Marilyn Monroe: The Biography

I do not have the print version so I cannot compare.

The author did a lot of research and it shows. Also I liked that he spoke about well known rumors and told which ones had no fact behind them and put them to rest. I am glad I chose this as my first Monroe listen.

Emotion.

yes.

This is actually the first Marilyn book I've read/heard. Very informative and detailed account of her early years. I got a much better understanding of Norma Jean and was somewhat surprised by her courage and perseverance. This author also presents details regarding her death that I'd never heard either. This bio of Marilyn Monroe gave me a respect for the woman and made a fan out of me.

A very balanced and in depth biography without the myths and sensationalism.

There were many points of Ms. Monroe's life that I learned about that made this book important to me as it dispelled the rumours and tabloidism surrounding this icon who justsimply wanted to be a woman who was loved for herself and her God given talent.

Ms. Fields voice was the least favorite part of the book for me. I didn't expect characterizations or anything of that sort. I just didn't care for the sound.

This book is 22+ hours, so no, I wouldn't want to listen to it all at once. There is a lot to digest as far as factual info, i.e. addresses, side bars, etc., but it is all relevant, and builds to make the listener really feel what made Norma Jean into Marilyn Monroe.

I had never read a bio on Ms. Monroe, but am watching SMASH on TV and wanted to know more about the facts of her life. She was a determined, smart, kind, generous soul who was not cared for by herself or those she trusted. I will watch her movies again with a deeper appreciation. God Bless you Norma Jean.

The fact that it was unabridged. I think the narration is quite good, but I would have preferred to hear the actual author's voice.

The biographies of the Queen, the Kennedys, and Diana, Princess of Wales by Sally Bedell Smith. Sally Smith, like Donald Spoto, knows how to research and pen a proper biography, unlike hatchet hacks like Kitty Kelley and Christopher Anderson who rely too much on gossip, printed tabloid reports, and unsubstantiated or incredible sources for their books.

Marilyn Monroe herself. She would have wanted this fair and balanced account of her life written before Norman Mailer (1972) and Anthony Summers (1985) brought sensationalism into their versions, which clearly distorted her legacy and damaged the legend of Monroe. Mailer did not mince words when he admitted forty years ago that he wrote a semi-fictional biography because he needed the money. After that all MM biographers, except for Spoto, did the same. No wonder Spoto was the only one granted access to her private letters and documents. He has done full justice to her memory and once and for all cast permanent doubt on the many lies told about this heartbreaking icon. She deserved nothing less.

Absolutely.

If anyone wishes to know the real truth about Marilyn, this is the biography to read or listen to.

Monroe's life is full of mystery, from her birth to her death. Donald Spoto tries to solve this mystery, but I don't always agree with his conclusions. For example, was Monroe's psychiatrist responsible for her death? Was Robert Kennedy completely innocent of an affair with Monroe? This is Spoto's conclusion. However, I'm glad this audiobook finally made it to Audible. Narration is fine, not great. The afterword gives some thoughtful reflections on the Monroe "cottage industry" that was primarily started by Robert Slatzer and others.This book will keep you thinking about the unanswered questions of Monroe's life and death, even if you don't agree with the author's conclusions.