Marlene Wagman-Geller – författare

Charlotte Brontë dedicated Jane Eyre to William Makepeace Thackeray, setting literary London ablaze with gossip. Ayn Rand dedicated Atlas Shrugged to both her husband and her lover. Sylvia Plath dedicated The Bell Jar to her friends. And F. Scott Fitzgerald dedicated The Great Gatsby to his wife, Zelda, the tumultuous love of his life.The dedication of a novel is the most personal and public of gestures, and yet we don’t often stop to consider how it came to be inspired. This charming ‘behind the scenes’ book traces the relationships immortalized in the dedications to fifty novels that are an intrinsic part of literary and pop culture.Sometimes tragic, often romantic, and always engaging, these are intimate glimpses into the lives of the writers we admire and the people they loved.

Glimpse behind the façade of rich and famous women

The Grass Isn’t Greener on the Other Side: Heiresses have always been viewed with eyes of envy. They were the ones for whom the cornucopia had been upended, showering them with unimaginable wealth and opportunity. However, through intimate historical biographies, Women of Means shows us that oftentimes the weaving sisters saved their most heart-wrenching tapestries for the destinies of wealthy women.

Happily Never After: From the author of Behind Every Great Man, we now have Women of Means, vignettes of the women who were slated from birth―or marriage―to great privilege, only to endure lives which were the stuff Russian tragic heroines are made of. They are the nonfictional Richard Corys―those not slated for happily ever after.

Women of Means is bound to be a non-fiction bestseller, full of the best biographies of all time. Some of the women whose silver spoons rusted include:

Almina Carnarvon, the real-life counterpart to Lady Cora of Downton AbbeyLiliane Bettencourt, whose chemist father created L’Oreal … and was a Nazi collaboratorPeggy Guggenheim, who had an insatiable appetite for modern art and menNica Rothschild, who traded her gilded life to become the Baroness of BebopJocelyn Wildenstein, who became a cosmetology-enhanced cat-womanRuth Madoff, the dethroned queen of ManhattanPatty Hearst, who trod the path from heiress … to terrorist

Finalist Pacific Book Awards 2018! Empowering stories of game-changing women

Dorothy Parker observed, “It’s a man’s world”; the lady entrepreneurs and game-changers profiled in Women Who Launch would beg to differ. Unlike the matrons of the 1950s—the women who lunched—these kick-ass females left their DNA in the annals of time.

A history of women in business and beyond: Julia Ward-Howe showed what’s good for the goose is good for the gander when she created the Girl Scouts of America. Sarah Josepha Hale—authoress of Mary Had a Little Lamb—convinced Lincoln to launch a national day of thanks while Anna Jarvis persuaded President Wilson to initiate a day in tribute of mothers. Estee Lauder revolutionized the cosmetics industry. The tradition of these Mothers of Invention continued when, compliments of knitter Krista Suh, the heads of millions were adorned with pink, pussy-cat ears in the largest women’s march in history. These women who launched prove, in the words of Rosie the Riveter, “We can do it!”

Biographies of women creators, innovators, and leaders: Women Who Launch is filled with inspiring true stories of women activists, artists, and entrepreneurs who launched some of the most famous companies, brands, and organizations today and changed the world. It is at once a collection of biographies and a testament of female empowerment.

Listeners will find

the stories behind renowned companies, brands, and organizations and the diverse women who launched them;empowering quotes from strong women and those who refused to be kept down; andmotivation to all women who want to succeed in their careers, launch companies, and change the world.

Find motivation in your career and life with the amazing history of women entrepreneurship, activism, and leadership.

The fascinating inspirations behind common inventions and creations- from Barbie to Sweet and Low to Mt. Rushmore. The slinky was born aboard a World War II ship. The Barbie doll was inspired by a German sex toy. Weight Watchers began with a Jewish housewife in Queens, New York. Eureka! explores the fascinating stories behind these famous creations and many others-from blue jeans to the Taj Mahal to Mickey Mouse-detailing the relationships between inspirations and their inventors. Readers will delight in the intriguing-and sometimes surprising-origins behind the ideas that have shaped the world.

Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne''er saw true beauty till tonight. -Romeo and Juliet Antony and Cleopatra, Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley and Priscilla Beaulieu, John Lennon and Yoko Ono-while we''re familiar with all of these people as individuals, we also associate them with the grand, sometimes fiery passion they shared with their partners. And the Rest Is History is an intriguing look at how these iconoclastic lovers first crossed paths, whether it was through fate, setups, or blind luck. From angry sparks flying to love at first sight, the meetings shared in this book give us a look at what makes that one great love.

A fascinating look at the stories behind the dedications of 50 literary classics.Mary Shelley dedicated Frankenstein to her father, her greatest champion. Charlotte Brönte dedicatedJane Eyre to William Makepeace Thackeray for his enthusiastic review of the book’s first edition. Dostoyevsky dedicated The Brothers Karamazov to his typist-turned-lover Anna Grigoyevna. And, as this collection’s title indicates, F. Scott Fitzgerald dedicated his masterpiece The Great Gatsby to his wife Zelda.Often overlooked, a novel’s dedication can say much about an author and his or her relationship to the person for whom the book was consecrated. Once Again to Zelda explores the dedications in fifty iconic books that are an intrinsic part of both literary and pop culture, shedding light on the author’s psyche, as well as the social and historic context in which the book was first published.

Who Said Men Get to Monopolize the Glory?

Discover the Little Known Women Who Have Put the World''s Alpha Males on the Map.

From ancient times to the present, men have gotten most of the good ink. Yet standing just outside the spotlight are the extraordinary, and overlooked, wives and companions who are just as instrumental in shaping the destinies of their famous—and infamous—men.

This witty, illuminating book reveals the remarkable stories of forty captivating females, from Constance Lloyd (Mrs. Oscar Wilde) to Carolyn Adams (Mrs. Jerry Garcia), who have stood behind their legendary partners and helped to humanize them, often at the cost of their own careers, reputations, and happiness. Through fame and its attendant ills—alcoholism, infidelity, mental illness, divorce, and even attempted murder—these powerful women quietly propelled their men to the top and changed the course of history.

Meet the Untold Half of History, Including:

Alma Reville (Mrs. Alfred Hitchcock)Elena Diakonova (Mrs. Salvador Dali)Winifred Madikizela (Mrs. Nelson Mandela)Ann Charteris (Mrs. Ian Fleming, a.k.a. Mrs. James Bond)Ruth Alpern (Mrs. Bernie Maddoff)And 35 more!

The title, “A Room of Their Own: A Travel Guidebook to Women’s Home Museums in the Northeastern U.S.” is a play on Virginia Wolf ‘s famous work, “A Room of One’s Own” in which Wolf opines on the importance of having your own space in which to write and think. Divided into thirty chapters, each devoted to a famous woman in American history and the museum dedicated to her, the book will be a companion book for those interested in visiting these museums. Each chapter will contain both historical information about each female persona, including detailed information about the museum such as how the structure played out in the woman’s life (in other words, what was written there, created there), and information on what to do nearby – where to eat and sleep in the neighborhood where each museum is located, plus specific details on how to get there, where to park, opening hours, etc.

Who are the great women leaders in history? Who are the women heroes who personify “girl power”?

Intrepid women heroes: When Nelson Mandela was imprisoned in South Africa’s brutal Robben Prison, he tirelessly turned to the poem Invictus. The inspirational verse by the Victorian William Ernest Henley, penned on the occasion of the amputation of his leg. Still I Rise takes its title from a work by Maya Angelou and it resonates with the same spirit of an unconquerable soul, a woman who is captain of her fate. Just as Invictus brought solace to generations so does the contemporary classic. Still I Rise embodies the strength of character of the inspiring women profiled. Each chapter will outline the fall and rise of great women heroes who smashed all obstacles, rather than let all obstacles smash them. The book offers hope to those undergoing their own Sisyphean struggles. Intrepid women heroes are the antithesis of the traditional damsels in distress; rather than waiting for the prince, they took salvation into their own hands.

Celebrate girl power!

