The product information is incorrect. I have this book and it has patterns and instructions for making cloth dolls and animals. There is nothing whatsoever in the book about the history of dolls. The paper back book that the description is referring to is another book entirely.
The dolls are simple, unsophisticated and easy for a beginner to make. Full size patterns are supplied and the instructions are easy to follow. There are play dolls, decorative dolls, a doorstop, a pajama bag and a tiny family of dolls among others.