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Anthony Summers
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Goddess: The Secret Lives of Marilyn Monroe Kindle Edition

by Anthony Summers (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 1,372 ratings
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The updated bestselling biography—based on over six hundred interviews—and the inspiration for the Netflix documentary, The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe.

Marilyn Monroe, born in obscurity and deprivation, became an actress and legend of the twentieth century, romantically linked to famous men from Joe DiMaggio to Arthur Miller to John F. Kennedy. But her tragic death at a young age, under suspicious circumstances, left behind a mystery that remains unsolved to this day.

Anthony Summers interviewed more than six hundred people, laying bare the truths—sometimes funny, often sad—about this brilliant, troubled woman. The first to gain access to the files of Monroe’s last psychiatrist, Summers uses the documents to explain her tangled psyche and her dangerous addiction to medications. He establishes, after years of mere rumor, that President Kennedy and his brother Robert were both intimately involved with Monroe in life—and in covering up the circumstances of her death.

Written and updated by a Pulitzer Prize nominee who has authored works on JFK, J. Edgar Hoover, and the 9/11 attacks, this investigation of an iconic star’s brief life and early death is “remarkable. . . . The ghost of Marilyn Monroe cries out in these pages” (The New York Times). Netflix’s The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe will cement this work as the definitive biography of the unforgettable woman.
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  1. Print length
    718 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Open Road Media
  5. Publication date
    November 6, 2012
  6. File size
    29954 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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  1. Marilyn was a prime candidate for what is today called a ‘borderline’ personality — someone who hovers ‘on the border between psychotic and neurotic, with frequent fluctuations between the two.’
    Highlighted by 77 Kindle readers
  2. ‘True love is visible not to the eyes, but to the heart, for eyes may be deceived.’
    Highlighted by 67 Kindle readers
  3. Divine love always has met and always will meet every human need … since to all mankind and in every hour, divine love supplies all good.
    Highlighted by 53 Kindle readers
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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Summers claims to have interviewed more than 600 people in the course of writing this book, and the effort shows in this exhaustiveand exhausting biography. Overall, the book is well written. Of the new material presented, the most provocative is Summers's assertion that Monroe's corpse was first discovered by Robert Kennedy and Peter Lawford. The reason for the confusion of facts about her death, says Summers, is that a coverup was conducted to hide Monroe's sexual involvement with both John and Robert Kennedy. Since Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller declined to be interviewed, this is not the definitive Monroe biography. Still, libraries that do not already have a surfeit of books on Monroe should find this a popular addition. Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club featured alternates. John Smothers, Monmouth Cty. Lib., Freehold, N.J.
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“A remarkable performance . . . The ghost of Marilyn Monroe cries out in these pages.” —The New York Times

“Convincing evidence of a crude but effective cover-up which was designed to protect Robert Kennedy.” —The Times Literary Supplement

“I knew and admired Marilyn’s husband Arthur Miller. . . . [Marilyn] was a classic example of borderline personality disorder, filled with despair, terror, and rage . . . an eternal damaged child. . . . She was a genius, a sorceress who could stimulate the world’s sexuality and still seem innocent, turn on a light and become ‘Marilyn Monroe.’ And she has become eternal. This is the most believable, useful book of all the books about her.” —Harvey Wasserman, former professor of psychiatry, Yale University College of Medicine

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B009S33ICC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Open Road Media; Reprint edition (November 6, 2012)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 6, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 29954 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 718 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 1,372 ratings

About the author

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Anthony Summers

Anthony Summers

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Anthony Summers is the bestselling author of eight nonfiction books. As a journalist with BBC television, he covered Vietnam, the Middle East, and major issues in the United States. His investigative books have ranged from the Kennedy to the Nixon years, and he recently produced what critics praised as the definitive account of the 9/11 attacks.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
1,372 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Hawkeye
5.0 out of 5 stars Goddess! The ultimate in historical research!
Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2023
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I purchased this book after a program Anthony Summers had on Net flicks. Up to that time I never hear of this book written and published in 1985. The product seems to have been used due to the coloration of the cover and the flexure of the binding. I thought I order it new! The book was obtained to understand the last portion of the book revealing the leading up to the aftermath of Marilyn Monroe’s death.

Part IV thru VI of the book is very interesting and due to all the characters sometimes difficult to follow. The author is relentless with his pursuit of the truth. The author obtains all his research to provide a reasonable scenario as to what really happen on that faithful night in August, 1962. The interested reader and inquisitor of this story will be well rewarded to obtain his view.

