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.

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.

Amazing, so interesting.

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

"Happy Birthday Mr. President"!

The narrator made me feel like I was standing in the wings at Madison Square Garden just before Ms. Monroe took the stage, AND took me to an after-party as a bonus! It was a peek behind the curtain of a time when the political and entertainment worlds were more energetically linked. All that, and Mr. President JFK too, made for an intriguing story. (Would love to know if those negatives are ever found, though!)

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.

Terrible

Don't waste your time. There is nothing unique or unknown in this book. It should be free.

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.

Interesting

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

Why No Photos?

The story was well written and the narration was excellent. I had not realized how close to her death this performance was. One has to wonder if there isn't a relationship between the two events. It will be difficult for younger readers to understand how exactly shocking Marilyn's dress was that night. Clothing and especially performers costumes have become so much more revealing in the pursuing years. That dress, at that time in history was truly above and beyond any costume that any other performer had worn. It seemed a very blatant display of a relationship in her feelings towards Kennedy. It's a good thing that Jackie wasn't there. It is very disappointing that the pictures from the after party that the author possesses or not shared with the readers. The picture of JFK with Marilyn that is shown in the thumbnail is obscured, in part, by print. It would be nice to have at least shared that photo in whole.

Fascinating

Great review of times past when ladies dressed and We enjoyed the best of times.

Conspiracies Based on Picture and an Event

I get that some people still want to know the truth about these rumors, they wanted to find the truth. But in my opinion, I think people need to let go. Since the truth cannot be known anymore. It's lost since they're gone. Both personalities are dead and any attempt of truth seeking is futile - all will just be regarded as a conspiracy.

Hopes too high

Had high hopes for this, Arthur is an outstanding narrator, and this moment in history is of a golden age in Camelot that seems almost seared apon the cultural consciousness.
But though some of the description is admirable, I was awaiting revelations that never came, and therefore left somewhat disappointed.

Not bad

Thankfully not a salacious story. Interesting about the photos and negatives, but wasn't told in a more, personal interesting way

An Enjoyable, Short and Easy Listen

I enjoyed this short story about JFK, his famous birthday celebration and the private party after. The writer describes the star studded gala event, Marilyn Monroes' performance and John F. Kennedys' public and private persona, putting it it all in context with the mood and mores of the times. There's historical fact, mixed with biographical detail, as well as ample amounts of the gossip, glitz and glamour. It's all done with great style, I was taken back to a bygone era, on a journey I thoroughly enjoyed.
The best part of this Audible audio book is, without doubt, the narrators performance. The narrator sounds American, his tone and accent, make his voice a pleasure to listen to. In addition, his understated journalistic style, is perfect for this subject matter, as is his more mature timbre.
Altogether an enjoyable short listen for quiet afternoon.

Very dull

Very dull. I didn't find out anything more about JFK birthday bash that people don't know already from Google