midnight affair at a millionaire's Manhattan town house.

For more than half a century, this exclusive, no-press-allowed after-party has been shrouded in rumor and myth. Lot 6191 in the 2010 auction of White House photographer Cecil Stoughton's archive - "Marilyn Monroe at JFK Party" - included twenty-three prints. Their negatives, marked in Stoughton's hand with "Sensitive material, Do not file," were seized by the National Archives. Among the collection: the sole existing photograph of Marilyn and the president. Spellbound by the intimacy of the image and the force of public imagination, bestselling historian James Swanson masterfully reconstructs the fabled soiree, bringing alive a night that history nearly left behind.

©2020 James L. Swanson (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Captivating

Very captivating. Was an easy listen. Able to listen while at work or with kids in the car. If you love anything that revolves around old time Hollywood era especially Marilyn Monroe then you will enjoy this.

Sad!

The two stars of the show she died three months later him not much more.

An interesting Disappointment

This is a bad title for any book. The author is a good researcher but there is no real story here. He claims new information about a mysterious photo of the evening party after JFK's birthday bash where a nearly naked Marilyn performed in Madison Square Garden, but there is no record of anything of interest happening at the after party and the photo he mentions is a dud. It could be a M.M. -JFK discussion of the stock market for all we know. Alot fuss about nothing followed by a plea from the author for more material on this occurrence. Four cards don't make a flush and that's what we have here.

interesting tale

it was an interesting story.
I have nothing more to say thank you
good bye

Interesting

Enjoyed hearing information about a President I remember when I was young. Narrative very good and easy to listen to.

Big tease, but that night remains a mystery

The narration is a bit on the "droning" side, but the subject matter is so interesting, it poses no problem.

Amazing, so interesting.

Following it up with "Mrs Kennedy and Me" to get another perspective on Kennedy family!

it was great

i love the narrator. she's amazing and big reason i picked this book. the story was a great listen. takes a minute to get started, but when it does its very gripping.

Second best thing

I loved learning more about Marilyn Monroe and JFK. This was an interesting and enjoyable short documentary.

Awesome book and straight to the point!

I enjoyed this book. Learned things about the gala I never knew!! Looking forward to doing a deep dive on the Kennedys as this book has sparked my interest.