What do you think?
Rate this book
Marilyn Monroe: A Photographic Life - Featuring Rare Photographs and Memorabilia
The camera loved Marilyn, and she loved it right back. In this luxurious volume, get to know the enigmatic star through iconic and rare photos, intimate stories, and removable memorabilia.
Everyone knows the classic photographs of Marilyn in the dress she wore to John F. Kennedy’s birthday, or leaning out of a balcony over the streets of New York City, or famously standing over the subway grates while shooting The Seven Year Itch . Behind the glamour, we’ve also heard the sad her mother’s institutionalization, her three failed marriages, her own struggles with mental health, her surprising death that still leaves us with questions.
Marilyn A Photographic Life delves into the life of the star—before, during, and after she became a “Blonde Bombshell.” Born Norma Jeane Mortenson (the Baker came later), she had a troubled childhood that culminated in her self-described “inferiority complex.” But all the while, she dreamed of something more.
Read the stories behind her first marriage (and why she kept it secret when she started modeling), her early roles with the studios (and the one exec who thought she didn’t have “it”), and her life as a budding actress that include humble anecdotes (at one point, she was so poor that she and a roommate shared one pair of high heels—and whoever had a date that night got to wear them).
Along with the stories are fabulous rare photographs and reproductions of memorabilia, such
Further chapters cover Marilyn’s marriages to Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller, her time in England and New York, and her rise as one of Hollywood’s most sought after starlets. Through it all—the self doubts , the illnesses , the isolation —we see Marilyn triumph with the help of friends and confidantes and her own tenacious will of knowing what she wanted.
We see time and again the depths of Marilyn’s heart and her capacity to care for others. “I want to love and be loved more than anything else in the world,” she once said, and with Marilyn A Photographic Life , you can’t help but oblige.
Everyone knows the classic photographs of Marilyn in the dress she wore to John F. Kennedy’s birthday, or leaning out of a balcony over the streets of New York City, or famously standing over the subway grates while shooting The Seven Year Itch . Behind the glamour, we’ve also heard the sad her mother’s institutionalization, her three failed marriages, her own struggles with mental health, her surprising death that still leaves us with questions.
Marilyn A Photographic Life delves into the life of the star—before, during, and after she became a “Blonde Bombshell.” Born Norma Jeane Mortenson (the Baker came later), she had a troubled childhood that culminated in her self-described “inferiority complex.” But all the while, she dreamed of something more.
Read the stories behind her first marriage (and why she kept it secret when she started modeling), her early roles with the studios (and the one exec who thought she didn’t have “it”), and her life as a budding actress that include humble anecdotes (at one point, she was so poor that she and a roommate shared one pair of high heels—and whoever had a date that night got to wear them).
Along with the stories are fabulous rare photographs and reproductions of memorabilia, such
Further chapters cover Marilyn’s marriages to Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller, her time in England and New York, and her rise as one of Hollywood’s most sought after starlets. Through it all—the self doubts , the illnesses , the isolation —we see Marilyn triumph with the help of friends and confidantes and her own tenacious will of knowing what she wanted.
We see time and again the depths of Marilyn’s heart and her capacity to care for others. “I want to love and be loved more than anything else in the world,” she once said, and with Marilyn A Photographic Life , you can’t help but oblige.
- GenresNonfictionPhotography
176 pages, Hardcover
Published November 7, 2023
3 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Jenna Glatzer
48 books27 followersJenna Glatzer is an award-winning full-time writer who's written 28 books and hundreds of articles.
Her main writing interests are biographies and memoirs, and she often writes about health and parenting. She also loves writing for children, as well as writing humor essays and personal essays.
She's Celine Dion's authorized biographer and the author of The Marilyn Monroe Treasures, authorized by Monroe's estate.
Visit her website at www.jennaglatzer.com.
Her main writing interests are biographies and memoirs, and she often writes about health and parenting. She also loves writing for children, as well as writing humor essays and personal essays.
She's Celine Dion's authorized biographer and the author of The Marilyn Monroe Treasures, authorized by Monroe's estate.
Visit her website at www.jennaglatzer.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 10, 2023
This is a book I didn’t want to finish. Indeed the final chapter was left by me for about 3 weeks.
Books about movies and film stars do not usually grip my imagination or grab my attention, demanding to be read.
I love motion pictures and have always enjoyed seeing newly released films or catching my favourite actors on the big screen at the cinema.
For me Marilyn Monroe was an enigma, one of the first of several stars who have died, under tragic circumstances. With a desire to learn more about the ‘real’ Marilyn I was drawn to this book.
I have learned a great deal in the process. Above all I have realised a lack of knowledge I have judged her image unfairly. The author has done a great deal of research and found testimony of friends and associates to build up a non-judgemental account of her life. From humble beginnings and early struggles to become an actress. Consequently it is clear that much of the demons and frailties surrounding her relationships and inability to present herself “ready” on set are understandable.
The book is worth getting for the well documented photographs which accompany it. But is the progressive and well written text that will remain with me longer.
Marilyn was a beautiful individual in her heart and towards others. For example GIs in Korea and children in general. As well as a beautiful model and actress which the many photos of her demonstrate.
But it is the parson this book has enabled me to see that means I would encourage others to read it for themselves. Certainly, I am less critical of her shortcomings and feel less comfortable in judging others based on headlines and media coverage.
I am grateful to this book on taking me on this journey. I feel it is unbiased and journalistically sound. It isn’t pulling punches or seeking to excuse but by seeking to tell the story it reveals information where the reader can decide.
Books about movies and film stars do not usually grip my imagination or grab my attention, demanding to be read.
