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List Price: $34.99 | | Publisher: Da Capo Press
Salesrank: 172005
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| Our Price: $8.58 |
| Used Price: $3.74 |
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| Media: Hardcover |
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Editorial Review:
A comprehensive and meticulously researched treasure trove of information that brings to light the ordinary domestic details to the countless controversies of Marilyn Monroe's life. Dozens of people who knew or were related to Marilyn — from the key players in her life (family, friends, and colleagues) to casual acquaintances — cover Marilyn's foster childhood to her mysterious death. This is a candid, human portrait of a woman whose star has only become brighter with passing generations.
Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed Reviews:
fascinating topic -- poorly written book 
2009-11-04 - I agree with all the other reviews on this page-- this is a fascinating account of Marilyn Monroe's life. But, as a reader, I was appalled at the sloppy and error-filled writing style of Michelle Morgan, and I am quite surprised that no one else has commented on this yet. There were more grammatical and syntax errors in this book than I could keep track of-- nearly one on EVERY PAGE (and no, that is not an exaggeration.) I am not a picky reader, and I do come across occasional errors in the books that I read. But the errors were so abundant in this book that it was distracting! It was just an example of the gross negligence on the part of Ms. Morgan and her copy editor (if such a person even existed for this book!)
So, on the one hand, I would recommend this book, because it is full of fascinating information on Marilyn, but on the other hand, I do not think that people who write so poorly should be rewarded with successful book sales. Ms. Morgan-- I would encourage you to EDIT your book (if you don't know any copy editors, I can do it for you!) and come out with a 2nd edition that I can justifiably recommend to others.
Very Nice, Pretty Book 
2009-10-24 - The author has been an MM fan for years and it shows. This is a really great book, a bio but not TOO much depth or analysis. Very good photos, some I have never seen before. A necessary addition to an MM collection.
Not A Bad Book At All...... 
2009-07-03 - This book is classy; it's heavy (a little burdensome though, if you're reading in bed) with very thick pages. Sometimes I think I've got 2-3 pages at a time turned, and it's only one! I like the little slim ribbon bookmarker. My book was purchased in "like new" condition at a wonderful price, and it is equal to Brand New. Great condition, tight binding, excellent photos that I've not yet seen of Marilyn. This book is a treasure to add to your library; a collector's book.
M. Morgan does a great job telling about the life of Marilyn. She seems to have the facts down, and I've read a lot of books on MM, and she has actually contradicted some things I thought were otherwise true, in other books, and she backs up her facts. She clears up the myths (in my opinion, and when you see all the references in the back, she did a lot of work!) The unseen photos are something that make this book even more desirable. Yes, I enjoyed this book!
Tommy Garrett, Canyon News Editor Reviews Morgan's Monroe Book
2008-05-11 - By: Tommy Garrett
What on earth can be written about Marilyn Monroe that has not already been written, rumored or made up? Well, plenty of great new juicy details, researched by a Marilyn Monroe fan, Michelle Morgan. When I first heard of this book, I simply rolled my eyes. I had spent almost a decade representing Monroe's first husband, Jimmie Dougherty, who lived in Maine at the time. Jimmie was a saint, a wonderful old man who really felt like Monroe had been given a bad name by many in Hollywood and the media alike. He wrote his own book, "To Norma Jeane With Love, Jimmie," by Jim Dougherty, as told to L.C. VanSavage, and it was a bestseller and a warm and comforting tome about his short marriage to the underage Norma Jeane. Jimmie always spoke with love and admiration for Monroe and I heard some never before told stories about the screen goddess.
So to my surprise, when I received the latest Monroe book, "Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed" by Michelle Morgan, I had to read it. Firstly, Michelle Morgan is the founder and President of the UK fan club, the Marilyn Lives Society, established in 1991. The book was published by the distinguished publishing house Carroll and Graf. So I was interested in reading this voluminous book, filled with never before seen photographs of Monroe in various stages of her life and career and figured that I'd at least have to give it a read. How happy I am that I did.
Many of the more than 150 photographs in this new illustrated biography of Monroe have never been published before. Some of the little known images show a different side of the icon - Monroe doing everyday things, laughing, in conversation, in her unguarded moments. Being a star, every moment is scripted and planned, but Monroe is captured in some of the moments in which she never expected to be photographed.
Michelle Morgan was able to interview almost everyone who knew Marilyn - in addition to her Hollywood and New York colleagues - many family members and friends. Drawing on over 50 different interviews, many who were never willing to go on record before, and many from Monroe's orphaned childhood and early years, the details paint a whole different portrait of the woman who will forever be called Hollywood's hottest and most well known sex goddess. A name she may have worked to achieve, but one her studio, 20th Century Fox, perpetrated to make her bankable in an era where actresses were no longer as glamorous as the era before.
This meticulously researched biography brings new insight into the life of one of Hollywood's most beloved and unforgettable stars. Michelle Morgan's easy yet enticing writing style brings forth a plethora of new details, broadening my once small interest in the sex icon. The read made my interest in the star unending and gave me a fascination with the star I never believed possible.
I had always thought of Monroe as one of the most uninteresting and untalented stars of her era, but now I have a whole new respect for the star and what she was able to do with her career while saddled with demons that most of us can never imagine being burdened with. But Morgan, being one of Monroe's biggest fans, is not only interested in the star but brings forth such a monumental picture of the star we really never knew and makes the reader want to know more. That goal is met by her never boring details of the star and yes, details never seen or read before.
A must read for any Hollywood historian and also for any Marilyn Monroe fan of any and all ages.
Miss Morgan is now working on a wonderful new biography on one of the forgotten stars of the `30s, Carole Lombard. Asked about this, Morgan says, "I have a few irons in the fire at the moment, as they say. I am currently researching a biography of film star Carole Lombard, who tragically died in a plane crash in 1942. There hasn't been a thorough and full biography written about her in quite some time, so I would very much like to fill that gap. I am currently looking for anyone who may have any memories of Carole, along with photos, articles, letters or even second-hand memories passed down through the years. If anyone can help me in this regard I'd love to hear from them: [...] They can also visit my website at [...] Along with that I am also looking to have my book turned into a film, so if there are any film producers out there, I'd love to hear from them!" And says in regards to why she chose to write about Marilyn Monroe, "I've been a fan since I was 15 years old - way back in 1985. I discovered Marilyn while I was on holiday with my family and picked up a book about her as a holiday read. I was very lucky as the book I read was `Norma Jean' by Fred Laurence Guiles, which is a classic Marilyn biography. During that holiday I bought several postcards and posters, and my fascination really took off. From then on, I spent all my pocket and babysitting money on books, videos and pictures. Learning about Marilyn became a passion that has never ceased for me." Lucky for us she's such a fan of every star she writes about.
Fabulous Book on Marilyn Monroe
2008-02-24 - Michelle Morgan did an outstanding job writing this book...it is very informative....and true.She did a lot of work on this and needs to be complimented on how she presented it. I recommend this book for all Marilyn Monroe fans...it's one of the best!!
