Marilyn Monroe is a tragic, almost heart breaking figure in a lot of ways - this is definitely not a feel good, heart warming biography. It will also leave you frustrated at the number of ways things might have happened differently. However, it is a really fascinating look at not only Marilyn's life, but also bits of history about the people who knew her. I want to read a biography of Frank Sinatra now, for instance.
I wish there had been more about Marilyn's childhood in the book, but the details of her adult life are quit thorough, and his analysis of what happened that fateful night is well done and thoroughly explained.
Overall my biggest comment - a positive one - on this book is that Summers did it "right" in my estimation. He made it very clear what we know and what we don't know, and he managed to compile evidence into a compelling argument for what he thinks happened that night, without (for the most part) giving into scandal-mongering or sensationalism. And he makes it very clear what evidence he has and what he doesn't have; he doesn't given in to the temptation to claim he has all the answers.
In addition to that, I think he managed to capture the real tragedy of Monroe and to really humanize her to the reader and make her feel like a real person. Overall, I was quite satisfied with this biography of Monroe - I think Summers answered the questions as much as anyone can; I doubt we'll ever really have all the answers.
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