I love motion pictures and have always enjoyed seeing newly released films or catching my favourite actors on the big screen at the cinema.
For me Marilyn Monroe was an enigma, one of the first of several stars who have died, under tragic circumstances. With a desire to learn more about the ‘real’ Marilyn I was drawn to this book.
I have learned a great deal in the process. Above all I have realised a lack of knowledge I have judged her image unfairly. The author has done a great deal of research and found testimony of friends and associates to build up a non-judgemental account of her life. From humble beginnings and early struggles to become an actress. Consequently it is clear that much of the demons and frailties surrounding her relationships and inability to present herself “ready” on set are understandable.
The book is worth getting for the well documented photographs which accompany it. But is the progressive and well written text that will remain with me longer.
Marilyn was a beautiful individual in her heart and towards others. For example GIs in Korea and children in general. As well as a beautiful model and actress which the many photos of her demonstrate.
But it is the parson this book has enabled me to see that means I would encourage others to read it for themselves. Certainly, I am less critical of her shortcomings and feel less comfortable in judging others based on headlines and media coverage.
I am grateful to this book on taking me on this journey. I feel it is unbiased and journalistically sound. It isn’t pulling punches or seeking to excuse but by seeking to tell the story it reveals information where the reader can decide.
November 26, 2023
So many books are written about Marilyn Monroe. All sadly focus on her death. This is a refreshing photographic gem that is about her life. Its relatively short but highly entertaining woth sunning photos alongside real life quotes raken from a variety of sources
A 5 star book a must for any bookcase. Thank you so much netgallery and publisher and author.
A 5 star book a must for any bookcase. Thank you so much netgallery and publisher and author.
September 26, 2023
❥ 4 stars ☆
MARILYN MONROE
1926 — 1962
This is a photography book and memoir in one. The book has full-page photo pages, and pages with both photos and text. It includes rare photos that you probably haven’t seen before and removable memorabilia.
If you enjoy photography books and if you’re a fan of Marilyn Monroe, you should definitely get a physical copy of the book so you can see all the photos in the best way, and you will also receive the removable memorabilia. Since I read the ebook I didn’t see or receive the memorabilia.
It’s sad that Marilyn didn’t stick up for herself enough to change her name to something that she actually likes when it’s her name, like Jean Monroe instead of Marilyn if she didn’t even like that name.
I didn’t know that Marilyn had endometriosis, she received many treatments and even surgeries. Today it’s still hard for women to first receive the diagnosis itself, and there obviously needs to be more research about it because many women suffer from it and yet there’s still no obvious treatment that.
It’s sad and disappointing that they never solved the death of Marilyn Monroe. How and why would they not want to solve her death and know how she died when she was already being celebrated back then? If she decided to end her own life it’s very sad and tragic that she didn’t get to experience a much happier and longer life, and if someone decided to end her life she deserves justice for it. Even if an honest answer to how she died wouldn’t make what happened better or easier, answers are always better than not knowing.
💌 Thank you to NetGalley + Chartwell Books for a digital copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
MARILYN MONROE
1926 — 1962
This is a photography book and memoir in one. The book has full-page photo pages, and pages with both photos and text. It includes rare photos that you probably haven’t seen before and removable memorabilia.
If you enjoy photography books and if you’re a fan of Marilyn Monroe, you should definitely get a physical copy of the book so you can see all the photos in the best way, and you will also receive the removable memorabilia. Since I read the ebook I didn’t see or receive the memorabilia.
❝Ben Lyon suggested that Norma Jeane change her name to Marilyn because he liked the actress Marilyn Miller. Norma Jeane chose the last name Monroe because it was her mother’s maiden name. The origin of one of the most recognizable names in Hollywood history is that simple, despite the number of fakers who later claimed to have given her the name.❞
❝I’ve never liked the name Marilyn,❞ she later said. ❝I’ve often wished that I had held out that day for Jean Monroe. But I guess it’s too late to do anything about it now.❞
It’s sad that Marilyn didn’t stick up for herself enough to change her name to something that she actually likes when it’s her name, like Jean Monroe instead of Marilyn if she didn’t even like that name.
I didn’t know that Marilyn had endometriosis, she received many treatments and even surgeries. Today it’s still hard for women to first receive the diagnosis itself, and there obviously needs to be more research about it because many women suffer from it and yet there’s still no obvious treatment that.
❝Many books and documentaries have attempted to uncover the truth of how Marilyn died. Despite exhaustive efforts, the researchers disagree about whether it was suicide, accidental overdose, or murder—and if murder, by whom and why?❞
❝She also made several other calls that evening—an astonishing number of people claim to have spoken with her during the hours before her death, but the phone records have disappeared.❞
When police arrived, Eunice was doing laundry, oddly enough. One officer wrote in his report, ❝It is officer’s opinion that Mrs. Murray was vague and possibly evasive in answering questions pertaining to the activities of Miss Monroe during this time.❞
❝Morticians estimated her time of death between 9:30 and 11:30 p.m. on August 4, even though she was not officially declared dead until the morning of August 5. Her death was termed a “probable suicide.”❞
❝It’s obvious there was a cover-up following Marilyn’s death. Stories kept changing, evidence disappeared, her body appeared to have been placed in its position clutching the phone.❞
❝Of course the question, which has yet to be answered, is why a cover-up was necessary.❞
❝The investigation into Marilyn’s death was reopened in 1982, concluding that there was no evidence of murder. Efforts to have the case reopened again in 1986 failed.❞
❝For twenty years, a local florist delivered roses to Marilyn’s crypt three times a week from Joe DiMaggio, a promise he made when they married.❞ Joe never remarried.
