Customer Reviews

The Art of the Table: A Complete Guide to Table Setting, Table Manners, and Tableware

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My best friend, who collects silver, recommended this book to me; the combination of THE ART OF THE TABLE and eBay is a dangerous, but pleasurable one.

I was afraid it would simply be an extremely high-ticket etiquette manual. While it explains what fork to use -- and I never knew there were so many kinds of forks! -- it also explains the history and craftsmanship behind flatware and dishes with a fascination I could well appreciate and a level of knowledge I had to respect.

The level of care and detail is intimidating. I rather doubt I'll ever entertain in diplomatic circles, which is kind of a shame because now I'd know what to do! For daily life, I'd say more care&feeding of tableware is definitely indicated, and I'd be glad of a maintenance section: what to do when things scratch, things break, etc. And I'm going to put my sterling in the dishwasher ANYHOW.

Reading this book is like looking at holiday catalogues: you understand why they used to be called wishbooks. I'm proud, however, that my friends say I set a lovely table (they're good guests, which is an art in itself), and I'm determined now NOT to keep the "good stuff" stored away because it's too good to use.

von Drachenfels has added to my quality of life, as well as my credit-card balance. I'd say I came out the winner.

I loved this book as it contains tons of useful information. You don't need to read it all, if you wish, but, it's worth having it for reference.

The Art of the Table helped me in making my mind about the pieces of tableware I should buy considering my "entertaining" style and the courses I usually serve to my guests. She is not pretentious or snob and clearly advises you to buy the best quality of tableware you can afford and forget about buying silver, for example, if you simply don't have the budget.

I also love the detail. It's the first book of the many I own on table settings that tells me what are the differences between the three possible coffee cups you can buy (coffee, after-dinner coffee and demitasse). Not bad as I live in Italy and Italians are crazy about coffee!!

My advice: simply buy it.

This book is filled with details about dinning, plate service, silverware, glassware, and so much more. Granted much of the information contained in this book is not useful in everyday life, as the progression of tableware is much beyond what we normally use, the extra tidbits of information is very enlightening. I like this book because it explains everything you could possibly encounter. I found that the pictures of silverware, and tableware to be very helpful.

Drachenfels writes with a great style that makes the reading effortless. She writes a thorough history of tableware, and manners how they have developed through the ages. Sometimes the reasoning behind a specific manner can be very intriguing. While the book calls itself a complete guide to table setting, manners, and tableware, I feel its main focus is on the tableware and table setting. This is not the complete guide to manners.

The book is a fascinating read if you are interesting in dinning, and is very helpful for setting a table, and selection of tableware. The book is well written, easy to read, and has many illustrations for examples of what is being discussed. The Art of the Table is also very interesting from a historical perspective and how dinning has evolved in the West over the years.

This book makes for great reading and reference for anyone who loves silver, china, crystal, manners, entertaining, or the history of dining. There is plenty of good information for novices looking for their first patterns, as well. The history of the evolution of sterling silver designations, and the differences among types of china and stoneware are well described and interesting. Especially helpful is practical advice for choosing and combining patterns. The book is informative even for those already familiar with the topics.

Gently and sensibly, this author explains the purpose of formal and informal dining and guides her readers towards a satisfying dining experience. If this book is not considered THE ultimate informative guidebook on the subject, it should be.

The majority of Americans do not observe the strict protocol of formal dining but everyone will benefit from the information found here. A well laid table says "welcome" to both family members and guests. Setting a pleasant informal table, serving food graciously, and enjoying mealtimes are all covered here. Readers will learn how to choose and properly care for
dinnerware, flatware, and glassware. Menu planning and table manners are also discussed in thorough and helpful ways. Whether you want to enhance a simple family meal, plan a buffet luncheon, or entertain royalty, von Drachenfels outlines each contingency step by step. Formal and informal dining in American and Continental style are thoroughly explained in easy-to-understand terms with simple pictures to accompany each topic. If you ever wondered what all the forks were for, or worried over proper placement of soiled napkins, you'll find those answers here.

The Art of the Table is much more than helpful and informative. The author includes a fascinating history of eating utensils, serving ware, glassware, tea, wine, and coffee. And in the center of the book are full color pictures of both formal and informal table settings. In essence, this book is like the dining experience von Drachenfels extols -- a memorable experience. It would be the ideal gift for brides, and is a must have for anyone wishing to learn more about The Art of the Table.

Do you love to entertain at home yet aren't sure of all the rules of etiquette? What is the correct place to put the butter knife? Is it necessary to put a different fork when serving fish? Should bread be buttered entirely or bite by bite? What is the difference between the various types of wine glasses?

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced host, you'll find The Art of the Table a complete, invaluable guide filled with all there is to know about table setting, table manners, and tableware.

In spite of its length, the book is easy to follow and written in reader-friendly language. It is filled with interesting facts, as well as fascinating quotes and proverbs from famous people throughout the ages. In the middle of the book the author includes beautiful color photographs of various styles of table settings--formal, informal, eclectic, European, American, Spanish colonial, rustic, contemporary, etc.. All though the book, however, there are detailed drawings used for demonstration, offering the reader a clear idea of the author's how-to explanations.

The book is divided into nine parts, each encompassing several topics:

One: Dining Fundamentals
Two: Dinnerware
Three: Flatware
Four: Stemware
Five: Table Linens
Six: Serving Techniques
Seven: Dining Finesse
Eight: Menu Plan
Nine: Table Manners

The best thing about the book is not only that it demonstrates the "how-to" of table setting, but that it offers a lot of information about tableware. For instance, in Part Four, Stemware, the author gives a historical background of glass and crystal, the different decorative methods and styles, the different categories, their shape and purpose, how to place stemware, how to purchase stemware, and even how to care for it. The same is done in the other parts with Dinnerware, Flatware, Table Linens, etc.. Thus this book is, in every sense of the word, a complete reference book.

