Hugh Hefner and Cynthia Maddox.

An intimate portrait of the magazine and its founder.

Hugh Hefner presents an illustrated autobiography and chronological selection of highlights from Playboy magazine s first 25 years. Starting with his youth and early comic collection and ending with the height of Playboy success, this publication is the most probing and intimate portrait of “Hef” ever made. Published by TASCHEN.

Hugh Hefner, 2 y.o.

Playboy Mansion interior, 1960.

Hefner in his new Cadillac Eldorado.

This sumptuous six-volume set explores the fascinating and decadent wonder years of the groundbreaking men s magazine and its unflagging founder, the legendary Hugh Hefner. Spread throughout the tomes is a chronological selection of highlights from Playboy magazine s first 25 years, 1953 to 1979, including about a dozen red hot fold-out Centerfolds per volume.

Cowboy. Painted by Hugh, 4 y.o.

Hef’s comix-style bio.

Comix created by Hef for early Playboy issue.

Hugh and his girlfriend Millie. His future wife. Autumn, 1944.

What makes this anthology unique is Hefner s extensive participation and the inclusion of a wealth of memorabilia from his personal scrapbooks; with over 700 pages of autobiographical text about his youth, army days, first attempts as a cartoonist, early career, girlfriends, and the arrival of his success with Playboy illustrated by original Hefner artwork and cartoons, correspondence, and of course a huge selection of photos from his archives this is the most probing and intimate portrait of Hef ever published. Of course, there are plenty of behind-the-scenes shots taken at the Playboy Mansion, in the numerous Playboy Clubs, and on the Big Bunny airplane. What s not to love?

Hugh Hefner in Chicago Club, 1960.

Hugh Hefner, his parents and a brother.

Hugh Hefner, Barbi Benton and Jet Bunnies flight attendants. 1970.

Hef and Barbi, Miami, 1970.

Hef and Barbi, Playboy Mansion West.

Hugh works during the Wategate scandal.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hugh Hefner and Wilt Chamberlain. Playboy Mansion, 1977.