Marilyn Monroe: Unseen Archives by Marie Clayton

Marilyn Monroe: Unseen Archives Marie Clayton,  383 pages

This is the third Unseen Archives book I have read and the second one I have read by Marie Clayton.  I really enjoys these books.  I always enjoy a good biography, but these books are really nice because each chapter contains a summary of that particular time in their life and the pictures follow.  There were hundreds of pictures, many from her personal life, as well as many from her career. Marilyn Monroe had such a tragic life from the moment she was born, throughout her childhood and well through her adult life.  She lost many pregnancies and had a history of depression. Her life ended much to soon after her 36th birthday in 1962. The circumstances behind Marilyn's death have remained one of life's greatest mysteries.  She truly is an American icon.

Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child

Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child

557 pages

Julia Child was a beloved American television personality from 1963 to 1985. She pioneered an entire genre of cooking shows well before the Food Network.

She was born Julia McWilliams on August 15, 1912 in Pasadena, California to a prominent land owner, John McWilliams Jr. and a college graduate mother, Caro (Weston) McWilliams. She was raised to be a debutant. She graduated from Smith College. After commencement, she was a free spirit and immature for her age. Her six feet, 2 inch frame and average looks didn’t help attract a husband. While all her friends were becoming engaged and marrying their sweet hearts, Julia struggled to find herself in the world.

During World War II she served in the Office of Strategic Services. There she met Paul Child. After a long friendship, they fell in love and married in 1946. Julia was thirty four years old and Paul was forty four.

After the War, Paul was stationed in Paris, France. Julia to occupy her time started taking cooking classes. Before long it became an obsession. She had finally found her niche. She went on to co-author a best-selling book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking and the rest was iconic television history.