It’s sad and disappointing that they never solved the death of Marilyn Monroe. How and why would they not want to solve her death and know how she died when she was already being celebrated back then? If she decided to end her own life it’s very sad and tragic that she didn’t get to experience a much happier and longer life, and if someone decided to end her life she deserves justice for it. Even if an honest answer to how she died wouldn’t make what happened better or easier, answers are always better than not knowing.
❝Knowing how much it meant to her to put her handprints in the cement at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, imagine what it would mean to her if she knew that her image would be one of the world’s most recognizable close to fifty years after her death. No actress has ever surpassed Marilyn’s fame.❞
❝If I am a star, the people made me a star,❞ said Marilyn. ❝No studio, no person, but the people did.❞
💌 Thank you to NetGalley + Chartwell Books for a digital copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
━━━━━━━━━━━ ♡ ━━━━━━━━━━━
November 10, 2023
Wow this book is a definite must for Marilyn fans. It’s full of photographs and accounts of people who met her before she was famous and whilst she was a huge star.
I learnt a lot about about her early life and how she worked hard to get noticed by the film studios. How she would let photographers and gossip columnists know where she’d be and with whom! She definitely knew how to play the game!
I read The Girl by Michelle Morgan a few years ago, and knew that there was a whole lot more to Marilyn that the parts she played on the silver screen. This books also confirms that she was a very serious woman who wanted to be taken seriously, and there’s lots of anecdotes about this, and comments from people who knew and liked her at the time.
I loved discovering how she loved meeting her fans and enjoyed getting to know a little bit about them, like talking to cab drivers or meeting soldiers after a performance during the Korea War.
The author has packed a lot into this book, so it’s a must if you’re a fan, especially as there are fabulous rare photographs and reproductions of frameable memorabilia as well.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for my digital copy via the NetGalley App
May 31, 2025
There are some beautiful pictures with many that I've never seen before.
This loses a star because of my library deciding to take the extra items out that included copies of certificates, letters and artwork. Because of this, it lost some sparkle.
This loses a star because of my library deciding to take the extra items out that included copies of certificates, letters and artwork. Because of this, it lost some sparkle.
December 12, 2023
The Publisher Says: The camera loved Marilyn, and she loved it right back. In this luxurious volume, get to know the enigmatic star through iconic and rare photos, intimate stories, and removable memorabilia.
Everyone knows the classic photographs of Marilyn Monroe: in the dress she wore to John F. Kennedy’s birthday, or leaning out of a balcony over the streets of New York City, or famously standing over the subway grates while shooting The Seven Year Itch. Behind the glamour, we’ve also heard the sad stories: her mother’s institutionalization, her three failed marriages, her own struggles with mental health, her surprising death that still leaves us with questions.
Marilyn Monroe: A Photographic Life delves into the life of the star—before, during, and after she became a “Blonde Bombshell.” Born Norma Jeane Mortenson (the Baker came later), she had a troubled childhood that culminated in her self-described “inferiority complex.” But all the while, she dreamed of something more.
Read the stories behind her first marriage (and why she kept it secret when she started modeling), her early roles with the studios (and the one exec who thought she didn’t have “it”), and her life as a budding actress that include humble anecdotes (at one point, she was so poor that she and a roommate shared one pair of high heels—and whoever had a date that night got to wear them).
Along with the stories are fabulous rare photographs and reproductions of frameable memorabilia, such as:
Birth and marriage certificates
Handwritten letters
Certificate of conversion to Judaism before her marriage to Arthur Miller
Screen Actors Guild membership card
Picture of Marilyn sketched by Jane Russell
Watercolor Marilyn painted for JFK
Childhood photos
Shots and ads from her earliest modeling days
Wedding photos
Images of those who knew her, including Groucho Marx, Ella Fitzgerald, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and so many more Marilyn’s favorite image of herself, taken in 1956
Further chapters cover Marilyn’s marriages to Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller, her time in England and New York, and her rise as one of Hollywood’s most sought after starlets. Through it all—the self doubts, the illnesses, the isolation—we see Marilyn triumph with the help of friends and confidantes and her own tenacious will of knowing what she wanted.
We see time and again the depths of Marilyn’s heart and her capacity to care for others. “I want to love and be loved more than anything else in the world,” she once said, and with Marilyn Monroe: A Photographic Life, you can’t help but oblige.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.
My Review: I suppose the day will come that Marilyn Monroe is forgotten.
Standards of beauty have changed several times since these were taken, printed, and lusted over by young hormone factories of all genders. The zaftig lady here was out of step with 1980s and 1990s heroin chic, the bleached blonde bouffant out of step with the 1960s Cher-hair...string-straight, natural color...and the kittenish coy look makes modern feminists furious.
Yet we ALL know who this is.
Not so this kid:
...more so this young woman, but not with great confidence:
...which all goes to show you that the thing we see in photos of "Movie Star Marilyn Monroe" is a curated, designed image to project a fantasy of a person that did not...could not...exist outside a studio camera.
It took a lot of effort, and a lot of energy, to maintain this avatar in place of a real person with real needs. The book is careful and respectful of the star's actual personhood and doesn't ignore her enormous price paid in service of the stardom that ate her from the inside.
Whatever standard of beauty one uses, the person Marilyn Monroe was commands the respect of us all for her diligence and her great stregth in building and maintaining a career out of an unpromising start in life. Tragic endings have a way of burnishing a halo on someone. I think this photo essay both shines that halo up a bit for the twenty-first century, and shows the costs of celebrity sought as a career to new audiences.
