As a Marilyn fan I found this to be one of the most extensively researched books on her life and the circumstances surrounding her death. Published in 1987, long before "The Marilyn Encyclopedia" by Adam Victor. The Unabridged Marilyn by Randall Riese and Neal Hitchens is a must have for any fan of monroe. This book lists everything her complete autopsy report to the actresses that have portrayed monroe, or monroe based characters on the stage and screen. This book also contains comprehensive lists and reviews of practically all the books on monroe that had been written up to point when this book was published. It is obvious that the authors of this book have a great respect for monroe and have definitely done her justice in the careful and comprehensive research of this excellent reference book on one of the most intriguing, intelligent and beautiful women who ever lived.

When will I Feel Better tackles the issue of chronic illness and offers hope and comfort to families. Interactive text allows the readers to express their feelings and make plans. This is a good resource for anyone touched by the chronic illness of a child.

I loved the "Upper Room" by Mary Monroe just as much as "God don't like Ugly" but I couldn't stop making comparisons because both stories parrallel in some ways. Both are very tell it like it is and politically incorrect. The way they talk to and about people, we wouldn't do today. People getting roughed up, raped, killed like it's nothing, how times have change. I was expecting Rhoda Nelson (or her husband) to pop up any second. Half of the book focuses on 'Mama' Ruby's character who steels her friend baby that she believed to be dead and raises it as her own. Moves to Goons, FL along with Maureen and Virgil to live a life there, slaying people left and right,and drinking beer. Then we're focused on Maureen as she grows up, trying to get away from overbearing Ruby, who is way overprotective because she is 'special'. The "Upper Room" is a very haunting, hilarious novel. Kind of reminds me of Alice Walker and Stephen King's work with M. Monroe's special touch.

In Mary Monroe's novel, The Upper Room, Mama Ruby dominates as the central character that is so religious, malicious, and comical. She and her supporting cast are so drama-filled that their dysfunctional lives provide the reader with a page-turning/must-keep-reading tale.

Mama Ruby is an obese, misguided crazed, crucifix wearing, switchblade carrying, self-professed "Christian" woman with healing hands that manipulates and controls everyone around her. She betrays her closest friend in the world, Othella, by taking Othella's once-thought stillborn daughter, Maureen, and raises her as her own. She sequesters the child in a sanctified "Upper Room" that has restrictions on who can enter it and vows that Maureen will never leave her. The story includes a colorful cast of characters and takes us through Maureen's life with the townsfolk of Goons, FL and her desires and eventual escape into the sanity of the "real world". Along the way, there are many 'episodes' that keep the plot flowing till the end.

This review does not give the novel enough praise. The author provided vivid imagery, dialogue, and solid pacing to make this an enjoyable, suspenseful read.

I had the pleasure of reading this book in 1986 and loved it and laughed so much. After 911 in New York City, I needed to laught to put my mind on a book that was funny, a bit sad, and so human. Well I found it again in The Upper Room. The details of Mama Ruby are like a tall tale that makes you wonder it was laught after laught and I will not spoil it for any reader. But I hope that Ms. Monroe puts out another book soon.

I enjoyed "God Don'tLike Ugly" if thats true He sure did not like Mama Ruby but He made her. Its a thought provoking book and so humerous.

It helped me to feel safer riding the train from Brooklyn to lower Manhattan daily and helped put a smile on my face and in my heart and realize that our lives like the people at the Goons is in God's hand not anyone elses.

I recently read the Marilyn Diaries by Charles Casillo and I must say that I was completely swept away. It was impossible to believe that these were not actually Marilyn's word. I had to keep reminding myself that this is a work of fiction. Reading it I felt like I stumbled upon Marilyn's actual diary and I felt "naughty" reading it. Yet you can't put it down. Mr. Casillo obviously has a great love and passion for Miss Monroe, and he has obviously spent a tremendous amount of time researching her life. Reading this book you will actually feel like you are there. You won't be able to put it down. I LOVED IT!

This is truely a magnificant work. Charles Casillo has managed to capture every fiber of Marilyn Monroe's being. This is a book that is a must for every Marilyn fan. The Marilyn Diaries is a fictional work depicting the missing diary Monroe kept throughout the last years of her life. It is truely remarkable how Charles Casillo has captured what might have been her every thought and feeling. I had to put the book down at times to catch my breath. The Marilyn Diaries personifies Marilyn Monroe. She is seen too much as just a character, and not someone who actually was a living, breathing being. Mr. Casillo has certainly written the finest work of fiction ever about Marilyn Monroe. You can not put this book down once you start reading it!

