Big Hair

Book excerpt: From Marilyn, Twiggy & Farrah to Julia Roberts, Princess Di & Linda Evangelista, hair is a subject to be studied, coveted, & copied. In Big Hair,Ó the ultimate book about hair -- hair styles, hair color, hair stories & hair history, from beehives to bobs & beyond -- anthropologist McCracken spins a fun, hip cultural tale detailing how modern women use the power of hair to transform their lives. Hair, often dismissed as superficial girl stuff, is, in fact, loaded with a multitude of cultural signifiers. In the universe of hair, blondness is a resource & an opportunity for self-exploration. But brunettes & redheads won't be disappointed because they are also deconstructed. After reading this book, you won't look at hair the same way again. B&W photos.