Plus it's a great way to have a nostalgia-fest! Right, fellow Boomers?
Everyone knows the classic photographs of Marilyn Monroe: in the dress she wore to John F. Kennedy’s birthday, or leaning out of a balcony over the streets of New York City, or famously standing over the subway grates while shooting The Seven Year Itch. Behind the glamour, we’ve also heard the sad stories: her mother’s institutionalization, her three failed marriages, her own struggles with mental health, her surprising death that still leaves us with questions.
Marilyn Monroe: A Photographic Life delves into the life of the star—before, during, and after she became a “Blonde Bombshell.” Born Norma Jeane Mortenson (the Baker came later), she had a troubled childhood that culminated in her self-described “inferiority complex.” But all the while, she dreamed of something more.
Read the stories behind her first marriage (and why she kept it secret when she started modeling), her early roles with the studios (and the one exec who thought she didn’t have “it”), and her life as a budding actress that include humble anecdotes (at one point, she was so poor that she and a roommate shared one pair of high heels—and whoever had a date that night got to wear them).
Along with the stories are fabulous rare photographs and reproductions of frameable memorabilia, such as:
Birth and marriage certificates
Handwritten letters
Certificate of conversion to Judaism before her marriage to Arthur Miller
Screen Actors Guild membership card
Picture of Marilyn sketched by Jane Russell
Watercolor Marilyn painted for JFK
Childhood photos
Shots and ads from her earliest modeling days
Wedding photos
Images of those who knew her, including Groucho Marx, Ella Fitzgerald, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and so many more Marilyn’s favorite image of herself, taken in 1956
Further chapters cover Marilyn’s marriages to Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller, her time in England and New York, and her rise as one of Hollywood’s most sought after starlets. Through it all—the self doubts, the illnesses, the isolation—we see Marilyn triumph with the help of friends and confidantes and her own tenacious will of knowing what she wanted.
We see time and again the depths of Marilyn’s heart and her capacity to care for others. “I want to love and be loved more than anything else in the world,” she once said, and with Marilyn Monroe: A Photographic Life, you can’t help but oblige.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.
My Review: I suppose the day will come that Marilyn Monroe is forgotten.
Standards of beauty have changed several times since these were taken, printed, and lusted over by young hormone factories of all genders. The zaftig lady here was out of step with 1980s and 1990s heroin chic, the bleached blonde bouffant out of step with the 1960s Cher-hair...string-straight, natural color...and the kittenish coy look makes modern feminists furious.
Yet we ALL know who this is.
Not so this kid:
...more so this young woman, but not with great confidence:
...which all goes to show you that the thing we see in photos of "Movie Star Marilyn Monroe" is a curated, designed image to project a fantasy of a person that did not...could not...exist outside a studio camera.
It took a lot of effort, and a lot of energy, to maintain this avatar in place of a real person with real needs. The book is careful and respectful of the star's actual personhood and doesn't ignore her enormous price paid in service of the stardom that ate her from the inside.
Whatever standard of beauty one uses, the person Marilyn Monroe was commands the respect of us all for her diligence and her great stregth in building and maintaining a career out of an unpromising start in life. Tragic endings have a way of burnishing a halo on someone. I think this photo essay both shines that halo up a bit for the twenty-first century, and shows the costs of celebrity sought as a career to new audiences.
Plus it's a great way to have a nostalgia-fest! Right, fellow Boomers?
November 20, 2023
Marilyn Monroe: A Photographic Life by Jenna Glatzer is an attractive and well-written overview of Monroe's life.
I'm not sure but it looks like this might be a new edition of The Marilyn Monroe Treasures. From the same author and has the same posted page count, so I don't know if this would offer anything new for those who have that book, even the cover is the same. (Edit: My bad, it states in the book that it was first published as The Marilyn Monroe Treasures.)
While the text is well-written and includes mostly stories we're familiar with, there are a few lesser-known bits. More important in the case of a celebrity who has had a lot written about her is the way Glatzer brings the various strands of fact and opinion together, highlighting what is solid yet also mentioning most of the conspiracy theories. Through it all, the thing that makes reading this worthwhile is how Monroe herself is presented as a human being. Flawed, like all of us, but also very compassionate toward others.
This is a large format book that is about, as the title makes clear, the visual aspects of her life. If you seriously thought a coffee table book was going to be an in depth and comprehensive account of her life, with a lot of photographs (again, as the title makes clear) included, all in 176 pages, well, you haven't done much serious reading. There is a reason most comprehensive biographies have short photo inserts, the point of the book is the text. A book with the subtitle "A Photographic Life" is emphasizing the visual part of the life, and this volume does so very well, with nice supporting text to make a wonderful whole.
I don't mean to downplay the text; we follow along with an empathetic but realistic account of her life and career. This is a coffee table book that is worth reading and not just looking at the images, but it is first and foremost about the visuals.
Highly recommended for fans of hers, especially with the reproductions included. I think this would also be good for those who don't know a lot about her life but don't want to get into every detail. You will come away with an understanding of Monroe the star as well as Monroe the human being.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
I'm not sure but it looks like this might be a new edition of The Marilyn Monroe Treasures. From the same author and has the same posted page count, so I don't know if this would offer anything new for those who have that book, even the cover is the same. (Edit: My bad, it states in the book that it was first published as The Marilyn Monroe Treasures.)
While the text is well-written and includes mostly stories we're familiar with, there are a few lesser-known bits. More important in the case of a celebrity who has had a lot written about her is the way Glatzer brings the various strands of fact and opinion together, highlighting what is solid yet also mentioning most of the conspiracy theories. Through it all, the thing that makes reading this worthwhile is how Monroe herself is presented as a human being. Flawed, like all of us, but also very compassionate toward others.
