On blondes

In art and literature, in history and popular culture, blonde has never been a mere colour. For two-and-a-half thousand years, it has been a blazing signal in code, signifying beauty, power and status. To feed this obsession entire industries have developed, influential trends set. From Greek prostitutes mimicking golden-haired Aphrodite, to the Californian beach babe; from pigeondung and saffron dyes to L'Oréal - because you're worth it - we see the lengths to which women will go to become blonde. The power and duality of the blonde as either erotic symbol or saintly virgin waxes and wanes but never disappears.

By looking at the world through the prism of what it is to be blonde, or make oneself blonde, we are drawn into an intriguing portrait of the world. Why is it that blondes rose to prominence in Hollywood and Nazi Germany at the same time? Why do young Japanese women today want to be blonde? Weaving a story rich in anecdote, history and high intrigue, Joanna Pitman effortlessly combines the wealth of her knowledge with a sharp and clearsighted view of the power of the blonde throughout the ages.