Obviously, Barbie is having a moment, and this handsomely illustrated coffee table book happily delves into the history and cultural significance of the fashion doll, whilst keeping more than a beady eye on its corporate overseers. And that's fine, I was not exactly looking for a critical takedown of the product, and its happy to safely have at its only villains the toy industry of 65 years ago that pooh-poohed the idea of a fashion doll. And whilst the driver of all of the innovation in the doll is clearly marketing and sales, it is a canny brand that does appear to have rolled with the times better than most. Partially because once it had cleared that early hurdle of getting the sales, then it wasn't that risky to fit the same basic doll in an astronaut or beekeeping costume.

The photos are half the fun here, and certainly, the historical chapter has a whole bunch of fun with blueprints and early prototypes, and for such a quintessentially American product, Gerber handles the "Made In Japan" aspect of it with a lightness of touch. And whilst it might load down Ruth Handler's legacy with a bit more than she originally planned (prosthetic leg Barbie really shifts from some of the original plans), the conception of a doll where a child can play at being an adult is surprisingly robust. This presents Barbie as a very broad church, and while it doesn't linger too much on the collector side, it is adamant about Barbie being for anyone who wants her (and can pay for one?)

It's not all plain sailing, the early chapter on the Barbie Shero range does seem to be just a roll call of exceptional women who have had Barbies made of them, and for all of the Barbies that get full pages here, the decidedly un-monobrowed Frida Khalo seems nothing to be proud of. But this is probably the right kind of book Barbie deserves, there is more than enough history to dive into, but we mainly want the pictures, and lots of interesting tidbits (Twiggy being the first celebrity Barbie, Barbie first being President in 1995 and the existence of Barbie's British friend Stacey).

A very interesting look into Barbie and her creator, Ruth Handler. Many gorgeous photos, drawings and sketches. I’m not a Barbie *fan* by any means but it’s definitely a very iconic toy, and very nostalgic for me. It’s interesting to see how Barbie has reflected the ideas of different time periods. It’s a fun and readable book!

Seeing Barbie through the years and learning about her history is a great way to see the changes in our culture. The photos and timeline were great. Barbie has managed to evolve with the times, whether it’s her variety of careers, or her physical changes to be more inclusive, she remains a fashion icon! This book made me want to get out my Barbies and play with them again.

Very informative and so fun to learn about! Now I need a video essay about this topic lol.

As consumers we don't realize how much goes behind the scenes and often take products at face value. I was the same way when thinking about Barbie, even after watching the recent movie. This book goes into the different elements of history of the Barbie doll, like the design, the creator's motive, difficulties in production, along with a bunch of other fun facts!

There's lots of photos accompanying easy to read information, so the book flew by without me noticing. Very well structured and it feels well researched. The information within does feel curated, since there's no explanation of common criticisms, but that could easily be another book.

* Thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for a copy!

I really enjoyed this book. It was really informative and I learned things that I didn’t already know!

Very colourful and impression history behind “Barbie”, I love the detailed information throughout the book. Picked up some facts that I’ve never heard of before. Would be a fantastic gift for a barbie fan.

"Barbie: Her Inspiration, History, and Legacy" by Robin Gerber offers a fun journey through the iconic doll's evolution, impact, and enduring legacy. In this concise yet comprehensive exploration, Gerber provides readers with a fascinating glimpse into the world of Barbie, tracing her origins from a simple toy to a cultural phenomenon

One of the book's strengths is its exploration of Barbie's evolution as a cultural icon. Gerber deftly navigates the doll's transformation from a fashion model to a symbol of female empowerment, showing the many roles Barbie has had throughout her life. From astronaut to CEO, Barbie has served as a source of inspiration and empowerment for generations of children, breaking boundaries and challenging stereotypes along the way.

Moreover, Gerber offers readers a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process behind Barbie's design and marketing. Through interviews with designers, executives, and collectors, she sheds light on the meticulous attention to detail and innovation that have characterized the Barbie brand since its inception. This insider perspective adds depth and authenticity to Gerber's narrative, providing readers with a greater appreciation for the artistry and craftsmanship behind the iconic doll.

This book is an incredible tribute to one of the most beloved and enduring icons of popular culture. Gerber's thoughtful analysis and engaging storytelling make this book a fun read for anyone interested in the history and cultural significance of Barbie. Whether you're a lifelong fan or a curious newcomer, Gerber's book offers a comprehensive and compelling exploration of Barbie's multifaceted legacy.

