Rating: Summary: A Truly Remarkable Life! Review: "The King, McQueen and the Love Machine" is certainly much more than a catchy title; Barbara Leigh takes you on a rollercoaster ride through the heady 70's as she juggles her relationships with three of Hollywood's most powerful and influential icons while pursuing her carrier as an actress and model.
For those of you who want to sample the `authentic' Hollywood lifestyle of the 70's this book will certainly satisfy your appetite, and yet it offers much more. This is the Barbara Leigh story: - from her difficult childhood through to the privileged lifestyle of a Hollywood starlet, coupled with life's unexpected challenges, Barbara has experienced more than most will ever experience in several life times.
The book is an easy read, reminiscent of a cool summer breeze or a favorite song that takes your mind back to people and events that shaped one's life. Throughout the book some truly beautiful pictures capture the free spirit and southern charm of Ms Leigh that also form an integral part of this autobiography.
We also get a rare chance to observe the `human' side of these legendary icons and how in their own way, coped with the burden of power and fame. It is clear that Barbara's affection for Elvis, Steve McQueen and James Aubrey was sincere and the fact that she did not use these men to advance her own carrier is a true testament to her class and dignity (a rare commodity in this day and age).
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would strongly recommend it to anyone.
Rating: Summary: The Diary The World Has Been Waiting to Read Now Unlocked ! Review: After many years of protecting the secrets of the Golden era in Hollywood Barbara Leigh has finally decided to unlock and dust off her well kept protected diary. Reading this book is a true trip back into time, one that truly makes you feel as if you were meeting Elvis for the first time and experience what it was like to be part of the whole "road scene life" with the King. This without a doubt is the best Hollywood love triangle story ever. After reading the book, one truly wonders what fights could still be going on in the "Heavens" over a girl named Barbara. Not only is this one of the best books you will ever read but lets not forget any unlocked diary of Vampirella's lovers is priceless alone......
Rating: Summary: If you actually read the book, "it ain't about the men"!!!!! Review: After purchasing this book immediately after it was printed, I was pleased to have a written history of a living icon. Notice I use the term "living". I'm not talking about the "King of Rock and Roll" (Elvis), or the "Cooler King" (McQueen) or the "Lion King" (Aubrey), I'm talking about a "Queen". Barbara Leigh had a career in the Hollywood spotlight that lasted a little over 10 years as an actress, a little longer as a professional model, and for a lifetime the role that she will always be remembered for "The Original Vampirella". She is now and will always be the most stunningly beautiful woman ever to grace this earth. What is best about this book is that looks are not the only graces she possesses. She has lived a tremendous life, fraught with ups and downs that are frankly and openly discussed. There's many books on Elvis, but only one on Barbara. I'll take "The Queen" over "The King" anyday!
Rating: Summary: Vampirella Vamps It Up! Review: As an avid reader of autobiographies & biographies of all things Hollywood, I found this book to be one of the best ever written by a Hollywood actress. Barbara Leigh is not only a physically beautiful woman, but she is also one heck of a classy lady for candidly speaking about her relationships with Elvis Presley, Steve McQueen and Jim Aubrey, without maliciously destroying their reputations as powerful men & in Elvis and Steve's cases Hollywood Icons. Ms. Leigh has a delicious sense of class for "dishing the dirt" in such a "clean" way! How lucky these men have been to have had her in their lives and to see her respect their memories together. She writes with a knack for vivid details and in such an honest, real way. You just can't put the book down. I read this one in about a day and a half turning each page with enthusiasm. The only bad thing about this book is that it came to an end! Give us another one Barbara! Somewhere in the heavens Elvis & McQueen are smiling, pleased that their paths crossed with hers! This book is a keeper and a definite must read! Buy it, sit back & Enjoy!
Rating: Summary: Great Storytelling and Wonderful Pictures Throughout Review: Barbara Leigh has lived an extraordinary life and it comes through page after page in this autobiography. The men she came in contact with throughout her life were both powerful and fasinating. It's interesting to see these men through the eyes of the woman who shared many moments in their lives. Great Pictures throughout the book.
Rating: Summary: One Lady's Journey Review: Barbara Leigh has put forth an honest, even brutally so epilogue of her journey with three fascinating world famous men. Her ability to honestly and genuinely review each of her relationship's in the context of themselves and interacting with each other is a unique ability. Each relationship was obviously both important and singular to her. Each provided Elvis Presley, Steve McQueen and Jim Aubrey the ability to be with a woman who truly appreciated them while not losing herself in their celebrity. Barbara's honest comments for both her triumph's and tragedy's while not hiding under any false pretense is a fresh and welcome relief endearing the reader to her. A true "free soul" in the '70's, her journey in and out of these three remarkable lives, some at the same time, is a honest commentary on the times she lived in and the social mores at the time. I had thought I knew as much of Elvis as anyone. Her book however showed me certain facets of his personality and soul which only added to my knowledge while teasingly enticing me to find out more. I did, still learning of his personality and values through her adventures with him. Her written observations of of Steve McQueen shows a man vuneralble in many ways, much against the "macho" persona I and the world had been groomed to believe. Her involvement with Jim Aubrey I found to the most complex yet saddest of the the three. This I found out not to be any fault of Barbara's but completely the result of his possessive nature and control minded attitude towards a woman at times I felt he saw as "his possession". Barbara, while not wriring in the Hemingway tradition , has offered a frank and honest portrayal of herself and her times in her own unique and personal style. Her book offers a true reflection of our society in the '70's and how her personal growth has evolved. This journey allowed Barbara to discover more confidence in herself allowing a unique commentary of hers life and these unique men's lives as well. As a result, both Barbara and the reader find themselves understanding ourselves much better as a result of her honest story telling, which is uniquely Barbara's.
