Milton H. Greene was Marilyn Monroe’s photographer fro 1953 to 1957. Greene also served as Marilyn’s artistic adviser and business partner. When Marilyn married Arthur Miller, however, Miller took over his wife’s business affairs. Milton’s son Joshua reports in an introduction that Milton felt embittered and refused to allow anyone to examine or publish the bulk of his Marilyn photos before his death in 1985. Then disputes over his estate delayed publication further.

This volume of his photos of Marilyn, many of which had never been seen before, was worth the wait. They are accompanied by biographical information and the stories behind the photos by Life writer-reporter James Kotsilibas-Davis, who has written several Hollywood biographies. Marilyn is absolutely glorious, and the photos show why she has retained iconic status as a “legend.”

This “coffee table” sized book is one that fans of Marilyn Monroe will spend hours perusing, and yet with each revisit, will discover different aspects of Marilyn, whose emotions showed in her face and posture in so many ways. It is a poignant, bittersweet, and gorgeous collection. ( )