This is a large format book that is about, as the title makes clear, the visual aspects of her life. If you seriously thought a coffee table book was going to be an in depth and comprehensive account of her life, with a lot of photographs (again, as the title makes clear) included, all in 176 pages, well, you haven't done much serious reading. There is a reason most comprehensive biographies have short photo inserts, the point of the book is the text. A book with the subtitle "A Photographic Life" is emphasizing the visual part of the life, and this volume does so very well, with nice supporting text to make a wonderful whole.
I don't mean to downplay the text; we follow along with an empathetic but realistic account of her life and career. This is a coffee table book that is worth reading and not just looking at the images, but it is first and foremost about the visuals.
Highly recommended for fans of hers, especially with the reproductions included. I think this would also be good for those who don't know a lot about her life but don't want to get into every detail. You will come away with an understanding of Monroe the star as well as Monroe the human being.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
April 2, 2024
In "Marilyn Monroe: A Photographic Life" by Jenna Glatzer, readers are treated to an intimate and captivating journey through the life of one of Hollywood's most enduring icons. Through a combination of iconic photographs, rare memorabilia, and intimate stories, Glatzer offers readers a deeper understanding of the enigmatic star behind the glamorous façade.
From Marilyn's humble beginnings as Norma Jeane Mortenson to her transformation into the iconic "Blonde Bombshell," Glatzer delves into the complexities of Marilyn's life with depth and sensitivity. Readers are invited to explore Marilyn's troubled childhood, her early struggles in Hollywood, and her meteoric rise to fame, all through the lens of rare photographs and personal anecdotes.
What sets "Marilyn Monroe: A Photographic Life" apart is its meticulous attention to detail and wealth of archival material. From Marilyn's birth and marriage certificates to handwritten letters and personal photographs, Glatzer offers readers a treasure trove of memorabilia that brings Marilyn's story to life in vivid detail. Each page is filled with fascinating insights and glimpses into Marilyn's world, providing readers with a deeper appreciation for the woman behind the legend.
Throughout the book, Glatzer highlights Marilyn's resilience, tenacity, and unwavering desire for love and acceptance. From her secret marriage to her early modelling days to her tumultuous relationships with Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller, readers are given a glimpse into the highs and lows of Marilyn's personal life, offering a more nuanced portrait of the iconic star.
"Marilyn Monroe: A Photographic Life" is not just a book about Marilyn Monroe; it's a celebration of her enduring legacy and the impact she continues to have on popular culture. Glatzer's insightful commentary and stunning visuals make this book a must-read for fans of Marilyn Monroe and anyone interested in the golden age of Hollywood.
In conclusion, "Marilyn Monroe: A Photographic Life" is a captivating and beautifully curated tribute to one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century. Jenna Glatzer's meticulous research and heartfelt storytelling ensure that Marilyn's legacy continues to shine bright for generations to come.
From Marilyn's humble beginnings as Norma Jeane Mortenson to her transformation into the iconic "Blonde Bombshell," Glatzer delves into the complexities of Marilyn's life with depth and sensitivity. Readers are invited to explore Marilyn's troubled childhood, her early struggles in Hollywood, and her meteoric rise to fame, all through the lens of rare photographs and personal anecdotes.
What sets "Marilyn Monroe: A Photographic Life" apart is its meticulous attention to detail and wealth of archival material. From Marilyn's birth and marriage certificates to handwritten letters and personal photographs, Glatzer offers readers a treasure trove of memorabilia that brings Marilyn's story to life in vivid detail. Each page is filled with fascinating insights and glimpses into Marilyn's world, providing readers with a deeper appreciation for the woman behind the legend.
Throughout the book, Glatzer highlights Marilyn's resilience, tenacity, and unwavering desire for love and acceptance. From her secret marriage to her early modelling days to her tumultuous relationships with Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller, readers are given a glimpse into the highs and lows of Marilyn's personal life, offering a more nuanced portrait of the iconic star.
"Marilyn Monroe: A Photographic Life" is not just a book about Marilyn Monroe; it's a celebration of her enduring legacy and the impact she continues to have on popular culture. Glatzer's insightful commentary and stunning visuals make this book a must-read for fans of Marilyn Monroe and anyone interested in the golden age of Hollywood.
In conclusion, "Marilyn Monroe: A Photographic Life" is a captivating and beautifully curated tribute to one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century. Jenna Glatzer's meticulous research and heartfelt storytelling ensure that Marilyn's legacy continues to shine bright for generations to come.
October 9, 2023
When you get the book, perhaps you'll be as struck as I was by the contrast between the smiling baby photo early on and the one chosen to end the book of a sexy but vulnerable looking Marilyn. That ability to be both was a secret I'm not sure even she knew how was done but it made men both lust after and want to protect her. The joy of the smiling baby seemed long gone.
I won't detail her story. The book blurb does an excellent job. Not only have there been many versions of it written, some originating from her, others the studios, others....who knows? I'll just say, it's all there and the photos do capture many of those mentioned in her life as well as some of the now legendary photos. I liked that the author presented the material in a largely straight-forward manner without getting lost in the controversy and conspiracy theories that so often take over stories about Monroe. In other words, while not ignoring the factual happenings, they weren't wallowed in, either. I did know that Monroe spent time in an orphanage, I'll note, but the author managed to convey the sense of being abandoned that this left in Monroe's soul, a feeling of not being loved or wanted that touched so many elements throughout her life.
