Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl

Ages 18 And Up

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.

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.

About the Author

Allison Horrocks is a public historian, park ranger, and podcaster. From an early age, Allison has been hooked on finding good books and touring historic sites. Allison loves sharing stories about the past at her day job and being part of the American Girl fandom on the web. Her doll collection lives in Rhode Island.

Mary Mahoney is a historian and podcaster. She co-hosts "American Girls", a podcast reliving the American Girl series book by book. When not writing or podcasting, Mary can be found in pursuit of Dolly Parton–related trivia, a house museum tour, or the next great reality show (ideally, all of the above). She lives in Connecticut with her wife.