Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management (Oxford World's Classics) [Abridged] [Paperback]

Isabella Beeton (Author), Nicola Humble (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 18, 2000 | Series: Oxford World's Classics

An almost forgotten classic though a founding text of Victorian middle-class identity,Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management is a volume of insight and common sense. Written by what one might now describe as a Victorian Martha Stewart, the book offers advice on fashion, child-care, animal husbandry, poisons, and the management of servants. To the modern reader expecting stuffy verbosity or heavy moralizing, Beeton's book is a revelation: it explores the foods of Europe and beyond, suggesting new food stuffs and techniques, mixing domestic advice with discussions of science, religion, class, industrialism and gender roles. Alternately frugal and fashionable, anxious and self confident, the book highlights the concerns of the growing Victorian middle-class at a key moment in its history. This abridged edition serves as a cookery book, while documenting a significant aspect of Victorian social and cultural history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

`conveys a wonderful insight into Victorian life.' Marguerite Patten, Saga, July 2000

`The book is a great reference for classic British food' Restaurant

'It could well turn out to be the surprise bestseller of 2000,answering as it does the new hunger for real cooking ....[it] exactly captures our longing for a return to the real thing.' Kathryn Hughes, The Observer, 2.1.2000

About the Author

Nicola Humble is at Roehampton Institute, London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 672 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; Abridged edition (May 18, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192833456
• ISBN-13: 978-0192833457
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,021,021 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple life? I think not! November 7, 2005

By N. L. Poehler

Format:Paperback

This book is written in such a way that you are drawn into the past and standing alongside the mistress of the house...planning your day and making sure the "household help" do their jobs well. It certainly reminds us of the benfits we have currently - with washing machines, dishwashers, automobiles, pre-packaged food and yes,fast food, yet still don't have enough time to do all the things we need/want to do. How would you like to dress your own cow or help make every article of clothing you wear (even though the "hired help" did most of it)? A brief introduction to the book instills in the reader a sense of where Mrs. Beeton arrived at her thoughts for "proper household management." She seems to have been frustrated by societal changes she was witnessing and wanted her "good ol' days" to return. It is a book I highly recommend not only for the history, but for the entertainment value. I could not put it down once I started.

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars great for the domestic victorian re-enacter April 24, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

Inside you will not only find all kinds of information on cooking and the products used but loads of drawings of kitchen gadgets and food dishes, information on how a victorian kept a household and the servants within, cared for the sick, maintained a degree of ettiquette as well as planned the type of meals held throughout the year for family and guests. This is certainly a wonderful read and the recipies are easy to follow.

146 of 170 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Mrs Beeton October 27, 2000

A Kid's Review

Format:Paperback

I find that if Mrs Beeton was alive today, she would be discusted at the sight of this book. It does not have all the recipes that other cookery books of hers have in it. The best book that you can by of hers is the one called

'Mrs Beetons Book of Household Management: A Specially Enlarged First Edition Facsimile/07542'

You can find this book by clicking on the part to the left under the book search part where it says 'Other Books By Isabella Beeton'. You will find it under the 'Out Of Print' section. This will be more usefull, and has those few little recipes in them like 'Apple Jelly' or 'Christmas Cake'. It is more usefull, with more descriptive pictures in it. Do not fall into the same trap that I did.