Second Best Thing
Marilyn, JFK, and a Night to Remember
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Second Best Thing
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Narrated by:
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Arthur Morey
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By:
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James L. Swanson
About this listen
President John F. Kennedy. Marilyn Monroe. A probing nonfiction short story that reconstructs an enchanting night in history by the New York Times bestselling author of Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer.
On the night of May 19, 1962, the marquee of the old Madison Square Garden boasted: “BEST THING TODAY...JOHN F. KENNEDY / 2ND BEST THING...MARILYN MONROE.”
Few things illustrate the magnetism of the Kennedy era like Marilyn Monroe co-headlining the President's massive birthday fundraiser, and suggestively crooning "Happy Birthday." But only a privileged few know what happened months earlier, when the two icons spent a weekend at a private summit hosted by Bing Crosby, and later, after the New York extravaganza, at the top secret, invitation-only midnight affair at a millionaire's Manhattan town house.
For more than half a century, this exclusive, no-press-allowed after-party has been shrouded in rumor and myth. Lot 6191 in the 2010 auction of White House photographer Cecil Stoughton's archive - "Marilyn Monroe at JFK Party" - included twenty-three prints. Their negatives, marked in Stoughton's hand with "Sensitive material, Do not file," were seized by the National Archives. Among the collection: the sole existing photograph of Marilyn and the president. Spellbound by the intimacy of the image and the force of public imagination, bestselling historian James Swanson masterfully reconstructs the fabled soiree, bringing alive a night that history nearly left behind.
©2020 James L. Swanson (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.Listeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about Second Best Thing
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- AM
- 14-05-20
Hopes too high
Had high hopes for this, Arthur is an outstanding narrator, and this moment in history is of a golden age in Camelot that seems almost seared apon the cultural consciousness.
But though some of the description is admirable, I was awaiting revelations that never came, and therefore left somewhat disappointed.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Teresa.
- 16-04-20
Not bad
Thankfully not a salacious story. Interesting about the photos and negatives, but wasn't told in a more, personal interesting way
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Daniel Delahoyde
- 02-04-20
An Enjoyable, Short and Easy Listen
I enjoyed this short story about JFK, his famous birthday celebration and the private party after. The writer describes the star studded gala event, Marilyn Monroes' performance and John F. Kennedys' public and private persona, putting it it all in context with the mood and mores of the times. There's historical fact, mixed with biographical detail, as well as ample amounts of the gossip, glitz and glamour. It's all done with great style, I was taken back to a bygone era, on a journey I thoroughly enjoyed.
The best part of this Audible audio book is, without doubt, the narrators performance. The narrator sounds American, his tone and accent, make his voice a pleasure to listen to. In addition, his understated journalistic style, is perfect for this subject matter, as is his more mature timbre.
Altogether an enjoyable short listen for quiet afternoon.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Mrs T.
- 09-12-20
Very dull
Very dull. I didn't find out anything more about JFK birthday bash that people don't know already from Google
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