FEATURES
Marilyn and Her MonstersA long-hidden cache of Marilyn Monroe’s private letters and diaries answers many mysteries surrounding her legend. With an exclusive look at this discovery, Sam Kashner digests the revelations about Monroe’s life, loves, and shocking death.
Along Came A Spider-ManJim Windolf and Bruce Weber spotlight Reeve Carney, star of U2’s first Broadway musical, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.
The Blundering HerdThe fall of Merrill Lynch may be the last great untold story of the financial crisis. Bethany McLean and Joe Nocera, in an excerpt from their new book, reveal how one C.E.O., with a green eye for Goldman Sachs, sank an American institution.
Palace Coup William Shawcross and Emma Hardy spotlight Sir Kenneth Scott, who brings the history of St. James’s Palace to life.
It’s an iHockney! Amy Fine Collins spotlights David Hockney, technophile artist, whose latest oeuvre streams from his iPad.
The Bettencourt Affair, Part I: Dangerous LiaisonsHow did the legal battle over L’Oréal heiress Liliane Bettencourt’s relationship with artist François-Marie Banier wind up threatening President Nicolas Sarkozy? Tom Sancton digs into a scandal that some are calling France’s Watergate.
The Bettencourt Affair, Part II: The Gilded FriendshipParis society has been divided over whether François-Marie Banier, the man at the center of the Bettencourt scandal, is a villain or a victim. Hearing from the besieged artist, his supporters, and his critics, Bob Colacello weighs the evidence.
The Genuine MaverickWith the publication of the late Daniel Patrick Moynihan’s letters, Gabe Pressman spotlights a true political original.
Higher, Colder, DeadlierIn early 2009, four British boarding-school friends ascended Mont Blanc—a murderous 15,000-foot peak in the Alps—and only two returned. Ned Zeman charts the fatal climb. Photograph by Jonas Fredwall Karlsson.
Reviving Cleopatra Cullen Murphy and Mary Ellen Mark spotlight biographer Stacy Schiff, who has tackled the myth of Cleopatra.
His One And OnoLeslie Bennetts and Patrick Demarchelier spotlight musical duo Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl.
Too Big To Sail?Through recessionary waters, the super-yacht sails on. Mark Seal boards eight of the biggest, boldest, and most expensive to discover what drives their owners. Photographs by Todd Eberle.
30 DAYS IN THE LIFE OF THE CULTURE
Pee-wee Herman takes the stage. The Golden Age of Leo Fuchs; Hermès’s 11-volume book set; Roger Vivier debuts five new fragrances; Karl Lagerfeld trades Chanel for Coca-Cola. My Stuff: Amy Sedaris; Edward Helmore flips for Above Magazine. Hot Tracks: Kanye West opens up to Lisa Robinson. My Desk: London hat designer Philip Treacy. H. Scott Jolley celebrates 75 years of DC Comics. Hot Type; David Kamp on Nora Ephron’s latest book. The way we were: Lesley M. M. Blume’s Let’s Bring Back. Retro revival: vintage-inspired gifts. Ooh-la-spa! SunHee Grinnell’s favorite spas; Hot Looks.
COLUMNS
TumortownBarraged with advice from quacks and cutting-edge cancer experts alike, Christopher Hitchens confronts the limits of science, the lunacy of stem-cell politics, and a mix of exhilaration and melancholy. Photograph by Jonas Fredwall Karlsson.
Comics Between CoversAs publishing struggles, the memoirs of stand-up comedians are flying off the shelves. James Wolcott sorts through the good, the bad, and the icky. Photo illustration by Darrow.
Hall of Fame Howard Gardner nominates Wendy Kopp, for founding Teach for America 20 years ago. Photograph by Gasper Tringale.
The Man Who Never WasDid his 2008 loss and do-or-die Senate primary turn John McCain into a different person—selfish, opportunistic, and spoiling for a fight—or was he always that way? Todd S. Purdum profiles the man America thought it knew.
Club Met Bob Colacello and Michael Myers spotlight Mercedes Bass and Ann Ziff, angels of the Metropolitan Opera.
Think Hepburn! In an homage to the 1957 classic Funny Face, starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire, Michael Roberts gives cameos to Paris’s current couture talent.
The Prince And The PlanetAs Prince Charles’s latest environmental manifesto comes off the press, he tells Bob Colacello why he can’t keep quiet. Photograph by Jonathan Becker.
Zoom And Bust Bruce McCall spotlights Steve Lehto’s account of a surefire breakthrough that wasn’t: Chrysler’s turbine car.
Debo with a Blue Dress On Charles Moore and Bruce Weber spotlight Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire, last of the fabled Mitford sisters.
VANITIES
Zach AttackCraig Brown relays the wisdom of “George W. Bush”; Howard Schatz captures Michael McKean in character
ET CETERA EDITOR’S LETTER
CONTRIBUTORS
OUT TO LUNCH Philip Roth
LETTERS The Lady Vanquishes
FAIRGROUND
PROUST QUESTIONNAIRE Liza Minnelli
