Few movie stars made as great an impact as Marilyn Monroe. Although she died in 1962, a half century later she remains vivid in popular culture, even to those who have never seen her films. Two of the men she married, Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller, themselves made a powerful cultural impact.

In this moving essay, David Morrell analyses Monroe's poignant life, which had more significance than any movie in which she appeared. Even her most knowledgeable fans will find something new in this in-depth homage to a star whose luster outshone her films. David Morrell is most known for his award-winning thrillers, including his debut novel, First Blood, in which the character of Rambo first appeared. But he is also a former professor of American literature and writes essays about icons who changed popular culture.