Forever Barbie

In Forever Barbie, cultural critic and investigative journalist M.G. Lord, who was among the first generation of Barbie owners, recounts Barbie's story with sharp insight, challenging many common assumptions. Lord argues that Barbie's lasting popularity reflects not only Mattel's clever marketing but also society's complex relationship with femininity. In this witty and thought-provoking book, she traces Barbie's origins as "Lili," a sultry doll for adults in post-war Germany, and follows her evolution through numerous transformations, career shifts, and her rise to international pop-culture stardom.