As a long-time collector of place settings in porcelain, antique china, contemporary china, sterling, crystal and elegant glassware, I found this book to be comprehensive in scope -- defining each place setting piece and its usage, as well as including lots of information on service, care, manners, and protocol.

It would have been further enhanced by some color photographs of a variety of well-set tables.

The author also covers the history and many classifications of dinnerware and flatware and stemware and linens. However, one disappointment was that, in her chapters on the history and types of dinnerware, while she covers a variety of countries and sources -- including Chinese, Islamic, Italian, German, English, and American -- she astonishingly totally omits all mention of French porcelain (notably that from the city of Limoges). She never even mentions the Haviland companies or others in Limoges, considered by many to be among the finest makers of porcelain using some of the strongest, whitest clay in the world, and producing thousands of designs. Antique Haviland & Company dinnerware pieces are in great demand today and come in every imaginable design and shape and size and purpose. These pieces are a study in Victorian dining -- a style for each type of food in each of the thirteen courses of the formal Victorian dinner, and should surely have been mentioned in any overview of dinnerware pieces and their history.

But to most readers this would be a minor point. The history coverage is not the main point or value of the book, in my mind.

It is a well-researched coverage of lots of information relating to the table settings themselves, all in one place. I had learned much of this over the years as I collected and read about table setting pieces, especially dinnerware and sterling, but to have a single reference is an excellent contribution and would have made my information-gathering easier while I collected and learned.

And, as someday these pieces will be passed on to my daughters, this book will be an invaluable accompaniment on table settings and entertaining using these collections -- it is my belief that they should be used and enjoyed, not packed away for some special day that never arrives, because it's too much trouble to get them out or for fear of damage.

Setting a nice table is an art that makes for gracious entertaining as well as for daily family dinner settings that make each meal special -- whether with fine antique china and sterling or with simple attractive pottery and stainless.

For someone interested in table settings and all the subtleties of dining, this is an excellent source of information.

I so wish I had found this book ten years ago when I got married! My mother doesn't have much china; she has no silver and no crystal. My mother-in-law's china has been locked up in her attic for thirty-eight years. I married my high school sweetheart right after he graduated from medical school. lol!

When I registered for my place settings, I registered for what the clerk told me to, not knowing anything about why I would need rimmed soup bowls instead of cream soup bowls, etc. I chose at the time not to register for sterling, but rather good stainless, a move I now regret. I just didn't understand what I needed and why.

I have been doing well over the years by watching other people at dinner parties and learning on the spot. Also, I had a good etiquette book, so I was able to make it through the world of entertaining until now.

This book is a Godsend! It is far more comprehensive than a regular etiquette book, and I am especially enjoying the history lessons of both the tableware pieces and the roots of some of the food-related sayings we still have today (like "to whet the appetite"). I am actually reading it cover to cover, and then will most likely use it as a reference piece.

Now that I have been married ten years, I have decided to finish my china collection, start a sterling collection and completely redo my crystal collection. I don't think I could do any of that properly without this book. I finally have an understanding of what pieces I need, as well as what to do now that my china pattern has been discontinued. Yes, the book is very very comprehensive-- who knew there were so many knives!!! And, yes, I won't need to purchase every piece of every collection. But, isn't it nice to know that these pieces exist and how to properly use them?

This book preserves the history of tableware. If this book wasn't this comprehensive, would the art of the table be lost? I think so! The author even mentions that, for instance, luncheon plates are not needed in many cases today since so many women work outside of the home, and women don't luncheon much any more. She is well-aware of her purpose in this book, which is to be comprehensive.

This book is well-worth the money, and I do believe I will start to give it as a bridal shower gift.

At last a book that address's the who, what, when, where, how and why of table settings, tableware and manners. Very sadly over the years etiquette, especially table has been flushed down the proverbial toilet. This is a must have reference book for any home; and, makes for a great engagement, housewarming or new apartment gift. There are two (2) hope chests sitting within the walls of our home; both have a copy of The Art of the Table. Upon receiving this book, my girls and I sat down and started to skim through it,two (2) hours later found us taking out the fine china, stemware and silver. We set both a formal and informal table. A memory I shall forever treasure. Suzanne Von Drachenfels thank you, for this great book.

I was tempted to simply curl up on the sofa and read this substantial and well laid-out reference book, but the author's idiosyncrasies and the publisher's poor copyediting make me too uncomfortable to sit still.

Most sections start with a little rhyme or aphorism, many composed by the author herself. Unfortunately, her skill at coining a phrase does not rise to the level of her through research and fine organization. And since the editors can't even tell the difference between how to "lay" a table and what "lies" on it (for example), they apparently didn't consider reining her in. The sweetness of the information and the author's enthusiasm are made unpalatable by one cringe-inducing jingle after another and an endless, carbon-copied parade of etymology lessons. A few passages of text are so convoluted as to be indecipherable. Argh.

The good: Exhaustive information, drawings, and photographs of individual pieces of tableware (flatware and dishes), how to arrange them, how to select and purchase them, when and how to use them, and how to care for them; how to set for and serve formal and informal meals; how to select and drape tablecloths; how to decorate a table with flowers. Great information for collectors as well as hosts and guests. A handsomely set book that I've referred to again and again.

The bad: A publisher that didn't respect the author (or its customers) enough to edit her work with the same thoroughness she brought to the project.

The ugly: A book whose flaws keep it from rising to the author's vision of elegance, ease, and usefulness.