El Hef

His full name is Hugh Marston Hefner, but the world knows him as "Hef." A devout lover of jazz and the movies and a self-described romantic who is famous for his swinging parties, Hefner also created a little something called the centerfold for his magazine, Playboy — and in doing so, set off a tidal wave of social change in America. University of Missouri-Columbia history professor Steven Watts recently released his biography of the man, Mr. Playboy: Hugh Hefner and the American Dream, a book praised for both its thoroughness (Watts received unprecedented access to the Playboy archives) and its examination of how Hefner affected American law, the magazine business, pop culture, the sexual revolution and even the concept of "the good life." Watts discusses Mr. Playboy at 7 p.m. at the St. Louis County Library Headquarters (1640 South Lindbergh Boulevard, Frontenac; 314-994-3300 or www.slcl.org). Admission is free, and copies of the book will be available for purchase. Robe and slippers are optional.
Tue., Nov. 18, 2008