Women leaders in history celebrated in this book include:

Madame C. J. Walker - first female American millionaireAung San Suu Kyi - Burma’s first lady of freedomBetty Shabazz - civil rights activistNellie Sachs - Holocaust survivor and Nobel Prize recipientSelma Lagerlof - first woman Nobel LaureateFannie Lou Hamer - American voting rights activistBessie Coleman - first African-American female pilotWilma Rudolph - first woman to win three gold medalsSonia Sotomayor - first Hispanic Supreme Court justiceWangari Maathai - Nobel Prize winnerWinnifred Mandela - freedom fighterLois Wilson - founder of Al-AnonRoxanne Quimby - co-founder of Burt’s Bees

Great Women Leaders in History Who Personify Girl Power“If you need a little encouragement in your life during these difficult times, the lives of these women will give you hope.” —Says Me Says Mom#1 Bestseller in 21st Century U.S. History for TeensIntrepid women heroes are the antithesis of the traditional damsels in distress; rather than waiting for the prince, they took salvation into their own hands.Rad Women Worldwide. “When Nelson Mandela was imprisoned in South Africa’s brutal Robben Prison, he tirelessly turned to the poem Invictus. Invictus, the inspirational verse by the Victorian William Ernest Henley, was penned on the occasion of the amputation of his leg. Still I Rise takes its title from a work by Maya Angelou and it resonates with the same spirit of an unconquerable soul, a woman who is captain of her fate. Just as Invictus brought solace to generations, so does Maya Angelou’s contemporary classic.” —The Library BlogCelebrate girl power. Still I Rise embodies the strength of character of inspiring women. Each chapter outlines the fall and rise of great women heroes who shattered all obstacles, rather than let those obstacles shatter them.Women sheroes include:Madame C. J. Walker - first female American millionaireAung San Suu Kyi - Burma’s first lady of freedomBetty Shabazz - civil rights activistNellie Sachs - Holocaust survivor and Nobel Prize recipientSelma Lagerlof - first woman Nobel LaureateFannie Lou Hamer - American voting rights activistBessie Coleman - first African American female pilotWilma Rudolph - first woman to win three gold medalsSonia Sotomayor - first Hispanic Supreme Court justiceWangari Maathai - Nobel Prize winnerWinnifred Mandela - freedom fighterLois Wilson - founder of Al-AnonRoxanne Quimby - co-founder of Burt’s BeesOther books for girls you may want to read include The Book of Awesome Women, Women Who Launch, and The Book of Awesome Black Women.

Empowering Stories of Strong Women“These soaring stories will inspire you to live your dreams!” —Becca Anderson, author of The Book of Awesome WomenFinalist Pacific Book Awards 2018Dorothy Parker observed, “It’s a man’s world;” the lady entrepreneurs and game-changers profiled in Women Who Launch would beg to differ. Unlike the matrons of the 1950s, these kick-ass females left their DNA in the annals of time.A history of women in business and beyond. Juliette Gordon Low showed what’s good for the goose is good for the gander when she created the Girl Scouts of America. Sara Joseph Hale, authoress of Mary had a Little Lamb, convinced Lincoln to launch a national day-of-thanks while Anna Jarvis persuaded President Wilson to initiate a day in tribute of mothers. Estee Lauder revolutionized the cosmetics industry. The tradition of these Mothers of Invention continued when, compliments of knitter Krista Suh, the heads of millions were adorned with pink, pussy-cat ears in the largest women's march in history. These women who launched prove, in the words of Rosie the Riveter, “We can do it!”Biographies of women creators, innovators, and leaders. Women Who Launch is filled with inspiring true stories of women activists, artists, and entrepreneurs who launched some of the most famous companies, brands, and organizations today and changed the world. It is at once a collection of biographies and a testament of female empowerment.Inside find:The stories behind renowned companies, brands, and organizations and the diverse women who launched themEmpowering quotes from strong women and those who refused to be kept downMotivation to all women who want to succeed in their careers, launch companies, and change the worldIf you are a fan of books about strong women such as Fabulous Female Firsts, In the Company of Women, or Behind Every Great Man, then you will want to read Women Who Launch.

