Barbara Eden

A frank and warm autobiography of Barbara Eden, probably not warts and all, but enough warts to show Barbara did not have a golden life, yet fans seemed to believe she did. She did not appear to want fame of the type many of her fellow actors did, however via I Dream of Jeannie gave her a fame and television immortality.

As a kid, I grew up on the weekday afternoon repeats of I Dream of Jeannie, and easily grew to love the cute, spunky, perky, energetic Jeannie, as played by actress Barbara Eden. Years later, reading reports of how uncomfortable the set of the show was, with star Larry Hagman a drugged up egocentric mess, I felt somewhat disillusioned. Barbara Eden's new autobiography, Jeannie Out of the Bottle, brings it all back to vivid life, both the good and the bad. I chose to enjoy this title as a show more Book-on-CD, with Eden reading her own work. She's a fun narrator to listen to (frequently chuckling or laughing at her own text), and seems to enjoy her opportunity to share memories of her career, both pre-Jeannie and post-Jeannie. This particular book is fairly lightweight, but it was a joy to listen to, as she reminisces about past relationships, including ex-husband Michael Ansara, acting achievements, and the sad passing of her son as a result of drug addiction. But, for me, as for many other Jeannie fans, it is her chapters dealing with the origins of I Dream of Jeannie, and her experiences working on that 4-season series, that brought the biggest smile to my face. Her tales of Larry Hagman at his ego-maniacal worst are easily tempered by the love and friendship she still obviously feels for him after all these years. If you grew up on 1960s and early 1970s television sitcoms, you'll enjoy this one too!

Originally written for my local library's website: http://www.lincolnlibraries.org/depts/bookguide/srec/staffrec11-11.htm show less

Delightful, easy to read autobiography by Barbara Eden. The book covers her childhood and wish to become a singing star. Her encounters with people like Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Bob Hope, Tom Jones, and so many other are recounted. Working with Larry Hagman on I Dream Of Jeannie sounded like a chore. It is hard to understand why so many people put up with Hagman but Eden feels the chemistry between them made the show a success. Losing two children - one to drug addiction and the other was show more stillborn - was heartbreaking. Eden's mother had always told her to "rise above it" and she certainly has. show less

I was surprised at how much I really enjoyed this book. I started reading this early this morning and finished it in one sitting. It's really well written and an enjoyable reading as you go behind the scene to the antics and tragedies in Barbara Eden's life - from the antics of a intoxicated Hagman to the death of her son Matthew.

Well worth a read especially for those who grew up watching I dream of Jeannie.