Dolls of Our Lives

Written by two female historians, this is a fascinating history of the Pleasant Company, the creators of the American Girl franchise, with pop culture digressions, based on the popular podcast.

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Which American Girl are you? Are you a Molly (a patriotic overachiever with a flair for drama), Felicity (the original horse girl), Kirsten, Samantha, Addy, or Josefina? Have you ever wondered how Britney Spears or Michelle Kwan would answer that question? And why do we care so much which girl we are?

Combining history, travelogue, and memoir, Dolls of Our Lives follows Allison Horrocks and Mary Mahoney on an unforgettable journey to the past as they delve into the origins of this iconic brand. Continuing the conversations that began on their podcast, they set out to answer the lingering questions that keep them up at night - namely, how did this brand shape an entire generation?

Through interviews with a legion of devoted doll lovers, a field trip to Colonial Williamsburg, and an exploration of their own (complicated) fandom, this is a deep dive into one of the 90s most coveted products - the American Girl doll.