So, overall, while a somber read, it's a satisfying read. The photos were obviously chosen with great care and fit the topic at hand well. Chapter titles give you a hint of what to expect in each section, such as "Bases Loaded", "We're All Afraid", and "Incomplete". I found that last one particularly saddening, gotta admit, as it so succinctly described her life. There's also a filmography and image credit section as well as one sharing info on the author. I tended to dawdle along, flipping back and forth between text and photos, frequently backtracking for another look at someone mentioned, but overall found it an easy, fairly quick read. Read at your own pace, it's worth it. Thank you #NetGalley and #QuartoPublishingGroup - #ChartwellBooks for allowing me this early peek.
I won't detail her story. The book blurb does an excellent job. Not only have there been many versions of it written, some originating from her, others the studios, others....who knows? I'll just say, it's all there and the photos do capture many of those mentioned in her life as well as some of the now legendary photos. I liked that the author presented the material in a largely straight-forward manner without getting lost in the controversy and conspiracy theories that so often take over stories about Monroe. In other words, while not ignoring the factual happenings, they weren't wallowed in, either. I did know that Monroe spent time in an orphanage, I'll note, but the author managed to convey the sense of being abandoned that this left in Monroe's soul, a feeling of not being loved or wanted that touched so many elements throughout her life.
So, overall, while a somber read, it's a satisfying read. The photos were obviously chosen with great care and fit the topic at hand well. Chapter titles give you a hint of what to expect in each section, such as "Bases Loaded", "We're All Afraid", and "Incomplete". I found that last one particularly saddening, gotta admit, as it so succinctly described her life. There's also a filmography and image credit section as well as one sharing info on the author. I tended to dawdle along, flipping back and forth between text and photos, frequently backtracking for another look at someone mentioned, but overall found it an easy, fairly quick read. Read at your own pace, it's worth it. Thank you #NetGalley and #QuartoPublishingGroup - #ChartwellBooks for allowing me this early peek.
November 15, 2023
MARILYN MONROE
1926 — 1962
Marilyn Monroe by Jenna Glatzer is a wonderful book and packed with so much information about this a girl who was born 1st June 1926 and named Norma Jeane Mortenson no one knew her until she who became an American film star and known as a “Blonde Bombshell.” and then changed her name to Marilyn Monroe, She loved the camera, and she loved it right back.
In this beautiful book we get to know the enigmatic star through iconic and rare photos, her films she starred in, her intimate stories of who she was dating etc, and removable memorabilia etc, etc.
This book contains:
Birth and marriage certificates
Handwritten letters
Certificate of conversion to Judaism before her marriage to Arthur Miller
Screen Actors Guild membership card
Picture of Marilyn sketched by Jane Russell
Watercolour Marilyn painted for JFK
Childhood photos
Shots and ads from her earliest modeling days
Wedding photos
Images of those who knew her, including Groucho Marx, Ella Fitzgerald, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and so many more
Marilyn’s favourite image of herself, taken in 1956
What a Brilliant book this was and a must have for any Marilyn Monroe new or old. Plus, a great Christmas or Birthday Present......
Big Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Chartwell Books for my ARC.
1926 — 1962
Marilyn Monroe by Jenna Glatzer is a wonderful book and packed with so much information about this a girl who was born 1st June 1926 and named Norma Jeane Mortenson no one knew her until she who became an American film star and known as a “Blonde Bombshell.” and then changed her name to Marilyn Monroe, She loved the camera, and she loved it right back.
In this beautiful book we get to know the enigmatic star through iconic and rare photos, her films she starred in, her intimate stories of who she was dating etc, and removable memorabilia etc, etc.
This book contains:
Birth and marriage certificates
Handwritten letters
Certificate of conversion to Judaism before her marriage to Arthur Miller
Screen Actors Guild membership card
Picture of Marilyn sketched by Jane Russell
Watercolour Marilyn painted for JFK
Childhood photos
Shots and ads from her earliest modeling days
Wedding photos
Images of those who knew her, including Groucho Marx, Ella Fitzgerald, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and so many more
Marilyn’s favourite image of herself, taken in 1956
What a Brilliant book this was and a must have for any Marilyn Monroe new or old. Plus, a great Christmas or Birthday Present......
Big Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Chartwell Books for my ARC.
September 20, 2023
Marilyn Monroe
1926 - 1962
There's magic in those numbers. And possibly the reason why the world never found "another Marilyn Monroe."
Magic is hard to duplicate.
There is much written on her, and I haven't read it all to draw comparisons. What I will say however is that this work by Jenna Glatzer is matter-of-fact and never comes across as lasvicious or intrusive at any point. The layout has enough white space around the images, lines, and margins making it easy on the eyes. Splashes of color and vintage black-and-white photos are juxtaposed well against the text which follows a strict chronological order. Chapters are arranged by year spans, with whimsical titles.
While this work expounds on the tragic instances in her life known to most - the orphanages, foster homes, exploitation, poverty, and reckless relationships, it also throws light on her generosity of spirit amidst seemingly unending adversity.
As the book comes to a close, there's a foreshadowing of the inevitable tragic end of a person underwater. The world's greatest cinema icon. Died alone. Found dead.
I liked the last photo chosen to close this title - a full-page B&W image of Marilyn pouting through semi-closed eyes. There is a certain wistful and bitter-sweet quality to it. You will see :-)
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
1926 - 1962
There's magic in those numbers. And possibly the reason why the world never found "another Marilyn Monroe."
Magic is hard to duplicate.
