Book Review
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post
Allison Pataki
Book Description:
Mrs. Post, the President and First Lady are here to see you. . . . So begins another average evening for Marjorie Merriweather Post. Presidents have come and gone, but she has hosted them all. Growing up in the modest farmlands of Battle Creek, Michigan, Marjorie was inspired by a few simple rules: always think for yourself, never take success for granted, and work hard—even when deemed American royalty, even while covered in imperial diamonds. Marjorie had an insatiable drive to live and love and to give more than she got. From crawling through Moscow warehouses to rescue the Tsar’s treasures to outrunning the Nazis in London, from serving the homeless of the Great Depression to entertaining Roosevelts, Kennedys, and Hollywood’s biggest stars, Marjorie Merriweather Post lived an epic life few could imagine.
Marjorie’s journey began gluing cereal boxes in her father’s
barn as a young girl. No one could have predicted that C. W. Post’s Cereal
Company would grow into the General Foods empire and reshape the American way
of life, with Marjorie as its heiress and leading lady. Not content to stay in
her prescribed roles of high-society wife, mother, and hostess, Marjorie dared
to demand more, making history in the process. Before turning thirty she
amassed millions, becoming the wealthiest woman in the United States. But it
was her life-force, advocacy, passion, and adventurous spirit that led to her
stunning legacy.
And yet Marjorie’s story, though full of beauty and grandeur,
set in the palatial homes she built such as Mar-a-Lago, was equally marked by
challenge and tumult. A wife four times over, Marjorie sought her
happily-ever-after with the blue-blooded party boy who could not outrun his
demons, the charismatic financier whose charm turned to betrayal, the
international diplomat with a dark side, and the bon vivant whose shocking
secrets would shake Marjorie and all of society. Marjorie did everything on a
grand scale, especially when it came to love.
Bestselling and acclaimed author Allison Pataki has crafted
an intimate portrait of a larger-than-life woman, a powerful story of one woman
falling in love with her own voice and embracing her own power while shaping
history in the process.
Random House Publishing
Publishing Date: February 15, 2022
Biographical Historical Fiction
Preorder Now:
My 5-Star Review:
This amazing story grabbed me from the first paragraph. I had never heard of Marjorie Post before, but now I’m obsessed. She had an incredible life and also contributed so much to society. Author Allison Pataki weaves a strong story about Marjorie’s life, with such intimate details and descriptions that you feel you are right there. Every step of the way, I was surprised to learn something new about history. Marjorie was the daughter of Who? Marjorie’s daughter is her? Marjorie bought what from Russia? The details continued to fascinate me. Loved this story!
If you enjoy historical biographical fiction, this is the novel for you! I’m even planning a trip to see Marjorie’s house-turned-museum now because of the amazing things she owned. I won’t say what they are and ruin the story – but it sounds incredible.
About the Author:
Allison Pataki is the New York Times bestselling author of THE QUEEN'S FORTUNE, THE TRAITOR'S WIFE, THE ACCIDENTAL EMPRESS, SISI: EMPRESS ON HER OWN, WHERE THE LIGHT FALLS, as well as the nonfiction memoir BEAUTY IN THE BROKEN PLACES and two children's books, NELLY TAKES NEW YORK and POPPY TAKES PARIS. Allison’s novels have been translated into more than twenty languages. A former news writer and producer, Allison has written for The New York Times, ABC News, The Huffington Post, USA Today, Fox News and other outlets. She has appeared on The TODAY Show, Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, Good Day New York, Good Day Chicago and MSNBC’s Morning Joe.
Allison graduated Cum Laude from Yale University with a
major in English and spent several years in journalism before switching to
fiction writing. A member of The Historical Novel Society, Allison lives in New
York with her husband and family. To learn more and connect with Allison,
please visit www.AllisonPataki.com
