I requested this book as a life long lover of dolls. This book is for the die-hard doll lover. The ones who enjoy the entire realm of dolls. Starting from the very beginning this is a history book about the entire lifespan of Barbie as we know her. If you are a collector or a historian of toys and/or pop culture then this book should be added to your collection.

Let me begin saying that I don't know much about Barbie's history, so this book was a good introduction, as it gives several brushstrokes about her birth and Ruth Handler, the woman behind the doll, how a doll is made, her fashion and her impact as a pop culture icon. It also has lots of pictures and sketches, from the first dolls in 1959 to nowadays, so it was good to see the changes she has been going through the years.

With several interviews and testimonies, this book is proof that Barbie is as relevant today as sixty years ago and the huge scope of Barbie's effect on culture, being much more than a doll.

Interesting and fun read if you don't know much about Barbie, but I would have liked for it to go deeper into some themes and not just skim through the surface.

Thanks to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group, Epic Ink, for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review

This book was absolutely amazing. I have an obsession (and have had since childhood) with vintage Barbies. Not only did this go VERY in-depth with the story of Barbie, the photographs and old dolls are to die for. Such a neat book for a collector or a fan.

An interesting and colourful look at the history and affect Barbie has had, this will appeal to a lot of fans and as a previous Barbie owner as a child it’s really fun to look back over the dolls and reminisce, it would have been nice for a commentary about her effect on body image etc, but I guess I expecting far too much there. But a colourful guide to Barbie and her history, will appeal to fans.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion