Published by Exeter Books. 1974. USA.
ISBN: 0-671-06102-x.
Details: Hardback. 153 pages.
Contains: Photos on almost all pages (color, b&w). Bibliography. Discography. Filmography. Index.
John Kobal, along with James Haspiel, is one of the best-known Marilyn fans and collectors, and his admiration and care for Marilyn shows in this book. The quality of Kobal's writing is right up there with Edward Wagenknecht's: rich, thought-provoking, and mercifully non-exploitive. If that isn't enough to commend this book to you, check-out the photographs: the selection is as good as you would expect coming from a long-established collector of Marilyn Monroe stills.
Published by The Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd. 1974. UK.
ISBN: 0-600-36172-1.
Details: Hardback. 153 pages.
Contains: Photos on almost all pages (color, b&w). Bibliography. Discography. Filmography. Index.
This is the hardback British edition of Kobal's book. Unlike the U.S. version, the binding is cloth and does not have an image imprinted on it.
Published by Gondola / Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd. 1983. UK.
ISBN: 0-600-37310-X.
Details: Hardback. 153 pages.
Contains: Photos on almost all pages (color, b&w). Bibliography. Discography. Filmography. Index.
This British edition is the same as the Exeter Books edition. C.B.
Published by Mallard Press. 1989. USA.
ISBN 0-792-45088-4.
Details: Hardback. 117 pages.
Contains: Over 100 photos (color, b&w).
I thought I had seen it all, and then I bought this book: lo and behold, there at the end of the book was an "astrological birth chart" which (according to the dust jacket blurb) "helps to resolve many of the confusions surrounding the life of one of the century's most beloved and luminous ladies." Whatever the merits (or lack thereof) of the astrology proffered by Ms. Lloyd, I do have to give her credit for formatting this book as a sort of photo-biography. Let's face it - if ever someone's life warranted being told through photographs, it was Marilyn's. The pictures, which are arranged in roughly chronological order, are accompanied by captions only - no text. Yet it proves to be an effective way to tell Marilyn's life story. Also included is one fold-out of a publicity shot done for The Prince and the Showgirl.
Published by Bison Books / W. H. Smith Ltd. 1989. UK.
ISBN 0-86124-541-5.
Details: Hardback. 117 pages.
Contains: Over 100 photos (color, b&w).
Cover text includes the words "W. H. Smith Exclusive Books" but is otherwise the same as the Mallard Press edition. C.B.
Published by Ariel Books / Andrews & McMeel. 1995. USA.
ISBN 0-8362-3115-5.
Details: Hardback. 79 pages.
Contains: 23 photos (color, b&w). Filmography.
This tiny book (approximately 3" square) offers a brief biography of Marilyn accompanied by stock photos.
