Tab Article

Ratings: ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5)
Genre: Etiquette, Reference, Self-Help, Social Sciences, Non-Fiction.

Book Review:
Lady Troubridge's ''The Book of Etiquette'' is a fascinating time capsule of mid-20th-century social norms and formal manners. Marketed as ''The Complete Standard Work of Reference on Social Usages,'' it aims to be the definitive guide for navigating polite society. Compiled from authoritative sources, it covers a vast range of topics from wedding protocol and table settings to correspondence and appropriate dress for various functions.

For historians, writers, or anyone curious about the rigid social codes of a bygone era, this book is a valuable resource. It offers clear, precise instructions on the ''correct'' way to behave, reflecting the class-conscious and highly structured society of its time. However, modern readers should approach it with an understanding of its context. Many of its rules will seem antiquated, overly formal, or even exclusionary by today's more relaxed and inclusive standards.

Its strength is its comprehensiveness as a period reference. Its weakness is its lack of contemporary relevance for everyday modern life. It is less a practical guide for today's world and more a historical document of social history. If you are looking for a nostalgic read or need to research period manners for a project, this book is perfect. If you seek advice for current social situations, you may find it charmingly outdated.