Unfinished Lives

John F. Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States, and the youngest man elected to the office. He was assassinated at the age of 46 in 1963. Arthur Ashe was an African American professional tennis player who won more than forty singles titles, including the Australian Open, the U.S. Open, and Wimbledon. He died in 1993 at the age of 49 of AIDS-related pneumonia contracted during heart bypass surgery years earlier. But imagine if the lives of JFK and Ashe had not been cut short? In this pair of speculative biographies, two writers suppose what might have been if JFK had lived long enough to serve out his presidency and what Arthur Ashe may have done to enhance his already notable legacy. These vividly imaginative "biographies" are thoughtful, honest, heartfelt- and entirely within the realm of possibility, as the authors engage in these an intriguing exercise, asking " What if… ?"

Over his lifetime, Elvis Presley racked up more than 100 top forty hits, including 18 number one singles. One of the world's most iconic performers, the King of Rock ' n' Roll died at the age of 42 from a heart attack complicated by years of drug use. By the time she turned eighteen, shy talented Frances Gumm had shot to stardom as Judy Garland, playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. She would go on to make more memorable musicals like A Star Is Born but sadly at the age of 47, she died of a drug overdose. But imagine if the lives of these icons had not been cut short by drugs? Perhaps Elvis would have enjoyed yet another career resurgence and produced more memorable recordings. Would Judy have conquered her demons and made yet another triumphant return to film? These vividly imaginative "biographies" are thoughtful, honest, heartfelt- and entirely within the realm of possibility, as the authors engage in an intriguing exercise of " What if… ?"

Norma Jean Baker was a Hollywood starlet who transformed into Marilyn Monroe, a Hollywood sex symbol and one of the world's most iconic figures. Sadly, she died at age 36 in 1962 from a drug overdose. Montgomery Clift was a highly regarded actor who earned four Academy Award nominations for such classics as A Place in the Sun and From Here to Eternity. Dependent on drugs and alcohol, Clift was only 45 when he died of heart disease in 1966. But imagine if the lives of the costars of The Misfits had not been cut short? In this pair of speculative biographies, two writers suppose what might have been if Monroe and Clift had survived their drug-related demises. Would Monroe have solidified her burgeoning reputation as a comic actress? Would Clift conquer his demons and find personal happiness? These vividly imaginative "biographies" are thoughtful, honest, heartfelt- and entirely within the realm of possibility, as the authors engage in an intriguing exercise of " What if… ?"