A few weeks ago, I encountered a book, albeit a novel, that has had a profound effect on me. The book is THE MARILYN DIARIES by Charles Casillo.Although I knew from the beginning that it was a novel, I found myself experiencing feelings of guilty pleasure while reading it.Charles has captured the essence of Marilyn Monroe so well, that at times, I felt as though I was actually reading HER diary. He has given a human side to this woman that we have made into a cultural icon. He has depicted Marilyn with the strengths, the frailities, the fears, and the humor that I would like to imagine that she possessed.Additionally, he has brought a dimension to her sexuality that no other author has attempted before.Mr. Casillo has brought Marilyn to life for me and I am grateful for that.

This is the first Mary Alice Monroe book I've ever read-and let me tell you I definitely plan to read her other works, too. From the very first page it's like the story and characters catch your attention right away. The info that heads each chapter regarding the sea turtles is actually quite interesting, and I was saddened to read at the end of the book how they are quickly becoming an endangered species. This story of how Cara Rutledge, after losing her job at a Chicago advertising firm, returns home to her mother's beach house in Isle of Palms, SC, is a very warm, touching one that explains how she finally bonds with her seriously ill mother-Olivia(Lovie)Rutledge, having left home at 18 due to constantly fighting with her father. Cara reconnects with her childhood best pal Emmi, plus finds true love when least expected. Lovie's houseguest(and caretaker)Toy Sooner is another memorable character-her initial meeting up with Cara is not a good one but soon the two of them learn to accept one another as well as become fast friends. This story is one you'll definitely remember long after the last page has been turned. Very highly recommended.

It's not often that a book brings me to Amazon.com and makes me want to write a review. I read other reviews constantly, but I don't often write them. Well, I loved this book so much, I just had to share. I loved the whole beach theme, I loved learning about the loggerhead turtles and their significance to the story, I loved that Cara was not a whimp (especially when she confronts Richard towards to end), who could not love Brett???, I loved the way Mary Alice Monroe makes you feel you are right there on the beach and the way she makes you truly FEEL for these characters. I loved the way the author had several stories going on a once and concluded them all in a fine manner. This was a truly wonderful read and I highly recommend it - get lost in South Carolina on the Isle of Palms with the loggerhead turtles and some fine characters. ENJOY!!

A wonderful book and true to the last detail of "Low Country" living. Yes, Florida reader, the sun does set over the Atlantic Ocean if you are lucky enough to be on a "Barrier Island". The movie "Baggar Vance" which was filmed on Kiawah Island, SC has a fabulous sunset scene over the Atlantic Ocean. Some of our barrier islands run East-West and magnificient sunsets can been seen most nights. I loved the book and love being lucky enough to live on a barrier island until the next hurricane.

First of all I believe it important that you know who is writing this review. I want those who read this to know I am just as open and just as skeptic as the average truth seeker. I am the guy next store with a wife, children, a church I attend and many questions about what God means. While pursuing my search I read a lot and research topics of interest that may help me on my journey. I have read Ms McKnight's book twice and often refer back to it when I need to refresh my memory. The author and the words in the book are not just some wild fantasic creation from the mind of a Steven King type. I (Mr. Skeptic) have attended the Gateway program at the Monroe institute. I have been to Focus 10 and beyond, how?, The science is there to get you there, what happens once you are there is not yet measurable in the eyes of science. I listen, I follow the directions, it happens. Did I have the same experiences at Ms McKnight, no I didn't, but others did, my time will come. Your time can come too here on earth. Read this book, read it again, read other books, and the truth will come. This book talks about energy and energy vibrations a lot. For some this conveys a New Age Band wagon attempt. This could not be farther from the truth. Look at your hand, what you see is only skin, while it looks solid, what we have is solid matter that has molecules and atoms. And physics tells us that every atom is more than 99%empty space and all those sub-atomic particles are moving at extreme speeds through this space, hence -vibrating enery. The void in every atom has this vibrating intelligence. I am not a physicist but this quantum soup is always vibrating, and at the quantum level the space between sub-atomic particles is like the space between galaxies. There is so much we take for granted for which we can not see. I know we can vibrate our own energies to other conscious levels while here on earth. Whether you call them Focus levels or something else is not important. As my journey continues I know I will reach some of those places Ms. McKnight has gone. I just keep my patience under rap and continue on my journey, helping those who need a hand along the way. Enjoy the book and have Joy in knowing you ARE more than your Physical body! Peace-Rick

Rosalind McKnight is one of Robert A. Monroe's explorers, people who report on their encounters in out-of-the-body experiences. Anyone interested in the pioneer work of Monroe and in his Monroe Institute should find "Cosmic Journeys" fascinating. Monroe himself is a central character,monitoring his explorers with care and concern, asking the right questions at the right times. No wonder he inspired such affection in his followers.