The book is well written with not editorial flaws. It is in six parts and has a table of contents, a reference section, black and white photos in two section, and a nice index. My only difficulty was keeping up with all the personalities in the story. A glossary would be well appreciated.
2 people found this helpful
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James A. Davidson
4.0 out of 5 stars An amazing biography
Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2021
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Anthony Summers well known biography of Marilyn Monroe is incredibly long and detailed. Readers wanting to know every fact about Marilyn’s life will love this book. For me personally, it was a bit long and weighty, and I got bogged down towards the end and even had to skip a few sections. But all in all, this is an amazing book.
One person found this helpful
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Rick Spell
5.0 out of 5 stars Pulitzer for Research!
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2005
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I bought this book after reading the 2005 LA Times story of the police medical examiner who believes Monroe did not kill herself. He believes she was administered a morphine overdose by suppository. Also, the psychiatrist who was very close to Monroe at her death and was criticized for this closeness believed the same theory. In the LA Times article, this book was mentioned as a definitive journal of her life and death. Also, it alluded that the psychiatrist's statements were shared with this author and in this book. Therefore, on that recommendation that this was the definitive Marilyn Monroe book, I felt a need to understand and investigate her life and death.

I was not disappointed. I remain absolutely amazed at the completeness of the research involved in this book. Be forewarned this is not a short read. But it is well worthwhile. He completely documents disagreements in sources and presents clearly his beliefs based upon the research. An important fact from early and mid-life that I had never seen emphasized was exactly how few movies she made at the end of her life, something like only 5 in the last 10 years. In my 52 year lifetime, Marilyn clearly had the most unique combination of sex and innocence that drew people in. It's difficult to describe her appeal. Probably closest would be Pamela Anderson who unfortunately feels the need to wear massive make-up hiding the very attractive wholesome girl she was when initially discovered. Much like Marilyn.

But where this book is at its best is describing the DiMaggio/Miller marriages, the many close friendships late in her life and what they expose about her potential suicide, the Kennedy relationships and ultimately her death. These story lines are so engrossing that it is difficult to put the book away for the night but the book is such a time commitment that it's not the type to be read in a few hours.

I cannot stress how detailed is the research on the last three years of her life including Sinatra, Lawford and the Kennedys. Based upon all the exhaustive research, I still believe this was a suicide. She had tried too many times before and sadly, was totally addicted to narcotics. What is more interesting is her relationship with the Kennedy's. But would they really have been involved in foul play when at that time the press ignored politician affairs? Marilyn's life is a great tragedy and this book does a fabulous job of summarizing. I strongly recommend this book if you have any interest in this icon. Be forewarned. This is not a quick weekend read but well worth the hours spent.
26 people found this helpful
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Randy M Lloyd
5.0 out of 5 stars Read it!
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2017
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I have to admit that I only ordered this book because I was curious after reading the book "Double Cross" written by Sam and Chuck Giancana. One of the most dubious claims made in that book was that mob associated figures were used to assassinate Marilyn Monroe. At least it was told that Sam Giancana Sr said that. I read this book because I wanted to see what an objective biographer might say about it.

What I liked most about this book is the manner in which the book is infinitely readable while not departing from facts which are establishable by empirical evidence. I found it shocking the way Marilyn's life spiraled out of control without her having anyone who could successfully reach out to her; her appalling behavior notwithstanding. Equally shocking was how completely alone and unloved she ultimately felt even though she had achieved such laudable fame, even if by salacious means . By reading this book you will completely understand how believable were the reports of drug overdose suicide, and alternatively, how vulnerable her mental and medical condition made her to being eliminated as a threat in the manner described in the Giancana book. In the closing chapters, all plausible theories are explored about how she may have been eliminated, and also how she might have just as easily killed herself either by accident, or possibly on purpose.