There is much written on her, and I haven't read it all to draw comparisons. What I will say however is that this work by Jenna Glatzer is matter-of-fact and never comes across as lasvicious or intrusive at any point. The layout has enough white space around the images, lines, and margins making it easy on the eyes. Splashes of color and vintage black-and-white photos are juxtaposed well against the text which follows a strict chronological order. Chapters are arranged by year spans, with whimsical titles.
While this work expounds on the tragic instances in her life known to most - the orphanages, foster homes, exploitation, poverty, and reckless relationships, it also throws light on her generosity of spirit amidst seemingly unending adversity.
As the book comes to a close, there's a foreshadowing of the inevitable tragic end of a person underwater. The world's greatest cinema icon. Died alone. Found dead.
I liked the last photo chosen to close this title - a full-page B&W image of Marilyn pouting through semi-closed eyes. There is a certain wistful and bitter-sweet quality to it. You will see :-)
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
September 23, 2023
What a beautiful book! What a moving tribute to Marilyn Monroe, a woman who still fascinates us over 30 years after her death. Author Jenna Glatzer presents a well-rounded portrait of Monroe, showing her at her best, her worst, and in between. She also provides a plethora of pictures, allowing us to have a visual of her ups and downs, her highs and lows.
While there are a few quotes that are quite poignant, I believe that Glatzer summed up the mystique of Marilyn Monroe best towards the end of the book: Monroe was 'insecure, needy, loving, passionate, ambitious' and that she 'represents qualities in each of us, and in people we love....there's something so heartbreaking...that the world's most everlasting star died alone...' She was and is a human conundrum, and her mysterious death only adds to that. No matter how much we think we know her, Marilyn Monroe will forever remain elusive, like a shooting star - fleetingly beautiful but never forgotten.
It is definitely a worthwhile read for any fan of Hollywood history.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing for this ARC, which was voluntarily read and reviewed.
While there are a few quotes that are quite poignant, I believe that Glatzer summed up the mystique of Marilyn Monroe best towards the end of the book: Monroe was 'insecure, needy, loving, passionate, ambitious' and that she 'represents qualities in each of us, and in people we love....there's something so heartbreaking...that the world's most everlasting star died alone...' She was and is a human conundrum, and her mysterious death only adds to that. No matter how much we think we know her, Marilyn Monroe will forever remain elusive, like a shooting star - fleetingly beautiful but never forgotten.
It is definitely a worthwhile read for any fan of Hollywood history.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing for this ARC, which was voluntarily read and reviewed.
October 16, 2023
This book was interesting, but really serves as a cliff notes version of Marilyns life. Obviously its hard to tell ones life story in a relatively concise book, and there is a ton to cover when we are talking about MM and the life she led. But the book really doesn't tell anything other than what is already a matter of factual record. It does not reveal, or attempt to reveal, anything about the reasoning and the causes for some of the crazy life turns that she went through. It appears that she made a lot of bad choices, as a woman that apparently did not feel much self esteem, and thus, chose bad men. But why would she stray when she was in a relationship that could have been supportive and much more permanent than what she was used to? Overall, a sad portrayal of a very bright star, so sad that her days were much too short.
Either way, this book entices you to know more about an all-time legend, but ultimately does not help you get to know MM or why she was who she was, and did what she did.
Either way, this book entices you to know more about an all-time legend, but ultimately does not help you get to know MM or why she was who she was, and did what she did.
September 21, 2023
Marilyn Monroe is one of the most famous women who ever lived and it feels now as though we must have seen every picture of her ever taken. This book, however, includes some never before seen photos from childhood onwards, tending more towards more natural shots of her relaxing rather that just studio approved pictures or film stills and, along with the text, it gives a sense of Marilyn (a name she disliked, wishing she had just insisted on Jean Monroe) as a person rather than an icon. The text does not go into as much detail as longer biographies may but it gave a good outline of her life in some detail and the picture painted is very sympathetic and respectful.
I really enjoyed this book and it's an essential addition to the collection of anyone interested in the life of Marilyn Monroe.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the copy in return for an honest review.
#MarilynMonroe #NetGalley
I really enjoyed this book and it's an essential addition to the collection of anyone interested in the life of Marilyn Monroe.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the copy in return for an honest review.
#MarilynMonroe #NetGalley
September 19, 2023
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC.
I have always been intrigued by Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jeane Mortenson). Not because she was the famous ‘Blonde Bombshell’, but because of her troubled life. I liked this book with rare photos of Marilyn her childhood and during her career. The stories behind her as an individual are great. Her triumphs and struggles are portrayed in a very informative way. The book includes a lot of memorabilia and I really enjoyed reading it, although at moments with a heavy heart. I feel so sorry for her and all she had to endure from childhood up to being an adult. A must-read for Marilyn Monroe fans or just people who want to know more about her life.
I have always been intrigued by Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jeane Mortenson). Not because she was the famous ‘Blonde Bombshell’, but because of her troubled life. I liked this book with rare photos of Marilyn her childhood and during her career. The stories behind her as an individual are great. Her triumphs and struggles are portrayed in a very informative way. The book includes a lot of memorabilia and I really enjoyed reading it, although at moments with a heavy heart. I feel so sorry for her and all she had to endure from childhood up to being an adult. A must-read for Marilyn Monroe fans or just people who want to know more about her life.
September 19, 2023
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.
“Marilyn Monroe: A Photographic Life” is by Jenna Glatzer. This is a republished book (the original was published as “The Marilyn Monroe Treasures” in 2008), so I’m not sure what differs between the two editions (the cover photograph being the same confused me). This book has a number of photos I hadn’t seen before, and I liked the way the narrative worked with the photos. It’s so obvious that the camera loved Ms. Monroe as even her small yearbook photo is pretty good. I think this is a great coffee table book and a conversation starter.