But McKnight is interesting in her own right. She describes her experiences enthusiastically, intelligently, with self-effacing humor. The first time she tries Monroe's hemi-sync device for leaving her body, she simiply falls asleep. But when she does leave her body, the joyful adventures start. Here are some sample chapters: "Invisible Helpers," "More Than Physical Matter," "Experience; The Afterlife and the Animal Dimension," "Control: the Foods You Eat," "Out of the Body Energies," "Alien Energy Systems," and --for my money the most astounding chapter--"The Patrick Event."

There is no "scientific" proof that her adventures are real, but to this reader they have the ring of truth.

As for the "reader" below who is using this space to trash Monroe's work, I wonder if they even read Rosalind's book. I found Cosmic Journey to be a wonderful, and enlightening look at the truth of us all. It is definitely worth a read. I was especially taken with her information on the 5 different consciousness 'layers' and the section on what goes on 'behind the scene' while we sleep. It is a beautifully written book that I found hard to put down. My own experience with OOB adventures began when I was quiet young. But it wasn't till I read Robert Monroe's classic: Journey's out of the Body that I was able to willfully and consciously start having regular OOBEs. I can truthfully say that YES you can read a book and have an 'out of body' experience! I highly recommend Cosmic Journeys!

I must agree with the other people who have offered reviews about this book. If you have been teetering over the suicide/murder scenario since that fateful day in August, 1962...then this book should put to rest any questions you may have over how Marilyn Monrie died. There is no question in my mind that it was murder. It's right there in black and white and it is totally infuriating that a new, honest investigation has never taken place. Wolfe thoroughly researched this with all resources he could get his hands on. It's disgusting that so much vital evidence has mysteriously disappeared. A new investigation needs to take place now. We've already lost some major witnesses over the years and survivors like Pat Newcomb and Norman Jeffries won't live forever. As far as the book itself. It is hard to put this book down. However, the only reason I don't rate it a "5" is because a lot of pages are spent on Marilyn's life story. I've read that all before. But these new revelations from Jeffries cannot be ignored.

I've always been somewhat ambivalent about the conspiracy theories surrounding Marilyn's death & have vacillated between the foul play line & that she took an accidental overdose. I read Anthony Summers' "Goddess" when it was first published & was certainly of the conviction that there was indeed foul play. Having just read the first part of this book & skipped to the end missing out the biographical element of the middle section, I am yet again convinced that at best there was one huge cover-up to protect RFK and at worst that he actually had a direct hand in the deed or was at least present when the fatal barbiturate dose was adminstered. Earlier books I've read have all indeed questioned the validity of Marilyn's bedroom being the scene of death, no water present, the body lying in an unusual position, no evidence of convulsions or vomit which is usually the case with overdoses etc etc etc

It is certainly difficult to refute the evidence presented in this book & the various testimonies that have only just come to light, ie those of Norman Jeffries (this I had never read about before & I've read numerous MM biogs) and of the ambulence driver James Hall. The events that the author concludes took place that night are totally plausible, but what is surprising is the fact that this disparate group of people present when MM died all conspired over the years & colluded in this cover up. The numerous versions of the suicide theory are all fatally flawed & key witnesses such as Eunice Murray the housekeeper have constantly changed their stories over the years - lending them no crediblity whatsoever. However, it is unfortunate that we will never ever know for sure as RFK, Ralph Greenson & Peter Lawford all took their secrets to the grave with them.

This is indeed a compelling read, although sometimes I found I was so bombarded with facts that it was a little difficult to absorb.

If you're an MM fan, then read this book & Anthony Summers'"Goddess".

