Emily Post: Daughter of the Gilded Age, Mistress of American Manners,   ISBN:9780812967418

Customer Rating: 

If you are interested in the Gilded Age - you will love this book! It started out a tedious read, very confusing at times, as the author tried to set up Emily's heritage. After the first few chapters, the story takes off, delving in to the world of the Social Register & their member's privileged lives. Emily Post led a most interesting & full life, an astute business woman ahead of her time. But she also had her share of tragedies, disappointments & loneliness. Laura Claridge captures the essence of Emily and pays tribute to this remarkable woman and her everlasting legacy.

Customer Rating: 

I have to admit. I had a really hard time getting through this book. It took me 6 or 8 weeks to finish it. (I read Kushiel's Scion (Kushiel's Legacy) which has 200 more pages in 3 weeks, so it was more the lack of interest in the material's presentation than the length of the book.) When Shana asked for some one to take over the responsibility of this book I thought, "How interesting. She must have lead an exciting life." Well, she did lead a fairly exciting life, but the presentation was so dry.

Emily Post was related to the Roosevelt's (she thought Eleanor was too involved in politics and causes), she wrote more than Etiquette and played in the concrete base of the Statue of Liberty! I know I would have enjoyed Emily Post much more if I could have taken my time and read it in pieces over a few months rather than with a deadline. If you have more than a passing interest in Emily Post herself or in the periods that this book covers (1920's to 1950's) I'd recommend this book.

Customer Rating: 

This was a Christmas gift for my daughter and therefore I have not read the book. It did come in perfect condition and in a timely manner.

Customer Rating: 

A good but long read...the first half of the book deals with Mrs. Post before her divorce ... the second half is after her divorce for Edwin Post and her writing and Interior Design careers...in the first half the reader is not to sure that the writer has her subject in very high esteem, the second the author becomes more sympathetic to her subject. This may be due to the authors illness and the when she wrote each part.

This is a detailed biography not only about Emily Post but American culture from post Civil War to the 1960's. Tracing this evolution through the work of Emily is not a unique idea but Ms. Claridge does a good job of blending the transitions through the writing of the ten editions of Ms. Post main body of work on American manners.

Customer Rating: 

"Everything you ever wanted to know about society and etiquette. The perfect book for the person who is impossible to buy for. The compelling and remarkable story of a woman who overcame life's hurdles with style and grace to become the queen of what to and not to do."