Originally published: New York: William Morrow & Co, c1994.

Reviews

The original ``Barbie,'' an 111/2 fashion model doll with an hourglass figure, was introduced to the American public in 1959 and has been a bestseller ever since. In this witty and perceptive study Lord, a columnist for New York Newsday, chronicles Barbie's history and her relevance as a cultural icon. Ruth Handler, co-owner of Mattel Toys, modeled Barbie on a sexy plastic German pin-up that was sold to men in tobacco shops. The popularity of Barbie and her ever-expanding wardrobe with preteen girls led to the development of ``Ken'' and ``Midge'' dolls and a line of African American fashion dolls. Lord's comprehensive research includes interviews with toy-makers, an eclectic group of Barbie collectors, visual artists and feminists who disagree on Barbie's impact on young girls. The author sees Barbie, whose careers have included surgeon, pilot and astronaut, as a female role model, and credits her childhood play with Barbie as helping her cope with her own mother's mastectomy. Illustrations.

"Lord shrewdly uses the evolution of Barbie as a touchstone to chart the evolution of our modern culture."-- "People"
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"Fascinating ... compelling .... A seriously wry, thoroughly researched and totally enlightened look at the doll that most of us either love or love to hate."-- "Newsday"

"Scathing, hilarious ... consistently informative and amusing."-- "San Francisco Chronicle"

"Its mix of social history, psychoanalytical insights, and the Mattel marketing schemes that evoke them is told with wit, curiosity, and wry photos."-- "Los Angeles Times Book Review"

"Terrific .... A book that was dying to be written .... A crisp, often witty love story of American pop culture."-- "The Boston Globe"

"The author's enthusiasm is infectious and she writes with considerable wit .... Her subject inspires passion."-- "The New York Times"