Bombshells: Five Women Who Set the Fifties on Fire

by Shar Daws

Jean Harlow, the Godmother of Blondes, lit the torch for the blonde bombshell, creating an image and persona that would be passed on for generations to come. Jean's life was cut tragically short at the age of 26, but the flame reignited in the 1950s with the most notorious blondes of all Ruth Ellis, Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield and Diana Dors. Each left a legacy that has ensured the fire will never be completely extinguished, affecting not only individual lives but society across a world stage. From Marilyn's stardom and Diana's unwavering integrity, to Ruth's tragic status as the last woman hanged in Britain, all of these women experienced success and tragedy, love and heartbreak, and attention both positive and negative. Bombshells examines these five exceptional women in the context of the 1950s, the expectations and constrictions society had at the time and how they pushed through barriers and paved the way for the real sexual revolution.

Genres: History, American, Nonfiction

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2020

About the author

SHAR DAWS has a master's degree in English and Creative Writing and has contributed research to multiple published books about stars of the 1950s and written dozens of articles in magazines. Alongside writing, she runs Retro Daisy Vintage an online clothing boutique. Shar lives in Sussex by the sea.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Takes you through the lives of Jean Harlow, Ruth Ellis, Marilyn Monroe, Diana Dors and Jayne Mansfield. Not the usual prosaic biography, really brought these women to life and gave a better understanding of them.

[Dixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've really enjoyed this book, excellent read packed full of information, I'd definitely recommend!!!

[Lucy M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book about five amazing bombshells! A really fantastic read, highly recommended!

[Thomas Brassington · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another book that suggests it'll be a cultural analysis on its central figure (in this case blonde bombshells) and instead just gives potted biographies >:(

[Lisa Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appear to be on a nostalgia kick of late. This books deals with 5 women who set the world "on fire" in their own ways. It gives you a look into the lives of Marilyn Monroe, who is on the cover, as well as Jayne Mansfield and Jean Harlow, as well as two more women of whom was less aware: Ruth Ellis and Diana Dors.
Success. Heartbreak. Tragedy. Infamy. Adoration. They were all there for the taking and for the grief.

[Christine Margaret Costello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Led lives we will never really know

Thus was an interesting book, anniversary about these courageous ladies. Ruth Ellis was so unjustly treat by the justice system. terrible crime for her to die so young. These woman were tigers, they had single vision and went for what they wanted but this cost them dearly. Tragic...

[Isabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

very thoughtful and respectful to all the women explored in this book. in particular it’s shed new light onto diana dors and jayne mansfield for me, who ive always enjoyed in films but never really knew how ambitious and driven they were!