Marilyn Monroe, for all her apparent vapidness, had a sharp and introspective mind. This book holds notes, letters, scraps of poetry and diary entries ranging from a note she wrote at age 17, in which she muses about her failing marriage, to notes written just days before she died in 1962. We are also privy to her favorite photo of herself, as well as photos of her reading some of the books from her impressive library. Plagued by feelings of low self-esteem, Marilyn sought to understand herself, and we follow her through marriages, analysis, and work -- she emerges as a highly sympathetic character, deserving more than the rubber stamp "cultural icon."