When I first started reading this book, I thought to myself, "Oh no, not another book re-hashing the already revealed inconsistencies surrounding MM's death!" Boy, was I wrong! This book is one of the best ever written on the subject of MM's life and, especially, the mysterious and sinister circumstances surrounding her death. Someone should send a highlighted copy of this book to the LA District Attorneys office because this womans death screams out for justice! What amazed me was how Marilyn had no one in whom she could place her trust. The circle of people surrounding and insulating her in her last years were people who had known each other for years. They formed a tight circle around Marilyn and slowly but surely cut her off from people that really cared about her. Little did MM realize that anything she told one person in that circle (supposedly in confidence) was being shared with everyone else. The two most important new voices heard are those of John Minor (who strongly suspects foul play) and Mrs. Murray's (the maid's) nephew, who states that he was at Marilyn's home the night of her death. Their revelations alone are reason enough to re-open the investigation. History should reflect an accurate portrayal of past events, even if that accuracy serves to cast dark shadows on people that were once shining in the public spotlight. The people involved in the death of Marilyn Monroe should be no different. To this point, the "official" story as to MM's death has been nothing more than a piece of fiction. The question now is whether the LA District Attorney's office will have the courage to re-open the case with the new information provided, knowing that some big names might be implicated in a heinous crime. Let us all hope that they will find the strength of character and fortitude to do so.

This is not the best book on OBE's. The value of the book is Monroe's descriptions of his process and the effects that they had on his life contextualized in the times that they occured. The reader should realize that Monroe later changed most of his conclusions about his perceptions once he had more experience and understanding of the OBE process. I recommend that his second book, Far Journey's, be read before reading this book. That will allow the reader to discount the perceptions that Monroe changed.

As someone who has direct experience with the out of body phenomenon, this book was invaluable. It is not the best book on this topic but those of us who have these experiences often fear for our sanity. This book lets us know that we are not alone. Unlike many books dealing with this subject, the author is not someone who has a spiritual message to shove down our throats. He gives an honest account of his experiences and all of the accompanying fears and troubles and joys. He is highly credible and one can identify with his very human and normal reactions to a baffling phenomenon. It is important to take into account when reading this book that Monroe wrote it at a time before people had wide spread knowledge of thw out-of-body experience. It took great courage for him to share his experiences with the world. It is also commendable that he sought to try and find a scientific basis for the phenomenon and founded the Monroe institute towards this end.
My only criticism is that his terminology is at times a bit cumbersome, but I think overall this book is worth the read. I think his next book, Far Journeys is actually better.
Finally, after delving into this subject for many years, I think it is important to understand that the out-of -body experience serves as a gateway to perceptual abilities that we consider to be paranormal. These abilities include but are not limited to clairvoyance, telepathy and telekinesis. As such, learning to have this type of experience is part of the Toltec sorcery teachings. For more information about this approach to the out-of-body experience read 1)The Art of Dreaming (Carlos Castaneda), 2)The Path: A Practical Approach to Sorcery (Esmeralda Arana)

I read this book years ago, when I was only about 12 years old. Monroe's experiences are intriguing, and have influenced me to this day. He writes about mystical experiences (as another reviewer wrote, in a very non-spiritual way). Sometimes, I will admit, Monroe can be somewhat dry, but he doesn't fill his book with pages of unnecessary words like some writers do. Monroe treats what some people would call "lucid dreams" or "astral projections," as if they could really be journeys out of the body in THIS world, almost as if he were a ghost. (Occultists would call this the etheral body). For example, he writes that he obtained knowledge of things in the physical world, that he couldn't have possibly known if his experiences didn't actually take him to real places.

Years after reading this book, I experienced some of the things Monroe wrote about were true to my own life. Not until a first-person experience did I understand what Monroe meant by "vibrations" (the first step toward an out of body experience). Monroe is classic reading on this topic, and I recommend "Journeys Out of the Body" to anyone interested in such things.

Monroe's novel is set in the 60's and 70's Midwest and focuses on the life of Annette Goode. Annette is an impoverished, intelligent, obese, lonely, fatherless child who is often left alone with Mr. Boatwright, a seemingly innocent, bible-quoting, one-legged boarder taken in to help her mother financially. She's basically an outcast who suffers from ridicule, racism, and low self-esteem inflicted from adults and children alike. The tale starts with Mr. Boatwright using Annette's weaknesses to molest her constantly throughout her childhood. Her life is turned around when her beautiful and popular neighbor, Rhoda Nelson, embraces her as a friend. The plot thickens as Annette and Rhoda's stories trace the progression of their friendship and the sharing and revelation of family secrets. The novel had some unexpected twists and a surprise ending (at least it didn't end the way I thought it would) which added to the appeal of the story. Overall, I enjoyed the book - the author exhibited expert handling of the music and historic events of the era and seemed to have left the story open for a sequel....I hope she follows through...I'd like to revisit Annette and friends.

