This work investigates the cultural significance and historical evolution of the Miss America pageant within the broader context of American social values. Frank Deford, a veteran sports journalist and cultural commentator, utilizes extensive interviews and archival research to document the pageant's rise from a local Atlantic City promotion to a national institution. He examines how the competition reflects shifting standards of beauty, gender roles, and the commercialization of American femininity throughout the twentieth century.

Critics and readers frequently cite this book as a definitive historical account of the pageant's cultural impact. Experts highlight the author's journalistic rigor in documenting the intersection of entertainment and societal norms.