In any case, the journey through Norma Jean's life, and ultimately her demise, and her shocking death, is an entertaining one. A journey that absolutely qualifies as better than any wild yarn that even the best fiction writer could concoct about an imagined character. This book could easily dovetail into a study of the Kennedys and their behavior, and even into JFK's assassination.
46 people found this helpful
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Tina
3.0 out of 5 stars Marylin Review
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2013
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I gave this book 3 stars because it was an "odd read". I can't quite put my finger on what was wierd. It was interesting and maybe sometimes too detailed. I have always been facinated by Marilyn Monroe and this book did provide some life details I hadn't heard before. It was a pretty fast read in spite of the sometimes "oddness". I would recommend to any MM fan.
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Top reviews from other countries

Renzo Mora
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
Reviewed in Brazil on May 3, 2022
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I did read the first edition and this new and improved book is worth reading, with new and well researched information
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Maria Anna Montuori
5.0 out of 5 stars The unseen Marilyn
Reviewed in Italy on November 21, 2023
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Marilyn Monroe is one of the most photographed woman ever, and yet the insight of this thouroughly detailed manuscript and the details provided are something previously unseen. This book is a collection of memories from people who were there when she was alive and sources have all been verified by the writer. The part regarding the death of this beloved Hollywood star takes most of the lenght of this book, and yet I found only one testimony missing: the one of the ambulance driver who supposedly witnessed her psychiatrist administering her an adrenaline shot to the heart to revive her from the overdose. I wonder if this is a detail that came out only recently or if the fact is yet to be proven, therefore he decided not to include it (which would be strange, since other controversial fact are detailed, although with a disclaimer note). A really interesting read.
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Graham G Grant
5.0 out of 5 stars The Fugitive - the dark truth about the death of the world’s greatest superstar
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 4, 2023
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Summers describes his subject as a ‘fugitive’ from a deprived and traumatic childhood. Marilyn Monroe worked hard and used her innate acting talent to gain global fame. But she was also a mass of contradictions - a sex symbol who never learned to love herself. Ultimately, she was drawn into the orbit of powerful people, and relationships that may have led to her tragic demise. Summers is a brilliant writer, and a forensic investigator. He is no sucker for a conspiracy theory - but builds a highly persuasive picture of what happened on the night of Marilyn’s overdose death, and the possible role played by her presumed lover, Robert Kennedy. The scale of the research - with more than 650 interviews - is testament to the extraordinary rigour of Summers’ work. It’s a thorough overview of Marilyn’s whole life rather than focusing on her death, which was officially judged as a ‘probable’ suicide. The lasting impression is of a superbly talented but self-destructive and psychologically damaged young woman. As Summers points out, if she hadn’t been Marilyn Monroe, she might have ended up in an institution, as in her final months she came close to outright insanity at times. Indeed, Marilyn’s mother Gladys, who outlived her by more than 20 years, spent a lot of her life in and out of institutions as she struggled with mental illness. If you enjoyed this incredible work of investigative journalism, watch the Netflix documentary based on it (The Unheard Tapes). But the book is far more rewarding.
5 people found this helpful
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Isey
2.0 out of 5 stars Fails on both counts
Reviewed in France on May 8, 2021
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Summers' writing has an hypnotic quality that pulls you in, and is the only reason I managed to clear three quarters of the book before throwing the towel and dropping it.

The form is great indeed; however, the substance is severely lacking. Goddess cannot qualify as a satisfying biography of Monroe: not only is it too disjointed, vague and superficial, but it also thoroughly lacks insight, warmth and a general care for its subject matter, all things necessary to a good biography.

Goddess also fails as what it's actually supposed to be, i.e. a piece of investigating journalism. Summers obviously did his homework and seems to be a highly talented investigator, and I doubt anyone could take up the gauntlet and do better than him; yet he failed all the same, because the whole task was quite impossible. Monroe had been dead for half a century when the book was published, which was more than enough time for important witnesses, accounts and details to fade away and get lost beyond recollection. On top of that, Summers primarily tackled Marilyn's love live and prescription abuse: such private matters are already notoriously hard to explore when a person is alive, let alone when she's been dead for 50 years.

Summers really did try his best; yet neither his addictive writing nor the heavy name-dropping he pulls off throughout the book can hide the fact that Goddess lacks both hard facts and insight, and is ultimately a shallow and unfulfilling read if you expect any of these things.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A throwaway goddess
Reviewed in Canada on April 27, 2015
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I rate this at the top because it is a penetrating and sad story of a very sad woman. And it is no credit to those around her - Hollywood, her husbands and the Kennedys who treated her like a throw-away property. She had much more potential than just a Hollywood glamor girl and her efforts to achieve some measure of intellectual position were not the route to happiness. The only genuine spot is that, despite Di Maggio's macho old-world view of marriage, his anger when she left him and her continued flirting with danger, he was the only one who was there at the last to look after her in death and interment.
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