The tumultuous and heartbreaking life of a world-famous model whose riveting story of beauty, fame, passion, murder, and madness in the Gilded Age captivated a nation. As America was stepping into the modern era, one great beauty became the artist’s model of choice. Her perfect form became the emblem of the Gilded Age and appears on the greatest monuments of New York and the nation. Supermodel, … the nation. Supermodel, actress, icon–her beauty paved the way for a life of glamour, passion, and ultimately tragedy. She dated the millionaires of the fashionable Newport colony, became the first American movie star ever to appear naked in a film, but her promising film career collapsed, her doctor fell in love with her and killed his own wife, and on her fortieth birthday, her mother committed her to an insane asylum. She remained there until her death in 1996 at the age of 104 and is now buried in an unmarked grave. Her name is Audrey Munson.
Many readers will recognize Audrey Munson, and have walked by her in the street, without even knowing her name. She stands atop New York’s Municipal Building. She sits as “Miss Manhattan” and “Miss Brooklyn” outside the Brooklyn Museum, is immortalized on the Manhattan Bridge, the Frick Mansion, the New York Public Library, and the Pulitzer Fountain outside the Plaza Hotel. In gold, bronze, and stone, she still graces bridges, skyscrapers, fountains, churches, monuments, and public buildings across the nation, from Jacksonville to San Francisco, from Atlanta to the Wisconsin state capitol.
From James Bone, the former New York Bureau Chief of The Times of London, this brilliantly reported investigative biography reveals, for the first time, the riveting truth of the forgotten life of an iconic beauty.
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The first one hundred pages were very difficult for me to get through, so much so, that I wasn’t sure I would be finishing the book but things seemed to pick up from there. The problem for me was way too much back round information on the different people coming and going in Ms. Munson’s life and repeatedly listing Ms. Munson’s accomplishments, which were many. I can appreciate a little back round on the various artists and “boyfriends” she met but not to the point that we go back to what country their parents immigrated from and how the parents met, how many siblings they had, etc. That much information adds little to the story and just makes for additional pages, which is what it seemed the author was aiming for at times.
I did finish and enjoy the rest of the book but it could have used a bit more editing.
This biography of America’s first super-model should be read by all young women today. It will make them appreciate the rights that they have. I found this book particularly interesting because I grew up in Syracuse, NY, a place often mentioned in this book and had never heard of Audrey Munson; yet in my visits to Manhattan, I was familiar with the many sculptured images of her that adorn the city. She was so beautiful yet her life was so tragic. Next time I go home, I plan to visit the Mexico, NY Historical Society Museum to learn more about this famous women I never heard of.
It was interesting, but I felt it went on too long in too much detail, so towards the end I started skimming through it and stopping when something caught my eye.
I found the subject of interest but the book really wasn’t. Couldn’t get further than first few chapters.
After reading this book, I traveled to NYC, where I sought out several of the statues she modeled for. Some of the art I viewed in the Metropolitan also had more meaning, as did the areas the main characters lived in.
James Bone brings the story of Audrey Munson, described in the book as “America’s first supermodel” to life in meticulously researched detail, allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions. The author makes us aware of the many ways in which Audrey Munson’s great beauty and unique personality impacted her life in powerful ways, for both good and ill. I was sad to learn of the difficulties she faced, and intrigued by her groundbreaking involvement in art and film. This book gave me a deeper appreciation of the historical art and sculptures we see around us every day, and of the trials and sacrifices that real people went through to bring that art to life. The book is a masterpiece of historical research that will be of great interest to anyone interested in the history and art of the early 1900’s.
No real information about the model’s life. Mostly about the artists she posed for.
It does not always be a blessing to. Be. Beautiful.
The story of the top classical sculpture model for public works in New York a century ago. Includes her upbringing, her career, and ultimately her medical history. Living until age 104.
Fascinating story of a woman, who is seen daily around New York and other cities.
It became a listing of modeling jobs with ice photos of statues. I eventually gave up 2/3 through.
I could not get into this book. Very boring