Face of the American Dream, Barbie Doll 1959-1971

By Christopher Varaste

A unique look at America's doll icon correlates fashion trends with the makeup and hairstyles that the Barbie doll wore between 1959 and 1971. A close inspection of the doll, rather than just her... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0875885462
• ISBN13: 9780875885469
• Release Date: July 1999
• Publisher: Hobby House Pr Inc
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 2.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.5" x 0.8" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

So detail oriented~

This book is PERFECT for the advanced collector. Going thru each style of BARBIE from Ponytails thru TNT's. If you are looking for price guides, this is not the book for you. If you are wondering what the difference between white ginger and platinum bubbles, or what year TNT's had centered eyes, or to just drool over totally mint rare dolls, THIS IS FOR YOU! I really like it.

A reader from Portland, Oregon and Barbie expert for 10 yrs

This book is one of the most beautiful Barbie books ever written. The pictures are beautiful. The dolls represent pictures of many of the best barbie collections in the World. The information is quite extensive. I give it a 11! Simply the best!

FACE OF THE AMERICAN DREAM rocks!

Okay, we've seen the parade of books on Barbie fashion. We've seen the forensically photographed doll priceguides. What we haven't seen, until now, was a book whose visual language made the dolls and fashions come to life in a way that conjures the imaginary world that Barbie seemed to live in. If you know someone who doesn't "get" Barbie collecting, show them this book. It's so lovingly assembled that even the skeptic is forced to look at the subject through a child's eyes. And yet it's so well researched and informative, the discriminating adult collector can find an answer to virtually any question. Varaste's knowledge about transitional dolls and their differences, for example, was especially helpful. The narrative is so artful and engaging, you don't even realize how much your're learning! The photos are fabulously fun and imaginative; Varaste isn't afraid to see the humor in our hopeless love for Barbie. Visually, he knows what we want and he delivers! Hands down the best book on the subject of Miss B. We can only hope for a sequel!

If you can only have one Barbie book - make it this one!

Varaste's "The Face of the American Dream" is simply fantastic. So many Barbie books simply photograph the fashions and give current prices. Chris takes the subject far deeper than anything I've ever read, both sociologically and in terms of the minute variations within the Barbie doll. It is an absolute feast for the eyes of the collector or non-collector and a treasure trove of information for the collector. It is really awesome! As another reviewer wrote, I would love to see Chris tackle the Mod era in more depth. I look forward to more from him!

The dream comes to life

This book captures the spirit of an era through the toy that helped define it. The photographs are amazing, the prose is thoughtful and insightful, making it a delightful read. Barbie doll collectors will be thrilled with the many rare items pictured, and casual readers will find the pictures beautiful and informative. Bravo to Chris for a job well done and a fresh spin on this important part of our cultural history.