God Don't Like Ugly is a statement that we have all used at one time or another. And while reading this wonderful book by Mary Monroe I caught myself saying it over and over again while waiting to see when the Ugly is going to get its just do. This is the story about a very insecure girl name Annette, who was molested by Mr. Boatwright, the person her mother brought into their home to help out with her and other household activities. Annette had no one to turn to not even her mother, that is until she became friends with Rhonda, the pretty girl across the street. She eventually confide in Rhonda about the molestation and things evolved from there. You'll have to read God Don't Like Ugly to find out what.

Everyone that wonders what goes through the minds of people who are molested because the first thing that pops into your head when you hear about it is "What were they thinking, why didn't they tell anyone?" Well you'll find out if you read this book. Ms. Monroe takes you through the mind of Annette and some of the other characters as well. I look forward to seeing what else happens with these characters in the sequel.

Jasmine W. Lowe
'God Don't Like Ugly'
God Don't Like Ugly is a story of a girl name Annette Goode. Annette was a shy, overweight, dark-skinned young girl who went through a lot during her life. When she was young her and her mother moved and a man name Mr. Boatright moved in with them. Throughout the first year Mr. Boatright replaces the absence of little Annette's dad. In the second year Mr. Boatright starts sexually abusing Annette who was only seven years old. he continues to do it for the next ten year of Annette's life.
When Annette moved into her new house she meets a girl name Rhoda, who becomes her life long friend. Rhoda is everything Annette would like to be, beautiful, strong, smart, thin, and light-skinned. Rhoda lives in a house with her father who is a Negro undertaker, her white grandmother, referred as Granny Goose, her white Uncle Johnny, and her brother Jock. Having Rhoda as a friend helps Annette in some ways and in some ways it doesn't.
The book was very interesting, I never was bored once reading it. It's an excellent novel. In some of the characters one might find characteristics of themselves. I can relate to Annette. Sometime I feel like the shy fat girl who has no friends and searchers for a person to confide in. The difference between Annette and I is that I haven't been sexually abused. Then on the other hand, I feel like I can also relate to Rhoda. Sometimes a person has to stick up for themselves and not take so much drama from people. I really don't like when people try to take advantage of other people. There is also a difference between Rhoda and I, some things that I thought Rhoda wasn't cable of I wouldn't do.
I recommend this book to people who love to stay reading and really interested in books. While reading the book you never want to put it down, you will always want to know what's going to happen next.

This book asked the question "What Would Jesus Do," a full century before it was fashionable to wear such phrase on bracelets, necklaces, t-shirts, etc.

Set in the late 1800's, a pastor challenges his church to take a pledge: to make no decisions before first asking "what would Jesus do." As a result, many lives were changed. Many who took that pledge suffered for it.

The book itself I suppose isn't the highest quality writing, nor the plot that intriguing. However, in the case of this book, that's not what's most important. The author really challenged me to ponder what true "sacrifice" is.

I think most any modern American reader of this book would have to admit that very few today have any idea what it means to truly suffer for Christ, and to give up all to follow him. America has been so blessed that we've forgotten what sacrifice means. It is a sad indictment on the True Church that some of the fastest growing "churches" in America and across the world today thrive because of a "health and wealth" gospel.

It makes me wonder how many in modern "churches" would take the pledge to first ask "What Would Jesus Do?" and to follow through with it. I'm afraid there wouldn't be many.

I picked up a copy of this book a few years ago, but I never finished it because it didn't hold my attention at all. In retrospect, I wasn't ready for it. This book challenged my thinking more than I wanted it to. You may have heard that "In His Steps" is the origin of the phrase "What Would Jesus Do?" That's true, but the book takes the question a step farther. The real question is "What would Jesus do if He were Gail Simmons?" (Ok, so you can insert your own name where I've put mine.) There's even another step after that which is implied rather than stated. Am I going to make the changes necessary to have my life come into line with my understanding of what Jesus would do in my place? The book is excellent, but don't read it unless you're prepared to examine your own life in ways you may have never imagined. I've heard it said that knowledge can condemn a person. Are you willing to take the next step to read this book? You'll either walk away changed or condemned.

I received this book from a friend on loan, and for weeks did not even bother to look at it again. When I finally picked it up, I literally could not put it down. I read the whole thing in one day! The writing style is skillful, suspenseful, and moves the reader along with the story. It is like a series of vignettes with a powerful common theme, and one feels as if he or she is actually watching the scenes unfold. The characters are real enough that the reader can see him or herself in them. Sheldon gets beyond preaching and bible verses, giving the reader a clear picture of what happens when Christian people impact the world, and the world fights back. It gave me a whole new outlook on the phrase "What would Jesus do?" It is a frightening yet inspiring challenge from which Sheldon never relents. Must reading for anyone who really wants to live by that creed!