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

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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.

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: Broadway (September 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767925270
• ISBN-13: 978-0767925273
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #89,204 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 22 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 (REAL NAME)

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.

3 of 3 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 (REAL NAME)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Overview of Southern Ways, July 31, 2007

By	L. Lynn (Long Island, New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the same basic book as, "Why Princess Margaret will never be a Kappa..."
It offers good insight into Southern women/culture in a lighthearted way.
Great for someone moving to the South or a young woman going to college in the South for the first time.
Easy and fun to read.