Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 42
 A biography worthy of its subject... January 27, 2010
nto62 (Corona, CA USA)
I didn't know much about Marilyn Monroe outside the commonly accepted stories. A fan of 40's and 50's-era movies, intrigued by the studio system and post-war LA, I selected Mr. Spoto's book to learn more. It was a fortunate choice. Marilyn: The Biography evokes a time long past and a life that, in all its pathos, hits you squarely in the gut. That a woman this poised, this beautiful, and this successful emerged from the bleak and barren childhood she led is simply amazing. That the scars thus accrued eventually brought her down is a classic American tragedy.
Spoto debunks the myths, cuts through the glitz, to uncover a remarkably intelligent, gentle, and generous woman. Yet, for all this, she had an unhealthy desire to please and win acceptance from poorly chosen mentors. This brought the manipulators out of the woodwork which, in turn, presaged her doom.
Those who cheer for underdogs will be cyclically saddened, charmed, awed, and ultimately saddened again. And, none of it superficially. Though Spoto's hypothesis represents just one man's viewpoint of that fateful evening, the controversy surrounding her death does not decrease the sorrow of its prematurity. One of the better biographies I have read in years, Marilyn Monroe: The Biography requires only the slightest interest in person, place, or period to catch you up in a life that, 50 years later, retains the power to transfix. Well done, Donald Spoto. 5 stars.
Well written and informative December 16, 2009
A. J. Sneed
I found my way to this biography after recently watching
"The Asphalt Jungle" and " All About Eve", two films where MM had small, but notable roles. Although I have seen most of MM's movies ( many times), I was suddenly interested to know how she went from these small parts to the starring roles that made her famous. While I was familiar with the general
facts of her life before reading this book, I was also familiar with many of the distortions and
speculations that have appeared in the media over the last 30 years, especially in regard to her death. I
chose this book carefully among the many biographies after verifying the author had documented what he was writing; and verifying the author had some background in researching biographies. I was not disappointed in my choice.
Mr Spoto takes a scholarly approach in compiling the facts, and corroborating the personal accounts of
family, friends, and professional acquaintances. At the same time, the author was able to provide a
lively( maybe a little too lively sometimes) commentary on the facts that developed a believable and
consistent theme to MM's life. It was fascinating to learn the details of Monroe's childhood/adolesence and early forays into modeling and films, not to mention the more publicized events surrounding her stardom and personal travails . I especially enjoyed this book in the historical context of the depression, WWII and post-war periods of America. Which leads me to add that the author provides a very insightful ( and not too gossipy) look at Hollywood and the movie business during the time of MM's career.
Although some of the most basic facts of Marilyn's life and career are agreed upon, there are areas of
dispute, most notably surrounding her death, but also in the veracity or extent of personal relationships.
Like any biographer, Mr Spoto has to often choose whose version of events are verifiable or more reliable. In short, the biographer will necessarily have a point of view. Mr Spoto is no different in this respect, and while he probably has "nailed " this story down in large part,it does not mean that everything he concludes is indisputable fact.
If your interest in buying this book is to find out what "really" happened on the "final day", then you
must be prepared for a hypothesis, a hypothesis based on a careful analysis of the circumstantial evidence, but nonetheless a hypothesis. I am inclined to believe the author's general thesis on what happened the final day , August 4 1962 , but many people ( and not only the conspiracy crowd) disagree with his conclusions . After almost fifty years, the details of the events on the night of her death will most probably never be verified. The key people( Greenson, Murray, and Engleberg) who are known to have been at the scene and could clarify the inconsistencies have long been dead, and without witnesses or physical evidence there is no way to corroborate any theories. So don't expect a "definitive" account of the final day.
However, this book is primarily about Marilyn Monroe's life, and the chapters about her final day exist
to dispel unsubstantiated rumors, and redirect attention away from the "sensationalization" of her death
back to the story of her life. She was a remarkable person, and her rise from aspiring model to one of the most recognizable figures in American entertainment/cultural history remains a fascinating read. Well worth the time for a fairly long book.
A MUST for those who had enough of "theories" August 13, 2009
P. RODRIGUEZ (Amsterdam)
Most likely we will never be 100% sure of the final hours of Marilyn Monroe on this world, but if I have to believe anything written so far I will go for Donald Spoto's version of the facts.
The amount of details on this book are simply amazing and throughout you really have the feeling that you get to know Marilyn from her days as Norma Jean to the superstardom of Marilyn Monroe.
All the dates and the research was so amazingly captivating that I could not put the book down once I've started reading it.
Straight forward, accurate, precise and concise, I will recommend this book to all of those who still believe that the Kennedy brothers happen to be involved with Marilyn Monroe and her tragic end.
10 out of 10
Finally--Facts and not Fiction July 24, 2007
Dave (San Diego, CA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Donald Spoto, a very well respected biographer, has written what is probably the best biography of the 50s icon. Contrary to a previous review here, he does not spend that much time on her death; what he DOES do though is give very plausible facts from inside sources that make sense. The hysterical theories and ravings of conspiracy loons that abound out there are not to be found here, and Spoto easily strips away their credibility. Spoto has obviously interviewed people that actually knew Marilyn, not fans who have one snapshot taken with the star that they turn into a career. Get this book--it is the one to refer to.
 Spoto's biography delivers March 20, 2007
Lee Lukaszewicz (New England)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
It is hard to imagine the kind of painstaking research that went into creating this comprehensive work of exquisite detail. Spoto not only captures the unique essence of MM's engaging personality, he includes the minutiae of her life experiences to such a degree that even someone who did not grow up surrounded by her iridescent image would feel a part of this era. Especially interesting are the intricate details of her early life, which would later so greatly affect her vulnerable psyche.
Unfortunately, what put me off were the conclusions he draws regarding the controversial circumstances of her death. He offers some bizarre theories, apparently of his own supposition, based on less than concrete evidence and woven to fit unanswered questions. You may find his theories plausible; you may find them ridiculous. Although he does argue a somewhat convincing case, I have never seen or heard of any other documentation that would support these claims. I believe the only real conclusion to be drawn is that we will never fully answer all the questions surrounding the mystery of her death.
This is the story of a very special lady, a lost and deeply lonely little girl who would reach her whole life for an intangible dream of fulfillment that would slip again and again through her fingers. This comprensive work does well in capturing the spirit of that struggle, and those who exploited it. Judge for yourself the validity of Spoto's allegations. Beyond that, you will find this a thorough and engrossing portrayal of our most luminous screen goddess.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 42
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