Esquire's Handbook for Hosts: A Time-Honored Guide to the Perfect Party [Hardcover]

Esquire (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1999

Take an entertaining look back at how to party it up like they did fifty years ago - in the age of 'Lounge.'

Now re-introduced for the first time since its original publication in 1949, this book is full of classic advice and guidelines on how to throw a fabulous cocktail party.

Complete with everything from directions on how to stock the bar to tips on making conversation to hilarious party games and 400 delightful and useful period illustrations, Esquire's Handbook for Hosts is a delightful reminder that even the most hopeless host can give a terrific party, whether it's New Year's Eve 1949 or 1999.

The nostalgic chapters include: Eat - The World's Best Chefs Wear Pants, Foreign Flavors to Win Guest's Favors; Drink - What the Well-Dressed bar Will Wear, Five O'Clock Whistle Whetters; And Be Merry - Games, After-Dinner Witchcraft, How Attractive Are You to Women? and 365 excuses for a Party.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Learn how to throw a hopping party like they did fifty years ago! A must-have for every party giver, Esquire's Handbook for Hosts is a time-honored guide on how to eat, drink and be merry with inimitable style. Originally published in 1949, it offers the secrets of the perfect cocktail party with the tradition, excitement and hosting flair of the postwar heydays.

Each of the three main sections, "Eat," "Drink" and "Be Merry," offers a wealth of ideas: delicious main courses and hours d'oeuvres, refined serving suggestions and tasty cocktails. Amusing party games, tricks and puzzles from exotic poker games to bar tricks (suitably called "Checkpayers") break the ice. The more you browse, the more great information you'll find - all vintage 1950s, when the perfect host was king.

Complete with party themes, directions on how to stock the bar, tips on making coversation, and clothing advice, this book is a delightful reminder that even the most hopeless host can give a fabulous and memorable party.

From the Back Cover

This classic on the art of throwing a party offers secrets from fifty years ago that will make your average affair into a fabulous one.

In This Book You'll Find:

- Over 300 refreshing recipes for cocktails, punch, eggnog, coffees and other drinks

- Over 200 sumptuous recipes for hors d'oeuvres, main dishes, soups and salads

- Entertaining conversation starters, tips and suggestions

- Hilarious games and party tricks

- An etiquette refresher course and clothing suggestions

- Effective hangover cures

- 365 excuses for a party

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579120431
• ISBN-13: 978-1579120436
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 5.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #187,435 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Special Occasions > Party Planning

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply The Best! September 23, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

This handbook is not only the most informative of all, but it is also a great guide to throwing parties. Its biggest section about making drinks is a fabulous 'word to the wise'. I encourage you to buy this book!

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book! May 24, 2013

By jodie

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Was thrilled to find this book, it's stuff like this that makes me love amazon. This is another book that I lost though the years and I looked it up out of curiosity one day and now it's back in my collection of books again. This book has tons of alcoholic drinks as well as any other kind of drinks you can imagine, plus many superb recipes and awesome ideas for parties. It's written back in a time when life was a party everyday , you know back then it seems like everyone was always entertaining and having parties , oh that must have been such a great time to live in!

5.0 out of 5 stars Filled with great party ideas for the gentleman host December 23, 2012

By WJ

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Truly a throughback to another era, with great ideas for entertaining, hosting people for drinks, and what might have once been termed, "parlor entertainment".

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Great ideas - a little outdated. February 21, 2001

By "kjnprncss"

Format:Hardcover

This book is chalked full of information - but some of it is a little outdated - though not all of it. There is a lot of great ideas, information, etc., - you just might need to apply a 90's spin, etc., to some of it. I was hoping to find some really great party games -- don't buy it for this necessarily. Overall, no regrets about buying the book.