Older Women Who Changed the World"This book is full of fascinating stories of women who rose above, and who had glorious second acts in their lives." ―Advice Sisters#1 New Release in Biographies & Memoirs, Quotations, and EducatorsDiscover the empowering stories of older women who changed the world. Their lives are testimony that one can be feisty after fifty―and to those who think otherwise, in the words of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, “I dissent.”A motivational collection of stories about empowering women. Antony said of Cleopatra, “Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale/Her infinite variety.” Shakespeare’s sentiment can be applied to the women profiled in Great Second Acts who refused to be defined by the dates on their birth certificates.An excellent gift for students, mothers, sisters, and friends. Marlene Wagman-Geller, author of Once Again to Zelda and Behind Every Great Man, presents a fascinating collection of biographical vignettes of dozens of amazing women of a certain age who excelled, inspired, and achieved. Learn how these women changed their respective fields of art, politics, science, mathematics, media, literature, activism, education, and more.Biographies of leadership and female empowerment. From actresses, yoga teachers, folk artists to businesswomen, prime ministers, monarchs and authors, these group of exceptional women illustrate that women can achieve anything no matter their age. Be motivated by their grit, perseverance, and passion.Inside find:Biographies of influential women such as Prime Minister Margert Thatcher, chef Julia Child, Mother Teressa, feminist Gloria Steinem, actress Rita Moreno, inventor Ruth Handler, Judge Judy Sheindlin, and many moreEmpowering quotes from strong women who refused to be kept downMotivational, inspirational, and educational stories of older womenBe sure to read Marlene Wagman-Geller’s bestselling Women of Means, and her popular Women Who Launch, and Unabashed Women.

A Glimpse Behind the Façade of Rich and Famous Women“…wild, witty, gossipy, and glamourous. A sheer delight.” ―Becca Anderson, author of Badass Women Give the Best Advice#1 Best Seller in Women's Studies and Biographies of the Rich & Famous and RoyaltyAn intimate portrait of women of privilege. As Becca Anderson recommends, read about “heiress Barbara Hutton's outrageous lifestyle, Jackie O as a step-mom, Patty Hearst's many adventures, Peggy Guggenheim's collection of art (and men), and Almira Carnarvon, the real-life counterpart to Lady Cora of Downton Abbey.”The grass isn't greener on the other side. Heiresses have always been viewed with eyes of envy. They were the ones for whom the cornucopia had been upended, showering them with unimaginable wealth and opportunity. However, through intimate historical biographies, Women of Means shows us that oftentimes the weaving sisters saved their most heart-wrenching tapestries for the destinies of wealthy women.Happily never after. From the author of Behind Every Great Man, we now have Women of Means, vignettes of the women who were slated from birth―or marriage―to great privilege, only to endure lives which were the stuff Russian tragic heroines are made of. They are the nonfictional Richard Corys―those not slated for happily ever after.Women of Means is a non-fiction best seller, full of the best biographies of all time. Some of the women whose silver spoons rusted include:Liliane Bettencourt, whose chemist father created L’Oreal... and was a Nazi collaboratorNica Rothschild, who traded her gilded life to become the Baroness of BebopJocelyn Wildenstein, who became a cosmetology-enhanced cat-womanRuth Madoff, the dethroned queen of ManhattanPatty Hearst, who trod the path from heiress... to terroristFans of Women of Means will want to try other Marlene Wagman-Geller books including Fabulous Female Firsts, Great Second Acts, Still I Rise, Unabashed Women, and Women Who Launch.

Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History#1 New Release in Historical Study EssaysA thrilling journey into the badass women whose non-conventional lives left their DNA on history. Discover words of wisdom from the women who found their voices, inspiring you to do the same.Amazing women with a story to tell. Join Mae West as she shakes up the entertainment industry with her wit and wisdom or create colorful art pieces with Yayoi Kusama that are larger than life itself. These women in history defied the expectations of conventional society to live the lives they chose, regardless of what others thought.Words of Wisdom. Society may have labeled these fierce femmes as rebels, bad-ass, wild, or uppity. But, these amazing women still dared to be different. With an out-of-the-box perspective, you’ll find inspiration from an array of fabulous females who will give you a lesson in being one-of-a-kind.Unabashed Women offers you:Lessons on how to break the glass ceilingBiographies of trailblazing women from all walks of lifeEmpowerment through famous females who dared to go against the grainIf you enjoyed badass books like Women in Art, The Book of Gutsy Women, or In the Company of Women, then you’ll love Unabashed Women.

