The 1996 Miss Universe telecast was seen by an estimated 600 million people in 60 countries around the world. Beauty Queens: A Playful History traces the evolution of the beauty pageant from its early days as a slightly scandalous display of feminine self-confidence to a much-mocked sexist spectacle to its recent return to tremendous international popularity.

How did this quirky custom manage to become such a major cultural institution? When and where did the idea originate? (P. T. Barnum seems at least partly responsible.) And why have so many women eagerly participated as both spectators and contestants? Emphasizing the glory years between 1920 and 1970, Candace Savage offers entertaining yet thought-provoking answer to these questions while having great fun exploring every aspect of the pageant’s curious history. Anyone who has ever sniffled as the winner wept tears of joy will thoroughly enjoy this lighthearted tribute.