Hef's Little Black Book

In 1974, I purchased Frank Brady's HEFNER (AN UNAUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY). I was surprised because the author didn't offer any exclusive information - the book included nothing new or unknown. However, the author did report that Hefner was deeply in love and committed to Barbie Benton who he would marry soon. Well, he was wrong about that. Bottom line: There was nothing Brady's "unauthorized" biography that seemed worthy of being deemed unauthorized. When I was reading HEF'S LITTLE BLACK BOOK, I was once again taken by surprise. There was no new information - everything in the book was well known. Instead of poor writing, I've got to conclude that Hefner has no sexual secrets. Yet, he does write of secret sexual relationships, but he won't share because these concern others. It is not himself he is protecting. Unlike Nixon, Hefner destroyed the tapes by tossing them into the Pacific Ocean. I wonder: Is this disposal contrary to EPA regulations? Can Hefner be fined? Shall we hire the Titanic team to recover the tapes? One big inference emerged from reading: the Barbie Benton and Karen Christy conflict. Like everything else in this autobiography, this is a well known urban tale. Hefner was sleeping with both of these women with whom he claimed to dearly love. Reading between the lines, the authors suggest that Barbie and Karen were grossly insensitive to Hefner's sexual needs. He needed both of them, but neither could accept sharing him with another woman. Hefner was emotionally devastated, but eventually recovered. Today, Hefner has finally found a girlfriend who is willing to share him with two other women. If Barbie was willing to regularly share him with others, I wonder if they would be married today? I don't know if this little book was worth the money to read. Nevertheless, I found it to be a hoot.

this was out in so many stores, glad i found it! it made a great gift!

Long ago I went to work for Playboy in Chicago and it was a thrill to be a part of Hefner's World. This book reminded me of why it was such fun. There is a mystique about this man and what he was able to do, living life on his own wide-eyed terms. I'm reminded here that he has always been the opposite of jaded--just a sunny funny smart revolutionary guy. It's nice to see it all spelled out, lest we forgot. The pictures took me back to a simpler happier time. What a trip.

I read writer Zehme's great Esquire profile of Hefner a few years ago, and was happy to see his name on this handsome litte book--it REALLY IS a little black book!! His fantastic Frank Sinatra bio THE WAY YOU WEAR YOUR HAT may be the best book of its kind among Sinatra lit--a pure delight. Same goes for this one--Zehme's beautiful writing interspersed with his legendary subject's philosophies of living, plus truly terrific photos of the icon in his prime swinging days... The packaging is the smartest I've ever seen, black slipcase and all. What fun. Try it, you'll like it.

This is a happy surprise of a book--a sensual feast full of great crisp bio writing, smart life advice, and tons of fun, cool retro pix of the Hefworld all us grown boys have always wanted to get inside of! I felt like I was spending one long jazzy night at the Playboy Mansion when I read it! Plus I never expected such well thought-out wisdom from good ol' Hef--everything on how to win over a woman's heart to how to win over her body. And his business acumen is spelled out in a way to inspire the big dreams inside all guys--and women too. (My girlfriend digs it almost as much as I do.) I'm giving it to my dad for Father's Day, and nephew for graduation... Anytime's a good time to share the gift of Hef!!! Long may he swing!