Blind Faith

Rating:
Summary: Blind Faith Review
Review: "Blind Faith" is a good true crime book and an interesting read. Nothing outstanding or spectacular, though.

But there is something rather strange at the biginning of this book that people seem not to notice. Author Joe McGinniss put an "Explanatory Note" at the beginning of the book. It basically states that most of the names and identies have been changed for privacy sake. Ok that no big deal. But this note also states, " . . . certain scenes have been dramatically re-created . . . " The passage explains that this was done to better portray the people and atmosphere of the scenes on which the story is based. I found this rather odd. To me this seems to say that certain parts of the story were fictionalized. So this book may not be 100% accurate to what actually happened.

And by the way, one reviewer asked about what happened to the Marshall boys. I have no idea about Chris and John. But I know that Roby Marshall married and had a child with actress Tracy Gold, who used to be on the sitcom "Growing Pains". He was working in Hollywood for awhile in some kind of behind the cameras job. I do not know if they are still together or if he still works in Hollywood.

Rating:
Summary: Blind Faith Review
Review: "Blind Faith" is a good true crime book and an interesting read. Nothing outstanding or spectacular, though.

But there is something rather strange at the biginning of this book that people seem not to notice. Author Joe McGinniss put an "Explanatory Note" at the beginning of the book. It basically states that most of the names and identies have been changed for privacy sake. Ok that no big deal. But this note also states, " . . . certain scenes have been dramatically re-created . . . " The passage explains that this was done to better portray the people and atmosphere of the scenes on which the story is based. I found this rather odd. To me this seems to say that certain parts of the story were fictionalized. So this book may not be 100% accurate to what actually happened.

And by the way, one reviewer asked about what happened to the Marshall boys. I have no idea about Chris and John. But I know that Roby Marshall married and had a child with actress Tracy Gold, who used to be on the sitcom "Growing Pains". He was working in Hollywood for awhile in some kind of behind the cameras job. I do not know if they are still together or if he still works in Hollywood.

Rating:
Summary: Blind Faith Review
Review: "Blind Faith" is a good true crime book and an interesting read. Nothing outstanding or spectacular, though.

But there is something rather strange at the biginning of this book that people seem not to notice. Author Joe McGinniss put an "Explanatory Note" at the beginning of the book. It basically states that most of the names and identies have been changed for privacy sake. Ok that no big deal. But this note also states, " . . . certain scenes have been dramatically re-created . . . " The passage explains that this was done to better portray the people and atmosphere of the scenes on which the story is based. I found this rather odd. To me this seems to say that certain parts of the story were fictionalized. So this book may not be 100% accurate to what actually happened.

And by the way, one reviewer asked about what happened to the Marshall boys. I have no idea about Chris and John. But I know that Roby Marshall married and had a child with actress Tracy Gold, who used to be on the sitcom "Growing Pains". He was working in Hollywood for awhile in some kind of behind the cameras job. I do not know if they are still together or if he still works in Hollywood.

Rating:
Summary: I Could Not Put This Book Down - AGAIN !
Review: A few days ago, I finished reading "Blind Faith" for the second time. My heart ached for the Marshall boys, and I could not help but wonder what Maria Marshall's last moments were really like ? Was she shot as she slept, or awake, frozen with fear ? I do have a couple of nagging questions. One, the book talks about "Uncle Gene" as being the husband of one of Rob Marshalls sisters, yet the author leaves the sisters out of the story completely. He doesn't mention them being at the house the morning after Maria's murder, nor their attending the trial. Logic would dictate that they would have had some contact with the boys after Maria's murder. Secondly, there was no picture in the book of John Marshall, other than the Christmas photo with his mom and brothers when they were very young. Why ? Thirdly, what has happened to the major players in the novel, especially the boys. Is Rob Marshall still alive and on death row ? Whatever became of Felice Rosenburg (if that is even her real name) ? Fourth, I wondered if Roby, Chris & John all corroborated with the author on the writing of the book. The only real problem I found , is that it just left me wondering all of the above. The book was well written, easy to read, and really draws you in. I highly recommend "Blind Faith".

Rating:
Summary: I Could Not Put This Book Down - AGAIN !
Review: A few days ago, I finished reading "Blind Faith" for the second time. My heart ached for the Marshall boys, and I could not help but wonder what Maria Marshall's last moments were really like ? Was she shot as she slept, or awake, frozen with fear ? I do have a couple of nagging questions. One, the book talks about "Uncle Gene" as being the husband of one of Rob Marshalls sisters, yet the author leaves the sisters out of the story completely. He doesn't mention them being at the house the morning after Maria's murder, nor their attending the trial. Logic would dictate that they would have had some contact with the boys after Maria's murder. Secondly, there was no picture in the book of John Marshall, other than the Christmas photo with his mom and brothers when they were very young. Why ? Thirdly, what has happened to the major players in the novel, especially the boys. Is Rob Marshall still alive and on death row ? Whatever became of Felice Rosenburg (if that is even her real name) ? Fourth, I wondered if Roby, Chris & John all corroborated with the author on the writing of the book. The only real problem I found , is that it just left me wondering all of the above. The book was well written, easy to read, and really draws you in. I highly recommend "Blind Faith".

Rating:
Summary: revelation of the truth
Review: An eye opening glimpse into the often pseudo "All American Family". McGinnis skillfully tells the tragic story of lust, greed, and a Mother tragically lost to her sons, at a critical point in their lives. The story unfolds slowly, much as the actual investigation, revealing a glimpse into the distorted mind of Rob Marshal, a sociopath, who was so convinced of his superiority that he found it uncomprehensable that anyone would accuse him of the tragic murder of the beautiful, well bred daughter of a prominent Philadelphia physician. Maria protrayed the happy wife and mother to the small New Jersey town who knew and respected her. She was the ultimate "team Mom", available for support and love for her sons. The people of this same, small upscale, shore town, however were quick to point the finger toward her haughty, gambling, and cheating husband when she was reported tragically murdered along the Garden State Parkway on that September night. The story provokes the reader and glues you to the chair as page after page Rob's personality and lack of love and respect for his family unfolds. It left this reader contemplating that sometimes the death penality may be too kind and swift for one so cold and calculating as Rob Marshall. Leaves you wanting to know more about the effect of this tragedy on the three Marshall sons.

Rating:
Summary: Close but no cigar
Review: Having lived in Ocean County, NJ, I tore through this book, mostly because I was curious to find recognizable names and locations. I have to say that Mr. McGinniss' description of life in the upper echelon of Toms River was accurate. It was and still is all about people (mostly from cities) with modest backgrounds, coming down to the Jersey shore, buying big houses and eventually learning how to put on airs and living to keeping ahead of the Joneses. I had to laugh at his description of Holiday City (a retirement development) which he described as a "ghetto for old people". That is not accurate. Humorous, but not accurate just the same. When he attempted to describe the Township of Brick, he said "a raggedy collection of blue-collar tract homes and mini-malls..." Again, not accurate. If you are going to write the story and call it "true", you have to be accurate. I was also quite disappointed that he did not use real names, nor was there one photograph to be found in the entire book. I would have liked to see family photos and pictures of the crime scene, at least. That aside, this book was a fast read, it held my attention and served its purpose (beach reading). I would recommend this book but can only give it 3 stars, due to the lack of photographs, the authors inaccuracies and the lack of usage of real names. On a personal note, I strongly believe that Robert Marshall is guilty as sin, is exactly where he belongs and should never see the light of day for the rest of his miserable life. My hope for the Marshall boys is that they stick together from cradle to grave and stand tall.

Rating:
Summary: Overlong and wordy, but readable
Review: Having read Fatal Vision, and found it riveting, this was a let-down. Not as inherently interesting, and far too much corny characterisation and obviously fabricated dialogue.

Rating:
Summary: Rob Marshall one of a kind - thank God!
Review: I can't improve on prosecutor Kevin Kelly's assessment: Rob Marshall is a legend in his own mind.

One of those books you can't put down (like Fatal Vision), and a book you can read over and over again.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I found myself using every waking moment wondering what is coming next. Mr. McGinnis is excellent at taking us through all realms of our emotions. From loving a devoted mother and father and wishing we were part of that "perfect" family, to the nightmare they had to endure. I found myself amazed at the anger I felt for this man in the end of reading this story.