Mattel, the world's largest toy company, has had its share of problems and scandals over the 6 decades it has been in business. Beginning with the feud between co-presidents Jack Ryan and Ruth Handler over who really came up with the Barbie doll, up to the latest fiasco involving massive recalls of millions of toys due to high-lead paint content and the even more deadly tiny magnets that were swallowed by children. Barbie was the genius invention of Mattel and the largest selling fashion doll in the world ---- until what the author calls that "slutty, freaky-looking, upstart" doll line, Bratz, appeared in 2001 and Barbie suddenly found herself replaced in the hearts of little girls everywhere. Barbie may have the last laugh on the Bratz Pack as Mattel sued Bratz parent company MGA citing copyright infringement and stating that the designer, who had previously worked for Mattel, came up with the idea for the dolls while working for them. Mattel won the lawsuit but MGA seems to still be the production company. Through Congressional hearings, misappropriation of funds, Consumer Product Safety censures and grass-roots boycotts by concerned parents, Mattel remains the largest toy manufacturer world-wide.

For the most part I enjoyed this eye-opening account of Mattel's inner workings although, at times, the book seemed like a vicious 'trash and bash' to me. I would think that over 60 years Mattel must have done something good and not be all about profits, but that may just be me being naive. It also makes one wonder about the integrity of other large companies and what skeletons may be lurking in the closets of their own Barbie dream houses.
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Oppenheimer takes the reader on a journey into the cut-throat world of the toy industry, focusing on Mattel and their many foibles and successes. Mattel attracted some of the brightest and the best to toy design, manufacturing and marketing, who also happened to be some of the quirkiest and snarkiest.

When Elliot and Ruth Handler created the company in 1945, they mostly made dollhouse furniture and toy instruments. Mattel became more and more popular, especially due to being one of the first toy companies to advertise on television. Barbie was introduced to the world in 1959, and she created contention and scandal both in the world at large and behind the scenes at Mattel. There were arguments about who really created and designed the doll as well as patent and licensing scuffles, causing numerous legal battles. Barbie wasn’t the only toy opprobrium, particularly damning were the many toy recalls in the 1990s that almost brought the whole company crashing down.

The Mattel company history is very convoluted. The people in charge were domineering, arrogant and aggressive. They were rich and flaunted it, especially Jack Ryan and Jill Barad. They also were not afraid to fight dirty. The author, while a bit gossipy, does a fair job at relating the facts and uses many primary sources to hold up this fascinating story. It was an entertaining read about a company that does some very disturbing things.

About: Oppenheimer is the male Kitty Kelley as he provides a surprisingly salacious account of the history of the Mattel toy company. From feuds between the coked up, bipolar, sex addicted "Father of Barbie" Jack Ryan and the founder of Mattel "Mother of Barbie" Ruth Handler to very unethical business practices and lead-filled playthings and deadly magnets in toys, if you had a rosy image of the company, it will be quite tarnished after reading this book.

Pros: Very fascinating in a "I wouldn't suspect that" kind of way given that it's a toy company. I enjoyed how the workings of a corporation could be be so engaging. The tale keeps you hooked.

Cons: Tabloid-like feel, not all sources cited, only selected bibliography. The book just sort of ends, with no real sum-up. ( )