A Southern Belle Primer: Or Why Paris Hilton Will Never Be a Kappa Kappa Gamma [Paperback]

Maryln Schwartz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 12, 2006

Who knows what lurks in the hearts of the women of Dixie? A Southern Belle Primer tells us all. In this rollicking guide to survival in a society that has not gone with the wind, the mystique of the Southern belle is exposed. Maryln Schwartz’s cult classic and perennial bestseller returns with a new look to steer the next generation of belles through the enduring world of Southern propriety and protocol.

Being a belle is not a part-time job—it’s a cradle-to-grave commitment—and A Southern Belle Primer covers it all. With anecdotes, observations, lists, and delightful illustrations, the Primer delves into family trees, big hair, the Twelve Patterns of the Silver Zodiac (everyone knows girls who choose certain silver patterns are fast), the fashion calendar (the do-or-die seasonal etiquette of patent leather, gloves, and stockings), honorary belles, wannabe belles, fallen belles, and even why Paris Hilton will never be a Kappa Kappa Gamma.

The Primer also reveals shocking real-life stories from contemporary Southern belle history: the truth behind the Garden Club wars in Natchez, Mississippi, the Chattanooga woman shunned by society for a faux pas in her chicken salad recipe, and the disastrous white-shoe-in-September affair during the Texas visit of Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York.

What The Official Preppy Handbook did for the madras-and-penny-loafer set A Southern Belle Primer does for the indestructible ladies from below the Mason–Dixon Line, in an uproarious guide to navigating a society that continues to fascinate people the world over.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Maryln Schwartz was a feature writer and columnist for the Dallas Morning News. Her work has appeared in more than two hundred newspapers, and she has won numerous awards for her articles. A native of Mobile, Alabama, Ms. Schwartz lives in Dallas

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (September 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767925270
• ISBN-13: 978-0767925273
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 0.3 x 5.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #264,881 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars SAME BOOK--DIFFERENT COVER, January 3, 2007

By 

K. Burns "THE BELLE" (THE DEEP SOUTH) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Southern Belle Primer: Or Why Paris Hilton Will Never Be a Kappa Kappa Gamma (Paperback)

I THOUGHT I WAS PURCHASING A NEW RELEASE BOOK. IT IS THE SAME BOOK PUBLISHED AS A SOUTHERN BELLE PRIMER OR WHY PRINCESS MARGARET WILL NEVER BE A KAPPA KAPPA GAMMA. THERE ARE A FEW PARAGRAPHS THAT HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO REFLECT PARIS HILTON RATHER THAN PRINCESS MARGARET. THE ORIGINAL BOOK WAS A "5", BUT I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT I SPENT MONEY FOR THE SAME BOOK.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Read, April 11, 2008

By 

Kay Sites (Clarksville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Southern Belle Primer: Or Why Paris Hilton Will Never Be a Kappa Kappa Gamma (Paperback)

This is the 5th one I've purchased for my daughters and neices. My mother being a belle herself from New Orleans, I was raised on these principles. What a delightful way to pass down this knowledge to my girls. Its a fast and hysterical read, we laughed so hard on our trip to Atlanta we had to pull over. I recommend this for any lady who lives below the Mason Dixon line.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Disguised as Humor, September 19, 2007

By 

K. Miller (Tennessee) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Southern Belle Primer: Or Why Paris Hilton Will Never Be a Kappa Kappa Gamma (Paperback)

I loved this book when it came out in 1990 (right?). I see it has been somewhat updated. It contains very helpful, true information. I just wish it wasn't all disguised as humor. Many of my friends didn't like this book because they thought it was making fun of us.