Forever Barbie: The Unauthorized Biography of a Real Doll -- M. G. Lord

Since her introduction in 1959, Barbie's impact has been revolutionary. Far from being a toy designed by men to oppress women, she was a toy invented by women to teach women what was expected of them, for better or for worse. Whether tarred-and-glittered as antifeminist puffery or celebrated as a feminist icon (or, at any rate, an important cultural touchstone in understanding feminism) Barbie has undeniably influenced generations of girls. <p>In <em>Forever Barbie</em>, cultural critic, investigative journalist, and first-generation Barbie owner M. G. Lord uncovers the surprising story behind Barbie's smash success. Revealing her low origins as "Bild Lilli," a risqué doll for adults sold as a gag gift in postwar Germany, <em>Forever Barbie</em> traces Barbie's development and transformation, through countless makeovers and career changes, into an international pop culture icon and now "traditional toy." Though not every doll in the line has been a hit--with pregnant Midge and Growing up Skipper among the more intriguing disasters--Barbie's endurance, Lord writes, speaks as much to Mattel's successful marketing as it does to our society's overall ambivalence toward femininity.</p><p>With new accessories, including a preface on the latest developments in the Barbieverse, <em>Forever Barbie</em> "will make you think of America's most celebrated plastic doll in ways you never have before" (Susan Faludi).</p><br><br><b>Author:</b> M. G. Lord<br><b>Publisher:</b> Liveright Publis