“Marilyn Monroe: A Photographic Life” is by Jenna Glatzer. This is a republished book (the original was published as “The Marilyn Monroe Treasures” in 2008), so I’m not sure what differs between the two editions (the cover photograph being the same confused me). This book has a number of photos I hadn’t seen before, and I liked the way the narrative worked with the photos. It’s so obvious that the camera loved Ms. Monroe as even her small yearbook photo is pretty good. I think this is a great coffee table book and a conversation starter.
September 26, 2023
This is great! I think Marilyn is known for her outfits and I think the pictures do a great job at helping us visualize her life and learn more about her. There was lots of super interesting information about her life, and the storytelling and writing just made it so much better. A huge part of American society back then and now is our obsession with celebrities, and I think books like this one add to that culture and help us learn more about the little mysteries of Monroe’s life and almost feel like an insider. Definitely recommend!
October 11, 2023
I’ve studied Marilyn‘s life and read a few biographies on her life. If I knew someone who didn’t want to read a whole 500 page biography, this is a perfect alternative. The author gives us pictures that coincide with the stories and facts, which is helpful. The raw honesty into the good and the bad of Marilyn are supported by quotes of those who knew her. My favorite story was about Ella Fitzgerald (page 126). It was touching and humanized the iconic legend.
I received this ARC from Netgalley for my honest review.
I received this ARC from Netgalley for my honest review.
October 11, 2023
What a stunning look at an absolute icon of a woman.
Marilyn was a star in her own right, but we often only see a few versions of her over and over again it seems.
Glazer has created a beautiful retrospective of not just Marilyn and her stardom, but the beauty of regular Norma Jean too, which is often overlooked or understated I think.
Her image is iconic as a 50's pin up, as you can see with such stunning photographs, but in this excellent collection, you can see much more than the traditional white dress over the air vent.
Marilyn was a star in her own right, but we often only see a few versions of her over and over again it seems.
Glazer has created a beautiful retrospective of not just Marilyn and her stardom, but the beauty of regular Norma Jean too, which is often overlooked or understated I think.
Her image is iconic as a 50's pin up, as you can see with such stunning photographs, but in this excellent collection, you can see much more than the traditional white dress over the air vent.
October 26, 2023
The confident smiles and poses depict a beautiful and talented star on the rise in this wonderfully compelling biography. It is packed full of wonderful photographs and takes you through her life, from her beginnings, with a seemingly neglectful and disinterested mother, to her untimely death at the age of thirty six. The camera loves Marilyn Monroe but she has a complicated life and her struggle to balance happiness with her fame appears to have been just out of reach. An intriguing but sad portrayal of an icon. Thank you to Net Galley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
September 25, 2023
I have read many a biography and coffee table book of Marilyn Monroe, but I found this one a good mix of both.
It is a summarised overview of Marilyn Monroe's life from beginning to end. Along with her story are pictures that are now infamous, as well as some that I have never seen before.
This is a great summary for those who are intrigued but do not want a heavy read. And the layout and photography compliment the words perfectly!
It is a summarised overview of Marilyn Monroe's life from beginning to end. Along with her story are pictures that are now infamous, as well as some that I have never seen before.
This is a great summary for those who are intrigued but do not want a heavy read. And the layout and photography compliment the words perfectly!
November 9, 2023
I am a huge fan of Hollywood biographies and thought I knew everything I needed to know about Marilyn Monroe - and I was wrong. Not only did this book tell her story in a concise and compassionate way, I also learned new information. There are also many photos that I had never seen before. The book is very visually appealing and is a worthwhile read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Chartwell Books for an ARC and I left this review voluntarily.
Thank you to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Chartwell Books for an ARC and I left this review voluntarily.
November 9, 2023
This provides a chronological illustrated biography of Marilyn Monroe's life. From her birth certificate and images from her childhood it covers and details Marilyn's early life. It even includes images from her marriages to Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller. This details all but the not-so-lovely times. It's an amazing compilation of Marilyn's career and success in becoming a legend.
September 17, 2023
Very good book with pictures. Perfect for a Marilyn Monroe fan. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on this review.
October 23, 2023
Very good book with pictures for the Marilyn fan. Gives a condensed version of her younger years and how she got into show business, also mentioning her tragic young death. Loved all the pictures, some I'd not seen before. Received a copy from Netgalley for an honest review.
October 24, 2023
I received this book as an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the author and publisher for this opportunity.
This is a thoughtful and concise book about Marilyn Monroe. The beautiful photos of Marilyn are what truly make this book enjoyable.
This is a thoughtful and concise book about Marilyn Monroe. The beautiful photos of Marilyn are what truly make this book enjoyable.
October 30, 2023
Well researched. Thoroughly enjoyed reading the interesting facts of Marilyn Monroe's life. The photo selections were well placed within. 5 stars and a must read for all Marilyn fans.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Chartwell books for an ARC in return for an honest review.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Chartwell books for an ARC in return for an honest review.
Read
September 23, 2023Lovely book of photos from Marilyn's childhood thru her later years. It follows brief bits from her early. childhood thru her last days. The cover is beautiful! Thanks to #Netgalley for the ARC.
December 31, 2023
Not a biography that's long winded, says everything it needs to! The pictures and the layout are stunning.
January 14, 2024
I loved this book more than I thought i would
The photos show how stunningly beautiful she was throughout every stage of her life.
A definite must for all fans
The photos show how stunningly beautiful she was throughout every stage of her life.
A definite must for all fans
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews