The Personal Librarian

By: Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray

Narrated by: Robin Miles

Over one million copies sold!

The Instant New York Times Bestseller! A Good Morning America* Book Club Pick!

Named a Best Book of the Year by NPR! Named a Notable Book of the Year by the Washington Post!

“Historical fiction at its best!”*

A remarkable novel about J. P. Morgan’s personal librarian, Belle da Costa Greene, the Black American woman who was forced to hide her true identity and pass as white in order to leave a lasting legacy that enriched our nation, from New York Times bestselling authors Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.

In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. P. Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library. Belle becomes a fixture in New York City society and one of the most powerful people in the art and book world, known for her impeccable taste and shrewd negotiating for critical works as she helps create a world-class collection.

But Belle has a secret, one she must protect at all costs. She was born not Belle da Costa Greene but Belle Marion Greener. She is the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard and a well-known advocate for equality. Belle’s complexion isn’t dark because of her alleged Portuguese heritage that lets her pass as white—her complexion is dark because she is African American.

The Personal Librarian tells the story of an extraordinary woman, famous for her intellect, style, and wit, and shares the lengths she must go to—for the protection of her family and her legacy—to preserve her carefully crafted white identity in the racist world in which she lives.

Illumination comes to life

The experienced authors wrote accurately and eloquently after doing extensive research about a fascinating woman.

Audio difficulty

The book itself and the content was excellent love the story The audio itself became raspy Several times the audio would stop in between the story lines

Best book of the year

Recommended to me over and over and I have done the same. This is by far one of the most important story to be told in 2021, but obviously the same may be said for 1921. Taking us through the entire lifespan of a hardship no one should endure, the authors weave a tale of JP Morgan’s Personal Curator & Librarian. As an art historian, it broke my heart to not have heard of Belle Degrassi Greene prior to reading this book. As A human, it broke my soul not to know her story.

I will never forget her!

The woman, whose story is told in this audiobook, is extraordinary! I will never forget her! The authors, using simple words and sentences, string together the story of an elaborate woman. I am literally in awe if her. Although so many questions were left unanswered about this incredible woman, I want to thank you for sharing her with us.

PERSONAL LIBRARIAN

I felt like the book was well written. I agree she was ahead of her time and women during that time didn’t always get those opportunities.
Being a black American female I understand that she lived her live to have opportunities she would not have as a negro. She never befriended any negro’s or hired them in her home to help them have decent pay or a chance at a better life. She kept her distance. I had some great aunts that could easily pass for Caucasian, to my knowledge they didn’t pass. I remember listening to them as a young child. They spoke about a train ride where they were strongly encouraged by the white attendant to sit in the white car and not the colored car. I am sure that passing happened more than we know. I really enjoyed that book. But It is really hard for me to appreciate her accomplishment by not accepting who she really was.