There is something about Tanya Lee Stone's writing that I don't like. The tone, I think. When it comes to non-fiction, I like an authoritative, detached perspective from the author. Stone, to my everlasting dismay, subtly editorializes right and left in an overtly feminist "Rah Rah Women!" kind of way. I'm totally pro-woman, but it irks me to see her pushing her perspective when I think she should let the facts speak for themselves. I had this exact same issue with [b:Almost Astronauts|4836780|Almost Astronauts 13 Women Who Dared to Dream|Tanya Lee Stone|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320418659s/4836780.jpg|4902013], probably even more so than I do with this Barbie book.

So, yeah, what about Barbie? There are many, many opinions about Barbie filling up the pages here. Most of them came from random people and did not really interest me. I liked the story of the invention of Barbie, but after that I stopped caring. Is Barbie good or bad? There are criticisms for sure, but the overall impression I got is that Stone is pro-Barbie and sees Ruth Handler, Barbie's inventor, as a great female role model. I have a feeling that if Barbie had been invented by a man, Stone would have written a different book. ( )

I really liked this book. It is a straight forward yet well-balanced read about everyone's favorite (or most hated) 12" fashion doll. It is also features a great biography of Barbie's creator. What I loved most about the book was how the creator of Barbie could be considered a role model for today's women. She was a hard worker with a creative mind and didn't let her gender or her status hold her back. I also loved the argument of how Barbie could be perceived as a feminist icon, because Barbie had careers and career aspirations which women of had yet achieved. Personally, I never subscribed to the argument that Barbie's unnatural dimensions warped millions of girls' self-image. As I always said "She's a f***ing doll."

The topic and the magazine-like format makes it a quick and fun read. It is perfect for teens, tweens, and women who have a thing (good or bad) for Barbie. ( )

Color photographs and commentary from both fans and detractors make this history of the Barbie doll, from her creation to present day, an engaging and well researched read. The author chronicles the changes in Barbie and the societal changes they reflect. Author’s Note, Source and Photo Notes, Bibliography, Index.

I enjoyed the unbiased approach the book took in presenting the controversy that even just the name "Barbie" tends to spur - the end of the book leaves whether the doll's influence was positive or not up to the reader, which makes it a great read for Barbie fans, those who dislike the buxom blonde babe, and anyone in-between. It's clear that the author did her research here. Accompanies by colorful images, it's a short, but worthwhile, read.
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The most intriguing history of the doll was her founder, Ruth Handler, and what a progressive, driven woman she was for her time. I wasn't so interested in the pros and cons of Barbie's impact on girls' and women's psyche, but did appreciate the arguments that Barbie helped girls fantasize about different life options. ( )