Fascinating Portraits of the Secret Lives of Royals“...offers deep insight into those who were power players in the world’s past. I’m even adding some of them to my personal list of sheroes and anti-sheroes…!” —Becca Anderson, author of The Book of Awesome WomenEnjoy this engaging collection of biographical vignettes highlighting the secret lives of royal women like Queen Noor, Queen Anne Boleyn, Princess Grace Kelly, and many other phenomenal women.Royal family secrets revealed! Have you ever wondered what royals go through? Have you ever thought about what the intimate lives of phenomenal women look like? The Secret Lives of Royal Women features the intimate and historically accurate details of some of history’s most privileged women. Learn from the life stories of Meghan Duchess of Sussex, Princess Diana, Maharani Gayatri Devi, Queen Narriman and many others. Fall in love with these phenomenal women! Dive into the fascinating history of Hawaii’s only ever Queen, Liliuokalani; learn the story of Lady Jane Grey who was dethroned by Mary Queen of Scots; and learn more about Queen Elizabeth who Adolf Hitler called “the most dangerous woman in Europe.” Every single one of these women will enrapture you and leave you wanting to find out more.Inside, you’ll find:The inside scoop to the secret lives of phenomenal womenPotentially life-changing lessons from these royal vignettesA book on royals packed with new and empowering historical storiesIf you enjoy reading historical British biographies such as The Palace Papers or historical nonfiction and motivational books for women like Vanderbilt, Women of Means, or Recipes for a Sacred Life, you’ll love The Secret Lives of Royal Women.

Fascinating Portraits of the Secret Lives of Royals

“...offers deep insight into those who were power players in the world’s past. I’m even adding some of them to my personal list of sheroes and anti-sheroes…!” —Becca Anderson, author of The Book of Awesome Women

Enjoy this engaging collection of biographical vignettes highlighting the secret lives of royal women like Queen Noor, Queen Anne Boleyn, Princess Grace Kelly, and many other phenomenal women.

Royal family secrets revealed! Have you ever wondered what royals go through? Have you ever thought about what the intimate lives of phenomenal women look like? The Secret Lives of Royal Women features the intimate and historically accurate details of some of history’s most privileged women. Learn from the life stories of Meghan Duchess of Sussex, Princess Diana, Maharani Gayatri Devi, Queen Narriman and many others. 

Fall in love with these phenomenal women! Dive into the fascinating history of Hawaii’s only ever Queen, Liliuokalani; learn the story of Lady Jane Grey who was dethroned by Mary Queen of Scots; and learn more about Queen Elizabeth who Adolf Hitler called “the most dangerous woman in Europe.” Every single one of these women will enrapture you and leave you wanting to find out more.

Inside, you’ll find:

The inside scoop to the secret lives of phenomenal womenPotentially life-changing lessons from these royal vignettesA book on royals packed with new and empowering historical stories

If you enjoy reading historical British biographies such as The Palace Papers or historical nonfiction and motivational books for women like Vanderbilt, Women of Means, or Recipes for a Sacred Life, you’ll love The Secret Lives of Royal Women.

A Glimpse Behind the Façade of Rich and Famous Women“…wild, witty, gossipy, and glamourous. A sheer delight.” ―Becca Anderson, author of Badass Women Give the Best Advice#1 Best Seller in Women's Studies and Biographies of the Rich & Famous and RoyaltyAn intimate portrait of women of privilege. As Becca Anderson recommends, read about “heiress Barbara Hutton's outrageous lifestyle, Jackie O as a step-mom, Patty Hearst's many adventures, Peggy Guggenheim's collection of art (and men), and Almira Carnarvon, the real-life counterpart to Lady Cora of Downton Abbey.”The grass isn't greener on the other side. Heiresses have always been viewed with eyes of envy. They were the ones for whom the cornucopia had been upended, showering them with unimaginable wealth and opportunity. However, through intimate historical biographies, Women of Means shows us that oftentimes the weaving sisters saved their most heart-wrenching tapestries for the destinies of wealthy women.Happily never after. From the author of Behind Every Great Man, we now have Women of Means, vignettes of the women who were slated from birth―or marriage―to great privilege, only to endure lives which were the stuff Russian tragic heroines are made of. They are the nonfictional Richard Corys―those not slated for happily ever after.Women of Means is a non-fiction best seller, full of the best biographies of all time. Some of the women whose silver spoons rusted include:Liliane Bettencourt, whose chemist father created L’Oreal... and was a Nazi collaboratorNica Rothschild, who traded her gilded life to become the Baroness of BebopJocelyn Wildenstein, who became a cosmetology-enhanced cat-womanRuth Madoff, the dethroned queen of ManhattanPatty Hearst, who trod the path from heiress... to terroristFans of Women of Means will want to try other Marlene Wagman-Geller books including Fabulous Female Firsts, Great Second Acts, Still I Rise, Unabashed Women, and Women Who Launch.

"Readers will be enchanted by these profiles in success and excess." — Publishers Weekly Fortunes and Fates—The Untold Stories of the World’s Richest WomenWhere wealth meets destiny, tragedy often follows.Heiresses have always dazzled with their unimaginable wealth, the cornucopia of fortune spilling opportunity at their feet. Yet, The World’s Wealthiest Women reveals through intimate historical biographies that the fates of these women were often woven with threads of tragedy by the weaving sisters of destiny.Gilded cages or golden destinies? Whether these women amassed their billions through inheritance, marriage, or sheer ambition, their vast fortunes shaped lives that were anything but ordinary.From the author of Behind Every Great Man, The World’s Wealthiest Women unveils the stories of women destined for privilege through birth or marriage, only to face lives rivaling the sorrows of Russian tragic heroines. These are the nonfictional Richard Corys—women whose silver spoons often rusted, far from happily ever after. Hetty Green: Known as “The Witch of Wall Street,” her wealth rivaled the Gilded Age’s Robber Barons, but her miserly ways outshone even Scrooge.Helena Rubinstein: From a Polish shtetl to the throne of a global cosmetics empire, this diminutive giant redefined beauty and power.Evalyn McLean: Her Great Dane once roamed her mansion with the Hope Diamond on its collar, a glittering symbol of her opulent yet cursed life.Basia Johnson: A Polish refugee maid turned mega-rich heiress, her rags-to-riches tale inspires, though not without its shadows.Honey Sheran: Married to pharmaceutical titan Barry Sherman, her sweet life ended in tragedy as Canada’s tenth-richest couple fell victim to a double homicide.Wendi Deng Murdoch: Fleeing China’s Bamboo Curtain, she secured a fortune through marriage to media mogul Rupert Murdoch, crafting a life of limitless horizons.Clare Bronfman: Heiress to the Seagram fortune, her $100 million gift to NXIVM led to a six-year, nine-month prison sentence for her role in the cult.The World’s Wealthiest Women is a riveting exploration of privilege, power, and the poignant realities behind the fortunes.

Empowering biographies of older women in history

Antony said of Cleopatra, “Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale/Her infinite variety.” Shakespeare’s sentiment can be applied to the women profiled in Great Second Acts who refused to be defined by the dates on their birth certificates. Their lives are testimony that one can be feisty after fifty. And to those who think otherwise, in the words of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, “I dissent.”

Marlene Wagman-Geller, author of Once Again to Zelda and Behind Every Great Man, presents a fascinating collection of biographical vignettes of dozens of women of a certain age who have excelled, inspired, and achieved. Learn how these women changed their respective fields of art, politics, science, mathematics, media, literature, activism, education, and more.

From actresses, yoga teachers, folk artists to business women, prime ministers, monarchs, and authors, this group of exceptional women will illustrate that women can achieve anything, no matter their age. Listeners will find

biographies of influential women such as Prime Minister Margert Thatcher, chef Julia Child, Mother Teresa, feminist Gloria Steinem, actress Rita Moreno, Judge Judy Sheindlin, and many more;empowering quotes from strong women who refused to be kept down; andmotivational, inspirational, and educational stories of older women.

Written in an accessible narrative style, listeners of all ages will enjoy Wagman-Geller’s entertaining storytelling prose of these remarkable women. An excellent gift for students, mothers, sisters, or friends, Great Second Acts will endure and delight.