In addition to her own website, she had an active discussion Corner on "Objectivist Living" here:
http://www.objectivistliving.com/forums/...

Before that, she had been active on the "SOLO: Sense of Life Objectivists" before it split into two boards, Solo Passion and Rebirth of Reason. RoR still archives her comments.

I just downloaded “The Passion Of Ayn Rand”. I will be glad to share my list as it gets going.

That was written by James Peron, a frequent contributor to FEE the Foundation for Economic Education. Some of his articles are listed:
http://www.fee.org/authors/detail/james-...

I worked with Barbara at NBI in NYC mid-60s, designing book covers, brochures and running their film series, The Romantic Screen. When I moved to LA 12 years ago, Barbara and I re-connected and grew very close, often attending theatre, movies and dinner together. Up to the end, her mind was sharp and engaging. She was my favorite date in recent years, a dear lady that I loved profoundly...a class act. Kerry O'Quinn

Thanks. I only knew her from a few online interactions.

I think reading Nathaniel Branden's "Judgement Day" and Barbara Branden's "The Passion of Ayn Rand" back-to-back would be an excellent read. There is also a video/book combination called "A Sense of Life" which I have not seen.
"Who is Ayn Rand?" is available most of the time on eBay.
I'd love to see your reading list as it coalesces more.

I read Barbara Branden's book "ThePassion of Ayn Rand" years ago. It gave me insight into Ms Rand's life. In my opinion, Nathaniel's affair with Ayn Rand and its conclusion set back the Objectivist movement for many years.

The thing I remember most about "The Passion of Ayn Rand" was a letter from Dr Peikoff saying not to read it.
Of course I have signed first edition.

Not taking sides, that's not what I'm about, just sayin' - "Dude!"

She does a fine job in this movie. Also in the film is Peter Fonda as Frank O'Conner.

I met Barbara on several occasions. She was always polite and interested in what I had to say. She met my son and expressed interest in the thoughts of a second generation Objectivist.

Helen Mirren won an Emmy for playing Ayn and Peter Fonda won a Golden Globe for playing Frank. The movie starts with Nathan, Barbara and Ayn meeting (half way through the book) and ends with the breakup (maybe 4/5 through).

None of her early life is covered, except through brief conversation between the characters; and almost none of the aftermath.

BTW, Barbara herself has a very noticeable cameo. Free wink if you can tell me where.

M-e-o-w

You sure got that right. Rand's behavior was very typical of any divorcee. Disgusting. Lust, jealousy, passions. What a farce. So Hollywood.

My last comment must have been "politically incorrect."

I didn’t know Helen Mirren played AR in a movie. I admire her; she is one of my favorite actresses. I’ll have to give the book and the movie a look over. Thanks.

"The Passion of Ayn Rand" is her more famous and accessible biography. It was made into a movie starring Helen Mirren as Ayn Rand, Eric Stoltz as Nathaniel Branden and Julie Delpy as Barbara Branden. It has been many years since I read the book, but I remember it as balanced, insightful, and honest. Given the conflicts in their lives, it was a tribute to Ayn Rand's personality and achievements.

Barbara and Nathaniel also wrote an earlier biography, "Who is Ayn Rand?" (1962). That is probably easiest to find at a city library or rare book seller such as ABE Books or Amazon. The book analyses Ayn Rand's fiction (Nathaniel) and summarizes her life (Barbara).

Nathaniel Branden's "Judgment Day" is an autobiographical view of their relationship, less about her life, and more about theirs.

Earlier this year, I read through the recent works by Anne Heller (Ayn Rand and the World She Made), and others. They are OK for what they are, but Barbara Branden was close to Ayn Rand and while that necessarily brings some subjective perceptions, they are experientially powerful, as opposed to the derivative, academic and less salutary works.

Perfect timing, Mike! I was just getting a reading list together to start on my project. I’ll start with her biography on AR.
Have you read it? Could you recommend books on AR?