A great and actual readable coffee-table book, Barbie is full of vibrant images with a concise history that is clear and set-up to let us read about her initial conception, debut, influences, and more. It was an enjoyable read that highlights the positive legacy Barbie has but steers clear of ever denouncing or accepting her faults and infamous moments. Its utter appraisal of the brand shows a somewhat glossed over picture, which some may say has always been the notion of a barbie doll. It is through the viewpoint of a girl that Barbie becomes human, with faults and play and action. This they do make clear--Barbie is the avatar of the girl, to dream and develop through. That is her image and that is why she is special to so many. I think in a celebration of her legacy, like this simple book that is so concise, to bemoan or acknowledge her critics would be a little redundant. It's not a guilty thing to want to see Barbie at her heights where it is only an appraisal of her development and impact.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for giving me this ARC to review.

I found this book fascinating, especially the sections focusing on how Barbie was thought up, created and marketed. The photos are not small and some even had dedicated double page spreads for the biggest photos which was nice as the book didn't feel like an information dump and the photographs fit with the information that was being read. This book brought attention to peeople I have never heard of (I really did not know much about Barbie before this read) such as Charlotte Johnson which was interesting and I liked that the book didn't just focus on the one person who thought up of Barbie but included the fashion designers, the makers, etc.

I would highly recommend this to Barbie fans, or to people who just have a vague interest in Barbie as it is super interesting and can work as a coffee table book.

Everything you want to know about the history, growth, and evolution of Barbie in a stellar book with intriguing tidbits, fabulous photos and retro ads, plus a bibliography and index. Beautifully written by Robin Gerber, also author of the first bio of Ruth Handler, founder of Mattel and creator of the Barbie doll. As the author writes, Ruth's creation "is being designed and promoted just as she intended, as a vehicle for a child to pretend to be anything." I loved this book almost as much as I loved my Barbie dolls, and Barbie fans will agree!

A very cool look through the path Barbie took from the initial idea to it's lasting impact on our world today. I really enjoyed learning more about how it came to be.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

This books was an absolute delight! It follows Barbie from a simple idea to the actual doll to inspiring girls and then to the sensational Barbie movie. There are a lot of details into this this book and so many wonderful pictures that it actually made me want to delve even deeper and see all the important Barbie dolls throughout the years. I also might consider getting a doll or two just to keep on my shelves - even though I already have a Barbie doll in my childhood house (I only ever had one Barbie doll, but she was the perfect doll for me - with hair blonde white before it was a trend, with one frontal sparkly pink highlight, who wore jeans and white sneakers).

While this book is a tribute to the doll and its creator and it talks a lot about how diverse the doll is these days, I actually wanted it to talk about some of the bad parts of the doll like body image or expectations and so on. Plus I am sure there were at least a couple of juicy scandals or lawsuits worth mentioning.

In the end, it's a great read for Barbie fans or just people who are interested in the history and fame of things.

In "Her Inspiration, History, and Legacy," readers embark on an enthralling journey through the captivating story of Barbie™ doll, from her groundbreaking inception to her iconic status as a beacon of female empowerment. Celebrating Barbie's 65th anniversary, this book, created in collaboration with Mattel, is a stunning tribute to the beloved cultural icon, complete with rare archival images that bring her evolution vividly to life. From its inception, Barbie was more than just a doll; she was a revolutionary concept conceived by Ruth Handler, who dared to defy conventions and provide little girls with a toy that allowed them to envision endless possibilities. Despite facing skepticism and challenges, Handler persevered, ultimately proving her critics wrong as Barbie became a global phenomenon. One of the most compelling aspects of Barbie's journey is her ability to transcend boundaries. From her origins as a teenage fashion model to her portrayal in over 200 different careers, including groundbreaking roles like astronaut and surgeon, Barbie has consistently shattered stereotypes and inspired generations of girls to dream big. The evolution of Barbie's physical appearance also reflects a commitment to diversity and inclusion. What began with a choice of only two hair colors has now expanded to encompass 35 skin tones, 97 hairstyles, and 9 body types, a testament to Barbie's ongoing relevance and adaptability. "Her Inspiration, History, and Legacy" also delves into Barbie's influence on fashion, art, and pop culture. From collaborations with premier designers to iconic portrayals by artists like Andy Warhol, Barbie's impact is undeniable. Moreover, her recent cinematic success, breaking records as the highest-grossing domestic release directed by a woman, underscores her enduring relevance in contemporary culture. Ultimately, "Her Inspiration, History, and Legacy" celebrates Barbie as more than just a toy; she is an enduring symbol of empowerment and possibility. Through her story, readers are reminded of the importance of perseverance and the limitless potential that lies within every individual. This richly illustrated book is not only a must-read for fans of Barbie but also for anyone interested in the history of one of the most iconic toys of all time. Whether reliving childhood memories or discovering Barbie's legacy for the first time, readers will be captivated by the timeless allure of this cultural icon.

This is a good coffee table book for fans of Barbie. It doesn't really provide a balanced view about the criticisms levelled at the brand in the past for unrealistic female body image, which they are now doing their best to change.

The thing to know going in is that this is not a critical book. It was "created in partnership" with Mattel, the giant toy company that owns Barbie. I knew that going in. It does not examine Barbie critically in relation to capitalism, consumerism, body image, gender politics or anything but the most basic, 90s style feminism - you can be anything, while wearing high heels. Yay? Which was what I was expecting. What I was not expecting is this reads as a marketing book about marketing and the history of marketing, as much as about Barbie. It's gets a bit weird in places. The chapter about "diversity and inclusion" is all about how society is getting more diverse and so is Barbie. I particularly squirmed at the phrase "differently abled". The disabled community has passed judgement on that one, and it's not OK. I definitely had questions when the book brags that Barbie now comes in "petite and curvy" dolls, because heaven forfend we have use honest words like short or fat (or worse, short and fat). I didn't want to read this book with a critical eye, I wasn't expecting a feminist manifesto. But I walked away feeling a bit icky after reading this reactionary marketing speak. There were some pretty photos.

This guide to the history of Barbie tells the story of how Ruth Handler created this doll, covers the ups and downs of its early marketing and sales, reflects on Barbie's cultural influence, and highlights the brand's current product lines and social messages. There's a lot of great information in this book, but the small font size and formatting make it difficult to read, which is part of why I'm not giving this a higher rating.

The book includes engaging historical photos, pictures of some Barbie products throughout the decades, and contemporary photos. This will be a fun coffee table book for fans and collectors. It can also appeal to people who aren't specifically interested in Barbie, but who are invested in vintage toy history. The book includes details about other toys that Mattel was known for, and compares Barbie to other, much less revolutionary products that were on the market for girls at the time. This book also includes lots of interesting details about mid-century history, advertising, and consumer culture.

This is mainly a puff piece about Barbie, and there's not a lot of deeper analysis. When the book mentions people having misgivings and critiques about Barbie, the implication is that only clueless men would question her. There's no acknowledgement that the men at Mattel were sometimes right, and that there were many women who didn't want to buy their daughters an adult doll with an adult figure. Many women and girls have objected to Barbie for a variety of reasons, from many different social and political perspectives, and there's no acknowledgement of that here. The book makes it sound like the only naysayers were men, and it doesn't address legitimate social controversies about Barbie.

I would mainly recommend this book to Barbie fans who don't know much about her. If someone has already done a deep dive into this doll's history, they won't find a lot of new information here, and if someone isn't a Barbie fan, the book will lack the more thoughtful analysis they're looking for. Nonetheless, this is a fun, colorful celebration of Barbie that will appeal to people who love this nostalgic toy and cultural icon.

This one is hard to rate as it’s like a coffee table book. But, if you’re interested in reading more about the history of Barbie, Mattel, and the creators behind the iconic toy, this is a fun place to start!

I would absolutely say invest in the physical copy since any ebook or kindle version won’t really be the ideal format to read this. But I had so much fun reading about the different types of Barbie, toys Mattel had, and how it all came to be. Margot Robbie would be happy if she inspired yall to read about Barbie history! 🥳🥳

3.75 starts rounded up to 4, mainly because I wanted more. But I am thankful for the intro and happy I started here!

An amazingly comprehensive look into Barbie's world. This doesn't give just the basic facts that we all know and love about Barbie, but delves deeper into how the dolls are made, her timeline from creation to today's dolls, their worldwide success, and the magic that is Barbie. this book shares exclusive photos of the different Barbie dolls, outfits, and illustrations of the doll's dimensions, making it a must read for fans and collectors.

This book is wonderful if you want to know more about the history of Barbie with tons of beautiful photos. If you liked the movie, or are a Barbie fan, this book is for you!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review

I truly enjoyed this both beautiful and informative book. Like many, I played with Barbies as a kid and enjoyed the movie last summer thoroughly, as much as I enjoyed the discourse and nostalgia that came along with it. I had seen some articles about Margot Robbie's style choices on the red carpets, so it was nice to see that all in one place. This book was really interesting, fun, and would be a great coffee table book for any millennial looking to celebrate their youth and irritate right-wing relatives with their decor.