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  • Goddess

  • The Secret Lives of Marilyn Monroe
  • By: Anthony Summers
  • Narrated by: Donna Postel
  • Length: 19 hrs and 39 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (144 ratings)
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Goddess cover art

Goddess

By: Anthony Summers
Narrated by: Donna Postel
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Summary

Marilyn Monroe, born to deprivation and a series of foster homes, became an acting legend of the 20th century. She married famous men, Joe DiMaggio and playwright Arthur Miller, and her many lovers included President John F. Kennedy. Her death, at 36, is a mystery that remains unsolved to this day.

Anthony Summers interviewed 600 people for this book, which reveals unknown truths, some funny, some very sad, about this brilliant but troubled woman. First to gain access to the files of Monroe's last psychiatrist, he throws light on Monroe's troubled psyche and her addiction to medications. He establishes once and for all that she was intimately involved with John and Robert Kennedy, who probably covered up the circumstances of her death.

©1985 Anthony Summers (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

“A remarkable performance…. The ghost of Marilyn Monroe cries out in these pages." ( New York Times)

What listeners say about Goddess

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  • Overall
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Loved it! A must

Great performance, great story and perfect for any fans! Learnt so much and would definitely recommend for any Hollywood fans

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Heartbreaking story

The story of a woman who we all think we knew. But thin book is an eye opener. The poor girl never reached her full potential. was used by men right up to the last few hours of her life. Excellent listen.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The definite book on Marilyn Monroe

This is genuinely the only book you’ll ever need to read or listen to on the icon. It covers her early life and later years in great detail and has been updated since publication to reflect the recent (at the time) news items about her. It flew by.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

A very interesting story which gives you an insight as to how insecure and naive Marilyn was. On the politics side so much treachery with drink and drugs and secrecy thrown in. Marylyn was on a downward slope from day one. So sad.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Insightful

Lots of detail confirming what is already in the public domain. This poor lady and her life were a hot mess. Some weird pronunciations of commonplace words by the narrator which are mildly irritating.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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fascinating

excellent narration, thorough evidence backed logic, enjoyed this immensely , will definitely listen again 👍

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    5 out of 5 stars

Very Informative

An interesting insight to her life and the many famous people she encountered throughout. Well worth a read.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved every second

One of my favourite audible books. Very informative and lovely narration. Already listened to it twice.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A truly stunning account Marilyn Monroe

Anthony Summers is by far the best investigative biographer - he leaves no stone unturned in the story of Marilyn.
I bought the original book in 1986 and this version jettisons the tragedy bang up to date!
Why this icon has not received justice is a disgrace and the new information points the destruction of her in only one direction. I hope that when Judith Campbell’s files became public in 2025, the authorities have a fresh investigation. An absolutely brilliant biography dedicated to finding out the truth.

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it's great

Very credible, well documented. I love the tone, which is never patronising or judgemental.

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