VANITY FAIR

"I AM U5S0IA TELY determined to be the defender of nature. Full stop."

NOVEMBER 2010 NO. 603 | VANITYFAIR.COM

FEATURES

MARILYN AND HER MONSTERS 164

A 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 ASPIDER-MAN 176

Jim Windolf and Bruce Weber spotlight Reeve Carney, star of U2’s first Broadway musical, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.

THE BLUNDERING HERD 178

The 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 183

William Shawcross and Emma Hardy spotlight Sir Kenneth Scott, who brings the history of St. James’s Palace to life.

IT’S AN iHOCKNEY! 184

Amy Fine Collins spotlights David Hockney, technophile artist, whose latest oeuvre streams from his iPad.

THE BETTENCOURT AFFAIR, PART I: DANGEROUS LIAISONS | 186

How did the legal battle over L’Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt’s relationship with artist Francois-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 FRIENDSHIP 192

Paris society has been divided over whether Francois-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 MAVERICK 197

With the publication of the late Daniel Patrick Moynihan’s letters, Gabe Pressman spotlights a true political original.

HIGHER, COLDER, DEADLIER 198

In 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.

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“I AM ALONE— I am always alone no matter what,” Monroe wrote in her diary.

REVIVING CLEOPATRA | 203

Cullen Murphy and Mary Ellen Mark spotlight biographer Stacy Schiff, who has tackled the myth of Cleopatra.

HIS ONE AND ONO | 204

Leslie Bennetts and Patrick Demarchelier spotlight Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl, partners with a lot of baggage—and a new CD.

TOO BIG TO SAIL? | 206

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.

FANFAIR

30 DAYS IN THE LIFE OF THE CULTURE | 87

Pee-wee Herman takes the stage | 87

The Golden Age of Leo Fuchs; Hermes’s 11-volume book set; Roger Vivier debuts five new fragrances; Karl Lagerfeld trades Chanel for Coca-Cola | 90

My Stuff: Amy Sedaris; Edward Helmore flips for Above Magazine | 94

Hot Tracks: Kanye West opens up to Lisa Robinson | 96

My Desk: London hat designer Philip Treacy | 98

Lisa Robinson on Pee-wee Herman’s Broadway debut; H. Scott Jolley celebrates 75 years of DC Comics | 100

Hot Type; David Kamp on Nora Ephron’s latest book | 102

The way we were: Lesley M. M. Blume’s Let’s Bring Back 106

Retro revival: vintage-inspired gifts | 108

Ooh-la-spa! SunHee Grinnell’s favorite spas; Hot Looks | 110

COLUMNS

TUMORTOWN | 120

Barraged 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 COVERS | 124

As 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 | 127

Howard Gardner nominates Wendy Kopp, for founding Teach for America 20 years ago. Photograph by Gasper Tringale.

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FROM THE TUMULT of the economic crisis emerged a fresh species of vessel: bigger, more cutting-edge.

THE MAN WHO NEVER WAS | 128

Did 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 | 135

Bob Colacello and Michael Myers spotlight Mercedes Bass and Ann Ziff, angels of the Metropolitan Opera.

THINK HEPBURN! | 136

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 PLANET | 144

Prince Charles has been pilloried for his unorthodox views, while his impact is largely ignored. As H.R.H.’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 | 150

Bruce McCall spotlights Steve Lehto’s account of a surefire breakthrough that wasn't: Chrysler’s turbine car.

DEBO WITH A BLUE DRESS ON | 156

Charles Moore and Bruce Weber spotlight Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire, last of the fabled Mitford sisters.

VANITIES

ZACH ATTACK | 159

Craig Brown relays the wisdom of “George W. Bush”; Howard Schatz captures Michael McKean in character | 160

Ed Coaster tries to persuade Christopher Hitchens to join him on a lucrative cancer-themed speaking tour | 162

ET CETERA

EDITOR’S LETTER | 62

60 MINUTES POLL | 64

CONTRIBUTORS | 66

OUT TO LUNCH Philip Roth | 76

LETTERS The Lady Vanquishes | 78

FAIRGROUND | 113

PROUST QUESTIONNAIRE Liza Minnelli | 230

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