Rating: Summary: fascinating look at hollywood life.... Review: barbara leigh's book is a must-read for an honest look at the hollywood life-style in the early 1970's. This is a true story of Hollywood legend. A beautiful girl from a small-town in Georgia moved to Los Angeles and was quickly discovered as a model and actress. She simultaneously dated the legendary Elvis Presley, #1 box-office star Steve Mcqueen and one of the most powerful executives in Hollywood at that time, James Aubrey. All this while continuing to balance her sucessful career as a top model and actress. Her ability to juggle a personal and professional schedule was masterful and a true work of art. Her story is sincere as she did not use her relationships to further her career although she very well could have. Her honest and sensitive story will bring you inside her relationships with three of the most powerful men in the entertainment industry. In true Hollywood style, the three men were actually nothing like their famous personas. Barbara's insightful look back at her life's personal and professional choices and their consequences is moving and touched me on a personal level. I guarantee anyone who reads this book will be touched by barbara's story and her sincerity. I highly recommend this book!
Rating: Summary: fascinating look at hollywood life.... Review: barbara leigh's book is a must-read for an honest look at the hollywood life-style in the early 1970's. This is a true story of Hollywood legend. A beautiful girl from a small-town in Georgia moved to Los Angeles and was quickly discovered as a model and actress. She simultaneously dated the legendary Elvis Presley, #1 box-office star Steve Mcqueen and one of the most powerful executives in Hollywood at that time, James Aubrey. All this while continuing to balance her sucessful career as a top model and actress. Her ability to juggle a personal and professional schedule was masterful and a true work of art. Her story is sincere as she did not use her relationships to further her career although she very well could have. Her honest and sensitive story will bring you inside her relationships with three of the most powerful men in the entertainment industry. In true Hollywood style, the three men were actually nothing like their famous personas. Barbara's insightful look back at her life's personal and professional choices and their consequences is moving and touched me on a personal level. I guarantee anyone who reads this book will be touched by barbara's story and her sincerity. I highly recommend this book!
Rating: Summary: The King ,McQueen and the Love Machine Review: Barbara Leigh's book is an incredible read. Not only can you tell that the author is a beautiful,sweet and charming girl but she has the uncanny ability to write in such a fashion as to make the reader feel they are right in the bedroom with her and Elvis! Ms. Leigh's book has such a refreshing point of view...that being that the girlfriend of a major star was not all that it was cracked up to be. This is a remarkable perspective to keep ever present in one's mind when the most gorgeous, rich, powerful, creative men in the world are doing the full court press on you! And Barbara did. Genuine character is what Ms. Leigh has...Can't wait for her next book about her magical life. Her story telling abilities are right up there with the best of them.....yes her life should be a movie.
Rating: Summary: The Only True Biography of the Woman behind Review: By Stephen Pytak This is probably the best biography you're going to find on the woman who is known to horror enthusiasts as the first to portray "Vampirella." It's also a time capsule filled with a bunch of interesting stories about Barbara, Elvis, Steve McQueen and Aubrey, who was president of MGM Studios. I bought the book from Barbara at the Chiller Theatre convention in East Rutherford, N.J. in October 2002. I met her before at these conventions, since I'm a big Vampi fan. And when I stepped up to say hello, she dropped the hot dog with mustard she was eating, stood up and shook my hand. Then she showed me the book. She had a spring in her step and the most inviting smile. She was really excited about this. Barbara has the power to generate excitement. And I think everyone around her table was feeling the buzz. Even the actress who was sitting next to her, Jennifer Rubin of "Bad Dreams (1988)," bought a copy. The first part I read, in all honesty, was chapter 16. The black and white pictures of her in that famous skimpy bikini told me immediately this chapter was about her life as "Vampirella." She got the part in 1975 when Hammer Films was planning to do a live-action movie based on the character created by Forrest J. Ackerman, the editor of "Famous Monsters of Filmland." Barbara includes a bunch of interesting facts. I didn't know Linda Carter was after the role. And I didn't realize how consumed Barbara became by the character. After she signed a three-picture deal with Hammer Films, she said "I actually became her in my mind...Eventually friends would tell me to get a hold of myself, which I eventually did." The details she adds about that phase will no doubt give fans some different impressions. I'm sure they'll think about it next time they examine her full figure on those old Warren magazines. It might even fuel a few new fantasies. That section also includes some pictures from a Famous Monsters convention held in New York in November 1975. I wish I could see more from that show. And if they're in color, even better. The best is on page 294. It's a shot of her with Ackerman. And it's further proof that she's a goddess. It's also proof that Elvis, McQueen and Aubrey were lucky as Hell. If you want to know the intimate details of Barbara's life with them, then crack open the front cover and start at page 1. It's very well written and I did get a few things out of it. Barbara did an excellent job of not only telling all about her relationships with these guys, but she managed to intertwine her life story into it as well. Honestly, I'm not into heavy romance stories. So, no matter how much I love Barbara or how well her book was written, I wasn't going to dwell on every line. However, there were a few things which made me raise an eyebrow. In particular, there were some details about The King's life which piqued my interest. His bedroom chat included conversations about numbers. Barbara writes: "Elvis, smiling, pulled out his favorite book on numerology, 'Cheiro's Book of Numbers,' then asked me my birth date. He told me I was the spiritual number seven, based on my birth date of November 16." What I also like about the book, as the above quote will suggest, is it's written in her voice. It's in the first person. And when you read it, you feel like she's talking to you. So, if you want to spend a night with one of the most beautiful women in the world, buy it now.
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