Customer Reviews

Hef's Little Black Book

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

You have to hand it to Hef. Well into his twilight years he manages to surround himself with beautiful, nubile young women who cater to his every whim.

In "Hef's Little Black Book" little glimpses of Hef's life are shared. We learn that Millie (his first wife) cheated on him, thus opening the door for his dalliances. We discover that the gorgeous Barbie Benton broke up with him when she discovered he was double dipping with another. That movie night is a big time in Hef's life. That black silk pj's make for good outerwear etc.

If you are a diehard Hef fan you may enjoy this book. On the other hand if you want to learn more about the playmates with shocking insights into Hef such as the awful reality that he does NOT use protection read Jill Ann Spaulding's book, "Upstairs".

Overall "Hef's Little Black Book" is indeed all about Hef, and only for those who want nitty gritty details shared by Mr. Hefner about himself.

Hef's Little Black Book isn't some story of Playboy the magazine or the empire, a biog of Hef or anything more than really a kind of puff-piece valentine from Hef to himself. I say from Hef because he's listed as the author, though "and Bill Zehme" presumably did most of the writing, organizing, interviewing, and editing.

However, given its parameters, the book works surprisingly well. Zehme did a similar book - a better one, though - on Sinatra a few years back, and its organization by subject/theme, its adoring fifties-style prose and please-pass-on-your-wisdom-o-master tone which strangely enough worked very well on the Sinatra piece is used again here. It's sort of effective. The book is a mixture of Zehme's narrative in the above voice, quotes from Hefner mixed in, and dozens of excellent photos of all types.

Hef passes on pearls of wisdom regarding women, romance, enjoying life and games, business, sex and the like. The Bed is covered in detail, with blueprints and everything. Much of it is not especially deep or new or earthshattering. I don't know that it really touches on what makes Hef such a fascinating figure or so important a man in 20th century life. But it's not uninteresting to Hefner aficionados.

What is in fact the goods on Hef is that he managed to first define the upscale male fantasy life, and then proceeded to insert himself into the picture and live it, for fifty nonstop years of uncompromising hedonism. In doing so he became a living symbol of the sexual revolution, and in the magazine's Playboy Philosophy he defended and explained his thinking brilliantly. It could not have worked without tremendous charm, business acumen (including the knowledge of when to step down from day-to-day operating control and let more capable managers take over), and self-control exercised over himself, and he surely kept very good people watching his back.

This book doesn't tell that story. If interested, there are many out there that do; I particularily like Russell Miller's Bunny, from back in the troublesome 80s. But this book does have fantastic and rarely seen photos from the 50s, 60s and 70s which make up for a lot, and one does get a faint glimpse of an unusual man.

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.

The ultimate player's guide Hef's Little Black Book by Hugh M. Hefner and Bill Zehme contains all the hidden secrets from the world's most famous Playboy, Hef for all to see.

Yes this book is written tongue and check however it does give some uncanny advice to novice players. Broken down in five parts it takes on the mission from the chase to inside the bedroom. With glossy prints and cut way inserts full of gems of funny quotes like "I asked Barbi out the first night we met. `But I've never been out with anyone over twenty-four,' she said. `that's okay' I replied, `Neither have I.'"

When addressing pick up lines Hef declares to not use lines and be truthful, however "On the other hand, however, I've also had a lot of luck by simply saying `My name is Hugh Hefner,' but that may not work for everyone."

From what to wear, to the perfect after sex meal, Hef's Little Black Book does pack a good punch.
Pick up a copy of Hef's Little Black Book by Hugh M. Hefner and Bill Zehme and be on your way to move up to the Playboy league.

This little black book is quite disappointing, it was not written very well, was jumpy, erratic and difficult to follow at times. Hefner has an amazing life (as evidenced by his very words in this book) and his "co-writer" Zehme could have expressed it in a much more eloquent way that would have honored his life, rather than the slipshod smattering of quotes presented in this book.

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

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!

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.

Well I so wish I could share my opinion on this book. But I ordered it last January 2008 and have yet to receive it. They keep telling me its out of stock. For almost a year !!!! This is the only book I really really wanted for my collection and can not seem to get it. I want to have Hef sign it as he will always be one of the Greatest Men I have ever met in my life. When you talk about Gentlemen he is at the top of the list. So what ever negative things people write about him its because they don't know him and never met him. I was very very lucky and blessed to have met him years ago and have never been treated so kindly. I wish I could go back in time and be ONE OF THE GIRLS NEXT DOOR. I hope Holly Madison keeps Hef happy always. Please send me this book. Then you will get the best reviews I have to offer.