One of Barad's favorite statistics is that every second three Barbie dolls are sold. Even though Barad flaunts her own kind of flamboyance, she is no Barbie doll herself. Since becoming head of Mattel Inc., Barad has overseen an operation that in 1994 earned more than $2.7 billion in revenues. Of that amount, the Barbie doll, thirty-five years old and still going strong, earned $1 billion. By 1998 revenues soared to more than $4.8 billion. Barad is proud of what the toy has accomplished. "I'm very conscious of showing that Barbie's been an astronaut or that she's a doctor," Barad explained. "It's what we do in the world, not what we look like, that will be remembered." Coming from a woman who first graced the halls of the venerable toy company in short purple skirts, these are words to ponder.

Troubles in Toyland.

During her tenure as CEO, Barad restored...