The book traces the history of Barbie from her beginnings in 1959 to her modern-day incarnations like the millennium's Olympic swimming champion Barbie.

There are colourful features such as "Doll of Europe" and "Sixties Chic" and invaluable information for collectors. For example, did you know that there was a Star Trek Barbie dressed as an Engineering Officer in her authentic red uniform with black trim or a Marilyn Monroe Barbie wearing a replica of the pink satin dress worn by Marilyn as she sang "Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend"? --Rachel Ediss