Robin GerberBarbie and Ruth: The Story of the World's Most Famous Doll and the Woman Who Created Her―Discover the True Account of Ruth Handler and the Ever-Iconic Barbie

I enjoyed this book on two levels. Ruth was a fascinating woman to be admired and respected, and the story of how she and Elliot grew their business was seriously interesting. I loved it!

I was intrigued to find out about the creative genius behind Barbie and was pleased to read this book.It was about the vision of one woman whose husband had the insight to follow and help to create Barbie when she first appear on the scene. Against all odds: parents concern over a doll which was mature looking, a male dominated industry and the sacrifice of her family, Ruth was able to bring little girls, everywhere this doll called Barbie.The trials faced to bring this doll to the center of the toy world was intriguing, nail bitting and, at times, infuriating. The hardest part of this book, was the ousting of a woman whose whole life was not as charming as her dolls. Ruth was a woman driven to provide a doll that could be played with, dressed and engaged little girls to use their creative imagination to be anything they could imagine. She was a pioneer ahead of her time and her husband was a true believer in her dreams. Nice read.

I really enjoyed this book.I got my first Barbie in 1960 and dearly loved the doll and its clothing. I saw the Barbie movie this summer and was curious to learn more about Ruth Handler. Very interesting info about the founding of Mattel, the Handler family dynamics, Ruth's tax troubles and health problems.

Robin Gerber's biography of Ruth Handler is well researched, thoughtful, insightful and obviously written out of a genuine curiosity. With all this in mind, why did this biography leave me feeling a bit slighted? I think the answer lies in the title, which implies a dual biography that simply doesn't exist. Part of the problem obviously exists with the marketing of the book. The cover clearly shows preferential treatment of Barbie. Look at the sweeping title and font of "Barbie" and then the rather diminiuative "Ruth" below "Barbie" and the title. Truth be told, there is really very little about Barbie doll that most folks haven't already heard about decades ago. Her humble beginnings are not revelatory here. By the end of the book, you know very little about Barbie but a lot more about her "mother".The reader is treated to not only a chronological biography of her inventor but also an emotional history as well. Under Gerber's pen, Ruth Handler becomes someone more than just a name once linked to scandal. Gerber portrays the tough as nails Handler also as a vulnerable and at times insecure woman. There is little sentimentality here. Gerber doesn't try to make Handler out as a saint--as perhaps many of her admirers do to a fault. This is perhaps one of the real achievements of this book. Love her or hate her, the Ruth Handler legacy will always lie within glint of the child's eye when dreaming with her invention.

I really enjoyed the book! I was amazed at all the things that happened in Ruth's life. Bad and good! I hadn't known anything about the Barbie backstory so the book was quite enlightening. What she did for breast cancer survivors was incredible. My sister faced the problem of the breast prosthetic that never fit. It's ironic that the person who brought Barbie and her breasts to the world would also improve the life for breast amputees. In my opinion what she did for them is as big a story as her bringing Barbie to the world. Ruth is a hero! This was also a love story - Ruth and her husband never faltered in their love for each other. I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone!

What a fascinating tale! Everyone knows about Barbie the doll, but few people know about Ruth mosko Elliott who created and drove Mattel for many years. As a professional woman who experienced decades of discrimination and demeaning behavior, as a child who played with Barbie, this was a glorious moving story. Ruth was not perfect, as the story shows, but she was quite the person. Well done

Interesting book on the life of Ruth Handler, the creator of Barbie and other notable toys as well as the Mattel Toy Company. For the most part it was a good book, although there were parts that dragged on a little too much. Amazing women and supportive husband (Elliot).

A beautifully written biography of an amazing woman's life. If you don't read this book you will be all the worse because of it. I also read Ruth's autobiography. This is far superior. Enjoy.