Vicki

by Joyce Milton, Ann Louise Bardach

Chronicles the short life and tragic death of Vicki Morgan, paramour of the late power broker Alfred Bloomingdale and recounts how their affair shook the highest levels of government and society

343 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1986

About the author

Joyce Milton is the author of several noted juvenile biographies, as well as the prize-winning novel, Save the Loonies.

Reviews

[Nicole Gust · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a good book

[Christina Abel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar to most people around me, I have an interest in scandal, dirt, gossip - whatever you want to call it. Unfortunately, this book didn't live up to the expectations I had built around the title. Through no fault of the author(s), the story is good and well-written, but the Hollywood-style drama I was very much looking forward to was disappointing. Perhaps, if I had been older at the time this story reached it's climax, I might appreciate this story more. Perceive it as a bit of nostalgia, if you will. Even though it was not as juicy as I was expecting, it is still a good book that fulfills one's daily "dirt" quota.

[Connie Mcdermott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alfred Bloomingdale ruined Vicky Morgan. He took a literal baby and groomed her and worked on lowering her self esteem so that she couldn't do anything without him. I wish she would've taken her mother's advice and went back home with her mom and son. Sad story and frustrating too. You want to both shake her and give her a huge hug.

[Elizabeth Moeller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book will certainly not get any awards for its writing style. However, as someone with an interest in tabloid culture and the wealthy, I definitely found things to enjoy. The subject of this non-fiction book, Vicki Morgan, was a woman whose only real assets seemed to be beauty and a willingness to be used by a series of wealthy men. The most long standing of these relationships was with Alfred Bloomingdale, of the department store family, and whose wife was best friends with Nancy Reagan.
Although the book was written shortly after Vicki's murder, to capitalize on the rumors related to her murder. I found that the more interesting part of the book was prior to Morgan's death, as the authors explain her ability to live a glamorous and expensive life without ever working and only relying on the men in her life. At one point, she is living in a house rented for her by Alfred and receiving a $16,000 a month allowance. At another, she is cheating on her third husband with a heroin addicted Middle Eastern princess.
The last third of the book, which recounts the trial of Morgan's murderer and then takes a weird turn into a discussion about the failures of the mental health system is less interesting.