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Dangerous Woman: The Life, Loves, And Scandals Of Adah Isaacs Menken, 1835-1868, America's Original Superstar
The definitive biography of a trailblazing actress
who entertained — and shocked — the nation and the world
Marilyn Monroe might never have become the legend she did without America’s original tragic starlet: actress and poet Adah Isaacs Menken (1835–68). In a century remembered for Victorian restraint, Menken’s modern flair for action, scandal, and unpopular causes—especially that of the Jewish people—revolutionized show business. On stage, she was the first actress to bare all. Off stage, she originated the front-page scandal and became the world’s most highly paid actress—celebrated on Broadway, as well as in San Francisco, London, and Paris. At thirty-three, she mysteriously died.
A Dangerous Woman is the first book to tell Menken’s fascinating story. Born in New Orleans to a “kept woman of color” and to a father whose identity is debated, Menken eventually moved to the Midwest, where she became an outspoken protégé of the rabbi who founded Reform Judaism. In New York City, she became Walt Whitman’s disciple. During the Civil War she was arrested as a Confederate agent—and became America’s first pin-up superstar. Menken married and left five husbands. Ultimately, she paid dearly for success.
A major biography of a remarkable woman, A Dangerous Woman is must reading for those interested in women’s history, the roots of modern-day American Judaism, and African-American history.
who entertained — and shocked — the nation and the world
Marilyn Monroe might never have become the legend she did without America’s original tragic starlet: actress and poet Adah Isaacs Menken (1835–68). In a century remembered for Victorian restraint, Menken’s modern flair for action, scandal, and unpopular causes—especially that of the Jewish people—revolutionized show business. On stage, she was the first actress to bare all. Off stage, she originated the front-page scandal and became the world’s most highly paid actress—celebrated on Broadway, as well as in San Francisco, London, and Paris. At thirty-three, she mysteriously died.
A Dangerous Woman is the first book to tell Menken’s fascinating story. Born in New Orleans to a “kept woman of color” and to a father whose identity is debated, Menken eventually moved to the Midwest, where she became an outspoken protégé of the rabbi who founded Reform Judaism. In New York City, she became Walt Whitman’s disciple. During the Civil War she was arrested as a Confederate agent—and became America’s first pin-up superstar. Menken married and left five husbands. Ultimately, she paid dearly for success.
A major biography of a remarkable woman, A Dangerous Woman is must reading for those interested in women’s history, the roots of modern-day American Judaism, and African-American history.
348 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2011
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58 people want to read
About the author
Michael Foster
3 booksThere is more than one author with this namd
My mother said I kicked to get out of the womb and ran away from home at age nine months to be returned by a fireman. I was born in Coney Island, Brooklyn. My folks, a loving happy couple, ran a lunch counter with a Murder Incorporated gambling operation in the back room. The tough kid on the block, I read the Russian classics by age 10, and was awarded a full scholarship to Cornell at 16 and Harvard Law at 20. But I left Harvard to join Che in Cuba and write historical novels, biographies, and erotic history. I was destined to create new ideas and relationships. My books include the Revolutionary War novel Freedom's Thunder; two biographies of the French woman explorer of Tibet: Forbidden Journey and The Secret Lives of Alexandra David-Neel (called one of the best books ever written by NY Review of Books); and Three in Love: Menages a Trois from Ancient to Modern Times, named "racy and engaging" by Entertainment Weekly. Upcoming in February, 2011 is A Dangerous Woman: The Life, Loves and Scandals of Adah Isaacs Menken, America's original superstar, a woman of color, Jewish, and a cross-dresser. She could run for governor of NY on that ticket. Adah Menken's website is http://www.thegreatbare.com named for a famous quote about Menken made by her friend Mark Twain.
My mother said I kicked to get out of the womb and ran away from home at age nine months to be returned by a fireman. I was born in Coney Island, Brooklyn. My folks, a loving happy couple, ran a lunch counter with a Murder Incorporated gambling operation in the back room. The tough kid on the block, I read the Russian classics by age 10, and was awarded a full scholarship to Cornell at 16 and Harvard Law at 20. But I left Harvard to join Che in Cuba and write historical novels, biographies, and erotic history. I was destined to create new ideas and relationships. My books include the Revolutionary War novel Freedom's Thunder; two biographies of the French woman explorer of Tibet: Forbidden Journey and The Secret Lives of Alexandra David-Neel (called one of the best books ever written by NY Review of Books); and Three in Love: Menages a Trois from Ancient to Modern Times, named "racy and engaging" by Entertainment Weekly. Upcoming in February, 2011 is A Dangerous Woman: The Life, Loves and Scandals of Adah Isaacs Menken, America's original superstar, a woman of color, Jewish, and a cross-dresser. She could run for governor of NY on that ticket. Adah Menken's website is http://www.thegreatbare.com named for a famous quote about Menken made by her friend Mark Twain.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 5, 2024
Fascinating account of the life of another incredible woman who you’ve probably never heard of… because patriarchy. Adah was a complex, intriguing, and influential cultural figure of her time and beyond. It was very inspiring to read her story and imagine life in the bohemian counter-cultural artistic circles of the time.
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August 2, 2011IT MUST BE TRUE that human culture has always lavished attention on “celebrities” who boast no readily identifiable talents. No doubt a few poseurs were immortalized in ancient cave drawings just because they knew how to draw attention to themselves. But modern American culture is hard to beat when it comes to the lionization of individuals who, as a wise man once put it, are “famous for being famous.”Read more....
March 28, 2011
I really really really wanted to love this book. I love reading about strong women in history, even infamous women. I love to learn about different eras and people but not like this. This book read like an encyclopedia entry and I am sorry to say it but I couldn't finish it, got about half way and had to stop, well...after looking at the pictures of course. This is a wonderful subject, the book is written like it was amazingly researched, it just wasn't my cup of tea.
November 26, 2013
This book left me a little disappointed as it reminded me o something that should be in a gossip rag.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews